Coly Christmas Is Culturally Sensitive by MICHAEL SIMMELINK It Was Just a Part of Him

Volume 85 - Issue 11 November 30, 2012

Coly Christmas is culturally sensitive BY MICHAEL SIMMELINK It was just a part of him. We were all unaware that the SPORTS EDITOR whole ‘blackface’ thing could have racist connotations.” As the fall semester is on its last legs, the signs of A few resident directors and Multi-Ethnic Student Christmas break abound. Zwemer Hall tries it best Counselor Rahn Franklin were some of the first people to sound like h* Radio, Van Peursem Hall’s warmth through the dorm, and they made the decision to ask Rall becomes the closest thing to a tunnel on campus, and to wash the paint off his body. Colenbrander Hall begins preparation for its annual “The ‘blackface’ has been used in theater to depict Coly Christmas Bash. characteristics of blacks in humorous ways,” Franklin The Bash is popular throughout campus as said. “In short terms, it was a way to make fun of blacks the men of Coly decorate their wings in various and perpetuate a number of stereotypes.” Christmas themes and the spectators are led through Rall and the others on the wing were unaware of the the different worlds. At the end, attendees can vote negative history associated with whites painting their for their favorite wing over a cup of hot chocolate. faces to appear black. As time has passed, it has become “It’s funny to see everyone dressed up,” said junior clear the potentially offensive depiction of George was Gretchen Sutherland. “It’s fun to see the quiet, shy guys unintentional ignorance by the wing. act crazy.” The other talking point from last year came from Despite the good cheer intended, last year’s edition First East. The wing has long had the nickname of “The of the spectacle featured controversy from incidents on Ghetto” and has traditionally had a “Christmas in the two wings. Ghetto” theme for Coly Christmas. The first came on the east wing of second floor. Junior Micah Czirr was the resident assistant on the Second East’s theme was giving “prospective students” wing. According to him, he and his wing attempted a glimpse of what faculty and staff would be doing to make light of situations found in under-resourced over break. The impersonations included admissions neighborhoods. Participants were not asked to stop the counselors, professors and maintenance staff. What act during the performance time. caused a stir was the depiction of former business “A lot of people thought we were singling out the professor Ranjan George, who was being portrayed black people on the wing,” Czirr said. “That wasn’t the by sophomore Sam Rall. intention. We had a number of guys who had lived in or The men of Second East painted Rall’s face black near real-life ghettos before college. For some of them to more closely resemble George’s complexion. The the humor in it is a way to deal with that reality.” painting was done to make the act more believable; The line of what can and cannot be done in similarly, other actors on the wing cut their hair or good taste is subjective, but Franklin said the drug stuffed their shirts with pillows to better impersonate handouts and interracial violence can perpetuate the faculty and staff. harmful stereotypes and incidents such as the PHOTO SUBMITTED “I did it to make it more lifelike,” Rall said. “His skin Rodney King beatings. Senior Jacey Hoegh role plays as the tour guide through the themed halls of last year’s Coly Christmas Bash. color was neither a positive nor a negative thing to me. See “Coly” on Page 8 NW student playwright premieres original work

BY SARAH WEDEL “If I got stuck writing this play I just had The great playwright William to think of something.” Shakespeare wrote his first play when he When writing a play, there is no right was roughly 25 years old. Senior Shelby answer. Vander Molen said she did a lot Vander Molen has outdone him by writing of experimenting with different types her first complete play at the young age of 21. of characters. The play is entitled “Some Five Women” “You can’t get too attached to any and follows the stories of five women as character or scene in your play because they live and learn about life. chances are you are going to change it,” Vander Molen started writing the play Vander Molen said. last spring for a theater class. She said Vander Molen followed a that she did it because she had to, and nontraditional writing process. She through the writing process the plot and didn’t write in chronological order. the characters were invented. Rather, she wrote many different “The thing that is so hard about scenes then put them in order to thread writing a play is that it’s not like a research everything together. PHOTO BY EMILEE BERRY paper where if you get stuck you can Freshman Jana Latchaw (center) rehearses alongside Orange City residents who have also been cast in do more research,” Vander Molen said. See “Students” on Page 4 “Some Five Women.” 2 Glitter and gore star on Stevens’ new album ALBUM REVIEWW so twisted they’re almost to celebrate the season with BY KATI HENG unrecognizable, such as his all its warm, fuzzy, dance- A&C EDITOR version of “Do You Hear around-the-tree-in-your-toe- If Sufjan Stevens isn’t What I Hear,” which is over socks moments. Other songs completely in love with nine minutes and sounds are just sad. And not just Christmas, he’s at the very like a conversation between sad as in beautiful, somber least infatuated with it. two teens experiencing pieces like “Coventry Carol” His latest album release, marijuana for the very first or “How Shall I Fitly Meet “Silver & Gold,” is a follow- time — “Dude… do you feel Thee?,” but sad as in songs up to 2006’s “Songs for the same things I feel?” with titles such as “Even the Christmas,” containing Then, the album has Earth Will Perish and the volumes six through 10 new songs written by Universe Give Way” and out of who knows how Stevens that should become lyrics (from songs such as many he’ll make of his Christmas classics; songs “Barcarola [You Must Be A signature Christmas songs. that have nothing to do with Christmas Tree]”) such as The collection, recorded Christmas, such as a cover “You said you needed me / between 2006 and 2011, of Prince’s “Alphabet St.;” But I know that you needed adds another 58 songs and and songs that are holiday yourself to be cleaned of me.” Sufjan Stevens (center) doesn’t sound certain on his feelings about Christmas on his newest album, but nearly three hours to Stevens’ themed, but just plain weird. Along with sadness and with friends helping him out, he brings a cheery time anyway. holiday catalog. T h r o u g h a l l t h e s e an almost give-up attitude and wish lists and anyone he’s become part of the my magical kite/People say As he did on “Songs for songs, it’s hard to tell how towards humanity as a expecting things out of life, celebrations, but as a deeply I don’t exist.” Eventually, Christmas,” Stevens presents Stevens really feels about whole, anti-consumerism is because we’ll never really analytical American, he we find the Unicorn to be a an array of tunes. There are the holiday. In many songs, a theme throughout the later get what we want anyway. doesn’t appear to even know metaphor for all we don’t traditional songs audiences he’s celebrating the birth of volumes. For example, in The second essay considers if that’s a good thing. believe to exist anymore, in will know and love as well Christ in the most traditional “Christmas In The Room,” the Christmas tree, its past Whatever the case, this case, an American who as some traditional songs manner and ringing the bells two people celebrate the as a pagan symbol and paints Stevens has again offered up can love Christmas and all holiday with “No travel it as a misplaced fertility a Christmas album. There’s its pagan traditions while bags, no shopping malls / symbol we celebrate each a mix of the traditional and still being somehow above No candy canes, no Santa year. Neither essay shows the Stevens’ originals in each the holiday itself. Claus.” Never mind that Christmas spirit or even any volume, and it’s in these I f y o u a r e f e e l i n g he’ll be singing “Up On hope for humanity, really. volumes that the differences conflicted about whether or The Housetop” shortly. The For those who shell out in sounds and styles really not to buy this album, that contradiction suggests he the big bucks and buy a hard come into play. Volumes is a far easier problem to knows that true Christmases copy of the CD (which retails range from the stripped down solve than the one Stevens is need no jolly old man, but at $30), there is even more sixth, the sporadic seventh attempting to tackle. For die- he’s still pretty fun. confusion inside. There and the weird and electronic hard fans of Sufjan Stevens, It gets more confusing are tattoos and stickers of final three. especially his “Age of Adz” when looking at the gore and snowmen wielding He ends this Christmas and “The BQE” albums, it’s p a c k a g i n g t h e s o n g s chainsaws. There’s a poster album with the almost-13- worth the money. Fans of a come in. A digital booklet with images of sea monsters, minute, bizarre “Christmas nice Christmas album full of that comes with albums skeletons and a baby smoking Unicorn,” a counter-part classics or traditional hymns downloaded from iTunes a cigarette. There’s also a to The Beatles’ “I Am The ,should probably stick with contains two essays written cutout and do-it-yourself Walrus” in many ways. You “Songs for Christmas,” his by Stevens himself (the guy’s origami Christmas ornament. have no idea what Stevens is first Christmas collection. actually got an MFA in The guy’s obviously talking about when he sings Rating: Creative Writing from The conflicted about the holidays. “I’m a mystical apostasy/ I’m Key Tracks: “Christmas in the “Silver & Gold” is the newset Sufjan Stevens box set, containing 58 New School in NYC). The As an artist who has pumped a horse with a fantasy twist/ Room” and “Angels We Have songs, almost three hours of music and temporary tattoos. first essay bashes malls out 100 Christmas songs, Though I play all night with Heard on High” Rihanna’s latest is a diamond ALBUM REVIEWW love and mixes soul and so popular. BY KARA NONNEMACHER electronic tones with an Throughout the album, “Unapologetic,” Rihanna’s orchestral accompaniment. Rihanna shows off her talent Campus Quotes seventh full-length album, is Other singles include by reaching all the highs and a mix of genres including “Nobody’s Business,” which lows. In “Loveeeee Song” dubstep, electronic dance features Rihanna’s rapper her voice drops low, but music, R&B and pop. The ex-boyfriend Chris Brown, in “Diamonds,” she wows album is similar to her who many critics believe listeners with her ability to previous recordings. was her inspiration for hit the high notes. “I wish they were thick mints so they would fill me up “Unapoligetic” h a s this album. The variety of sounds better.” already reached success, Other well-known artists heard in “Unapologetic” is -Senior Corinne Musykens on thin mints. appearing in the top 10 of featured in “Unapologetic” Rihanna’s strongest asset over 20 national charts. are Mikky Ekko, David in the album. Ultimately, “We were fed soup out of Campbell’s cans for lunch... The single “Diamonds,” Guetta, Future and Eminem. she will continue to have and pea soup out of no-name cans for supper... by released in September, Rihanna also conforms commercial success because three old Dutch women who may or may not have has received recognition, to the now-popular dubstep of the way her album reaches been the Fates.” topping the US Billboard style, most prevalent in a variety audiences. - Professor Sam Martin on his college cafeteria. Hot 100, as well as the “Jump.” This is a new sound Rating: charts in 12 other countries. for her, but the dubstep does Key Tracks: “Diamonds” and Like the majority of her contribute to the club-like Send your Campus Quotes, with context, to “Nobody’s Business” songs, “Diamonds” is about style that makes her songs [email protected] 3 Van Der Stoep records to raise money and spirits BY KALI WOLKOW songs about life, faith and A s f o r s i n g i n g , “ I Christians who served with “Some people have to the combination of the two. practiced singing in my everything they had. Israel walk a rougher path for “There are some things car when nobody was is an unknown for Van Der reasons they cannot explain. that might make you laugh around,” he said. “I was Stoep. Releasing an album / It’s not like they choose to, or cry, some things that are in high school choir, but I is equally unknown. He is it’s just that they get used pretty light-hearted and held back because I didn’t taking a leap of faith in both. to not having an umbrella things that are a little more want to sound stupid. But I This CD might enrapture when they’re standing in the serious,” Van Der Stoep said. really cut loose flying down you. It might tickle your rain. / For some people, it’s “Either way, I hope they’re the highways with the funny bone or tug at your been raining for a long time. things people can connect windows down.” heartstrings. It might / But the Lord will guide you and relate to.” N e i t h e r Va n D e r make you think or help and carry you home. Live for While Van Der Stoep’s Stoep’s need for funds you believe. But no matter the Lord and live on faith new recording might help nor confidence were what what, it will help a fellow alone. / But there is always to change his financial spurred him into finally Northwestern student an outstretched umbrella.” situation, it also has the making this CD. Rather, it travel to another country to Sometimes this umbrella potential to change those was the dogged persistence experience wonderful and of hope comes in the form who listen to it. of the people who inspire exciting new things. of music. The music is inspired by his songs in the first place. At the very least, it will Adam Van Der Stoep, the people and experiences “My friends and family provide you some good a Northwestern senior, is surrounding Van Der Stoep. have been hounding me to music and the opportunity releasing an album, which His songs and genres vary in do this for quite a few years to gain some of that road- he has choosen to leave character just as the people now,” Van Der Stoep said. trip-inspired courage to belt untitled, of 11 songs as a in his world do. The wide PHOTO SUBMITTED “The timing just seemed out the lyrics while you fly fundraiser for his upcoming variety of music on his CD Senior Adam Van Der Stoep hopes to encourage others through his right. What is unknown will down the highway. music and its lyrics. trip to Israel through helps make it relatable. always be unknown unless Van Der Stoep will have the NWC study abroad “There is a song that there is even one that is only taught guitarist. He sais you jump out in faith.” his CDs available at 9 p.m. program, but the album is I wrote and sang at my acoustic, so hopefully there he learned how play in Va n D e r S t o e p i s on Friday, Nov. 30, in the more than just a way to fund brother’s wedding,” Van is something on the CD that his sophomore year of traveling to Israel. He will Hub. CDs will sell for $10, his trip. Der Stoep said. “There are a everyone will enjoy.” high school and has been be surrounded by history and they can be shipped It is an album filled with few tracks about faith, and Van Der Stoep is a self- “addicted” ever since. and stories about the faith of for $11. ‘Twilight’ conclusion delivers ‘Red Dawn’ might reflect hidden racisms MOVIE REVIEWW exactly what viewers expect BY TOM WESTERHOLM MOVIE REVIEWW the vampire community, of new characters, concepts A&C EDITOR BY MATT LATCHAW and the Volturi are notified. and events in a very abrupt The premise of “Red Dawn,” a remake of 14-year-old girls’ favorite These legalistic pharisees of and curt manner. The story the 1984 cult classic, is that the United States group of vampires and the vampire world plan to is frequently carried along has been invaded by North Korea, and one werewolves are back for kill the child and the rest by Bella’s film noir style marine (Chris Hemsworth of “Thor”) and a one last hurrah with the of her family as the Cullens narration, which becomes group of plucky high schoolers take to the conclusion of the Twilight and their friends try to find a rather distracting, yet hills to conduct guerilla warfare against the Saga, “Breaking Dawn: Part way to convince the Volturi necessary due to the film’s evil invaders. 2.” It is probably the best of that Renesmee will not bring relatively dense plot and The best thing that can be said about “Red the series, but that distinction harm to any vampire. quick pace. Dawn” is that the pace isn’t lazy. Indeed, the Chris Hemsworth almost redeems “Red Dawn.” means different things to Kristen Stewart, Robert O n e r e d e e m i n g movie moves along at a dizzy, disorienting different people. Pattinson and Taylor Lautner factor comes from the speed. The worst thing that can be said is with his love interest, Toni (Adrianne “Part 2” picks up the all reprise their leading cinematography and visual that the gaping plot holes are made less Palicki), talking about their past lives. The story of Bella, Edward, Jacob roles, but their acting is effects departments. noticeable by the pace and the overriding dialogue is awkwardly written and should and friends right where among the worst of the The CGI is harmoniously question, “Is this entire movie racist?” have been uncomfortable, but it wasn’t. “Breaking Dawn: Part 1” cast. Bland and unemotional integrated and usually does The evidence for racism: The premise Hemsworth’s smiles and charisma carry left off. The film begins with deliveries amplify the not divert attention from the of the movie is that the United States has him through the scene and somehow turn Bella’s eyes as a “newborn” poor scriptwriting. Scenes scene. The overall aesthetic been invaded by North Korea. That means the awkward conversation into something vampire. Edward helps her that should be gripping of the film is enchanting that every evil character (with the exception resembling poignancy. become acclimated to her and touching fall flat, and and beautiful. Rich bright of one enormous Russian) is Asian. The Unfortunately, an action movie can only new condition, and it doesn’t the lead actors save their colors pop out in every black mayor sells out to the Koreans early dedicate a small amount of time to a talented take long for her to fit in with most convincing emotional environment, and the on while the white sheriff stands for his actor, and “Red Dawn” quickly fills its quota her new family and discover performances for scenes composition is always bold morals. Every major good character is and returns to the action. With fewer racial new abilities and strengths. that haven’t been set up to and stunning. white. The only black character that isn’t undertones and better writing, it could be Bella finally meets her be very evocative. The best Vampires and the lore either dead or a coward ends up left in a successful TV show. A show could have new daughter, Renesmee, acting in the movie has to go behind them have been done the woods while the remaining white stretched out the areas that “Red Dawn” is and it quickly becomes to the leader of the Volturi, better in many other films, characters drive away. forced to skip over. It could take the time to apparent that something Aro (Michael Sheen), but even and romance has been done The evidence against: There’s an Asian get rid of the subtle (and perhaps accidental) is special about her. Before his powerful delivery slips better in untold numbers of marine who shows up to help. racism. The concept of post-invasion long, Renesmee is seen by into overacted melodrama movies. Without some prior Plot holes and racism aside, “Red American life has been done before, but it an outsider of the family at times. attachment to the series and Dawn” only has one redeeming feature remains a compelling possibility. who believes the child is an The pacing is very fast. the characters, the film leaves in Chris Hemsworth himself. In one scene, But as a movie? Don’t waste your time. immortal child — it is a crime Viewers are introduced to much to be desired. Hemsworth’s character sits on a bridge Rating: to create such a creature in an overwhelming number Rating: Five Star Guide Classic: Excellent: Good: Fair: Poor: November 30, 2012 beacon.nwciowa.edu Features 4 Students lead production FROM PAGE 1 o t h e r a s o p p o s e d t o stories that have all L a s t s u m m e r Va n d e r d i r e c t i n g p e e r s , ” happened to people at Molen sent copies of Weidner said. some point in their lives. the script to some of We i d n e r s a i d t h a t Va n d e r M o l e n i s her friends including, d e s p i t e t h e m a n y very excited because s t u d e n t d i r e c t o r challenges that come “ S o m e F i v e W o m e n ” o f t h e p l a y j u n i o r with directing, she loves h a s b e e n n o m i n a t e d M e g a n W e i d n e r . i t b e c a u s e s h e g e t s to be a participant in We i d n e r s a i d s h e t o w o r k w i t h a c a s t the upcoming Kennedy wanted to direct the a n d m a k e t h e s c r i p t Center American College play because she had come to life through the T h e a t r e F e s t i v a l i n directed a one-act of different characters. Lincoln, Neb. Vander Vander Molen’s last year Va n d e r M o l e n a n d M o l e n w i l l f i n d o u t and really enjoyed the Weidner’s goal was to w i t h i n t h e n e x t f e w experience. develop characters who months if her play will The thing that sets seem real and are able to have the honor of being “Some Five Women” apart communicate the ideas in performed in the festival. is that it is a completely the play to the audience. O v e r a l l , V a n d e r student-initiated project. “Some Five Women” M o l e n a n d W e i d n e r This means there were tries to unveil the raw s a i d t h e y a r e v e r y no professors from the h u m a n i t y u n d e r e a c h p l e a s e d w i t h h o w t h e a t e r d e p a r t m e n t character’s struggle with “ S o m e F i v e W o m e n ” involved in casting, the pressures of society has turned out and the production or practices. or families. m e s s a g e i t s e n d s . Weidner said one of “This play is about “A good play makes the fun things about coming into your own you think, and ‘Some Five directing this play was e l e m e n t a n d f i n d i n g Women’ does just that,” working with community yourself and realizing it’s Weidner said. members. Three of the five OK to be who you are,” “Some Five Women” characters are not students Weidner said. will be performed at a t N o r t h w e s t e r n . This play has no main 7:30 p.m. on Friday, However, this element character; rather the Nov. 30, and at 2 p.m. of the play presented five characters have a on Saturday, Dec. 1, in some challenges. group voice. Everyone the England Theatre of “ I t ’ s a c o m p l e t e l y who comes to the play the DeWitt Theatre Arts d i f f e r e n t c h a l l e n g e will relate to a different Center. Admission is free, directing people who character because the and seating is first-come, don’t really know each characters have universal first-served.

PHOTO BY EMILEE BERRY Freshman Jana Latchaw plays a teenager in the play “Some Five Women,” written by Shelby Vander Molen and directed by Megan Weidner.

Monday Night Any Large Pizza College Buet Only $10.00 Just $6.00 Free Delivery with ID to Campus Monday - Thursday 11:00 am - 10:00 pm Friday & Saturday 11:00 am - 11:00 pm 1505 8th St. SE 712-737-3711 beacon.nwciowa.edu beacon.nwciowa.edu November 30, 2012 Features 5 Student bloggers storm cyberspace BY SARAH WEDEL Study Abroad program his freshman year while sharing personal thoughts It is estimated that there in Israel. attending Wheaton College and opinions in his blog. are more than 31 million “I wanted to be able to outside Chicago, Ill. He said “I like to blog about bloggers in the United States. share my experiences in he wanted an efficient and different things that catch Online self-expression has Israel with family and thorough way to tell family my attention throughout been the main aim of many friends on a daily basis,” and friends back home the day,” Johnson said. bloggers since blogs first Stewart said. what his daily activities “It could be something appeared in the 1990s. Freshman Elliot Johnson consisted of without having I see happen or I hear Northwestern’s campus started his blog at the start to call them every night. that makes think. I enjoy is home to three of these of the school year. People have blogs for writing reflections and bloggers. Each of them “My dream is to be a many different reasons my thoughts on different started blogging for writer someday, and I’ve and purposes. The content t o p i c s t h a t c o m e u p different reasons. found that blogging is of blogs can range from throughout my day.” Senior Holly Stewart a great way to practice information and thoughts Stewart uses her blog started her blog between writing and express my about sports and politics to to process her daily her sophomore and junior thoughts,” Johnson said. sharing personal reflections experiences and the things years of college while she S e n i o r G r a h a m and private photos. going on around her. participated in a Summer Kinsinger started blogging Johnson said he enjoys “When I visited the Holocaust museum in PHOTO BY TYLER LEHMANN Senior Holly Stewart has been blogging since the summer after her Jerusalem, I didn’t know sophomore year. She uses her blog to write about her daily life. college night at sfumato pizzeria what to make of everything Thursday night, 10% off any pizza with Student ID I saw there, so I wrote about need to have their voices a different viewpoint out it,” Stewart said. “I can heard by others. The beauty there,” Johnson said. “I communicate my thoughts of blogging is that anyone like to challenge people to Restaurant Hours: better through writing.” can do it. think in a way they perhaps Thursday: 4 -9p.m. Kinsinger said he not only “What I love about never have.” enjoyed having a personal blogging is that whoever While Johnson tries to Friday:4 -10p.m. blog to share his activities wants to write can write,” blog every day, Stewart Saturday: 4 -10p.m. with family and friends but Stewart said. “You don’t have blogs every few days. also enjoyed having a music to have any formal training Kinsinger has recently taken Sunday: 5-9p.m. blog. He would search the to do it.” a break from blogging but Internet for new artists Blogging presents the said he plans to begin and unique songs and post opportunity for the average again next semester while them to his blog where person writing from their he is participating in followers could then listen kitchen table to have an Chicago semester. to the music. influence on how other Stewart’s blog is online Much of blogging’s people think and perceive at hmstewart.wordpress. popularity today is based the world. com, and Johnson’s blog can upon people’s desire to “ W h e n I w r i t e m y be read at swaggerdragons. express themselves and the blog, I enjoy just getting wordpress.com. NW student has rare allergy to cold BY KAITLIN FLOERCHINGER When Garcia reached shore, his co-workers removed his simple and funny. Iowa college students know to expect a brisk winter wet shirt, wrapped him in blankets, and fed him hot chocolate “People say, ‘Oh let’s go do that!’ and I just respond every year. But for senior Mario Garcia, brisk winter took and sugar to help him recover. Garcia blacked out twice with, ‘Uh I can’t. I’ll die,’” said Garcia. “It’s all about staying on a new meaning after a curious diagnosis this past June. and lost his hearing for a few minutes, and the others were creative with this.” Garcia, a Colorado native, has cold urticaria, an allergy startled to see the extent of the reaction. As of now, it seems cold urticaria will be with Garcia for to cold temperatures. Whether it be cold water, air, or “They said they looked at my back and they could see the the rest of his life, but the long-term adjustments might even a snowball on bare skin, Garcia runs the risk of an outline of my lungs in white like two white spots that mirrored not be all bad. allergic reaction. each other,” Garcia said. “It was just really, really bad.” “I was thinking of living in Puerto Rico for the warmth He first noticed this unusual condition while working at It took nearly two and a half hours for him to so I don’t have to worry about it,” Garcia said. Advanced Wilderness First-Aid. recover due to the exhaustion and weakness that had “I went to the restroom and washed my hands, and flooded his body. on my way back, I felt my hands get red and itchy,” Garcia The following Monday, a visit to the doctor yielded a said. “They kind of hurt and swelled up, and I couldn’t diagnosis of cold urticaria. A doctor gave him an EpiPen bend my fingers all the way because they were all swollen.” and instructions for combating the condition, and Garcia The reaction went away after an hour, and he assumed is now learning to adapt as an Iowa winter bears down. he was allergic to the soap. Layering in the standard coat, hat, gloves and pants is After a few more minor reactions on his hands, the worst one defense. Another is having an accountability partner, reaction almost killed him. While training to be a wilderness so to speak. trip leader in Canada, Garcia volunteered to flip his canoe to “If I’m walking somewhere alone, like to class or practice canoe rescues. something, I’ll have someone that I’ll text to say that I All went as planned until he and his partner were made it to my destination,” Garcia said. “And if I don’t, rowing back to shore. then they’ll need to go look for me so I’m not suffocating.” “When we got back in the canoe, I could feel I was getting The senior does his best to put a humorous twist on this really lightheaded, and my skin was really red. I looked new way of life. One tweet he posted was, “I really don’t

badly sunburnt,” Garcia said. “I could feel my lungs start want it to snow at all. #I’mTooYoungToDie,” and when PHOTO BY EMILEE BERRY to constrict and my throat start to close up.” asked to go out and be active in the cold, his response is Senior Mario Garcia has an allergy to cold known as cold urticaria. 6

LGBTs shouldn’t expect parade of acceptance CROSSWORD PUZZLE BY ANN CALSBEEK H o w e v e r , I wa s homosexual community like to be I wa s e x c i t e d t o d i s a p p o i n t e d w i t h “acknowledged” on this campus? see an article about some of the statements I accept you for who you are and LEAP and the LGBT from the article, those hope that others agree with me, but c o m m u n i t y i n t h e that were made about what else can I do for you? Is there Beacon. The opportunity N o r t h w e s t e r n as a some sort of expected special to address these issues w h o l e . A l t h o u g h treatment? Some of us do not wish and discuss them out in there are many people to sweep your sexuality under the the open is something w h o d i s a p p r o ve o f rug but feel no need to parade our our campus can greatly benefit from. the LGBT community on campus, acceptance of it wherever we go. You I would like to begin by thanking I am disappointed that the entire want recognition but complain about those who are brave enough to come campus is generalized into a group even indirect persecution. I don’t out on this campus. Although I do of “haters” who, simply because we think there is a perfect balance not know how difficult it was attend NW, are viewed as anti-gay between the two, especially in a (and is) to be in your position, I do or anti-lesbian. I feel as though the conservative community like NW. know that this community is highly judgement has turned 180 degrees Again, thank you for your bravery, conservative and exclusive at times. and is being turned back on the and I hope that our student body I personally support an individual’s campus as a whole. can be seen as a group of loving, right to love whomever they want, One quote from the article accepting people, not simply a and I know many others on this asked for acknowledgment from nameless and faceless crowd full of campus who share my opinion. “people” at NW. How would the prejudice and hate. Beacon Abroad Embracing the American identity abroad BY NATE JOHNSTON sever all ties back home, you will still be an American FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT who will soon return to live in America. SEVILLE, Spain — “I never would have guessed I told myself that I was in Spain to become more that you were American.” These words are the biggest Spanish and immerse myself in the culture. I did not compliment that an American student abroad can receive. want to be targeted or singled out as the rich American Americans are stereotyped as being rich, loud, student studying abroad. Dumping my cultural baggage opinionated, closed-minded, ignorant, inconsiderate and was harder than I expected. I got tired of trying to blend the list goes on. Although this list is supposed to help a in, and I started asking myself why I was not proud to traveler be more aware of America´s global image, it also be an American overseas. tends to frighten students who are going abroad. I came to Spain ready to learn from the Spaniards While I was being prepared to live in Spain for an and take in everything I could learn from another entire semester, I was advised to talk quieter, dress in culture. I did not think of my semester abroad as a two- more European clothes and avoid using English in public way exchange. My mentality was to not waste my time areas. After about a month of trying to blend in, however, trying to change a stereotype that was already set in the I felt a strong sense of disconnect. I was surrounded by mind of Spaniards. I soon realized, however, that I was people who were different, but I was afraid to be different. throwing aside my responsibility to to teach them about Learning to deal with differences is a foundational American culture. part of studying abroad. You are called upon to live in a Everyone has to claim their cultural identity at some The Beacon is online! different culture for several months and share experiences point. My Spanish friends show me why they claim their with people from different parts of the world. However, identity, and it is my responsibility to show them why I @NWC_Beacon no matter how hard you try, you will still carry the claim mine. I have learned that this means being open baggage of your own culture. Unless you plan to stay in about that identity and doing my best to show others Northwestern College - Beacon that foreign country for the remainder of your life and what this American is like. www.beacon.nwciowa.edu Beacon Staff

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7 NW can’t sink Morningside; dominates at Mount Marty BY JORDAN DYKSTRA Dunkelberger said. “Our close in the box score as it No. 8 in the country focus was on ourselves and was on the scoreboard. The Northwestern claimed a 65- what we needed to do to get Raiders shot 46 percent from 51 road victory over Mount better, and we executed those the field and 25 percent from Marty Wednesday night in things well tonight.” beyond the arc compared women’s basketball. It put T h e R a i d e r s to the Mustangs hitting 43 them at 6-3 overall, 2-2 in hosted longtime rival percent from the field and the GPAC. Morningside College on also 25 percent from three The Raiders led 36-26 at Nov. 20 in what proved to point land. halftime but Mount Marty be another classic game. Morningside had a slim had a 14-2 run to start the Morningside prevailed edge in rebounding, out- second half, giving them and edged the Raiders grabbing the Raiders 34-32 a 40-37 edge. Senior post out in a 72-70 victory in and 12-9 on offensive boards. Kendra De Jong and junior a game that was tied on The Mustangs used those guard Mackenzie Small twelve separate occasions. boards to their advantage, made consecutive baskets Late in the fourth quarter outscoring the Raiders 16-5 for the Raiders, regaining and tied up at 68, junior post on second-chance points. the lead, and they never Samantha Kleinsasser hit a Leading the Raiders in looked back. baseline jump shot to put scoring was Kleinsasser with Stifling defense down the the Raiders up 70-68. On 23 points and six rebounds. stretch kept Mount Marty the ensuing Morningside De Jong chipped in with 15 from scoring a field goal for possession, the Mustangs hit points and nine rebounds. over four minutes. a layup to tie the game up. Dunkelberger and Small Sophomore guard Karen After both teams failed each had eight points. Hutson scored a career to score on their next “ W e h a v e s o m e high 21 points on 8-15 possessions, Morningside hit important conference shooting. Junior guard Alli a shot from the left corner to games coming up, so it Dunkelberger and Small put them up 72-70 with only will be important for us to notched 11 points each. De four seconds remaining. De take one game at a time,” Jong grabbed 11 rebounds Jong failed to convert on a Kleinsasser said. “Our in the contest. jump shot to tie the game on focus will be continuing “When things got tough the final Raider possession. to improve every time we PHOTO BY LISA POST for us we pushed through,” The game was just as step in the gym.” Junior Alli Dunkelberger goes up strong from the elbow. She had 11 points in Wednesday night’s win. Raiders comeback not enough against Marian in playoffs BY KORAY KARAKAS 2006, faced a tough midday battle failing to score their first two at their own 18-yard line on a NW gained a total of 336 yards Northwestern’s Red Raiders against strong opposition in the possessions. Marian broke the fourth-and-one fake punt attempt. on offense, with 162 yards in the took on Marian University’s No.5 Knights in Indianapolis, Ind. deadlock first on a nine-yard The Raider offense capitalized air and 199 rushing. Bartman led Knights in the NAIA Football The first ever match-up between touchdown with six minutes left on their great position, with senior the Raiders with 20 carries for Championship Series First Round the two teams saw the Knights in the first quarter of play. running back Brandon Smith 124 yards and also led the team on Saturday and suffered a 32- come out on top in what started off NW followed suit with a big scoring the rushing touchdown, with five catches for 32 yards and 42 defeat in what was a fierce as a scrappy affair and developed play of their own, scoring their first and Bloemendaal converting a touchdown. encounter between the two sides. into a memorable game. touchdown from a kick return of the two-point conversion to Junior linebacker led the The No. 12 Raiders, playing The game started slowly, with the season on the resulting kick- complete a fantastic comeback defense with eight tackles. Senior their first post-season game since both the Raiders and Knights off. Sophomore receiver Jordan by the Raiders and give them a linebacker Aaron Jansen had Micalef scored on a 99-yard kick-off 24-21 lead. seven stops, two for loss and the return to tie the game at 7-7. The Knights then added lone Raider sack. Marian scored twice through another two touchdowns to end Junior Jermaine Ambrose had the air to gain a 21-7 lead. NW’s any hopes of a second Raider an interception in the secondary. offense then came up with comeback, taking the score to Senior Brandon Smith ended an impressive 75-yard drive. 42-24. Bloemendaal found junior his final game for the Red Raiders The finishing play was junior running back Theo Bartman for with 19 carries for 64 yards and a quarterback Davis Bloemendaal a five-yard touchdown pass with touchdown, capping a wonderful throwing a touchdown to junior two minutes left on the clock. playing career and cementing his receiver Brice Byker to make it Bartman then pounded in the two- place in the Raider history books. 21-13 at the half. point conversion on the ground. He sits third all-time with 4,202 The Raiders started the second NW attempted an onside kick rushing yards and second all-time half with a 36-yard field goal by after scoring. Junior cornerback with 55 touchdowns. senior Mike O’Brien to bring Jermaine Ambrose came out of The Raiders ended their season the score to 21-16. The Raider the pile with the ball, but the with a 9-3 record. Marian won their defense came up with stops on officials ruled that the Marian quarterfinal matchup and will be PHOTO BY EMILEE BERRY successive drives against the player had originally caught the playing in the national semifinal Redshirt freshman Justin Wohlert returns a punt against Briar Cliff earlier in the season. Senior linebacker Nate Fischer looks to lay a block. Knights’ offense, stopping them ball in a downed position. game on Saturday. Raider sports coverage online • Men’s basketball loses to Mt. Marty for first time since 03-04 @ beacon.nwciowa.edu • Wrestling squad competes in Minnesota over break 8 Around NW students make legal residency accessible Campus Theater “Some Five Women,” an original play by senior Shelby Vander Molen, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, and 2 p.m. on Dec. 1, in the England Theatre of the DeWitt Theatre Arts Center. Vespers The Northwestern College music department will present its annual Christmas Vespers service at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, and 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 2, in Christ Chapel. Winter Formal Northwestern’s Winter Formal dance will take place from 9:30 p.m. until 1 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Prairie PHOTO BY EMILEE BERRY Winds Events Center. Seniors Katie Raab, Pedro Ruiz, Angie Sas, Sean Guthmiller and Tayler Kelly are part of the Community Development class that helped organize the DACA clinic. The cost is $5 per person. BY KATE WALLIN Development class was but provides documentation Organizing the clinic has with the event. Hors d’oeuvres will This past June, a ray a p p r o a c h e d b y l o c a l for work authorization. That proved to be a rewarding “I seriously got 23 emails be provided by Blue of hope broke through nonprofit Center for work authorization does challenge for the group. in one day and 10 the next,” Mountain. A shuttle will run between the dance the overcast skies of Assistance, Service and not provide federal aid for “If Romney was elected, Sas said. and Fern, Hospers and the immigration battle Advocacy (CASA) with undocumented students but there was fear that he would The class was encouraged Stegenga Halls. t h a t h a s b e e n l o n g the idea of organizing and will allow them to work and use or make public the lists by the response of the c l o u d e d b y c o m p l e x hosting a DACA clinic, they use their diploma or degree. [of DACA applicants],” student body. One-acts policy and gridlocked agreed to take on the project. “We called high school Ruiz said. “Now that [the “This is something that Students in the directing partisan politics. “ T h e y d i d n ’ t h a ve principals and churches,” election] is over, there is really affects people’s lives,” class will take their final For an estimated 2.1 anyone to organize and set said senior Angie Sas. a lot less fear. It won’t be Raab said. exam by presenting an evening of one-act plays million youth living in the it up,” Ruiz said. “We were “There are a lot of high taken away.” In the end, the goal is beginning at 6 p.m. on U.S. without documents, just in the right place at the s c h o o l s t u d e n t s w h o Lingering fear has caused for the clinic will meet an Wednesday, Dec. 6 in the release of the Deferred right time.” will qualify.” applications for the clinic to underserved need in our the Allen Theatre of the Action for Childhood The upcoming DACA The clinic is an attempt stream in slowly. local community. DeWitt Theatre Arrivals (DACA) program clinic is hosted by NW’s to close the gap between the “Fear was a big deal “We want to help as Arts Centre. marked a step toward senior social work majors opportunity of the DACA before the election,” said many people as possible,” legal residency. in conjunction with CASA program and the reality of senior Tayler Kelly. “We said senior Sean Guthmiller. STORY IDEAS. From the perspective and Iowa Justice for the legal process. want more applicants.” “But even if just one comes BREAKING NEWS. of many people within Our Neighbors. “Attorneys are coming The students faced other in, we’ve still helped one PHOTOS. Northwestern’s social work The program allows from Des Moines to provide challenges when advertising person. That’s important.” CAMPUS QUOTES. department, the DACA f o r y o u t h b r o u g h t free legal advice,” Sas said. in the community. The DACA Clinic will be program is relevant to without documents to Attorneys well- “Some stores wouldn’t held from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. @NWC_BEACON IS Orange City. the U.S. before they versed in immigration let us hang up signs,” said on Saturday, Dec. 1, at Christ NOW ON TWITTER. “The area we live in has were 16 to apply for a law will be available to senior Katie Raab. the King Catholic Church in such a growing number temporary residence. help applicants get their After Luanne Keith sent Sioux Center. of Hispanics,” said senior Eligablity hinges on a documents together and a zz-student email to the For more information, Pedro Ruiz. number of stipulations and let them know if they are campus body, students contact Angie Sas at Chapel When the Community has a hefty application fee eligible for the program. responded en masse to help [email protected]. Monday wOrange City Coly controversy: Elementary COLENBRANDER RESIDENTS LEARN FROM PAST MISTAKES FROM PAGE 1 Tuesday “We have to think about the ripple effect and the impact we are having on the people who wDr. Victor Atallah, see it,” Franklin said. “Especially in an event like this that is open to the community, we have India to be aware of how we are depicting [NW’s] community to others.” Coly’s resident director, Ryan Anderson, said he doesn’t believe last year’s trouble has taken anything away from the event. He has talked to the resident assistants about the greater Wednesday understanding that has come from it and encouraged dorm leaders to be more thoughtful wJim Ellis, ‘06, Awake in theme choice this year. My Sole “We’re trying to be more sensitive in how we choose themes,” Anderson said. “We have to take responsibility for our actions and be more thoughtful in the acts we choose.” The Coly Christmas Bash will take place on Monday, Dec. 3. Doors will open at PHOTO SUBMITTED Friday 9 p.m. and close at 11 p.m. Admission is $1, and hot chocolate will be available in the Juniors Brett Coston, Theo Bartman and Kyle Heidebrink enact a wCaroling game room while students vote following their trip through the dorm. wedding during last year’s Coly Christmas.