With opening night of Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play just a few weeks away, the Transylvania Theater Department is currently in the process of practicing and perfecting their performances. Last Thursday, the cast and crew under the direction of Drew Davidson, completed their first stumble through of the play. Their rehearsals, and the play, are filled with musical numbers, suspenseful sword fights, and plenty of the Simpsons.
Welcome to the ‘Big Game’
With Super Bowl LII tomorrow, all eyes are on defending champions the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles. Before looking at who will end the 2017-2018 season on top, we must look at how they got there.
The playoffs were exciting this year and fans enjoyed watching the games, betting on who they think would win on sites like FanDuel and cheering on their hometown team. So how did the action unfold? Well, in the Wildcard round, the AFC saw the Tennessee Titans against the Kansas City Chiefs and the Jacksonville Jaguars against the Buffalo Bills. While none of these teams faced each other in the regular season, from standings alone, it would seem like the Chiefs and the Jaguars would move on. This would prove to be true for the Jaguars who would win with a score of 10-3 and move on to face the Pittsburgh Steelers. While it appeared that the Chiefs were going to easily defeat the Titans who, by halftime, were trailing 21-3, Tennessee would fight back and score 19 points over the course of the second half. When it seemed like the Chiefs would finally respond, a controversial call took away the last hope for Kansas City, and the game ended 22-21 in favor of the Titans.
The next week, the Titans would face off against the New England Patriots. After going 13-3 this season, it was clear who the favorite was in this match up. As would be expected, the Patriots would dominate, winning 35-14. While the Pittsburgh Steelers had the better season over Jacksonville, looming overhead was their meeting from week 5 that saw Pittsburgh fall to Jacksonville 30-9. While Steelers players seemed to focus on the Patriots, who they would face if they won, they seemed to forget about their earlier meeting with the Jaguars, allowing the Jaguars to slide by with a 45-42 victory.
In the Wildcard round for the NFC, the Los Angeles Rams seemed to be at a slight advantage after going 11-5 in the regular season while the Atlanta Falcons went 10-6. However, it would be the Falcons that would move on, winning the game 26-13. In the final Wildcard game, the New Orleans Saints would play the Carolina Panthers, a game that had been played out twice this season in weeks 3 and 13, both times ending with the Saints beating the Panthers.
This would not change in the playoffs as, for the third time this season, the Saints defeated the Panthers, this time by a score of 31-26. The Divisional round would put Atlanta against the Philadelphia Eagles without quarterback Carson Wentz. After going 13-3 this season, the Eagles would show losing Wentz would not stop them, defeating Atlanta 15-10. The Saints, on the other hand, would have to face the Minnesota Vikings, a repeat of their week 1 game. Much like that game, the Vikings were able to defeat the Saints, this time with a score of 29-24.
The NFC Championship was a blow away for the Eagles. Despite scoring first, the Vikings would not hold the lead long as only four minutes later, an interception by Patrick Robinson would lead to a touchdown for Philly. The second quarter would prove to be the beginning of the end for the Vikings. Over the course of the second quarter, the Eagles would score 17 more points, going into halftime with a 24-7 lead. The final half of the game would not be any better for Minnesota as they would give up two more touchdowns, cementing an Eagles win and sending them to their first Super Bowl since 2005.
Their opponents from the AFC are the Super Bowl LI champions, the New England Patriots. Their Conference Championship game could not have been further from that of the NFC. The Patriots opened the scoring with a field goal in the first quarter. This lead would not be long lived though as early in the second quarter, the Jacksonville Jaguars would take the lead. They would keep that lead going into halftime with a score of 14-10. The scoring would slow down in the third quarter with only a Jaguars field goal. The fourth quarter would begin with another Jacksonville field goal, pushing their lead to 20-10. While many believed that the Jaguars would go on to win after holding the lead for most of the game, the Patriots would come back to score twice, taking the lead late in the quarter and sending them back to the Super Bowl.
When looking at the Super Bowl, the first thing to keep in mind is whether the teams will be at full strength. Even after last week, you have to keep Tom Brady’s hand injury in the back of your mind. While it did not seem to make a large impact in the last game, it could still pose an issue. The biggest issue heading into the game is tight end Rob Gronkowski. He suffered what was believed to be a head injury in the first half against Jacksonville but, it was later revealed to be a concussion. This could have a huge impact on the Patriots if he were to not be back in time. The Eagles have no significant new injuries.
One aspect the Patriots seem to be thinking about is the superstitious aspect, deciding to wear white because of their luck under Coach Belichek in the Super Bowl in their away uniform. Since they seem to be looking for luck, it may be worth noting that the Madden Curse, which has proven true 17 out of the last 20 years, is looming over the head of Brady.
The Eagles meanwhile, have been embracing their “underdog” title, especially after advancing to the Super Bowl. The teams strength is in their depth as they have Nick Foles, a surprising threat thus far and a strong offense that will not let up. They also have a defense that has held the Falcons and Vikings to only 17 points combined.
In the 13 years since the Eagles and Patriots faced off in Super Bowl XXXIX, including that year, the Patriots have won three more times and appeared a total of 5 times. Though they are the favorite to win, I think the underdogs will continue to upset due to their depth, the support behind them and the push to go from being the ultimate underdogs to upsetting the Patriots. Though it will be close, the Eagles will bring home their first Super Bowl victory. Super Bowl LII will be on February 4 at 6:30PM and will be broadcast on NBC.
Rambler Weekly Playlist & Blog: February 2nd
This week I’ve been looking everywhere for even an ounce of motivation to me get through the heavy load of exams and papers, and this playlist has helped inspire me. It’s all about 60s vibes with artists like Nina Simone, Van Morrison, and Glenn Campbell. My original inspiration when putting this playlist together came from the soundtrack 2015 remake of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. soundtrack. Great movie, even better soundtrack. Give this playlist a listen if you wanna mellow out and step back in time.
Now for our Art Event of the Week: Next Tuesday, (February 6th to be exact for those of you without a planner) is a special event on campus that you should all go see. Didge Evolution is an interactive workshop in Mitchell Fine Arts Center’s Coleman Hall at 12:30.
To quote the Transy events’ site, “Learn to play the didgeridoo! Didge Evolution invites you to immerse yourself in the exotic sounds of the didgeridoo, Aboriginal mythology, culture and the Dreamtime. The didgeridoo is a wind instrument used by the world’s oldest continuous culture, the Aboriginal people, who have occupied Australia for at least 40,000 years. Within the lexicon of their mythological Dreamtime is the oldest religion on earth, The Rainbow Serpent Mythology.”
If you can’t make it to the workshop but still wanna see this unique Australian instrument in action, attend the concert that Tuesday night, February 6th at
7:30 in MFA’s Carrick Theater!
Rambler Recipes: Healthy Potato Chips
This year, as so many people embark on eating healthier, I began researching easy recipes with little preparation. One of the easiest recipes I found was microwave potato chips. Microwave potato chips are one of the easiest things to make in the microwave, and they are considerably healthier than the ones found in your typical, name brand bag. Plus, as long as you make them thin enough and cook them long enough, they still have that satisfying crunch we all love.
There are two main reasons microwave potato chips are healthier than the normal kind. The first is that these potatoes are baked, not fried. Frying food generally causes it to lose more nutrients and gain more fat than cooking through other methods. Secondly, I use olive oil for the potato chips instead of fattier oils common to brand name potato chips. While the olive oil does give the potato chips a slightly different taste, the chips, in my opinion, remain just as addictive. And making them healthier gives me an excuse to eat more of them.
The hardest part about making the microwave potato chips is probably the actual slicing. The slices of the potato need to be really thin in order to get just the right amount of crisp. Recipes online say to use a mandolin (a kind of grater) to ensure extra thin slices with less work, but let’s be honest, most college students do not own a mandolin. Instead, I used a sharp knife and cutting board. Don’t be concerned if the slices don’t come out as perfect circles. The chips will still taste delicious.
Next, rinse the slices in cold water. It’s not an entirely necessary step, but rinsing the potatoes ends up making them crispier and less likely to stick to the paper towels in the microwave. Now, put the slices of potato in a large bowl or bag. You can use a Ziploc bag like I did, or you could even just use a bag like they have at the grocery store to put produce in. Either one is fine. Add 2 and a half tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of a mix of spices, or just salt and pepper. You can use whatever flavors you want. If you want to be really fancy, you can use a mix of paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, garlic, Mediterranean basil leaves and chili powder. In this case, I personally decided to meet somewhere in the middle. I got a 5 salt- 5 pepper mix and added 2 tablespoons to the bag. Now, seal the bag, and mix the potato slices really well with the mixture. You want every slice to be coated in spices and olive oil.
To cook the chips, you need to have a microwaveable plate. Cover the plate with a few layers of paper towels. Place a layer of potato chips on the plate. You will probably have to do multiple batches depending on the size of your potato and thickness of your slices. Microwave on high for three minutes. Don’t worry, the popping is natural. After the three minutes are up, turn the slices over, so the chips will cook evenly. Be careful though! The potatoes get very hot in the microwave. Microwave the chips for 2 to 4 more minutes depending on your microwave and also the thickness of your chips. Just keep an eye on them. When they are turning brown on top, that probably means they are done. To finish, you can sprinkle some more salt on top of the finished chips, or leave them how they are, depending on how salty you want them.
And viola! You have some scrumptious potato chips. And one of the great things about potato chips is that there are so many possibilities. Do you like salt and vinegar chips? Try replacing some of the olive oil with vinegar. How about ranch chips? Stores sell pre-packaged dry ranch mix that you can add to the bag. You could probably even try this recipe with different kinds of potatoes, such as sweet potatoes or purple potatoes.
Don’t be afraid to experiment! Sometimes the strangest combinations end up yielding the best results.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Russet potato
- 2 ½ tbsp. olive oil
- 2 tbsp. salt and pepper/ spices
Method
- Slice potato into very thin slices. One potato should wield a lot of slices. Put slices in a plastic bag or a bowl
- Add olive oil and spices to the bag. Seal the bag, and mix everything together. All potatoes should be coated in mixture.
- Lay a few layers of paper towels on a microwaveable plate. Put a single layer of the potato chips on the plate, making sure none of the slices touch. Put in microwave and cook on high for 3 minutes.
- After 3 minutes, turn the slices over, so the chips cook evenly. Cook for another 2-4 minutes, depending on your microwave and how thinly you sliced the potatoes.
- And you’re done! Let the potato slices cool for a minute, so they don’t burn when you touch them, but I recommend eating them warm. These chips can keep for up to 3 days in a sealed container.
Strengthening Math Requirements
I’m sure most of us students have, at one point or another, cursed the university for the math requirement. I fully admit that I am biased in this matter, as a math major, and as a lover of learning. One of the things I’ve heard most often when I tell someone that I’m majoring in math is either “I’m sorry” or “I couldn’t do that.” Personally, I disagree with both of those. Anyone can do mathematics and be successful in a math field. Math can be represented as a series of problems that want or need to be solved. Each problem can be solved in an infinite number of ways. 2+2 can be rewritten as 2+2+5-5 or 4+0 or 8-4; each expression has the same answer, 4, but they all use a combination of different operations and numbers. Each question you come across can be manipulated into something else that has the same answer, but each question could be wildly different in terms of difficulty. One of the things I love about math is that it shows you how to change the problem into something you know how to deal with, which is something that can be applied to any aspect of life.
Being successful in math just takes a separate bit of thought. Math requires its own set of outlooks and patterns, and once you’ve been exposed to those patterns, they can help you more easily understand patterns and concepts in other disciplines. That is why I believe that, rather than just having a one-course requirement, our students should be required to take Calculus (Calc) I, Calc II, and Mathematician’s Toolkit.
Currently, the requirement is filled by taking one of four classes: Intro to Contemporary Math, Elementary Statistics, Calc I, or Calc II. Personally, I believe that all of these classes are helpful and useful in the education of our students. Calculus is one of the most well-known branches of math, and thus much of higher math courses and research rely on calculus as a starting point and a base knowledge. Because of this, calculus can be one of the most helpful math courses in developing a student into a mathematician.
However, the class that I enjoyed the most, and got the most out of, was Mathematician’s Toolkit. This class teaches students how to write a mathematical proof, the different methods and strategies for planning out and following through with your reasoning. It introduces the basic foundations of many higher math topics such as set theory and functional relations.
This is not only helpful to those who wish to study math rigorously but also those in any discipline. All disciplines, from biology to accounting to philosophy to English, require you to justify your work or your position in some way. Mathematician’s Toolkit allows for students to see different ways that points or arguments can be proven or disproven. For example, in order to disprove a statement like “all dogs are nice,” one only needs to find a mean dog, but to disprove a statement like “some dogs are nice,” you would need to show that all dogs are not nice.
I firmly believe that there is some part of math that anyone will enjoy and be passionate about. Whether or not someone finds that topic is another issue entirely. Math can help you understand biological systems, poetry, historical theories, and writings. Math is a universal language that can bring people together all over the world. Even if high school geometry wasn’t your thing, maybe set theory (the ways you can put together different groups of numbers) or the cardinality of infinity (how big each infinity is) will be. And if algebra made you want to set your homework on fire, maybe topology (how numbers and shapes work in a physical space) or geometric solids (think of all the shapes that dice come in) will be your thing. But it is certain that you won’t be able to find your area of interest if you don’t look.
Mathematician’s Toolkit acts as a springboard to find the part of math that will make you fall in love with the universe again (or even for the first time). You can find more information about the class here, on the listing in the course catalog.
Rambler Weekly Playlist & Blog: January 26th
This year The Rambler has decided to go digital, and with that comes an update to the weekly playlist: a blog. As we go through the semester together, I’ll be providing y’all with some chill beats with a discover weekly feature. I want this playlist to be collaborative and represent all the different genres on campus, so feel free to email me at tmahlinger20@transy.edu if you have any rad tunes for the playlist!
These playlists will focus on artists who provide good vibes, some will even be local. The blog that goes along with these weekly playlists will sometimes feature commentary from local artists, fun facts about the bands, and/or music happenings on campus that week.
This week’s playlist will feature some music from Bendigo Fletcher, a folk rock Louisville-based band that includes one of our very own Transy alumni.
It’s already at that point in the semester where exhaustion has taken over and we all just want spring break to be here already. I’ve compiled a playlist of music that’s good for getting that homework done or chilling out (not like any of us have time for that, but we can dream).
Don’t forget to support your local campus musicians this weekend and come to the Electronic Music Student Recital at Carrick Theater in MFA (aka the small one) at 7:30pm.
Take it easy.
-Taylor
Spring Sports Preview
High expectations surround the Transylvania Pioneers coming into the final season of sports for the 2017-2018 school year. All of the teams have been working hard in the off season to prepare to battle it out this spring and take home their respective conference championships and a birth to the NCAA tournament. Last spring provided a full plate for fans as many teams made it to the NCAA tournament and represented Transylvania University in an impeccable fashion.
Transylvania baseball is looking to start their season off strong this February, with two double headers to open the season versus Wabash and Wisconsin OshKosh. The Pioneers finished the 2016-2017 season with three players receiving all-HCAC honors, including catcher/designated hitter Blake Hart and catcher Cole Ratliff, both of whom will be returning for the Pioneers this season. Hart led the team with seven home runs and 26 RBIs. Ratliff tallied 29 hits in his freshman season and played in 29 games. The Pioneers are returning eight starters this season.
The softball team is hoping their season can top their remarkable 2016-2017 season, in which they made it to the super regional and finished the season ranked 14th in the nation. Returning senior Renae Morton was voted to the National Strength and Conditioning Association All-American team.
Transy opens their season with the Pioneer classic, which will consist of back-to-back double headers against Calvin, Olivet, Greenville, and St. Mary’s. Eight Pioneer softball players were named to the all-HCAC team, including pitcher Renae Morton and infielder Brittany Mumford, who were named to the first team. Morton played all 20 innings and helped lead the team to their first HCAC championship since 2010. The Pioneers are returning six of their all-HCAC players for this season.
Men’s and women’s track and field are ready to take on the spring season with some new faces on their coaching staff. These changes include new head coach Taylor Throckmorton, jumps assistant coach Ali Boice, throws assistant coach Taylor Sanders, and new assistant coach Erin Gale. The Pioneers are looking toward their solid incoming freshman class and upperclassmen to help lead Transylvania back to the top of the HCAC. The Pioneers open with Capital on January 27th and will host the 2018 Pioneer Invitational on March 24-25th.
Women’s lacrosse introduced seven new freshmen to the roster this year. They are looking to bring home the ORLC trophy after making the conference tournament last season. The Pioneers are returning seven all-ORLC players, including first team attacker Julie Ward, midfielder Emma Oliver, and goalie MacKenzie Dent. Ward scored 92 points and scooped up 39 ground balls last season and also ranked second in the conference in draw controls with 79. Oliver led the Pios in caused turnovers with 29. The Pioneers set a program record with a 13-3 finish and their third straight conference appearance.
Men’s lacrosse is looking to come back strong after losing a great senior class. The Pioneers capped off the 2016-2017 season with their 3rd consecutive conference championship and their first NCAA tournament appearance in program history. Transylvania is returning five all-conference players, including first team ORLC midfielder Joe Shermock, long stick midfielder TJ Toivonen, and attackman Trenton Snead. Snead led the ORLC in assists and was fifth in the conference in total points with 48. Toivonen was top ten in the conference with 63 ground balls and was second in the conference with 37 caused turnovers. The Pioneers set a program record with 12 straight wins, including going undefeated in conference play. The Pios open with Wittenberg on February 10th.
Men’s Golf is looking to cap off their 2017-2018 season with another conference championship. Transy has won 11 straight conference championships and are hoping to make that streak continue. The Pios are led by junior Jack Berger who was named HCAC conference player of the week for two weeks this fall. The team was battling some injuries this fall but is happy to have both Zac Treilobs and Spencer McKinney back for this spring season. The golf team kicks off the spring season with the Jekyll Island Collegiate Invitational on March 16th.
Last but surely not least, the men’s tennis team is hoping to cap off the season with a strong finish coming out of the fall session. Coach Kevin Calhoun, who took over the men’s and women’s programs in the fall, has big plans to conclude the 2017-2018 seasons. The Pios are returning first team all-HCAC selection Luke Groene, who crowned off his 2016-2017 season by leading the Pioneers to first place in the HCAC. Transylvania opens the spring season with Sewanee on February 24th.
Dieting in the Dorms
January means it is the time of New Year’s resolutions, and according to Reader’s Digest, one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is losing weight. But losing weight is hard. It means taking time to exercise, and it also means eating right. While many people will probably forget all about their resolution or give up before the month is out, here is some advice for how to make losing weight a more manageable goal through eating right. People can help their journey by seeing what gadgets are out there that can get them further to their goals, for example, a fitness tracker is very popular with those who want to keep on top of their daily habits, and websites like Mobile Mob can provide the accessories for them so they can feel more connected to their workouts and eating regime.
- Drink water
Having beverages without the caffeine and sugar of flavored drinks seems a little obvious for a way to lose weight, but sometimes it is not so much about how much water you drink, but when you drink it. The National Institute of Health says that if you drink water at certain times, it can aid in digestion, speed up your metabolism, and help you feel more energized. The best times are when you wake up and before you go to bed, and having a glass of water right before eating or exercising is also a guaranteed way to promote a healthier you. If you really hate water that much, you could always add fresh ingredients to it, like sliced lemons, raspberries, or even some mint to add some flavor. It’s less expensive than buying the already flavored waters, and it helps give you nutrients in addition to keeping you hydrated.
- Fresh fruit and vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables are the secrets that everyone already knows are crucial to being a healthier person. But they are important, which is why I have included them on this list. Especially green vegetables like broccoli. They are packed with vital nutrients, and the sugar they contain is generally good for you. Of course, fruit and vegetables are so important to have in a balanced diet, however, sometimes people can skip them out of some meals. Realistically, we should be having fruit and vegetables every day. If you’re not managing to achieve that, it might be worth looking into some supplements to ensure you’re still getting the beneficial nutrients that fruit and vegetables offer. If you’d like to know more about these supplements, you could read more from Revive MD. Hopefully, that will help you to live a healthier life with a balanced diet. It’s also worth mentioning that pre-packaged fruits and frozen vegetables lose nutritional value from their original fresh state, and they gain more sugar. Also, eating fresh fruit and vegetables is a great alternative to snacks like potato chips and candy. You can eat more for the same amount of calories, and you get a ton of nutrients vital to keeping you healthy.
- Don’t eat close to bedtime
In college, we all crave those midnight snacks. Something to munch or sip on while we furiously type essays or work on projects late into the night is a way to help us maintain focus. Or so we think. Eating or drinking beverages with sugar and caffeine at night, especially close to bedtime, is a surefire way to gain weight. Your metabolism isn’t working as well that late at night, and it will make it harder for you to fall asleep. Studies indicate you should not eat six hours before you fall asleep, but I know that seems unreasonable. As long as you give yourself a couple hours without eating before bed, you should start seeing improvements. Eating sugary foods straight before hitting the sack is a surefire way to hasten the effects of tooth decay, so make sure you brush properly and book regular appointments at your local dentist – Dentist Coconut Grove.
- Stay away from Grease.
And no, I don’t mean the movie. Greasy food is particularly bad for you, especially anything fried. That means limiting your carryout pizza or Mad Mushroom cheese sticks and also staying away from those fast food restaurants and fast food style foods. And unfortunately, that does include French fries. However, there are alternatives. Making French fries in the oven is a much healthier alternative, and you can also use the best air fryer you can afford to still fry your food, just in a healthier way. I know it is not exactly the same but they still taste amazing.
- Beware Dressings!
A popular way to beat the health kick is by eating more salads. But there are some salad dressings that can be just as fattening as what you normally eat. Dressings like Caesar and ranch are packed with fat and oftentimes sodium. And while I know some people consider salads terrible without these creamy dressings, there are alternatives. Balsamic vinegar and olive oil are a popular combo, as are various types of vinaigrettes. But if none of those appeal to you, you could just as easily get a pita wrap without condiments like mayo and ketchup, and you will still have a healthy meal.
- Olive Oil vs. Butter
Butter is an amazing ingredient that makes so many things taste better. My family calls it the “secret of cooking and life.” But butter can be incredibly fattening, especially in large quantities. Plus, it wreaks havoc on cholesterol. But there is an alternative. Olive oil can be a great substitute for anything that might include butter. While it may not taste the same, it is healthier. Besides, olive oil has worked for the Greeks and Italians for thousands of years, so it must have some benefit.
- Stay Away from Diet Meals
While meals from companies like Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem will help you lose weight, they also force you to buy more of their meals, because they are designed so that if you stop eating them, you will gain the weight back so that you have to buy more meals. This goes for certain medicines to aid in weight loss too. Don’t take short cuts. These aids may help you lose weight faster, but you will be paying the price in the long run. Taking more time and putting in extra effort will be worth it in the end. Your body will thank you later.
That’s seven easy ways you can help fulfill your weight loss goals this year. It may seem daunting, but eating the right stuff can go a long way in helping you achieve your goal. Just be sure you make sure to stay active as well, because all the dieting and health tips in the world won’t do you any good if you are sitting around all day. Even just stretches in the morning can go a long way.
Reestablishing Dignity: Transy students volunteer over Winter Break
Through a liberal arts education, students are able to apply their education to real life environments through service learning. Last semester, two groups of students attended alternative winter break trips, sacrificing time out of their holiday to engage with impoverished populations and enhance their understanding of other cultures and people, achieved by both climbing active volcanoes and simply organizing closets.
Dr. LeVan, associate professor of Mathematics, has taken 6 student groups abroad over the past 5 years to serve in Guatemala City, the capital of Guatemala.
The group works alongside Catalyst Resources International (CRI), an organization that hosts groups and missionaries while staying in Guatemala.“We stay in a safe compound in Guatemala City that CRI owns. It provides us a warm place to stay with comfortable beds, hot showers, and the internet. There is a Florida phone line available, if needed. They also have a local team come in to make Guatemalan breakfast and dinner for us. The food is so good, I often come back a little heavier, even though we work hard all day long!” said LeVan.
CRI uses funds gathered by partnering groups to provide supplies for their projects. “The projects include building a house for a needy family, staining other homes, working at an orphanage (The House of Hope), and getting immersed in the culture of the village in which we work,” said LeVan.
The group built two houses for two different families over the break, providing a basic need to struggling families. “The family is chosen by CRI and a local pastor to choose a family that is especially in need. The house is a wooden structure on a 20×20 concrete pad. This might not seem much to people in the U.S., but it is a life changing event for the family,” said LeVan. “While the house is obviously an important project, we always make sure we take time to get to know the family. This leads to a lot of laughter, hugs, and play time with the kids of the family and community. We have gone back to previous sites, and the families remember us and will come up to say hello and give us a hug.”
However, the group of students also indulged themselves as tourists in Guatemala. “While we work hard, we also take time to relax and have fun. We visit the city and markets of Antigua or hike a volcano. We sometimes visit a resort on the Pacific Ocean that has black beaches and gives us an opportunity to release baby turtles. We have also visited Lake Atitlan to go zip lining or take a boat ride around the lake. Guatemala is a beautiful country and we take time to recognize that fact,” said LeVan.
One student attendee, junior Thomas Shellenberg, gushed over Guatemala’s volcanoes. “We actually got to go to the volcano in Guatemala City called Pacaya, and a couple of us climbed all the way to the top, which was the first time anyone could do that for eight years. It erupted in 2010. It’s still an active volcano. A lot of us got to go up 100 yards away from the crater that was spitting out rock. You could ski down the volcanic ash and stuff,” said Shellenberg.
As a Spanish minor, Shellenberg practiced his Spanish speaking skills in an environment where he had to. “When you’re speaking to people, it’s almost exclusively because you need to. It was funny because a lot of my classmates who were working beside of me were trying to talk with the kids, but they didn’t know any Spanish. Talking to the kids was the easiest part for me,” said Shellenberg. “When we’re done with the house, we give the family the keys and talk to them and dedicate it to someone. I was able to say a few words on behalf of classmates and professors about what the trip meant to me, and it was very powerful for me and for others,” said Shellenberg.
Dr. LeVan says that one purpose of a liberal arts education is to make students into better citizens and that service learning is an outlet for such enhancement. “Opportunities such as Alternative Winter and Spring Break trips allow students to give up time that is usually used on ourselves and to instead use it in service to others. This can lead to experiences of working in extreme poverty or damaged areas from natural disasters,” said LeVan.
“They allow us to see the world through a spectrum that is not our own. They allow us to see that it is not circumstances around us that can determine who we are but our response to those circumstances. To see the joy and happiness in a village that is overwhelmed by hunger and poverty is a perspective-changing event for our students,” said LeVan.
LeVan notes that service learning does not have to happen abroad to be meaningful. “Note that we don’t have to take these types of trips to experience this every day. There are multiple opportunities to reach out to those in need mere blocks from Transylvania. I am trying to incorporate service learning into more of my courses. Reading about and discussing these issues is fine, but actively experiencing them and working to help others is a big part in making us better citizens. Thus, a big part of a liberal arts education,” said LeVan.
Another group of students traveled to Wilmington, North Carolina on an alternative winter break trip. Under the arrangements made by Alexa Quiroz, Transy’s Community Engagement Support Specialist who also attended, the group partnered with Vigilant Hope. The North Carolina based organization engages in local outreach by educating the public on poverty, tutoring youth of all ages, and providing resources to the homeless, which was the main service for the Transy group.
Due to the weather, students were not able to complete their planned outside activities and instead, among other indoor tasks, organized closets in the Vigilant Hope building. “The projects that we did didn’t seem to directly influence the homeless, but in reality they did because we were helping the organization get on their feet and organize so they can help the homeless,” said junior Jessi Samuel.
“We also went and worked in a food bank one morning. We helped them organize all their food and get ready for that morning when they have the homeless population come in and ‘shop’ for their food. They were able to come in and they had bags and shop for their food instead of going to the grocery store and spending money they don’t necessarily have,” said Samuel.
Students stayed in a church that gave free breakfast to the homeless, and they were able to interact with individuals through meals.“The homeless were able to come and have meals there. We ate breakfast with them a few times. I was able to interact with the homeless population. That’s not something I’ve done in Lexington: sit down and have a meal with them. I sat with these two older ladies and they were telling me all about their big New Year’s celebration they had and about these home remedies I could use in case I was sick. It was a lot easier to talk to them than expected,” said Samuel.
The group applied initiatives that Vigilant Hope used in Wilmington to Lexington by creating engagement packs. The packs are filled with basic necessities such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, and water. A slip of paper is also included with local resources for the homeless population. “When you see a panhandler on the street, and they are asking for money, there is that awkward conversation or awkward eye contact, and you’re fiddling with your phone or with the radio, and you really don’t know what to do. Instead of giving them money you can give them one of these. So you say “Oh, I don’t have money but take this,” in hopes that you actually have a conversation with them, just to reestablish that they have dignity. It reestablishes that they do matter,” said Alexa Quiroz.
Free engagement packs are available for students to hand out in Michelle Thompson’s office, in the Campus Center across from Conference Room A. If a student would like to make an engagement pack of their own, contact Alexa Quiroz to receive resources to fill in the bags. “It’s so important for students to get involved because they are such vital resources that can be used throughout the community,” said Quiroz.
