THE CHAMPLAIN Cu r r e n t Champlain College • Burlington, Vermont Vol. 8, No. 60 • April 2011

INSIDE Studying in the

Street Fighter Radiation Islands 5 by Abbie Clark death tolls had reached 10,035, become harmful. With Staff Writer with nearly 17,443 people miss- little improvement taken ing. According to the Guardian, place successfully, the Barely in his twenties, Justin the Japanese police believe the United States is urging Brunet is traveling to the other final death count may reach an evacuation of all its’ side of the world, without the 18,000 people. Millions are still citizens within an 80 mile support of his parents or the without heat and electricity. The radius of the disaster, yet college. He doesn’t know what nuclear power plant, Fukushima Brunet still wants to go. awaits him when he steps off the Dai-ichi, although was built to “Nothing is definite. plane, nor does he know how his withstand earthquakes, was In the next couple days, semester in Japan will proceed as damaged by the tsunami and has the nuclear reactors will the effects of the recent disaster been leaking radiation. A week either completely go, sink in. after the disaster the reactors stopping me and I’ll go Justin Brunet, far right, with other students in Japan. Photo By Wesley Boyette On Friday, March 11, north- are still not under control. On in the summer, or it’ll eastern Japan had an earthquake an international scale of zero to be fine,” Justin said last 18 his parents did not have to the waiver. with a 9.0 magnitude, creating a seven, the Fukushima disaster is week. sign, but it was recommended, On Tuesday, March 22, Brunet tsunami with waves as high as rated a six, second to Chernobyl, After a week of being unsure and after a week of support from disregarded the concerns felt by http://www.impawards.com/1994/posters/ 10 meters. The magnitude makes and already worse than the if he could leave the country for the college, on March 18, he his family and education and left street_fighter_xlg.jpg it the largest earthquake to hit Three Mile Island incident. the first time in his life, Brunet received word that Champlain the following day to study abroad Japan in recorded history and the Currently the evacuation zone is decided to go, even though his College no longer recommended seventh largest in the world since 20 km, and radiation levels are parents initially refused to sign that he travel. Eventually both See Islands Embracing records began. As of March 25, rising in Tokyo, but have yet to the liability waiver. Being over Brunet and his parents signed Page 10 South Africa 7 Recent Grad’s Second Play Champlainers Take to be Performed in May Service Trip to

by Emily Cummings by Champlain College under- with the process and I can’t Nicaragua Special to the Current graduates and was founded wait for everyone to see the and is overseen by Professional performance in May,” Wisch Most 25 year-olds who dream Writing Program Director and says. The play is, quickly by Melissa George We went expecting to work, of being a playwright today professor Tim Brookes. summed, a misadventure of Special to the Current and work we did. We joined are following around their “This being [my] second four guys in their mid-twenties forces with a farmers’ coopera- mentors with a constantly play, I’m a lot more familiar who mean well, but can’t seem Manure, cockroaches and giant tive in an area of the country refreshed cup of coffee to stay out of trouble. It’s a spiders—what could possibly called La Paz to help with three and copy editing lines comedy, with a surprising be more memorable than that? biogas systems. to learn the craft, or amount of action for such Smiles, hugs, and the friends A biogas system traps the Photo Provided carrying props. Recent a short play. The entire we left behind. methane created by a mixture Champlain College performance runs about Nicaragua (population 6 of water and cow manure and graduate, Ali Wisch has an hour. million) is the second poorest channels it so it can be used to completed her second “It’s very unusual for country in the Americas, “The Hot Pink play in a year, “The Hot someone so young, let after Haiti. Despite rich Meltdown” Toilet Photos Pink Meltdown.” The alone any playwright right resources of water and play will be performed now, to be publishing two farmland, Nicaraguans 12 at 8PM, May 4-6 at plays, having the second have the highest rate Champlain College in performed, and filming the of undernourishment Alumni Auditorium. first. And all at the same in Central America Tickets are $7 in time,” says Brookes. and almost half of the advance or $8 at the That’s right, in addition population lives below door. to the performance and the poverty line. With Even more unusual the books (both plays are inflation at near 10 for such a young play- available for purchase), percent, 80 percent of wright, Wisch will also Wisch is also filming her Nicaraguans live on less be publishing both first play, “25 Squirrels.” than two dollars per day. her plays with the “It’s a lot of work, but I Of those, more than half Champlain College love it,” says Wisch, “This are single mothers. Publishing Initiative is what I want to be doing With some exposure (CCPI) for purchase in even if it does take a great to Human Rights issues print. CCPI is unlike deal of energy.” in Core 320 and a lot of Marissa George Photo Provided any other publishing anxiety, Champlain stu- organization in the See Play dents, faculty and staff wanted power a gas stove. In an area Jenna Grimaldi Photo Provided nation. It is mainly run Tim Brookes reads the Current on the hot pink toilet. Photo Provided Page 11 to make a difference. of the country where electricity On March 6, 2011, I joined and running water are spo- my students David Madonna, radic, this provides consistent Caitlin Golub, Jerica Dziki, fuel for cooking. Closing the Suicide Prevention Gap Heather Barrett, Marissa We worked on various stages George, Brian Esola and Service of the system: we cleaned by Dan Cooley of youth suicide. leading cause of death here in people were suffering the horrible and Civic Engagement Director out the pit where the system Staff Writer According to the Youth Suicide Vermont. Even though suicide effects of suicide than previously Kyle Dodson on a spring break needed to go and lined it with Prevention Program, approxi- has always been one of the top ten thought, and in an attempt to service trip. plastic. Unfortunately, no one After the recent suicides of high mately 4,250 Americans between causes of death in the state, the resolve the problem the Vermont The goals of the trip were told the two-inch-round spiders school student Connor Menning the ages of 10 and 24 commit Vermont Department of Mental Department of Mental Health to understand social injustice living in the pit that they would and St. Michael’s freshman suicide every year. This makes Health only really increased its Services gathered its resources beyond the confines of our need to relocate. Jordan Porco, a public outcry budget to assist suicide preven- and released a plan of action in comfortable classroom, and to We carried and mixed water, has been made to improve tion programs after being rocked 2005 called the Vermont Suicide try to make life just a little gravel and cement and used it psychiatric assistance for We need to remain troubling statistic recorded in a Prevention Program. better for a few of the most to install the pipes at each end students suffering from survey of High schools in 2003. The program has four main impoverished Nicaraguans. In of the pit. And when a pipe that depression or suicidal tenden- vigilant and increase The result of the Vermont goals aimed at aiding those reality, what we gained was an hadn’t been installed correctly cies in the state of Vermont. our own student Youth Risk Behavior Survey considering suicide before they understanding of the resilience buckled, Kyle, Dave and Brian However, Vermont actually concluded that 13% of students attempt it, resolving the issues of the human spirit and human has a fairly comprehensive assistance programs in grades 8-12 had made a plan leading them to suicide, and connections that changed the See Nicaragua mental health services pro- about how to attempt suicide, dealing with the after-effects way we see the world. Page 10 gram already in place, and 7% had actually attempted sui- associated with suicide. The has conducted several studies cide, and 2% had made a suicide on students and young adults in suicide the 11th leading cause attempt that required medical See Suicide an attempt to quell a rising tide of death in the U.S., and the 8th treatment. This meant that more Page 10

Fáilte Ireland by Rachel Salois Archaeological Museum exam- and Elizabeth Crawford ining ancient artifacts from Dublin Correspondents Pompeii, to gear myself up for my daytrip there to the This is not what I had planned ruins the next day but, as a for my spring break. sign on the door patronizingly I sat on a rusting bench in informed me, the museum was the middle of a rotary in Naples, only closed on Tuesdays, and Italy as pigeons flocked around that’s precisely what this was. piles of garbage, cars and Part one of my spring Vespas provided a soundtrack break was spent in Sardinia, of relentless honking, and cou- which involved downpours, ples stuck their tongues down each other’s throats. I was See Ireland supposed to be at the National Page 11 Rachel and Liz during their time in Ireland. Photo Provided Page 2 FEATURES The Champlain Current Los Dormant The China Experience Volcanos by Abbie Clark the currency exchange and a Staff Writer two-hour flight to Wuhan. With by Leslie Duclos the time change we basically Staff Writer including new ones that are Where to begin? In nine days 21 skipped a day and when our feet usually tested at the “Spinner people sat on planes for over 24 hit the ground, it was Saturday As most college students know show.” Audience member Emily hours, slept on wooden frames, night and we were exhausted, all too well, the end of the year Murnane said, “I love that the stayed with host families, but our night didn’t end there. brings packing, goodbyes, and of Volcanos test out their new games experienced the squatty potty, We met our coordinator of the course, final exams. That time of on the Spinner kids.” LDV show- haggled, and went on a six hour Wuhan portion of the trip, Steve the year comes with everything: cased five new games throughout hike up and down a decrepit Wilmarth. Steve is a teacher tears, mental breakdowns and the show. portion of the Great Wall. It is at the HuaZhong Normal a lot of Ramen noodles and pop- The final game played in the impossible to say that we went University, a high school of corn. However, the two weeks of show brought in a lot of audi- on that trip and came away 6,000 students. We also met our food. Germophobs would have a hard to get used to. stress can be broken up…by a few ence members. Eric Ronis, the with nothing. tour guide, Linda, who was with panic attack once they stepped March 7th the group spent laughs. LDV director, said in an e-mail to COR 330-09, ChinaMojo, us for the remainder of our stay under the arch and into the touring HuaZhong Normal Five or six times a the troupe, “They [the audience] a mobile journalism course in Wuhan. We were told that we street. The vendors smoked University and Central Chinese year, Champlain College’s really participated for ‘Freeze’.” taught by Rob Williams met weren’t even allowed to use tap cigarettes and I wouldn’t say Normal University in Wuhan. Improvisational Comedy Troupe, Most games played require at twice a week at 8am. The class water to brush our teeth, and everything was completely san- During the weekly Flag Raising Los Dormant Volcanos (LDV), puts least input from the audience. consisted of 19 students, mostly after stopping at the hotel, we itary, and most of the vendors Ceremony, we stood on the steps on a show for the students (and Los Dormant Volcanos put juniors, but a few sophomores went on an excursion, explor- didn’t speak English. Ordering in front of an audience of 4,000 sometimes parents). Running at on two smaller shows after the receiving credit as a commu- ing the night life of Wuhan in food was this whole process of students, which wasn’t even about two hours long, each show Spinner performance. One was a nications or writing elective. search of water. Along the way pointing to things, and holding the whole school. We were sup- includes comedy games played twenty minute “bit” for Accepted Unless you were friends with we had our first meals in China- up fingers. Everyone order dif- posed to introduce ourselves, by the troupe, and even the audi- Students Day April 2 and the people in the class before the McDonald’s and Starbucks. ferent foods and passed them saying “Ni Hao, Wuhan, Wo ence! LDV’s most recent show other was similar to the Spinner trip, it was hard to get to know Stumbling back with sore feet around because when in China, Jiao NAME and I am studying took place on Sunday, March 20 show that took place at Quarry anybody. I mean, let’s be hon- and drooping eyes, most of us try everything. The rest of the XXXX at Champlain College,” at Spinner Place. Hill on April 3 at 7p.m. est, how many people are wide had a very unpleasant night’s day was spent driving around but the student leaders of the Traditionally, the show at So, if you are looking to take awake and in a talkative mood sleep. The hotel opened our eyes Wuhan learning the rules of ceremony were uninformed and Spinner Place is a smaller, more a break from hours of studying that early on Mondays? Even if to the Chinese way of sleep- Chinese law enforcement- there dismissed the group before we intimate setting, and Sunday’s that inevitably comes with finals, I hated the trip, I still would’ve ing- no heat and on a wooden are none, and Uies are normal, got a chance. One of the most show was no exception. With an consider checking out the End- come back with new friends. frame with a thin mattress pad even for tour buses. We went to interesting parts of the day was audience of around sixteen, troupe Of-The-Year show. It will take It’s kind of hard to spend that thrown on top. the Yangtze River, the Temple seeing the high school’s library, member Eboney Steward called place on Monday, April 25th at amount of time with the same Our first stop of the morn- of 500 Buddhas, the Hubei which is off limits to students. it, “one of our homier shows.” The 8pm. “I’ll definitely be there,” said people and not bond over one ing was breakfast at the Province Historical Museum, We were told that it’s because show featured fourteen games, Murnane. thing or the other. Hubuxiang Market. Finally it and broke up into our host fam- the books were out of date, but The trip started Friday, was time to have some street ilies. Unfortunately, my host many of the books were litera- March 4th at 4am family didn’t show, so my ture. How could Phantom of the at the Burlington roommate, Ana Dempsey, Opera, Harry Potter, or James International Airport. and I slept in an empty Bond ever get old? When the They Know Where Before we even left the faculty apartment for the Communist Party representa- city we ran into our night, but everyone had a tive was not around the group, first speed bump. Our different experience. That we were informed that books You ARE: Tapping money transfer was day was also the group’s inspire free-thinking. The uni- lost for the first portion first experience with the versity spent most of our time of the trip and wouldn’t squatty potty. We were pitching their international into Up and be found until we were told ahead of time to pack masters program to us, in hopes in Beijing the follow- a roll of toilet paper, but that we would spend our money ing Thursday. Between I don’t think most of us learning to speak Chinese for Coming Social here and Wuhan, noth- expected to find bathroom a year, and learning only that ing major happened, a stalls with holes in the because most of our majors quick flight to Newark, ground. Granted many of Media Tools a 13 ½ hour flight to the bathrooms had auto- See China Beijing, quick stop at matic flushing, but it was Page 10 by Kayleigh Blanchette at the corner of Main Street and Staff Writer Center Street (next to American Flatbread) offers their mayor one Recently, there’s been a movement free beer every week. in social networking to not only Craig Mckeon, a senior and Organizations Help Homeless tell people how your day is going coveter of six mayorships, listed in 140 characters or less, but to numerous places that are also tell people where you are at any catching on. American Eagle in Burlington given moment of your day. grants you a 15% of discount just Four Square, and similar smart for checking in, Three Tomatoes phone applications have taken will give you a small plate for by Brittany Kirvan “Families are the fastest-growing Champlain College has been lend- sophomore year, even more so the sharing and social networking checking in, Ben and Jerry’s will Staff Writer homeless population in Vermont, ing this building to COTS as a past two years. “My junior and to a whole new level. With Four give you three scoops for $3, just as well as nationally,” said Holt. temporary shelter. “We are grate- senior years I spent almost every Square, someone need only choose to name a few. Soaking up the warm morning “In the past year, COTS served ful for the use of this building. We night out there,” Mester added. a place and “check in” and rays on the first day of spring out- 111 families in shelter, which currently have 10 families at [The In her email, Holt mentioned with that everyone following side of Ben and Jerry’s on Cherry includes 187 children.” Champlain Family Shelter], plus the support from the Burlington you on Facebook and Twitter Street sat Karen Latulippe, 47, “We can shelter up to 25 an additional 16 individuals,” said community. “The upcoming COTS can find out where you are. atop her sturdy black milk crate. families. We are currently full, Holt. “Champlain College’s gen- Walk on Sunday, May 1, is one of The application also offers If you frequent Church Street, with a short waiting list,” said erosity has helped ensure safe, the amazing ways the Burlington users the ability to read tips there is a good chance you have Holt of COTS’s three family decent shelter for families here.” community shows its support. This and suggestions on what seen her. shelters: Firehouse, Main Street, Another way Champlain is one of largest fundraisers, but it foods to get, what bathrooms Latulippe sits in this exact and Champlain. There are also College gets involved is through also serves to raise awareness and to avoid, what drink specials spot almost every day of the week two shelters for individuals. its Center for Service and Civic educate as well as celebrate the to take advantage of, what with a smile on her face. “I have “The Waystation can shelter up Engagement Program. For four community support,” Holt said. employees to watch out been out here in some pretty cold to 36 individuals, both men and years the Center has hosted Tent The walk is the one day a year in for, etc. It’s also helpful for weather,” said Latulippe, grate- women—in separate areas—and City, a weeklong program to raise which COTS opens up its shelters spreading the word about an ful for the sunshine. Latulippe is Eagles can shelter up to 16 indi- awareness about homelessness and gives the community a tour event going on at a venue. one of the many people without viduals,” Holt added. and hunger as well as to collect of the programs and facilities. After “checking in” to a a home in Chittenden County. “I COTS also has a daytime, money for the COTS. “We have “There is still time to participate location a few times, you can have a place to stay at night, with drop-in shelter for homeless wonderful support from the stu- in this year’s walk,” Holt added. be awarded badges like the friends,” Latulippe added. adults. “The Daystation is open dents at Champlain College, as While Latulippe patiently “Adventurer” badge for check- Homelessness is a major con- 365 days a year, and it serves the well as the other area colleges,” waits to receive her Social ing into 10 different venues, cern in the community. “According only noontime meal for those in Holt said. Security disability benefits, she or even better the position of to the Census Point in Time need in Burlington,” Holt said. Last fall, the program raised will continue to sit outside on “mayor.” Being mayor means Count for 2010, there were 907 The Eagles and Champlain around $1,600 for COTS, according Cherry Street trying to collect you have checked into that homeless people in Chittenden shelters occupy the former Eagles to Champlain senior and activist some extra change. If handing out location more than anyone County,” Becky Holt, director of Club (a non-profit social club) Joe Mester. “Tent City is about money is not for you, Latulippe’s else “in the past 60 days.” Development & Communications building on the corner of St. Paul spending a lot of time educating favorite breakfast is “sausage, Nichole Magoon, a 2010 gradu- Four Square seems to have a at the Committee on Temporary and Maple Streets. Champlain people on campus, especially those egg, and cheese on a bagel.” ate, and coveter of 16 “mayorships” few outstanding fallbacks how- Shelter (COTS), said in an email. College bought the building in the involved, not only about being says “I use foursquare for two ever. It can come across as a fun, COTS provides emergency summer of 2008 and will eventu- homeless, by not having all of the To register for the walk and reasons. First, I’m a marketing competitive way for businesses to shelter, services, and housing ally turn into housing for 200 or things that allow them to have a for more information, visit www. & social media professional. It’s make more money, for creepers for people who are homeless or more students. home,” said Mester, who has been cotsonline.org. my job to use these social media on social networking sites to find marginally housed in Vermont. Since February 2009, involved with Tent City since his tools to get a clear understanding you, and for Big Brother to track of how they work and how com- you. It’s also really easy to cheat panies can use them to market on Four Square, so the honor code their business or brand. Second, is all that stands between a free it’s fun!” beer and $4 out of your pocket. A Wealth of Knowledge, This application has recently Like every social media tool, caught on at local businesses, who Four Square has its pros and cons. now offer special discounts and Only time will tell if it will catch Assistance Ahead on Tanzania Trip free stuff to their coveted mayor. on. Drink, a trendy bar downtown On May DAY, 2011 ten Champlain similar community outreach pro- have quite the culture shock,” with education development College students, along with gram. “After going on the service Shvakhman said. “I think it’s just through daily activities that fos- two Community Service and trip to D.C. I really wanted to go going to be much more simple liv- ter a safe environment. Civic Engagement (CSCE) staff somewhere out of the country and ing, but it’s something I will get “There’s lot of reasons this trip members, will leave Burlington, do international service work,” adjusted to. I’m not going to have is important, but I think one of Vermont for a three week long said Shvakhman. “This seemed the luxuries I have here every day. the biggest things is for students community service trip in like the perfect opportunity.” Because of that I’ll get to learn a to get out of their comfort zone Want to share Bagamoyo, Tanzania. “I’m really excited,” she contin- lot about the people there as well and really understand what is Teach for Tomorrow, lead by ued. “There’s a lot of things I’m as myself. I think it’s going to be happening around the world. You your voice? CSCE members Maggie Melvin excited about, just having my eyes interesting living in a rural, Third can read about it all you want,” and Abbey Schneider, is a pro- opened up to a brand new culture. World country.” Shvakhman observed, “but expe- gram that provides Champlain I’ve been out of the country but Champlain students will be riencing it hands on and putting Write for the Current! students with the chance to I’ve never done any service work working alongside the Imuma yourself into the shoes of differ- experience a diverse environment outside the country and I’m just Orphanage and Center for ent people in different cultures is while learning about social issues really excited to get to know the Vulnerable Children, the Uhuru a once in a lifetime experience. If that affect other communities natives one on one and really Youth Center for African Arts, you have the chance to do it, do Send your article to: through hands-on experience. understand their culture from and the African Modern Arts Park it because you might not get that [email protected] First time volunteer Jess their perspective. I’m excited to to teach English, math, and com- chance again.” Shvakhman heard about Teach share my culture with them so we puter skills to underprivileged for Tomorrow after she went to can exchange that. youths. Each organization has a Washington D.C. in 2010 for a “I’m obviously going to specific focus that deals directly April 2011 Page 3

Springfest at UVM Approaches Adam Reed ITS Student of the Month by Christopher Parente sold out at Springfest last year. Special to the Current Erica Weinberg, a senior at UVM Adam Reed, a Sophomore Game past three years.” says,”This is my last year as a Programming major, has been The ITS Division acknowledges When the University of student, so I definitely want to go selected the ITS Student of the its students’ accomplishments Vermont looked for bands to before I’m not here anymore. And Month. “Adam is very curious through the “Student of the headline this year’s Springfest, it it was a lot of fun last year so I’m and pursues understanding dog- Month” award. Monthly, ITS fac- didn’t think they’d get their hands looking forward to it.” gedly,” his award noted. “He is ulty and staff select a student who on The Roots. Jenna Gabriel is There will also be appearances also very happy to help other has demonstrated commitment to the Co-President of the UVM of other bands as well, such as students whenever they have a excellence in his/her area of study Concerts Bureau which is putting Brothers McCann, which has a problem or question. Adam has and who also has gone above and together this year’s Springfest rock/soul sound. Potbelly, and also been helping with tasks that beyond to help the major, division, event. “The Roots are an amazing Fridges and the Spin$ (I was are outside of our division - help- and the College. The recipient band with an incredible following, told that the $ is, in fact, part of ing a friend of the College with of the award receives a written so we decided to jump on that offer the band name) are two student their computer problems. Adam certificate, a $25 gift certificate to because we got lucky,” she said. bands that won battle of the and has been instrumental in the Barnes and Noble or Borders and The Roots aren’t the only band bands this year at UVM. Potbelly success of the K.I.T.S. (Kids in a 2GB ITS Wristband USB drive. appearing at Springfest this April is a jazz band while Fridges and Technology and Science) events 16. “Thievery Corporation was, the Spin$ carries a pop/elec- that have taken place over the actually, another lucky scenario, tronic/psychedelic style of music. too,” Jenna added. Springfest is Finally, Lazerdisk Party Sex will mostly a student-run event. “We DJ the whole festival. Champlain have to get approval from higher College students who attended SGA Election authorities, but the students make the “library rave” last semester the decisions and get it going! would remember Lazerdisk as the It’s pretty crazy and an amazing group of suave, tux-donning clone Winners 2011-12 opportunity.” Since the festival is troopers who hosted the event. created for students, by students, They’ll be playing in between sets it’s put together in order to cater to keep the music flowing. to different musical tastes. This Jake Lester, a Music Education way, everyone who goes to the major at UVM says: “I’m looking festival leaves with something forward to The Roots.” The event they enjoyed. The Roots has more will be held on “CBW Green” at of a hip-hop/soul type of sound, the University of Vermont, with while Thievery Corporation leans the rain site Patrick Gymnasium. more towards electronic and Tickets to Springfest are $10 psychedelic. for college students, $5 for UVM Jessica Callaghan is a sopho- students, and $35 for the general more at Champlain who has public. They can be purchased attended Springfest in the past. online or at the front door of the “I went last year and it was a lot SGA Offices in front of the Davis of fun. I’m planning to go again Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for sure - I’m excited to see The Monday through Friday. Roots.” The band MSTRKRFT facebook.com/UVMconcerts

Cyber Defense Team Places Third Front, from left, Jordan Lupien- VP of Public Relations- Psychology-2013, Ariel Grover- VP of Student Voice- Psychology-2013, The Champlain Cyber Defense team placed The team members this year were: and Erica Viscio- VP of Marketing-Marketing & Graphic Design-2012. third in the Northeast Regional Cyber Kevin Reilly (captain), John Briggs, Back, from left, Nate Getzow- VP of Programming-Business-2012, Defense Competition held in Massachusetts Andrew Grasso, Max McElroy, John Hall, Viktor Jagar-President-Software Engineering-2012, Adam Rowe- March 4-6. In this three-day event, students Jon Ferretti, Spencer Goddard, and Nick VP of Operations- Marketing-2014, and Patrick DiMambro- VP of work to secure a network and provide services Kedzierski. Coaches were Zach Tanko Finance-Accounting-2012. while being attacked by industry profession- and Jim Hoag. All students are Computer The Current will run profiles of these officers and a story on the als and responding to management requests. Networking and Information Security SGA in its September 2011 edition. The competition was hosted by Northeastern (CNIS) majors. The team put in a lot of time University and held at the EMC training practicing November through February. facilities in Franklin, Mass. Eleven teams The team travel is sponsored by the from New England participated. Rochester CNIS club and SGA. During this year’s Iron Chef Presents Institute of Technology won the competi- competition, a member of the team rep- tion and will participate in the National resenting management was a Champlain Competition in April. CNIS alum and former Cyber Defense 1K Check to Dream Read about the competition at http://www. Team member, Charles Nolan ‘10, who ccs.neu.edu/neccdc2011/index.html works for SPAWAR.

Champlain Student Publishes Book to Benefit Sudanese Orphans

Peter Deng, a Champlain College in our world. His journey – one their quest for an education and a members. The event is free and senior, spent the spring semester rooted in heartache – captured bright future.” open to the public, but a donation working with fellow student and my students on numerous levels,” With the book’s release date of $10 is suggested. writer Jillian Towne to write a said Champlain College Prof. set for mid-April, students at the The Champlain College book about his experiences as Rowshan Nemazee after a talk Champlain College Publishing Publishing Initiative, founded in an orphan in the Jonglei state of Peter gave to her class. “Peter’s Initiative (CCPI) are hard at 2009, has already engaged more Sudan. Deng hopes to use his book pain is palpable, yet he refuses to work organizing a book launch than 100 students from eight to raise money for his non-profit, dwell on it. His is a poignant story and culture event for Deng, which different majors in real-world the New Sudan Jonglei Orphans of the resilience of the human will take place April 23 at 6 p.m. professional-level publishing Foundation, an organization that spirit; and he is determined to in the Perry Hall Presentation activities. Its mission is “to play Photo by Christian Napolitano aims to send Sudanese orphans to wake us up to the healing power Room. It will feature a talk given an active part in the great experi- school. of “giving back” – of transform- by Deng, music, samples of tradi- ment that is publishing in the The winning team Iron Chef team (Team Maple or Go Home) presented “Peter Deng is a testament to ing somber memories into hope tional Sudanese food and a video twenty-first century.” a $1,000 check to DREAM for Thurs., March 31 in the Dining Hall. all that is good, just and noble by funding Sudanese orphans in created by one of the CCPI team Sodexo cook David Scott, left, worked with the team. Lisa Mazzariello, holding the check at left, accepted it with students.

Now Accepting Applications for 2011-2012 Eco-Reps!

In the Fall of 2011, Champlain College will launch an Eco- Reps Program in our residence halls.

Eco-Reps are student leaders who model and promote environmentally responsible behaviors in the residence halls by educating their peers. This is a paid position (you do not have to be work study eligible), but you must live in a Champlain College residence hall to be an Eco-Rep.

For more information and an application, go to www. champlain.edu/Sustain-Champlain.html Applications are due by Monday, April 18th.

Eco-Reps is a program of Sustain Champlain, Residential Life & Physical Plant.

Sudanese orphans. Photo by NSJOF Peter Deng. Photo by NSJOF Page 4 EDITORIAL The Champlain Current Editorial Letter to the Editor Another Conundrum at the Q A Broader Look at For first time Quarry visitors exquisite furs the indigenous feel these freshmen don’t deserve month. I guess it’s the freshmen’s the most common reaction when people of Madagascar have to the housing they have been prize for having to live off campus,” Solutions to the Core walking into a newly furnished offer,” said Julien Fleming, first- assigned. expressed Kayleigh Blanchette. room is “you guys are so lucky.” year who lives in McDonald said. All Champlain students will Jessica Callaghan also said, “I That is exactly what Quarry resi- Two bedrooms that comfortably have the option to live on campus am a sophomore and know tons of If you’ve been here more than and an accelerated or advanced dents are, lucky, and they’re about accommodate two people, each are in the summer of 2011. This is people who want to stay here over a few days, you know that Core version for students who know to get even luckier. The privileged standard, as is a fully equipped possible only if the prospective the summer at Spinner. I don’t get is no one’s favorite subject. the material in the regular ver- first-years are once again under kitchen, complete with dish- student is taking classes or has why this policy applies to Quarry It’s nearly impossible to walk sion. It would allow for greater the discrimination of upperclass- washer, microwave, refrigerator, a summer job/internship, which Hill and not Spinner.” through the caf without hear- discussion and make students man due to the college’s decision and stove. There’s even the added Residential Life will verify. Non- According to an email sent by ing someone complaining about feel a bit more like Core was to allow current inhabitants of benefit of a balcony for relaxing residents of the Q who choose to Amanda Pollack, “Students will the paper they “just wasted worth it. the building to reside there in the on warmer days. live there over summer can move not be allowed to contract for only their time on” or the multiple Another improvement would summer, most of them, free of The only downside to the Q into their new housing assign- a portion of the summer.” Summer projects from “collaborating” to simply remember that, yes, charge. is the distance from campus “If ments in May for the seasonal housing contracts for Quarry as professors that have never soft skills are vital and we need Most freshmen are stuck in you miss the bus you’re screwed,” rate of $300 per month. well as Summit Hall and Spinner actually met. The problem to practice them, but we can’t typical shoebox dorms with com- says Trevor Flournoy, a first-year The issues arose when upper- Place can be found on the resi- with these statements isn’t forget about the journey to munal bathrooms and showers Quarry resident, adding, “Even if classman became aware that dential life website in early April that they’re bashing Core, it’s reach them. The material we’re for which you need shoes to enter. you are on time for the bus you if you are a student who has and are due April 18. For students that all they’re doing is bash- covering is important and will For Quarry residents, it’s quite could find yourself sitting on the already lived in Quarry prior to who are interested in living at the ing it. No solutions are ever help many of us just as much a different experience. Not only floor. The bus is way too small.” February 1, 2011 there will be no Quarry or Spinner this summer, offered and very few people as the soft skills will. This is the Quarry new to Champlain The residents of Quarry hill cost of living during the summer keep in mind there are no campus actually bring their complaints leveling approach would be a this year, it is also “one of the nic- have a reputation on campus for months. “It’s really unfair to a lot shuttles running, but the CCTA to someone who can actually great solution to this problem. est dorms Champlain has,” says being a rowdy bunch. According to of Champlain students because busses are available at no extra do something about them, and There are many more Quarry resident Laura Tempini. Amanda King’s February Current Spinner residents have to pay for charge. All college policies apply it’s not just with Core. LEAD, problems to Core, such as Each room in Quarry Hill has article about the Q, rumors say their summer housing, on-campus and violators still have the poten- the dry campus policy, financial overcrowded classrooms (fixed a spacious living room complete some have even been “seen on the residents have to pay something tial to lose housing privileges. aid’s notorious inefficiency, and by hiring more professors and with new beige carpets that are bus with open bottles of alcohol.” too or move off campus where the poor quality of the caf’s sticking to the cap on class size), “like laying down on the most Most Champlain upperclassmen housing can cost over $500 a Kara DeSmet food all get slandered. huge projects being assigned at Core is the perfect example. the same time from both Core Betsy Beaulieu, the dean of the professors (fixed by making division, is more than willing to communication between the talk to students. She believes professors a priority), and the strongly in the Core’s goals of lack of uniformity in the lower teaching students “soft skills” level classes (fixed by making a (such as teamwork, communi- program of assignments while cation and looking at problems still allowing professors leeway from multiple perspectives), with how they teach those but that doesn’t make her assignments). All of these naïve. She knows that the issues can be fixed with just a program is still in its infancy little input from students and and that means that there will dedication from our professors be problems. The discussions and administrators. she occasionally holds with Venting to your friends is a students have lead to the cre- great way to relieve stress and ation of the Secular and Sacred prevent you from screaming at ethnography project (to replace your Core professor when s/he an [altar] I don’t get this word. asks you why you didn’t do your project that quite frankly was homework, but it doesn’t solve really lacking). It also led to any of the problems. You still the “un-cohorting” of the Core have to do that project, fulfill 310 and 320 classes. that LEAD requirement and Like most of the student body, eat that inedible burger or slice I feel that these changes aren’t of pizza. The administration enough. The idea of Core and never hears your complaints its goals are brilliant, but with- and, as a result, nothing gets out a few fundamental changes, improved. the program will never reach So go ahead and talk about its full potential. My sugges- the problems you have, but tion is to look at what you don’t address them to the people who like about Core and identify a can help you. Ask questions, Iraqi ambassador Samir Shakir Mahmood Sumaida’ie, left, meets with visitors before speaking at Champlain on March 29. Photo by Stephen mease solution. For me, its re-learning make meetings. The key is to things I learned in high school. be professional and come with I hate wasting my time, and solutions. Going into someone’s studying the constitution after office and ranting for 45 min- taking “AP Government and utes won’t accomplish anything Politics” or taking “Rhetoric I” except a few headaches and What’s on you mind? and “Rhetoric II” after taking more wasted time. advanced English classes fits the bill of “wasting my time.” Want to share you view? My suggestion would be to offer levels for Core: one level Amanda King below the current version for Editor-in-Chief Write a letter to the editor! students who didn’t cover the material before, the current Send yours to: [email protected] version for the average student,

Amanda King Editor-in-Chief EDITORIAL POLICY

EDITORIAL BOARD The Champlain Current publishes news and opinions to the Champlain College student body and by extension to Sean Conrad A&E Editor numerous related audiences. The Current serves as a ped- Alex Dahl Art Director agogical vehicle to further the educational opportunities Christian Napolitano Staff Photographer of Champlain College students in all programs of study. Eric Pollock Assistant Art Director Carissa Stimpfel Features Editor The Current’s primary function is to give voice to the Jillian Towne Columns Editor diverse issues and interests of import to the College’s students and by extension, the rest of the Champlain community. While mindful of the differing tastes of its readers, the Current believes that opinions responsibly STAFF WRITERS and realistically expressed deserve to be given voice. Jeremy Allmendinger Britney Farrell Rachel Salois Subjects including sex, violence, alcohol, drugs, and profan- Megs Bell Anya Franz Melissa Sheketoff ity will appear in the Current only when they further the David Bender Jocellyn Harvey Nicole Tetrault content of the piece, and will be printed at the discretion Kayleigh Blanchette Allison Neal Courtney Triola of the editor-in-chief in consultation with the managing Michael Bujtas Dan Ritter Michael Varraso editor and the faculty advisor. Elizabeth Crawford Will Ryan Cameron Williams

Warren Baker Faculty Advisor

Printed at Vermont Publishing Co., St. Albans, Vermont April 2011 REVIEWS Page 5 Street Fighter Bulletstorm:

by Cameron Williams to understand is that these movies know enough about the games! Middle School Humor and Staff Writer were mostly terrible, and Street You see?” But, it’s not just the Fighter was no exception. signature moves and cheap video Hey, cinephiles, want to watch a The acting in Street Fighter game references that come across Graduate Level Gameplay great movie? Then, don’t watch ranges from average to atro- as horribly tacked on; it’s every Street Fighter, because it’s stu- cious, and I don’t think I can go scene of action. Every fight scene pid, poorly written, and has plot any further without mentioning seems overly choreographed and by Sean Conrad it’s still quite enjoyable. the AI has a tendency to focus on holes that one could drive a truck the most noticeable flaw in this rehearsed instead of fluid and Staff Writer Though Bulletstorm isn’t as you about 75 percent of the time, through. However, if you appreci- movie: Jean-Claude Van Damme natural. technically impressive as Crysis and the lack of a jump. The A but- ate bad movies like I do, then you’ll is cast as American war hero But, there is one highlight of Have games been disappoint- 2 or artistic as Picasso, it is still a ton is used exclusively for hopping enjoy it in spite of itself because Colonel Guile. Apparently, noth- the movie: Raul Julia’s perfor- ing you due to a severe lack of damn fine-looking game. The over- over chest-high walls, and you can amid the film’s severe lack of ing is quite as American as “The mance as the lead villain, General remote-controlled T-Rex’s that all environments are well-designed hop over those walls only if you quality, lies a tasty campy slice of Muscles from Brussels,” whose M. Bison. Julia brings an insane have frickin’ laser beams attached and very pleasing to look at, and are standing directly next to it. I flashy mid-90s’ cheesecake. thick Belgian accent is painfully amount of over-the-top awesome- to their heads? Well Bulletstorm is are complemented by enemies and often found myself running toward But first, let’s start off with obvious through every cheap piece ness to the Bison character that the answer to your woes! weapons. Nothing to write home a wall and mashing on A, only to a tiny bit of back story for this of dialogue spat out of his mouth. elevates the movie from a bad One of the most memorable, and about, but very pleasing, and up to have the game demand I stop mov- “gem” of a film.Street Fighter is, of The dialogue for the Colonel video game adaptation to a camp awesome, segments of Bulletstorm par with the current generation of ing before trying to hop over. course, based off the popular fight- Guile character is bad enough as masterpiece. And that’s not the is when you take control of a games. The dialogue in Bulletstorm is ing video game series of the same it is, though. For whatever reason, only decent thing about the movie, T-Rex and use it to zap, stomp, Bulletstorm is a first person one of the main reasons the game name. The game series, particu- the lean mean Colonel Guile from either. The characters have some and otherwise obliterate dozens shooter and plays with a sense of was rated “Mature,” though that larly Street Fighter II, forcefully the video game is replaced with unique colorful costumes, the film of enemies. Now, to the core of the refinement similar to the latest word is not what I would use to roundhouse kicked the fighting an unlikeable dingbat who does is shot in some exotic, beautiful game. Graphics? Bloody impres- Call of Duty and Halo. Weapons describe the words you hear. “Cock game genre into what we know it nothing but spurt out snide cutesy looking locales, and anybody in sive. Gameplay? Superb with a few are effective if you use them well sucker” is used religiously and “I as today and it spread like wildfire lines whenever he feels like it, the Professional Writing program reservations. Story? Predictable and your allies are actually worth will kill your dick” is an actual line around the world. A movie based which apparently is all the time here at Champlain can feel better but fun. Dialogue? Written by a the bullets they fire. Each gun from your female ally. The dialogue on the video game seemed inevi- because that’s all the character about themselves listening to the 7th grader. has a primary and secondary fire made me laugh throughout the table, and in December of 1994, ever does. laughable dialogue in this movie You play as Grayson Hunt, an mode which is nothing new, but game, but I can’t figure out if it was a film version was unleashed on Except for performing lame and know they can write much ex-soldier turned mercenary who the way these secondary modes meant to be serious or sarcastic. an unsuspecting public. What action stunts, of course. You see, better dialogue in their sleep. is hell bent on exacting revenge work is quite unique. Bulletstorm Bulletstorm is a well put- one needs to understand is that each character from the video So, if you have a too much of on the commanding officer who introduces the “flail gun,” which together game with a few Street Fighter was released at a game is able to bust out their a thick mind, please avoid Street betrayed him. Not the most original fires two spike-tipped grenades noticeable flaws but nothing crip- time when movies based on video signature move at some point in Fighter. But, if you love bad mov- story in the world, but it is pulled attached by a wire that can trip pling. The dialogue will keep you games were starting to become the movie and, because the plot ies like me, turn your brain off off well and in a believable way. enemies or pin them to a wall. It smirking (or gasping) throughout chic with Super Mario Bros. and radically differs from the actual and grab some friends. It maybe The characters, though laughably is my favorite gun. The pistol fires and the story is enjoyable enough. Double Dragon also seeing movie video games anyway, it’s filmmak- the best comedy you’ll ever see. stereotypical, are likable and seem an exploding flare, and the rifle Nothing really stands out as amaz- adaptations. What one also needs ers’ way of saying, “Hey, we still genuine in their actions and moti- fires 100 bullets as a single blast. ing (except the flail gun) but it is a vations. Very little in this story will There were very few points where very fun game and will keep you surprise you and you’ll probably be I found myself frustrated or curs- coming back for more long after able to guess the final scene about ing the programmers. The only you have finished it. Welcome the World to So Ko two hours before it happens, but major problems I had were that Final opinion: 4 out of 5. by Will Ryan Kubrick or Francis-Ford Coppola, Hollywood has come to represent. Staff Writer if not more so, with films likeStar In another, it could be the results Wars: A New Hope and A Fistful of a country that has the ability to South Korea’s reach into the world of Dollars paying enough homage focus on some art-making in the of foreign cinema and entertain- to the Japanese director to circle face of relative geographical secu- ment has remained somewhat back toward tentative plagiarism rity (they’re great friends with the segmented in favor of their close (Hidden Fortress, Yojimbo). But US, and North Korea and Japan neighbors, Hong Kong and Japan. South Korean cinema still toils in have the region covered defen- Both latter areas of the Eastern relative obscurity. sively). But ultimately it’s a moot world have produced enough far- It’s only in the past decade point in regard to the finished reaching entertainment that it that the small Asian country works, but it’s an interesting one has seamlessly affected the pop has seen a fittingly small renais- nonetheless. culture trappings of the western sance in the area of film. But the The South Korean industry world. Kung fu films, samurai quality more than makes up for is still small enough for some epics, television anime series, video the lack in Hollywood-breadth thematic and aesthetic consisten- games, and the resulting expres- quantity. So much so that in 2011, cies to arise among films. So Ko sion of culture have managed to if you pay any attention to the has managed to find specialty in http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/bulletstorm_review.jpg become immediate, transcending contemporary film landscape, it’s the darker tenements of human any sense of “foreign art.” becoming hard to ignore the con- psychology. Many have claimed John Woo’s early bullet ballets sistently hard-edged competency the thriller genre has been dead reshaped American action movies that reaches the heights of pho- and buried, and in the US there’s in the early 90s; Ghost In the Shell tographic beauty and emotional a convincing argument to be and Hong Kong martial arts films catharsis coming from South made; but the psychothriller is helped inform The Matrix, which Korea, much of the time without very much alive and breathing in in turn delegated another decade seeming to break a sweat. In one South Korea, and several writer/ of action in Hollywood; Akira sense, it’s a testament to the lack Appointments: 802.879.4811 Kurosawa has become as relative of over-industrialization in the See So Ko 400 Cornerstone Dr, Ste 220, Williston to the history of cinema as Stanley craft of filmmaking--something Page 11 www.tspaWilliston.com The Champlain Experience: A Look Back by Sean Conrad frustration-inducing, and kind, the rude and unintelligent. It Staff Writer among many other verbs. No wait, would be nice if the rude ones adjectives. The EGP were a little more The typical item reviewed in major doesn’t have pleasant, though. this paper costs between $5 and a lot of grammar Hill, Bankus, $60, but today we’re going to classes. One profes- Lakeview, Adirondack, talk about something that costs sor who shall go and Cushing have all about $160,000. No, I’m not talk- unnamed was built opened their doors ing about the 2011 Aston Martin up to be somewhat of to my keycard in the V12 Vantage; I’m referring to a buffoon, but when past, and they’re all Champlain College. There are confronted with con- pretty nice places payment plans and scholarships structive criticism to live. Hill had the and the option of living off cam- looked genuinely best A/C, I only really pus, but $160,000 is the cost of upset and vowed to lived in Bankus for a four years of tuition, room, and make some changes. week, Lakeview has board. What does this chunk of Another professor heated floors and change get you? Well, after five was unparalleled in is apparently party years here, I know pretty well. regards to knowl- central these days, And yes, it’s been five years. I was edge of his field, but Adirondack just has kicked out for bad grades and was kind of a conde- a bizarre layout, and missed this place so much that I scending jerk. Don’t Cushing is enjoy- came back. let one rotten egg spoil it for the ing its last semester as a quiet, My professors have been knowl- rest of them, though; the number edgeable, incoherent, acceptable, of teachers I’ve had that were See Champlain downright absurdly intelligent, smart AND kind vastly outweigh Page 11 Gay Movies by Amanda King the hearts of almost all who’ve romance and drama sections). Staff Writer watched it, and has become one The movie tells the story of of my personal favorites. It’s Christian and Aaron. One is NOW ENROLLING I spent my spring break sick become so popular that the term a California party boy fond of in bed watching movies to stay “Brokeback wives” has been bringing home men for one night Cosmetology class starts May 9th 2011 sane. I watched fifteen different coined to refer to women who stands (Christian), and the GLBT movies, but for the sake of are married to closeted gay men. other is a Mormon missionary space, I’m going to focus on four It’s a groundbreaking film that struggling with his homosexu- Esthetics class starts in June that I feel are representational: will simultaneously warm and ality. The unlikely pair become Brokeback Mountain, Latter break your heart. friends and, eventually, lovers. Days, Better Than Chocolate, This mix of romance and Throughout the movie, Aaron Mother’s Day Gift Certificate Packages and The Big Gay Musical. heartbreaking tragedy is com- struggles with his church’s Brokeback Mountain is, mon in gay films. Even those condemnation of homosexuality Now Available for Purchase: unquestionably, the most iconic labeled “comedy” or “romantic and the constant risk of (and gay movie out there, and it’s comedy” tend to contain scenes eventually actual) excommuni- PRESENT THIS AD TO RECEIVE really the only one that truly that will make you cry. Latter cation that comes with it. The MOTHER’S DAY went mainstream. Based on Days, another gay romance story is funny at times, sexy the play by Annie Proulx, it movie, is a perfect example. If at others and incredibly sad $30 tells the story of two cowboys you search Netflix (under gay throughout the third quarter DAY OF BEAUTY $55 who find love while herding and lesbian movies) you will Includes Facial with Make-up, Manicure, HAIRCUT & COLOR sheep on Brokeback Mountain. find this one in the comedy sec- See Gay Movies Pedicure, Treatment & Style All services performed by supervised students. Exp 4/30/11 It’s a movie that has struck tion (it will also appear in the Page 11 Page 6 COLUMNS The Champlain Current A Cutting-Edge Spring Break Bend Without Going Broke

blinds, putting up a fence around could really tell that everyone by Jocellyn Harvey Street, down by Halverson’s, also twelve times a month. They aver- by Liz Muroski the backyard, building a trash was enjoying themselves and the Staff Writer holds free classes on Saturday at age around $130 at most studios, Special to The Current platform, minor excavating, and fact that their work was paying 10 am. and VT minimum wage is $8.15. cleaning were among the various off. Students were coming out of There comes a time in every Get thrifty with your classes. Not factoring in taxes, if you can Spring break to most college tasks to be completed. By lunch their shells, willing to try new yogi’s life when she realizes Evolution Yoga down on Kilburn find yourself a nice weekend job students typically means time on the first day, the painting, tasks and lend a helping hand her current financial standing Road holds community classes that’ll give you 16 hours a month, travelling to a warm climate with blinds and cleaning had mostly to anyone in need. “The trip was doesn’t mesh well with her yoga Monday through Friday at which you will be able to attend as much friends and spending the week been finished. The rest of the the perfect opportunity to test my practice. The average class in you are asked to give a donation yoga as you want. going to the beach, shopping and afternoon was spent working on limits, trying new things was a the Burlington area ranges from starting at $5. The teachers are The final option is to fine tune gallivanting to nightclubs until the fence and garbage platform in must,” says junior Megan Percy, $10-$14 a session and that can different every day, and due to the your home practice. This is actu- all hours of the morning. Though, the backyard. another trip member. add up quickly thanks to yoga’s low price, those classes are also ally pretty daunting, as putting for spring break 2011 a particular We were all exhausted after As one of the participants on addictive qualities. together a beauti- group of eleven Champlain our first eight hour workday but, this trip, the most important I always want to be fully flowing routine College students, including me, all the hard work we put forth thing that I learned was that bending and breath- can be difficult. If you had something different in mind. really paid off by the end. We building a house is more than just ing in harmony; my study a practice that We wanted to be productive worked the following two days on a hammer and a few nails. What bank account doesn’t has a set order of during our allotted vacation time our assigned projects at the site it really takes is a strong support always agree. Here poses, like Ashtanga, and, that’s exactly what we did. and, by Wednesday afternoon the system, participation, cooperation are a few tips I’ve Sivananda, and From March 5th to the house was complete. Each of us and motivation to efficiently get come up with that Bikram (minus the 12th all eleven of us, includ- even had the opportunity to meet things done. This is something allow me to practice heat), all you’ll need ing our leader, Maggie Melvin, the homeowner, Melissa, who had that I believe each student was on my college budget. is a cheat sheet to the Champlain College Service stopped by to take a look at the able to recognize, acknowledge Look for free peek at. Before prac- Coordinator, embarked on a jour- progress on her new home. “Her and accept throughout each of classes! There are ticing alot on your ney to Lexington, Virginia where appearance at the site was very their lengthy workdays. classes throughout own, I suggest attend- we participated in a Habitat unexpected and it just showed This was an experience that the week at the well- ing a few classes for Humanity project. Students how appreciative she was towards we will all carry with us from ness center – flow, and having a firm were offered this opportunity us and the work that we did,” says this point forward and, many of sivananda, and vin- grasp on the basic through a program initiated by junior Stefanie Welling. us are already looking for similar yasa – and even some poses. You could be the college’s Center for Service The work week got off to a volunteer projects to participate off campus. Yoga doing Chatarangua and Civic Engagement. The two quick start but, by midweek you in around the Burlington area. Vermont, the studio I (low plank) wrong months prior to the trip practice at, holds free and tweaking your were spent getting to weekly classes on shoulders, so having know one another and Saturday mornings a teacher teach you fundraising. By March at 8:30. Just be sure to show up popular, so you can feed off all proper alignment is necessary. 5th we were on our way early, because it’s a pretty popu- the good vibes from those around Youtube is a hot bed for yoga vid- south. lar class. It’s taught by men and you. Again, get there early or you eos and tutorials, and there are Buena Vista was the women in the teacher’s training might be squished up against the tons of books and DVDs on the primary location for our course, so each week won’t be the wall. Just think, if you’re lucky subject. Find a nice quiet spot and work. Our first day of same because the teachers will and willing enough to go every let it flow for free. But, I still sug- work began on Monday, have different styles. I know the day, you can go to twelve classes gest attending one class a week if March 7th at 9am. Upon idea of waking up so early on a for $60; that’s a real savings. you can. There’s something truly our arrival to the site, weekend is sickening for most, but Consider buying a monthly wonderful about the camaraderie the group and I spent a if you really want to squeeze in a unlimited card or a 10 pass card to found in a studio. bit of time meeting the free class, then you might have to a studio you enjoy. Unfortunately, Yoga aims to free your mind of two Habitat leaders, Joe make some scarifies. Plus you’ll be the 10 pass cards don’t usually save stress, but that can be hard when and Kelly. After getting out by 9:30 and can hop back in to you much money. They’re conve- you’re constantly looking into your to know one another bed for some more shut-eye before nient for students who don’t want wallet. Ditch the overly expensive everyone was assigned breakfast. Hung over? Stay in bed! to have to shell out money each yoga apparel, accept that you may a few tasks in and Twisting and bellies full of beer time they go. Monthly unlimited need to make some sacrifices, and around the house. The don’t coexist nicely. For the not so cards generally pay themselves you won’t be broke in the end! stage of the house at early risers, Lululemon on Church off if you plan on going more than this point was already near completion, but, there were still many finishing touches to be Snyder v. Phelps: added. Interior and exterior Champlain students participating in the project pose for a photo. Photo Provided painting, installing The Wrong Decision by Courtney Triola The case was being heard Albert Snyder talked about Staff Writer after the WBC protested outside the signs that the protesters of Matthew Snyder’s funeral in had as they stood outside of the The First Amendment of the 2006. Snyder, a soldier, died in funeral home. “They positioned United States Constitution Iraq while fighting for his coun- themselves 30 feet from the main states: “Congress shall make no try. The Westboro protesters held entrance,” he said. “And they held law respecting an establishment signs that said, “Thank God for a sign depicting two men having Ahoy! of religion, or prohibiting the free Dead Soldiers” and “God Hates anal sex. I had little nieces there. exercise thereof; or abridging the Fags.” Children.” freedom of speech, or of the press; It is now true that soldiers The fact that this is now being or the right of the people peace- are considered to be public fig- protected by law is disgusting, not Me sees the sandy shores ably to assemble, and to petition ures, and public figures are less because it is depicting a homosex- the Government for a redress of protected from hateful speech. ual act, but because it is depicting of summer just ahead! grievances.” That, people say, is the reason a sexual act at all. You should On March 2, 2011, the that Americans have the right not be allowed to stand out in Supreme Court came to an 8-1 to protest at a military funeral. the middle of the road with signs decision in the case of Snyder v. Although Snyder may be a public like that. Little girls grieving the Increase your chances of exam Phelps, upholding the Westboro figure, his family members are death of their cousin should not Baptist Church’s (WBC) right to not. Matthew Snyder is not the have to be exposed to this. success by avoiding alcohol. protest at military funerals on the one being affected by these pro- The signs and chants of the grounds that this was their right tests; he is not the one who has to WBC members have prompted to free speech. listen to the WBC’s angry words a number of people to tell Albert The Supreme Court decision and read their disgusting signs. Snyder that they never knew his was wrong. It is his family who has to do this son was gay. His response: “he “We found out today that we and they are private citizens. By wasn’t.” The WBC didn’t care can no longer bury our dead in ruling that the WBC has the right about this, though. They think this country with dignity,” Albert to protest, the Supreme Court has Snyder said at a press conference taken away these citizen’s right to See Snyder after the decision was made. mourn. Page 11 Did a Lack of Communication Kill Club Beatdown? Focus on by Sean Conrad insulting to any student and does at one time or another. We may Staff Writer not fall in line with the image not always see eye to eye on vari- Champlain is trying to build. ous issues, but if they have five Champlain College has a fairly Also, during my time as an minutes, there’s a good chance Success. severe issue with communica- RA I stumbled upon the accepts. they’ll see me. Also, for all of my tion. Getting in touch with staff champlain site, which is used as reservations, Pres. Finney told me socialnorms.champlain.edu or faculty can range from quite an information hub for accepted “faculty at Champlain are more easy to borderline impossible, students. After joining and accessible than any other place I especially if one of you is averse answering a few questions, I have worked and it is one of the to email or has trouble accessing found myself banned from the strengths of the college.” it. Don’t know who exactly you site completely. It seems I could The primary prompt for this need to talk to? Forget it, chances be trusted with the lives of the piece was a recent major decision After all the classes, late nights, homework and are you never will. The staff direc- students in my residence hall but in the Senior Team Project class for tory is helpful but doesn’t provide not with answering questions like, the EGD, EGP, and Game Art. For stress, shake-off the winter and socialize nearly enough information, even “When is a good time to go the those unaware, the three majors if that information is available library?” and “How is the pizza come together to form teams that substance-free during Spring Meltdown! elsewhere. Some professors have at the dining hall?” If Admissions create videogames from start to detailed files with everything you extended a hand to Res Life, then finish over their senior year. With need to get in contact with them, RA’s could post on the site and five weeks left in the class one of On the last day of classes each spring, CHAMP but you won’t find links on the build relationships with freshmen the five groups, Club Beatdown, staff directory. before they arrived on campus. was cut and the group members celebrates the end of the year with a bang by Sometimes you will find the There are two sides to every moved to other assignments. right staff member but even that coin and only a few sour grapes While I do not disagree with the transforming the courtyard into a carnival of fun isn’t good enough. I once had a col- in the faculty pool; many faculty decision to cut the group, there lege employee tell me, in an email, at Champlain will move heaven was absolutely zero warning things to do. [Yes, you can have fun and relax without “My schedule does not afford and earth to meet with students. and very little reason given as spare cycles to sit down with you I have had people go out of their to why the decision was made. alcohol!] Join-in upcoming substance-free events, to discuss this.” I had given this way to accommodate me on Furthermore, to my knowledge, no individual my weekly class sched- several occasions: Paul Dusini, group has ever been cut this late and see how much fun the real you can have! ule and it is understandable that Greg Bemis, and John Ferguson people are busy, but to be refused – even Pres. Finney – have all See Communication outright in such a manner is made time to sit down with me Page 10 April 2011 Page 7 Embracing Dove Soap made out Champlain South Africa of Crushed Doves, New Community Garden Study Reveals by Melissa Sheketoff 200-250 people per lecture hall. by Jocellyn Harvey the summer are allowed to apply Staff Writer Talk about going from Champlain by Mike Sheerin brand’s avian ingredient earlier. Staff Writer for a plot. Each plot will be 4’ X 8’ attention to becoming just a Special to The Current “It’s not like we tried to keep it a and will cost $10 for students and South Africa is a place full number in a classroom. It’s very secret or anything. We named the When I was a little girl I had $20 for faculty. Those interested of opportunity. I’ve been here interesting but also a challenge. According to the results of a damn company ‘Dove’ for Christ’s a knack for growing things. For in growing food to be donated will a month now, and am finally Even writing papers here are study conducted at the Cambridge sake!” said the bewildered CEO in example, one summer morning have their fee waived. adjusted to living the life of a different. In Africa, they start you Institute of Technology on Tuesday, an interview granted on his pri- I woke up and decided to plant Does it seem a bit daunting? local. I came here very nervous at a grade of 0 and grade up from April 5, a single bar of the popular vate estate/dove farm. “We figured squash. I plodded out to a random Team up with a friend to split and unsure if I would really push there, whereas, America starts soap brand Dove® may contain that people would be able put two patch of soil on our property and the cost and space! People with my boundaries and step over you at 100 and grades you down up to 98 percent mashed dove and two together—I mean, doves went straight to work weeding no experience gardening are lines I never dreamed of crossing. from there. Talk about giving meat, as well as varying amounts are white, the soap is white, and and planting; the motivation of encouraged to apply, as there will Fortunately for me, it doesn’t take people the benefit of the doubt, of bird feathers and feces. Said it’s called ‘Dove.’ Of course we an eight year old always astounds seasoned vets on hand willing to much for this to happen. You’re not in Africa. But, I like it. I like head scientist Dexter Drexler, crush birds into pretty shapes me. Now some might look at me share their gardening tips, stories, in Africa. Africa doesn’t adjust to knowing that if I’m going to study “We were prompted to perform and sell them to you to wash your and say that my parents were and manual labor battle scars. you, you adjust to Africa. abroad and sacrifice being away the study after one of our interns body with, like, duh!?” secretly helping me behind my Registration is on a first come from all that I discovered a beak protruding from This revelation mirrors the back, but I definitely remember first serve basis. All we ask is that know and love, her bar of soap in the shower. We highly publicized Subway® scan- waking up each day to water and you follow the rules outline. Some I might as well simply broke the bar in half, and dal of late 2008, in which it was tend to my yellow beauties. are: keep the garden organic, do it full out and immediately discovered a fully discovered that the worldwide I’m not sure why I didn’t make sure the plot doesn’t become really take the intact dove head mummified sandwich chain was using the continue planting as I got older, overrun with weeds, and commit biggest risks I within. It was pretty cut-and-dry bodies of train accident victims I suppose it was more hip to lay to attending at least two garden never imagined after that.” for cold cuts. Though Subway® out by the pool with my friends, help sessions. Plus you get to be taking. Not even This news has come as a has managed to bounce back with but lately I’ve been getting the creative and name your plot; I’m just in an aca- shock to virtually everyone, the institution of its new, “People growing bug. I blame my increas- partial to The Beet Grows On. demic setting. except for Dove® CEO Richard Free” menu options, the future of ing interest in wanting to become The second McFrackelton, who expressed Dove® soap remains uncertain as closer to the environment and my E-mail Christian Erickson, week I was shock and dismay at the fact that of the present. fast realization that buying some- director of Sustain Champlain, here, I went on nobody had figured out the soap thing I can create myself is just with any further questions. a four-day trip plain silly. What isn’t awesome about hav- up the coast of Luckily for me, this spring ing organic produce (without the South Africa. On Champlain College will be start- organic costs) and really knowing The people here are very open the third day of my trip, I went Woman Sees Face of ing up an organic community where your food is coming from? to change and moving in a positive bungy jumping off the tallest garden! Students staying over direction with things like technol- bungy bridge in the world. The Jesus in Painting of Jesus ogy and cultural diversity. Guinness Book of World Records I’m in my third week of classes says it’s a 216 meter drop, 6 sec- by Mike Sheerin fide miracle, Ms. Churnwhistle here at the University of Cape ond free fall. Anyone who knows Special to The Current was quoted as exclaiming, “Two Town, and the student body here me knows that I don’t do heights. Jesuses! In the same painting! If is massive but full of joy and school I can barely walk up two flights Described by onlookers as “an that’s not a miracle, I don’t know spirit. They really take pride in of stairs without panicking about effing miracle,” a mildew stain what is.” the school and this country in falling all the way back down. Me bearing a strong resemblance to Since Churnwhistle’s discov- general. I am part of a large school and heights, we aren’t that great the face of Jesus was discovered ery last week, long lines of people with three separate campuses. of friends. But this is Africa; you last Thursday in the corner of hoping to witness the colloqui- Thankfully, all my classes are on have to push beyond your lim- a painting of Jesus adorning a ally named “Jesus stain” have upper campus along University its. So, that’s exactly what I’ve wall at the St. Agatha’s Church stretched for blocks outside the Boulevard. done. Granted, I will never do it in Gurdville, Ohio. First seen church’s doors. I’ve realized everything about again because I won’t put myself by church patron Henrietta Waiting anxiously in line for this country is going to chal- through the anticipation and gut- Churnwhistle, the stain report- his turn to view the sacred mil- lenge me. As if being in a new wrenching feeling I felt standing edly bears resemblance to Christ dew stain, local churchgoer Earl country, not knowing anyone, right off the platform looking when he was in his “shaggy, rebel- Dripple was quoted as saying, “I and having your whole world down into an endless valley. But lious years.” always knew our savior was with turned completely upside down never the less, it happened and I Said Churnwhistle, “At first I us, here in Gurdville. His appear- wasn’t hard enough. School here did it. thought it was just a gray smudge ance in a painting of Himself only isn’t even what I’m used to back Being here is already starting underneath Jesus’s foot, and I proves that! I dare anyone to try home. I meet new people everyday to teach me so many things that leaned in to wipe it off. But then to prove me wrong.” because the campus is too big to it practically jumped out at me! As of press time, Jesus Christ even remotely know all the kids See Africa I could make out His eyes, His could not be reached for comment in your class. My classes are about Page 11 nose, even His beard! A second on whether or not it really is His Jesus!” In regards to whether or face in the stain.

not she believes this to be a bona- This spring Champlain College is starting a community garden for our staff, faculty, and student use. We are in need of the following tools and equipment. If you are interested in donating any of these items An End-of-Summer (in good working condition), please contact Christina Erickson, Sustainability Director at 865-5449 or Father of Local Little League [email protected] Rescue: the Champlain Our Wish List: spades, hoes, trowels, rakes, weeding baskets/buckets, hose, wheel barrow, Outfielder Apparently Not work gloves, picnic table, sturdy lawn chairs Valley Fair Very Athletic Either by Amanda King their livings at fairs and similar by Mike Sheerin However, this precautionary Staff Writer events. If you’re smart and avoid Special to The Current measure has proven to be largely the scams, it is truly the best fruitless as of late, as the uncoor- As most of you have prob- shopping you can find in this part According to inside sources dinated adolescent has managed Champlain Community ably realized, outside the arts of Vermont. within the Essex Blue Jays, Mr. to botch nearly every play he’s and culture scene of Burlington, The petting zoos are also very Chadwick, father of outfielder involved in, despite Coach Shivers’ Vermont doesn’t have that much popular. We’ve had goats, pigs, Chris Chadwick, is apparently attempts to remove him from the Garden Soon Ready to do. So how do we entertain sheep, miniature horses, llamas, just as fat and un-athletic as his action. “It’s the damnedest thing,” ourselves when all chickens, geese pathetic son. Chris Chadwick, said Shivers, “I move him from left for Planting the college students, and oxen available who bats very last in the batting field, they hit to left field. I move and the events that for treat-giving, order, reportedly takes after his him to center, they suddenly start This spring Champlain College and are asked to following garden come with us, have hugs and photos father in almost every conceivable hitting to center. If not for this stu- will host a community garden for rules and participate in at least gone home? Some ops. For the crowd aspect. “You’ve really gotta feel bad pid ‘everybody plays’ rule, I could staff, faculty, and students with two community garden work ses- hike, fish, boat, that is okay with for the kid,” said player Bradley just cut the little bastard off the support from the Physical Plant sions. No experience is necessary; go to museums or wild animals being Charlington. “I mean, with genet- team, but of course I can’t do that. Grounds Staff. garden mentors will be partnered shop, but that can cooped up in tiny ics like that, it’s a miracle he’s So what the hell am I gonna do?” The Community Garden is with mentees, and may even offer get old really fast. pens with no water, even made it to nine years old.” The “everybody plays” rule, located beside Rowell Annex and workshops. Thankfully, Essex there was also a Mr. Chadwick, whose high cho- which stipulates that all Little will have 20 plots available for Information on sign-up was Junction offers a fiasco with tigers lesterol and poor dietary habits League players must be granted individual use by members of the not available at press time. solution: the Champlain Valley last fall. are known far and wide, report- equal playing time, is the subject Champlain College community. The Community Garden needs Fair. If tigers in the sun bother you, edly signed his son Chris up for of an Essex town meeting next This garden will run similarly to tools and equipment. If you are The Fair takes place at the there are shady animal shows Little League in late March of this Saturday. During the meeting, the the community gardens program interested in donating spades, end of August and runs into the where you can watch 4-Hers show year, much to the chagrin of his parental group PACC (Parents in Burlington. Use of the 4’ x 8’ hoes, trowels, rakes, weeding beginning of September—perfect off their animals and the skills son’s new teammates. Blue Jays Against Chris Chadwick) will plots will cost $20 for faculty/staff, baskets/buckets, hose, wheel timing to save us from insanity. they worked so hard to hone. There coach Dick Shivers immediately attempt to have the rule over- $10 for students, and there will be barrow, work gloves, picnic table, It’s held at the Champlain Valley are also 4-H vegetable competi- assigned the younger Chadwick turned, so that Chadwick can be no cost if all produce is donated to sturdy lawn chairs in good work- Exposition in Essex Junction tions and most of a hall devoted to the customary “fat kid position” barred from playing sports in the Community Food Shelf. The ing condition, contact Christina (about 15 minutes from Burlington to posters recognizing members’ of left field, in the hopes that the Essex forever, or at least until he plot fees will be used for general Erickson, Sustainability Director, by car or 30 by bus). The tickets work. The hall, or nearby areas, oafish child would be too far away learns how to catch a damn fly garden maintenance and equip- at 865-5449 or cerickson@cham- are cheap (about $10), and the also feature local farmers, craft- from the actual players to have a ball. ment. Community gardeners will plain.edu. noise and smells wafting from it ers and chefs and the work they negative impact on the team. have access to tools and water are enough to cause employees of do to make our community work. nearby businesses to moan with The best part is, almost all animal envy. It is summer’s last hurrah, shows and crafter booths are free, and the closest thing Vermont will unless you want to support the Rating Champlain’s Environmental Friendliness ever get to an amusement park. artisans and buy their llama wool No matter your interests, you hats and homemade brooms. by Sean Conrad get around 80% of those figures wonder if the right decision was Champlain’s environmental can find something to draw you For those on a budget or just Staff Writer when you factor in the amount made in this instance. friendliness. The shiny new in. Even before you walk through not into shopping or animals, free of stopping they do when check- The hallways of the Ireland building should be earning a the gates, you can smell the deep novelty shows are available off Two of the biggest topics today ing out residence halls and other building and the entire library Platinum LEED rating, mean- fried, greasy, artery-clogging and on all day. In the past these are environmental friendliness campus buildings. and dining hall are all quite ing it is just about as green as goodness that awaits you at any shows have included acrobats, and economic responsibility. Had the penny pinchers opted brightly lit throughout the you can make something. The one of 25+ concession stands, comedians, hypnotists, pig races, Champlain has no qualms about for something like a Ford Escape night, every night, all year recently renovated Aiken Hall and you’ll hear music, hypnotists the daily parade, old fashion flaunting its environmen- Hybrid, our fine Public Safety round. Though specific areas like also earned a Gold LEED rating, and squealing pigs. The sensory farming demonstrations and vari- tal friendliness, but does it personnel could be cruising dorm rooms certainly don’t need though it doesn’t have the lovely overload kicks in long before you ous competitions. deserve this self-spoken praise? around at 36 mpg. Two Escape motion-activated lights, every rooftop garden. Furthermore, reach the Reithoffer Midway and Tickets for the fair can be Furthermore, with tuition Hybrids would use approxi- classroom, office, and hallway Christina Erickson informed its carnival games and obnoxious bought ahead of time (often at a increasing every year is that mately 45% less gas than the should have motion trackers and me that new buildings are going spinning, flashing, music-playing discount) at local drug and gro- money being spent or invested vehicles we have now, and with timed lights. Classrooms should to be designed to meet LEED collection of rides. cery stores. All day ride bracelets wisely? In many cases, yes, but an average of 10,000 miles per still have switches so teachers requirements, but they won’t be The Fair also offers a wide vari- can also be bought for those more in some cases not quite so. vehicle and $3.50 a gallon gaso- can shut off the lights for pre- submitted for approval as the ety of shops, petting zoos, animal interested in spinning until they Looking at Public Safety’s line (today’s national average), sentations and movies, but how process is fairly expensive. Rich shows, 4-H displays and concerts. puke. All in all, the Champlain vehicles, Champlain’s environ- that’s around $1,500 saved in often do we forget to shut the Long also explained to me that High schoolers have been known Valley Fair is a “make your own mental friendliness falters a fair gas money per year. Pres. Finney lights off after class? every room’s heat and cooling is to bring their summer savings adventure” type of event aimed bit. Their Honda is rated roughly insisted that the long-term cost Credit must be given where controlled by a central computer (about $150) to spend on trinkets, at everyone and anyone ready to 21 mpg in city driving, and the of such a substantial purchase credit is due, and the newly t-shirts and unique jewelry items have a good time. Pontiac gets roughly 20% less at is always researched and heav- expanded and opened Perry See Environmental from small-time sellers who make 17 mpg. It is likely that they only ily weighed, but I can’t help to Hall is the poster child for Page 11 Page 8 ARTS The Champlain Current

Refracted Want to see your work published? ReJoyce Calling all artists and writers! by Emily Murnane Submit your drawings, poetry, creative non-fiction, and fiction to the by Britt Farrell Champlain Current’s Art Section to be considered for publication. This morning, I took a running jump out my bedroom window, Poetry must be under 65 lines, creative non-fiction and fiction past windows and windo baskets full of excerpts (ie: first chapter) under 450 words. petunias, which I picked on my way down. Email submissions to [email protected]. Predictably, after a few minutes, I hit the sidewalk, and, predictably, I broke.

I didn’t break the way you break glass when you smash it on something by accident. I broke the way you break light Sunset Above when you run it through a prism. by Britney Farrell Some might say I’m not all there, anymore, and they’re right, but I still have a purple petunia in my pocket.

Untitled by Amanda King

She was golden haired happiness and Self conscious smiles the day we met At the riverwalk. Neither of us planning On ever going back to two trains and a bus, take out ordering and a bottle of tequila on lonely Friday nights so We ran like lightening was chasing us and Jumped over the stars. We Chased our dreams like we’d chased blown away dollar bills through crowded city streets and Spent nights curled up together in dripping wet alleyways and seedy motels. We were runaways and adventurers hell bent on making a name as Actresses or Artists. Street performers, or maybe those crazies from South Main Street and Park. We didn’t care so long as we were together We’d stay up late after a meal of Dollar menu cheeseburgers and stale cigarettes Talking of the day when we Would be them. Walking down West Avenue in our Buttoned up suit coats on 90 degree days and we’d Laugh and laugh until The tears finally came and nothing but each other would scare away the night.

To see more of Britt’s work please visit http://kitsunake13.deviantart.com/ April 2011 Page 9

Students visit with employers at Champlain’s Spring Job Fair on March 28. Photo by Stephen mease

Vermont author Howard Frank Mosher visits with Champlain students on March 24. Photo by Stephen mease ‘Louder Than a Bomb’ Coming to Champlain Louder Than a Bomb is a film story at the heart of this inspir- Austin, Chicago, Woods Hole, about passion, competition, team- ing film. and Virginia film fests, and been work, and trust. It’s about the joy Louder Than a Bomb pre- screened for more than 3000 high of being young, and the pain of miered at the 2010 Cleveland school students. Louder Than a growing up. It’s about speaking International Film Festival, Bomb has been selected for the out, making noise, and finding where it won both the Roxanne 2011 American Documentary your voice. T. Mueller Audience Choice Showcase, which was created It also just happens to be Award for best film and the by the U.S. State Department to about poetry. Greg Gund Memorial Standing “cultivate greater understanding Every year, more than six hun- Up Film Competition. Since among people around the world.” dred teenagers from over sixty then, the film has won audience The film will have its television Chicago area schools gather for awards at the Palm Springs, premiere later this year as part the world’s largest youth poetry Chicago, Philadelphia, St. Louis, of the Oprah Winfrey Network’s slam, a competition known as and Woods Hole film festivals, “OWN Documentary Club.” “Louder Than a Bomb.” Founded as well as jury prizes at the in 2001, Louder Than a Bomb is the only event of its kind in the

country—a youth poetry slam “An affecting and superbly paced built from the beginning around celebration of American youth at their creative best”

teams. Rather than emphasize Robert Koehler, Variety individual poets and perfor- “Fresh and vital and exhilarating” mances, the structure of Louder Steve Pond, The wrap Than a Bomb demands that kids “Genuinely stirring…irresistible” work collaboratively with their peers, presenting, critiquing, Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune and rewriting their pieces. To succeed, teams have to create an environment of mutual trust and support. For many kids, being a part of such an environment—in an academic context—is life- changing. Louder Than a Bomb chroni- cles the stereotype-confounding Champlain senior Tricia Cawley at the job fair. Photo by Stephen mease stories of four teams as they prepare for and compete in the

2008 event. By turns hopeful and A Film by Greg Jacobs & Jon Siskel heartbreaking, the film captures the tempestuous lives of these unforgettable kids, exploring the ways writing shapes their world, For information about the film and to view the trailer: and vice versa. This is not “high www.louderthanabombfilm.com school poetry” as we often think of it. This is language as a joyful release, irrepressibly talented teenagers obsessed with mak- Publicity Contact: Siskel/Jacobs Productions ing words dance. How and why [email protected] they do it—and the community 773.271.9500 they create along the way—is the

Wash Spot Laundromat

STUDENT SPECIAL

We MATCH any amount over $20.00 added to your Laundry Wash Card OPEN 24 HOURS 7 DAYS/WEEK Every 11th washer Free 2 Load Washers $1.99 3 Load Washers $3.29 5 Load Washers $5.89 8 Load Washers $9.89 Credit cards accepted 207 Riverside Ave, Burlington www.thewashspot.com clean@thewashspot

Jennifer Reading from WCAX interviews Champlain senior Joe Mester. Photo by Stephen mease Page 10 The Champlain Current

From Nicaragua valuable income to the family, From Islands the United States, Brunet had From China of our hotel was more to their Page 1 drew pictures to communicate, Page 1 missed the deadline. APU Page 2 liking, kicking us out. The bus laughed, smiled and learned to extended the deadline so Brunet ride back to Wuhan, Rob was on climbed into the pit and shov- cherish each other. at Ritzumeikan Asia Pacific could attend, and he has since weren’t offered at the school. the phone with our friend Steve eled manure out of it for hours How can we forget these University (APU), located on spent the last eight months That was our last day in the trying to find new sleeping so that it could be repaired. women who, the first time we the island of Kyushu, Japan, the dealing with applying for a city of Wuhan. arrangements. Upon arrival in In Managua we worked in laid eyes on them, welcomed farthest island from the disaster passport, visa, and currency Congregating in front of the city we had to run to catch the poorest area of the poorest us to their Center with a huge zone. exchange. Leaving March 23, the school early the following the train, only to find out that section of town, nicknamed the round of applause and hugs APU is in the city of Beppu, Brunet will spend the first week morning, we boarded the bus it stops at 11pm and we were Widows’ Quarter for all the from each one of them to each which is 1,000 km from the in a bridging cultures program yet again for a 330km drive to only halfway to our destination. single mothers living there. one of us? How can we forget earthquake zone, and 950 km and staying with a host family. our pick-up destination for the Luckily, with the help of Junior Working with a from Fukushima, a location far The following week Brunet will boat cruise. We stopped for a Andrew Chung, we were able group called Women enough away from the damage. enter the dorms, begin orienta- few hours in the city of in Action, we tore We went hoping to APU released a response to the tion and classes start April 11. Yieching where we ate down the wall of a disaster on March 16, stating: The Japanese school year is very in a cave on the side dilapidated tin home make a difference. “The University is currently different than they are in the of a cliff, and climbed (about the size of The difference we working to confirm the safety of United States, starting mid April through a local cave, one of Champlain’s APU students, alumni and and going until July 29th. While before getting back on passenger vans). We made was not one of staff that were in the areas he waited Brunet was auditing the road to the Three dug postholes for new affected by the recent Tohoku- his classes as a study abroad Gorges Dam. The boat supports and scooped physical labor. Pacific Ocean Earthquake. We placeholder, and is excited to was blasting a CD that the three-inch long It was a human one. also work towards providing our begin his classes, taking subjects would be on repeat for cockroaches out of fullest possible administrative where he can learn about the the next two days that the holes along with and financial support to stu- Japanese culture, micro eco- would not only play the dirt. dents in the affected areas and nomics, business classes, and a music in the afternoon, While the people we worked a wild game of musical chairs April 2011 new entrants.” religious history course. but would be the blaring wake- to strike a deal with the cab- with expressed gratitude for that left us sitting on each The school has also responded Brunet is a Junior up call at 6am for breakfast. bies and formed a taxi caravan. the labor we provided, the real other? How can we forget the by providing students with International Business major Now, you may be thinking that (Throughout the trip Andrew service, we came to understand, time that they put into being information about how to deal who’s been in love with the we were in the land of luxury, was saving our assses, whether came not in the strength of with us? with radiation, and power sav- Japanese culture since high drifting down the Yangtze on a it was helping us get from one tearing down walls or pouring We went hoping to make a ing strategies. APU’s satellite school. “I’ve never been out of the cruise boat, but you’d be terri- location to the next, buy gifts, cement, but in the interactions difference. The difference we campus in Tokyo was closed as of country,” he said. “So it’s possible bly wrong. We were most likely order food, or helping Rob aka between those things. made was not one of physical March 22, and the date to reopen there will be culture shock, hav- the first foreigners ever to step Daddy Yak Fat Stacks exchange Take, for example, the labor (let’s face it, our lifestyle is still to be determined. Also, if ing never been anywhere else, foot on that boat or at least, currency. Thank you, Andrew!) moment that Kyle left his post doesn’t prepare us for digging the nuclear reactors cannot be but all I’ve been thinking about the first US students. People We seemed like we were in digging to dance and laugh manure or holes for support controlled, the evacuation radius is business.” would stare and take photos of typical China, neon and paper with Rose Alba while the other posts). It was a human one. will reach 650 km. Although He is in the process of estab- us, which happened throughout lanterns everywhere, lots of women took a break to laugh As we prepared to leave we Brunet will still be safe at lishing an international company big buildings, but then and sing and clap along. Or asked, “Wouldn’t it be better Beppu, the program hosted by in Japan, and is hoping to make we turned down this the biogas system that went if we just gave you the money the third-party Asia Learn will some headway while he is sketchy alley, known as unfinished for yet another day that we used to come here temporarily close until the fol- abroad. The company, 4DManga, a hutong, a traditional while Jorge proudly showed off instead?” lowing semester, forcing Brunet is an online distribution of the Chinese neighborhood, his farm. The answer was a resound- back to the States and into his popular Japanese comics called arriving at the Green Or take the day that we all ing “No. Tell everyone our back-up plan. His major requires manga. Brunet hopes to estab- Tea Inn. By that time split up and each of us spent stories. Tell people what it’s at least a full semester abroad, lish manga supplier contacts and it was late, and most of a day side by side doing the like here. And come back so he will participate in the to learn how the industry works the group passed out, daily work of one of the Women soon.” summer program, followed by while in Japan. “It is an interna- while others went in in Action. Side by side, with Champlain’s International being enrolled at APU for the tional venture because we have search of food. limited Spanish, we washed Study Abroad Office played a fall semester, which goes from to work with Japanese mangaka The most epic part of dishes, cooked rice, played with major role in making this trip August to February. in order to get the manga we the trip was saved for the children, learned how to possible. “When I first received the are intending to sell,” Brunet last. Thursday we spent carve the gourds that provide news, I thought, ‘Where’s Sendai, said. Being online, Brunet is not the trip, especially if you had hiking up the ‘Wild’ Wall, a sec- and am I affected?’” Brunet said. searching for a physical location blonde hair. There were some tion of the great wall away from “I had already been in contact while in Beppu, but is working who even asked to take a group the tourism. Our tour guide From Suicide it is because the state of Mental with my host family and they on the logistics of the company. photo with us. The boat was was William Lindesay, the first Page 1 Health Services in China is non- were okay, so I’m not too scared, Much of Japan’s food and water meant as a means of travel for foreigner to hike all 1,600 miles existent. No programs are or ever but I am looking in to potassium industries, along with electronics the local citizens to move from of the Great Wall in 1987. For program goes on to outline the were in place to ensure the well iodine pills as a precaution.” are being economically halted by city to city. Some of the rooms six mile hike was filled with life causes for suicide as well as what being of the student population, When researching schools the disaster, but as Brunet said, on the lower deck were four and trying to reclaim the Great Wall, to look for in an individual and and to even speak about suicide in Japan he was first set on “only time will tell,” if his online six to a room, but ours were snow, and ankle deep leaf piles. what methods to take in trying or depression is to break one of one in Tokyo, but because their manga distribution will struggle two, and most of our bathrooms Friday we wandered through to assist the person experiencing the strongest cultural taboos. semesters are so different than before its even off the ground. had something wrong, whether the Forbidden City, Tianamen suicidal feelings. When news of his death broke, it was the sinks didn’t drain, Square, and were able to do On a recent trip to China, fellow classmates were angered the toilet drained on to the floor, most of our haggling in Pearl a group of students attending but not surprised to hear the From Communication students must pay more atten- there was no hot water, or in Market. Champlain College got to bear government ruling of his cause Page 6 tion and understand that it often order to flush the toilet, you had Our journey ended too witness the effects of suicide of death as accidental; a com- takes time for schedules to open to kick the pipe because there quickly, with many things that with their own eyes. Only from mon occurrence in suicide cases in the process. The point of the up; patience and acceptance are wasn’t a lever. we’d remember. The trip was a very different perspective than in China. The government would class is to give students an idea of important. After being woken up Americans and Vermonters are choose to lie about the cause of what life in the industry will be, So who killed Club Beatdown? at the crack of dawn and used to. While being led around death rather than shame them- but this experience is something I could sit here all day and list off witnessing the Chinese on a tour of Central China Normal selves’ or the victim’s family by that would almost never happen. the theories, but it boils down to a pile in to the dining University, the class was regaled publically announcing it. Games and studios are often cut or lack of communication. Students room, shovel food into with a heartbreaking story of a It’s easy to see how differently shut down, but if a publisher were were not properly informed of their mouths, and leave student who had committed sui- suicide is treated in both of our concerned about the way their criteria, and decisions were made in 15 minutes, we were cide just three weeks before their countries. In America, the govern- investment was going, they would without proper disclosure. This boarding peapod boats arrival. The individual telling ment and state administrations make it very clear that things set of circumstances is not exclu- that fit 17 people. We the story was one of the only two make an effort to try and aid those needed to improve. Of course, I sive to this situation and I have were handed orange life American teachers at Central suffering from mental illness am on the outside looking in, but been assured that changes will be vests and told that only China Normal University, Steven and depression, while in China it was quite a shock for everyone made to the process, but everyone one person could stand Wilmarth. “He didn’t commit sui- the very mentioning of suicide to think everything is hunky-dory at this school should take a step at a time, or else the cide because he fell short of our is considered a blatant offense. one day and catastrophically bad back and look at the way they giant canoe would flip. An hour really what you made it. Some expectations,” Steve whispered It’s fair to assume that we want the next. communicate with each other. Is later we were back on dry land ate chicken feet and coagu- to avoid the prying ears of party to increase the effectiveness of The blame does not rest solely an email the best way to go about and visited the White Imperial lated pig’s blood; others ate officials, “He did it because he our own programs, but we should on the faculty; many times stu- that, or should you also sit down Palace. It was 363 steps to the McDonalds as much as possible. was the best.” also take into consideration that dents either don’t read their with that professor/student/dean/ top, and the inside had been Some had to pay extra to check Wilmarth went on to explain there are people elsewhere in email at all or miss critical infor- advisor so you’re both on the turned into a museum, com- their luggage from all the stuff that the senior in high school the world who desperately seek mation that is conveyed to them same page? Is it possible the per- plete with statues depicting that was acquired throughout climbed the multiple stories of assistance also. multiple times. How do you fix son who is “ignoring” your email historical scenes, and a garden. the trip, and others came home the library staircase to leap from We need to remain vigilant that? Pres. Finney said Facebook just forgot to reply or maybe has Junior Maxwell King had the with some extra spending the top of the building. The main and increase our own student and LinkedIn were considered for a kid with the flu? Things can right idea of paying people to money. Although some things factor driving the 17 year-old to assistance programs to raise getting information out, but even get better; people just have to carry him down the steps. smelled awful, the bathrooms suicide was stress built up from awareness about suicide so that using those could exclude some want them to get better. Instead March 10th was spent trav- were an experience, and we only trying to keep up with his school- we may one day be able to resolve people. Students and faculty must of complaining, offer constructive eling back to Beijing, where had two days of clear skies from work and maintain his rank as our own problems as well as offer make active efforts to improve criticism, and if someone presents we learned that our hotel the smog, everything sounds first in the class. And if you are a helping hand to other countries communication, both through you constructive criticism, then reservation was ‘lost.’ That better when you add the words asking yourself why the student that are completely behind the email and in person. The faculty for Pete’s sake listen to them and weekend, Beijing was hosting ‘in China.’ did not try to reach out to some- curve. are in a position to be more open take it to heart. a function for the Communist one before he took his own life, and available to students, but the Party Leaders, and the location

Are you a graphic designer? Join our team! We’re looking for art directors for the 2011-2012 acadmic year. Here’s an opportunity to design the paper that you’re reading, gain valuable experience, add work to your résumé and portfolio... and spend time with awesome people!

If you’re interested, email our faculty advisor, Warren Baker: [email protected] April 2011 Page 11

From Africa classroom, you can overlook beau- From Snyder Wrong” as “Arguing the familiar From So Ko the authorities and townspeople Page 7 tiful mountain ranges and see Page 6 point that no matter how ugly Page 5 utterly convinced of his guilt. His a community of satisfied people speech gets, it’s still speech and mother decides to get to the bot- I take for granted back home. I and ultimately realize, yes, it is nothing about how what those we can’t go limiting it...” While directors from the small country tom of things on her own. Mother started volunteering at a township a sad story to see on film, but we signs say or how what they shout this “Familiar point” may be true, have arisen to prominence by way is an intelligent, tightly woven in the city teaching ninth graders don’t live it. Watching a genocide will affect those families person- this case will set a precedent for of mastering the genre beyond character study shrouded in a English. Seeing the world in this film here and then leaving class ally. All they care about is getting other cases that follow. It will say what most have ever achieved. country noir mystery that borders framework and living a life that to see that the societies and com- their “religious” message across, a that it doesn’t matter how hateful The results are breathtaking. on Hitchcockian in its tension and is so simple and somewhat tragic munities here are very similar if religious message that is nothing your words are, or how emotion- The execution of emotional and plotting. Its atmosphere is full of is very moving and life changing. not identical to the film scenes, more than hateful and angry. ally damaging they can be on aesthetic relevance doesn’t come cold negative space, flooding the Things like going to a braai (their becomes real and pierces your This is not to say that there is another person. It will say that, by way of slowly paced character quiet rainy setting. term for a cookout) and picking heart. This country is a surviving no value in the First Amendment, regardless, you are constitution- dramas, but via gritty, dark, and Kim Hye-ja who plays the your meat out of tubs raw and country and is an incredible coun- or that it should not be respected ally endowed with the right to bloody meditations on vengeance, titular mother, is absolutely putting them on the grill like try to live in. and enforced. What I am saying is voice your opinions even if it com- murder, violence and so on. The astounding in her performance, that is nothing like we are used I’ve always been a curious per- that, while everyone deserves the pounds the suffering of others. consistencies lie in darkly toned capturing a love for the son that to back home. We have everything son that is scared of change, but right to free speech, speech that Isn’t America meant to be a cinematography, humor dark motivates a journey for the truth packaged, wrapped, tied up with knows I can handle it if pushed. is hateful, speech that is meant country where, yes, you do get the enough to match, obscenely of the townsgirl’s murder. It’s an bows, and comfortable to our lik- Here, I have no choice but to be to defame others’ reputations, right to free speech, but you also well-plotted scripts–aggressively example of the intricately scripted ing. Here, it’s nothing like that, pushed, and I love every minute and speech that is offensive, and support your fellow Americans? A intricate and character driven– and ultimately human stories not even heard of. of it! cruel, and immoral, should not be country where you, yes, get to say and the boundary-pushing that exist within these carefully Living the life of protected. what is on your mind, but you also propensity to cause the utterance woven thrillers. Bong Joon-ho African culture has What family should not have don’t terrorize your fellow citi- of “Dude, you have to see this.” also directed Memories of Murder made me see what is the right to grieve the loss of their zens? A country where not only do (2003), a murder mystery detail- and isn’t important to loved ones, to bury their dead in we have the right to free speech, Oldboy (2003) ing South Korea’s first instance me. I’m in a genocide peace? The WBC continuously the right to our own religion, Park Chan-wook’s Oldboy is the of a serial killer, and The Host history class here, takes this simple right away from the right to peaceably assemble, champion of So Ko psychothrillers. (2006), a family drama wrapped and we had to watch a others, and the Supreme Court but the right to live our lives in It’s garnered enough attention in a monster movie, which are Rwanda genocide film ruling will allow them to continue peace, without fear that we will here in the US to spark the begin- both just as worth checking out as last week. Watching this horrible injustice. not be able to mourn the death nings of an American remake and Mother. Hotel Rwanda in We must understand that of our loved ones and find time to it holds a special place as a sort America is sad, there is not only one side to this move on from these unbearable of late-night mind-bender cult The Chaser (2008) depressing, and mov- story. For years people have been moments? classic with a small following in Na Hong-jin’s debut feature, ing. But immediately fighting the WBC’s right to protest It doesn’t matter that this its wake. Oldboy details a man’s The Chaser, is my personal favor- after you leave the because they are often offensive, may not be outlined in any of capture and solitary imprison- ite from the So Ko pscyhothriller cruel, and upsetting to those who Amendments I through XXVII. ment for reasons unbeknown to offerings. The film follows Eom are attacked by their words. In the It is our right as Americans, as him. He is inexplicably released Joong-ho, an ex-detective turned From Champlain (in Connecticut) and the quality of past in similar cases, the Supreme human beings. After all, how can after fifteen years of unending pimp. His girls have been going Page 5 Champlain’s food is significantly Court has often ruled to keep the free speech be considered free forced druggings, occupying a missing in coincidence to a spe- higher. Yeah, you might pray to right to freedom of speech for all when others have to pay such a single room with nothing but a cific patron. Joong-ho suspects the upper-class haven. Lakeview the porcelain god a little more people. steep emotional price? television to pass the time. He women are being sold and decides during its first semester was often than you’d like, but at least Mitch Albom refers to their jus- vows to find who is responsible to catch the man responsible who definitely the best, but that was it tastes decent. Add that accept- tification in an article, “Westboro and make them pay the usual way. has actually been murdering because everyone knew each able mediocrity to the incredible Decision Sounds Right, But Feels It’s the kind of film that’s spoiled the prostitutes. Things wind up other and our doors were almost kindness of every person that with any details beyond the basic with the murderer caught and always open. When it was din- works in the dining hall, and you premise, but, goddamn, it’s a ride. confessing to the crimes, however ner time someone would go in to have a truly wonderful place to From Play real-world professional-level An exercise in emotional and without evidence he’ll be released the hallway and yell, “Lakeview, eat. Page 1 publishing activities. Its mis- cerebral abuse. within 12-hours (such is the South ASSEEMMMMBLLLEE!!!” It If you’re looking for something sion is “to play an active part The 2003 revenge flick is part Korean justice system). Hong-jin was not uncommon for us to have to do outside of class, the number Wisch is a disciplined art- in the great experiment that is of Park Chan-wook’s Vengeance must find the latest missing girl three long tables pushed together of groups and clubs and activities ist. She enjoys multiple media. publishing in the twenty-first Trilogy, also consisting of 2002’s before then to prevent the killer in the dining hall. Those were the is simply mind-boggling. Sure, Writing plays is her current century.” Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance and returning to finish her off. days. we don’t have a football stadium occupation, but she enjoys writ- 2005’s Lady Vengeance. Oldboy While the plotting rivals a The RAs in charge of me were capable of fitting 40,000 people, ing fiction as well. Wisch differs starkly from its two Raymond Chandler novel in lazy, crazily proactive, attractive, but going to dodge ball on the also creates paintings companion films in its almost complexity, it’s grounded by Na totalitarian, and in one case, actu- occasional Sunday night was and photography which Tarantino-esque sense of style Hong-jin’s plight to reconcile ally me. I’ve never found myself great fun. Free movie night let me she plans to have avail- imbued with surprisingly consis- himself in the eyes of his miss- unhappy with an RA. I think they enjoy a lot of movies I wouldn’t able on her site aliwisch. tent laughs. Its brutal violence is ing prostitute’s young daughter. get a little too much crap for doing have otherwise seen, and I’ve com in the near future. A gleeful in the early-goings of the It rivals Oldboy in its emotional their job and should be given more even gone apple picking! The SGA multidimensional artist, film before things start to unfold, workout and the climatic payoff respect, and I say that as someone office and the various student- she’s excited about her hinting at something bigger than manages to be as heartbreaking who quit the position after one run clubs made my experience work. a simple revenge plot. Oldboy as it is violent. A dynamic rarely pretty easy semester. My only real here that much better. If you are “I love making people also has, quite possibly, the best seen in film. Na Hong-jin’s sec- complaint is that Res Life, while here during the annual Spring laugh, and dialogue is fight scene ever filmed. It’s not ond feature, The Yellow Sea, was staffed by some very kind people, Meltdown and you do not attend a wonderful way to do only stylistically exhilarating, but released in Korea in December of needs to be more flexible in its it, you are truly missing out. that. My plays allow me also emotionally gripping beyond last year and has yet to be lined decision-making and needs to pay Champlain will literally suck to make people laugh - any action sequence I can recall. up for a US release, but I’m wait- attention when the retention rate the life out of your wallet, but if to be entertained for a It’s masterful filmmaking when ing with baited breath. for RAs drastically decreases like you can pay attention in class while. It’s a great feel- violence can be used as a substan- There’s much more to offer it did last year. and make some friends, it is so ing,” says Wisch. tive dramatic tool, rather than a within the burgeoning South Champlain’s faculty is a mixed incredibly worth it. The view of *The Champlain simple set piece. Ultimately the Korean film world, but the three bag, especially these days with all the Adirondacks from the dining College Publishing raw psychological intensity of aforementioned films and direc- of the moves and re-organizing. hall is pretty on most days and Initiative (CCPI), the film wins out, and leaves the tors are the perfect place to start. My time as a work study assis- absolutely breathtaking from founded in 2009, has viewer emotionally drained and And there’s more than thrillers tant in Student Serves Office has time to time. Your room may not already engaged more morally at a loss, yet somehow it to be found, as well, such as in given me a much broader appre- be the most spacious and it isn’t than 100 students from manages to be a crowd-pleaser. Lee Tae-heon’s exceptional action ciation of the faculty as a whole. guaranteed to have air condition- eight different majors in romp, The Man from Nowhere My registration advisor is always ing, but so long as you don’t put Mother (2009) (2010), and Kim Ji-woon’s epic there to help me out and everyone popcorn in the microwave for 20 Bong Joon-ho’s most recent western adventure, The Good, The in student accounts and financial minutes, the dorm experience is From Ireland when I set out, I still look back film, 2009’s Mother, is easily the Bad, The Weird (2008). It’s only a aid are just the salt of the Earth. pretty good. I’m going to be pay- Page 1 on it and smile. Sometimes most quiet and understated of the matter of time until South Korea The dining hall isn’t something ing loans for many years to come, the best things in life are the So Ko thrillers, yet its weighty is recognized internationally as I will miss too much, but turkey but I don’t regret coming here in seasickness, and increasingly unexpected. –Liz conclusion is all the more cli- a hotbed of talent and at present burgers and plates of bacon were the least bit. non-English-speaking wait- matic because of it. A mentally there are some mesmerizing films quite scrumptious. I’ve sampled Final opinion: 4 out of 5. resses. I was already wishing We almost didn’t make it to handicapped boy is accused of that deserve to be recognized as the menus of several state schools the week away. I couldn’t Barcelona last week. At 4:59, murdering a young girl in a small contemporary classics. believe I had to be stuck in Italy my boyfriend Darin and I real- Korean town. He goes to jail, for another five days, breath- ized that we had been standing From Environmental more good news: Rich Long ing in second-hand smoke at the wrong bus station for Page 7 informed me this move means we constantly, listening to people the past half hour, waiting for From Gay Movies corny title that I nearly scrolled no longer have to spend a fairly yell into their cellphones in the bus to come pick us up at Page 5 right by it. The Big Gay Musical that can see the class and event significant chunk of change on Italian, dodging scooters, and five, and that the correct bus focuses on the two main charac- schedule database. This allows parking spaces at Perkins Pier. eating nothing but pizza and station was on the completely of the movie. Despite the tear- ters of a play called “Adam and the school to activate either the When I sat down with Pres. pasta, the only recognizable other side of Nice, France. jerking plot twist, this movie Steve: Just the Way God Made heat or A/C in a room 15 min- Finney to discuss this issue, menu items. Twenty-four hours, three is worth watching and does a ‘Em.” The movie follows both utes before it is going to be used, among others, he informed me As I looked around the busy, trains, and three bars of choco- great job exploring the issue of the play itself and the “real life” and turn it back off if nothing that an outside group is used noisy Naples, I realized I was late later, we finally found homosexuality and religion. story of Paul (who plays Adam) is scheduled afterwards. A very to assess Champlain’s environ- letting my bad attitude dictate ourselves in Barcelona at 11 at Another great gay movie, and Eddie (who plays Steve). It responsible and efficient system, mental friendliness. This group what kind of adventure I was night in the pouring rain with and the only lesbian film to deals with coming out, losing to say the least. does similar research for several going to have. I had let every one, crummy map. make my list, is called Better your virginity, AIDS and safe- Furthermore, Champlain hundred institutions of higher little mishap build up, stack- In retrospect, I’m glad it Than Chocolate. This movie is sex, and parents who aren’t recently opened a new building ed, and our fair school ranks ing them one by one in my happened. one of the few “gay and lesbian very approving of their son’s – Lakeside – next to the Gilbane among the top percentile. A head until they became a wall I always dread the moment comedies” that actually makes sexuality. It’s woven together Parking lot. This building is fairly surprising statistic to say that blocked me from having in a vacation (or in life) when you feel like it should be called well enough to work, be funny incredibly efficient and has the least. a good time. I needed to start everything goes horribly a comedy. The story follows and have a touch of education to allowed us to consolidate sev- I went in to this article ready counting up the positive expe- wrong, but to be honest, those Maggie, a recent college drop it, but I almost wish the movie eral different departments into and willing to lambast Champlain riences, not the bad. Sure, a are the most memorable parts. out, and Kim, a starving artist had simply been the “Adam and a single building. Not only does for claiming to be environmen- lot seemed to be going wrong, The good thing about disasters who lives out of her van and Steve” play. this mean we aren’t wasting as tally friendly while being the but that was part of the expe- is that suddenly, there are no never stays in one place long. These four movies only much money leasing multiple opposite, but I was quite wrong. rience. If everything always rules or plans; you can just The pair met just days before begin to scratch the surface of buildings, but The little went according to plan, where enjoy things as they happen. Maggie’s mother and brother the GLBT movies out there. the people in I went in to this article college on would the fun be? In our third train station of are supposed to move in with Some are far sadder (such as these offices can the hill Once I changed my atti- the day (which might have her, and they don’t know about Boys Don’t Cry) and some are now stroll down ready and willing to is a lot tude, my trip began to change, been in France or Spain; we’re Maggie. completely ridiculous (such as a hallway to “greener” too. Even though it rained in not exactly sure), we were Throughout the story, Maggie Zerophile), but almost all share get an answer lambast Champlain than most Pompeii, I still look back on laughing hysterically as we and Kim struggle to build the element of sadness even that previously for claiming to be people it as incredible. And in Rome, sprinted through another rain- their new relationship under during the characters’ happiest would have think, even though I saw some ants storm to catch our last train to the noise of an oblivious (yet moments. It is a reflection of the required an environmentally even if in my hostel room, all I think Barcelona. strangely observant) mother and continued political struggles of email (which friendly while being there are about is the impossibly huge Once we arrived, the rest the strain of an ongoing fight the GLBT community, as well may have been areas that Saint Peter’s Basilica, the of the week went according between 10% Books (the lesbian as the fact that this isn’t a big missed or for- the opposite, but I could use countless creamy gelatos, to plan. We saw the Sagrada book store Maggie works at) “blockbuster” genre and comes gotten). This improve- and that one night with the Familia, strolled down Las and customs. It’s a story full of at the risk of alienating more beast of a build- was quite wrong. ment. lasagna, the wine, and fifty Ramblas, and dined on tapas parallel plots, tension that man- conservative viewers. ing also houses Though Italians belting their national and sangria. By typical stan- ages to be dramatic and funny Hopefully, one day soon, this Champlain’s the way anthem. If I had gone home dards, that part of our vacation at the same time and enough point will be moot, but we need primary data center, and has a in which money is spent could when I was feeling frustrated, was a success, but I certainly nudity to give the elderly heart more gay movies, and ones that direct fiber pipe up to campus. use some revising and could be if I had just given up, I would appreciate those laughs we had, attacks. It may not be a perfect are truly representational of the Instead of having our (very) made a little more transparent have missed the opportunity to ten hours in to our disastrous movie (some lines feel forced every-day person, not the flam- expensive servers in leaky, to students, it is, in the grand explore another country—and trip to Barcelona. –Rachel and things seem to wrap up just boyant, troubled or victimized humid basements, they’re now scheme of things, also done myself. So despite the fact that a little too neatly), but it is defi- version normally portrayed. in rooms specifically designed fairly well. my Italian adventure wasn’t nitely worth watching. to keep computers happy. Even exactly what I had in mind The final movie has such a Page 12 The Champlain Current

Carissa Stimpfel

Garrett Burns

Chriss Clapp