'American Idol' Unwrapped by NATALIE HELLMERS by JESSICA GRIZZANTI Staff Wnter Managing Editor Emeritus
6 Final Farewell, Good Luck to Graduating Seniors 'American Idol' unwrapped By NATALIE HELLMERS By JESSICA GRIZZANTI Staff Wnter Managing Editor Emeritus
During this past week, there was no I confess. I'm an ':.\merican Idol" junkie. denying the end of an era for those of us The singing, fashion and rude comments graduating this semester. Simon Cowell makes from week to week As I walked into the Eagen to sign up for keep me coming back for more. Senior Week, I looked around the room and I knew the obsession was getting really saw an array of emotions. The expression bad when last Wednesday at midnight I referred to as "deer in headlights" was fit had three missed calls from friends all ting for some. There were also looks of eagerly wanting to be the first to reveal happiness and some seemed a little sad. Constantine Maroulis' departure from the Most of my fellow seniors claimed disbe show. lief as they went from table to table hear Who is voting? The past two weeks have ing words of congratulations. been disappointing. First on the episode A majority, it seems, never envisioned from April 20, Anwar Robinson, a 25-year this day coming. We saw the end of four old music teacher from East Orange, NJ, years, or more for some of us, as a far-off was dismissed. Judges had told him he had milestone. the best 'technical' voice in the competi Some of us, for the past few weeks, have tion. been in denial about leaving. Others may Then Maroulis left the show - his first have already left in a sense and moved on time in the bottom three. His rendition of to think about their future lives that will be NickelBack's "How you Remind Me" may very different from the ones we've all got not have been as well-chosen as other ten used to. weeks when he sang "My Furmy Valentine," The event called Grad Finale occurs at "I Can't Make You Love Me," and the start of May every year. In times "Bohemian Rhapsody," but he still had his before, I have witnessed other seniors usual charisma onstage. ::sw:rer1cter .. was one of his best thus far, he after Maroulis' departure last week, I start complete this same process. Perhaps Maroulis knew how to pick songs for, has been inconsistent and flat in previous ed to notice a pattern in who gets voted off because the actual graduation itself is a what Cowell in past weeks called, his 'tar weeks. For example, on the April 5 episode, the show. flurry of activity, it may be these weeks get audience' - women. He would always he sang "Climb .Every Mountain" from "The America seems to vote for those contest before that we remember most. stare into the camera with his brown eyes Sound of Music" and added to the atro ants for whom they think no one else is After handing in all those last minute and cause women to melt as they dialed in ciousness of his performance by wearing voting. I think people have that mentality papers and taking finals which become for him. white pants. Still, America has since for because they think everyone else is voting impossible tQ study for since all seniors Before the results show on April 20, I had given him by voting for him over Maroulis for 1\.rrner or Robinson or Maroulis thus have been infected with senioritis, we now predicted he would be one of the final two. last week. causing them to vote for their second or look forward to Senior Week. Was I ever wrong. Although Maroulis does Another contestant I wouldn't have third favorite contestant. Starting on the May 23, when underclass n't have the best voice in the competition I minded seeing around for a few more I don't always have much time to call in man move out, senior activities begin. This still believe that other contestants should weeks was Nadia 1\.rrner, 28-year old from mysell' but I say if you too are a closet year's activities include whitewater rafting, have left the program before him. Miami, FL. 1\.rrner was voted off in the "Idol" fan at this point in the competition, paintball, a luau, a Tink's event where sen For one thing, Scott Savol, 28-years-old April 13 episode. Cowell told her that her you should only call for those you like the iors dress up like their favorite superhero, from Shaker Heights, OH, has not been up rendition of 'When I Dream'' was the best or he or she could be gone as fast as a bus trip to Atlantic City and the Formal. to par the past few weeks. On the April 19 equivalent of 'musical wallpaper.' He Robinson and Maroulis. All the seniors who have graduated in episode after singing "Dance with my explained that it was something you After having watched the entire fourth the past have been telling me to have as Father," Cowell told Savol to 'pack his bags' noticed but did not remember. season of "Idol" thus far, I would predict much fun as possible. I find it hard to have but America said no. When she was first voted off, I thought that Carrie Underwood, 23-year-old of even more fun, when the past four years Also, despite the fact that Anthony that it was entirely her song choice that Checotah, OK, will be one of the final two. have already been an adventure. She has had consistent performances and Figuring out how to find closure, and Cowell had hinted early on that he thought metaphorically a way to close this place she would win the competition. I'm even down, is the tough part. willing to forgive her for the April 12 We ought to say farewell in ways not to episode when she bobbled a lyric in "Love end friendships but establish something so is a Battlefield." that we can become those Alumni who Bo Bice, 29-year-old from Helena, AL , is keep coming back. my pick for the other contestant in the The true spirit of Scranton does not end final two. The audience and judges always once we walk down that aisle and get that seem to love him. He managed to pull piece of documentation, but is carried through the week he admitted feeling most onward out into the rest of the world. uncomfortable when the contestants had to sing Broadway songs. His rendition of "Corner of the Sky" from "Pippin'' rocked the house. Diversity Symposium No matter who wins on the season finale results show on May 26, it should be a sight to see. The final shows are usually extrem The University will sponsor a Diversity ly drawn out with the contestants singing Symposium entitled "Diversity: More Than at least three songs apiece. Black and White" Friday, May 6, in Brexman It's just a matter of who will be singing Hall on campus. them. If the past few weeks are foreshad The conference is designed for business, owmg for the future, I'd say we are all in corporate leaders and community leaders, for a few surprises. human resources professionals, healthcare service providers, mental health practition ers, human services and rehab counselors, diversity and multicultural coordinators and student leaders and organizational Mother•s Day gifts your mom will love change agents. It will offer a forum for the intellectual exchange of ideas and cross-cultural dia By ERICA SZYMANSKI Understand," by Lorraine Badger, and logue about the challenges and opportuni Arts & Life Ed1tor Emerrtus "Chocolate for a Woman's Soul," by Kay ties related to diversity in the workplace, Allenbaugh. Barnes & Noble also offers gift cards for morns who would prefer to the college campus and in the community. Yes, you know your mother is the one Keynote speakers of the conference will choose their own reading materials. woman who will love you unconditionally, Every mom loves scented candles. The be Frank H. Wu, dean of Wayne University no matter how irresponsible or immature Yankee Candle Company offers a variety of Law School, and attorney, teacher and lec you may be. So why haven't you bought turer Angela E. Oh, Esq. scents, ranging from Lilac Blossoms to her a Mother's Day gift yet? Better start Chocolate Chip Cookies, in three different The registration fee is $35 per person or shopping, because May 8 is just around the $25 for University of Scranton faculty and sized jars. Tart bwners are also popular, comer. since they allow the user to change the staff. Corporate registrations for 10 people If you have a few days and a few dollars or more are available at $300 for 10 tickets. scent every 8-10 hours. 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Yes, it's cheesy, but include "1003 Great Things About Morns," by Lisa Birnbach, "511 Things Only Women for Mom to tell you what a great child you your mom will love it. are.