Cheer squad graduates strong leaders

Senior leadership is an important asset for any sports team. For the cheer leading squad, the seniors act as leaders and role models for younger squad members.
Whether rain or shine, home or away, veterans or rookies, the cheerleaders are the biggest fans of the Ohio Wesleyan football and men’s and women’s basketball teams. They shout, toss, tumble, jump, and chant to lead the Battling Bishops to victory. Even when the Bishops are not fortunate enough to win, the cheerleaders are just as supportive in the next game.

Seniors Coley Kaeser, Yvonne Hendricks and Alex McCarty leave big shoes to fill.
At the end of the 2012 school year, the cheer leading squad will graduate three seniors. Because the squad does not have team captains, much of the leadership stems from the seniors and upper classmen.
This will leave several opportunities for younger and new squad members to step up as leaders.
The three seniors said they each benefited by being a part of the OWU cheer team. Team unity is the central glue that holds this squad together like many other varsity and club sports teams.
The three seniors, Alex McCarty, Coley Kaeser, and Yvonne Hendricks shared their own experiences and are deserving of recognition. According to sophomore teammate Frida Hess, the seniors are the main motivators of the squad and act as the liaisons between the coaches and the rest of the squad.
“The role of the seniors is mainly one of leadership,” Hess said.
McCarty brought many years of experience to the squad all the way from San Diego, Calif. She cheered all four years in high school, in addition to cheering for four years at OWU.
When not on the sideline of a Battling Bishop game, she works as a tour guide and is a member of Kappa Alpha Theta.
McCarty said the team is one big family. “We would always get together after cheer practice and really bonded as a team”(sic).
Kaeser came to OWU with no cheer leading experience. Instead, she played softball and field hockey in high school in Weston, Conn. Kaeser said she decided freshman year to give cheering a try and ended up joining the squad that year.
She enjoyed the family atmosphere of the team and built friendships and trusts that run deep, she said. “The stunting part of cheer leading can be very dangerous,” Kaeser said. “You have to be able to trust your team mate that she will not drop you.”
Hendricks cheered in middle school for two years in Hartford, Conn. and has been cheering for OWU since her freshman year.
She said that because she has no family in Ohio the cheer squad acted as a family away from home for her. Hendricks is also in Terpsicorps, Orchesis and Delta Gamma.
Like Kaeser, Hendricks stressed the importance of team trust.
“I am a back spot and we are essentially responsible for the safety of those that we toss into the air,” she said.
Currently, the cheer squad is a club sport. McCarty said that they hope to be able to attend competitions in the future, but were unable to this year because of budget and time conflicts.

OWU track members named Athlete of the Week for great performances


Every week, the OWU sports homepage shines the spotlight on athletes dedicated to their sports as “Athletes of the Week.” Last week, the featured spot on the page could not fit all the honored players. Each athlete is chosen by the North Coast Athletic Conference. This week, four OWU track and field athletes were honored.
Currently, the athletes of the week include senior Jon Rux, who was named Men’s Field Event Performer of the Week, and junior Hannah Benzing, who was named Women’s Field Event Performer of the Week by the NCAC.
Rux, who won first place in weight throw and shot put at the NCAC Quad at Wooster, said he attributes his success to being agile for his size, having excellent technique, and supportive coaches. He said Kris Boey, the men’s and women’s track and field head coach, showed him that throwing is not the individual sport it appears to be.
Boey said performing well has a domino effect; other team members will be inspired by one’s performance and do well.
Benzing, who won the weight throw and came in third at the NCAC Quad on Saturday, said she started her track career with middle school long jump but “realized she was not going to go anywhere good” and switched concentrations.
Benzing said she has a different mentality than most of her teammates because of her natural ambitions.
“I don’t know; I just want it,” she said. “I think it’s a confidence thing.”
She said she was inspired by two seniors who pushed themselves.
“I don’t think I would have been as dedicated to the program,” Benzing said. “I could (have) foul(ed) out.”
Junior Ethan Freet was the athlete of the week for the week of Jan. 23; he was named Men’s Sprinter/Hurdler of the Week by the NCAC.
Freet, a two-time all-American NCAC winner, said track is a hard sport.
“The better you do, the worse you feel,” he said. “I have been really, really, lucky I have had great inspirations both on and off the track. My high school coaches made sure we made good decisions … Boey will put you in a position to be successful; you just have to be willing to put in the work.”
Boey said Freet is one of the easiest people to coach.
“He is extremely low maintenance, easy going,” Boey said. “
 There are no challenges with him … He makes my job easy. I think you can say that about most of our athletes, but he’s a special one.”
Other track and field athletes of the week include junior Silas Jolliff, who was named Men’s Sprinter/Hurdler of the Week and freshman Katie Reid, who was named Women’s Distance Runner of the Week by the NCAC.
Boey said the athletes of the week share some common characteristics.
“They want to be great, are talented, work hard (and) are in the weight room.”
Boey said he also attributes some of the teams’ success to self-sacrificing coaches who work at night, drive far distances for practice and don’t work just to fatten their resumes.
Boey said there will always be athletes who are talented and do not work hard. He said he would not nominate those athletes for Athlete of the Week.
“In the end, they will be outperformed,” he said. “It never fails. I would rather have someone with moderate talent and a great attitude and work ethic than someone who doesn’t work hard. The password in our field is not talent but commitment and hard work.”
Boey said the players are extraordinarily talented, and that he just recruits them.
“I can’t want it more than they want it,” he said.
This Friday the men’s and women’s track and field team are competing in the OWU open at Gordon Field House, and this Saturday they will compete in the All-Ohio Division III Championship in Westerville, Oh.
Check www.battlingbishops.com for details.

Men’s and women’s lacrosse prepare for season

Men’s Lacrosse
Coach Michael Plantholt is going into his second year as coach with OWU men’s lacrosse. He will try to continue the success the team had last season.
Last year, the Bishops went 10-4 overall and won a share of the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) championship.

Sophomore Spencer Schnell takes a shot during a shooting drill at practice on Friday at Selby Field.

The team also made it to the NCAA playoffs last season. Plantholt said the team lost in the first round of the NCAA playoffs by one goal, which was scored with one minute to go in the game.
While the team graduated some key players, including starting defenseman Jack Hall, All American Tony D’Abarno and All Conference players Shaun Crow and Scott Chester, Plantholt said there are some key returners to the team.
All Conference players Colin Short, Drew Scharf, Pat Bassett and Steve Ford and Rookie of the year Spencer Schnell are all returning.
“We are doing a 180 from last year when it comes to age,” sophomore midfielder Spencer Schnell said. “Last year we had a veteran defense that had been playing together for a while, and the offense was mostly guys in starting spots for the first time. This year, we are lucky to have almost our entire offense back with a year of playing together under our belts. On defense, we are pretty young, but the freshmen have really stepped up and are looking really comfortable in their roles.”
“Any time you have that many freshmen competing for time, it’s exciting because they’re just starting to understand what it takes to be great at our level,” Plantholt said.
According to Schnell, the team is playing this season with the motto of unselfishness. He said the mentality will be that every goal will be a team goal.
“We have all the talent we could ask for, so right now we are looking to put our talents together to work as a team,” Schnell said.
Plantholt said that in a week and a half of practice, they look like a team with incredible potential. Schnell said the team is looking forward to scrimmages.
“The coaching staff has done a really good job of keeping us competitive during practice which keeps everyone working hard,” Schnell said.
Plantholt said the team’s goal is always to win the championship, but they do need to do the little things right.
“Fundamentals, effort, and attitude will go a long way in determining our success this year,” Plantholt said.
Schnell said the team matches up well with the teams in the conference.
He said they have a “sour taste” in their mouths about Denison since they knocked the Bishops out of the tournament, and they had to share the NCAC title with them and Wittenberg last year.
“We are definitely looking for a little redemption [to] regain sole ownership of the conference title,” Schnell said.
The first game for the men’s lacrosse team will be at 12 p.m. on Feb. 25 at home against Concordia.

Women’s Lacrosse
The OWU women’s lacrosse team will be heading into their season with a new coach and new approach to the game.
After serving as the assistant coach last season, Coach Margaret Grossman will be taking over as head coach. Junior Meredith Wholley, a midfielder, said the team dynamic has been positive to a new coach and the team has responded well to her.
“The good part about being an assistant is you get to know the players in a different way than if you were the head coach,” Grossman said. “So I think already knowing the girls will help with the transition.”
Last season, the Bishops went 3-12 overall and 1-5 in conference games.
Grossman said the team did not lack the skill or want last season, it was that confidence, determination, and enthusiasm was lacking.
“I am working with them to not only improve their skill and fitness, but to show them the enjoyable side to lacrosse again,” Grossman said.
Grossman said the team graduated two seniors last year, but the team is returning six upperclassmen.
She said they also have a great group of sophomores and a strong freshmen class who will immediately impact the them.
“Like last year, we do have fewer upperclassmen and more freshmen and sophomores,” Wholley said. “However, I think this will only help the team in the future and even this year because they have talent, they work hard, and they are willing to learn.”
Grossman said she thinks they will improve because the whole team is willing to work to their limits.
Wholley said they had been practicing for 2 weeks and doing much more conditioning.
“I think the conference is competitive and any team can come out on top,” Grossman said.
“From what I have seen, I do not know why the team on top couldn’t be us,” Grossman said. “It will come down to determination and focus every time we take the field, but we will be able to better compete this year and I think the team is looking forward to it, I know I am,” she said.
Wholley said, “We are just focusing on improving and working hard to prepare for a great season.”
Grossman said the team has good competition lined up for the season.
The first game for the women’s lacrosse team will be at 3 p.m. on Feb. 25 at home against Thiel.

Local businesses serve sweet treats at Chocolate Walk


Mainstreet Delaware hosted its fourth annual Chocolate Walk Friday night, giving 30 businesses the opportunity to open their doors to new customers and get involved with the community.
The Director of Mainstreet Delaware, Frances Jo Hamilton, spoke about the origins of the Chocolate Walk.
“Mainstreet is a nationally based organization associated with the National Trust for Historic Preservation,” Hamilton said. “We are one of 31 communities in the state of Ohio, so we all kind of share ideas. We call it, ‘rip off and duplicate’ so when something works really well you’ll see other communities kind of following suit.”
The Chocolate Walk sells 200 tickets each year at 10 dollars each.
“The money goes to Mainstreet Delaware,” Hamilton said. “We are non-profit and we operate solely on individual memberships. We do get a little bit of funding from the city, from the county, but most of our funding comes from fundraisers and individual membership.”
Ohio Wesleyan Director of Media and Community Relations, Cole Hatcher, volunteers on the Board of Mainstreet Delaware. Hatcher said that this year was the first year the Chocolate Walk has ever sold out before the night of the event.
“We’ve always sold out, but this year they went really quick,” Hatcher said. “It’s going to be a sweet night in Delaware.”
Businesses involved in the Chocolate Walk promote their business by providing a free chocolate treat for people who are on the walk. Treats included cookies and muffins from the Central Ohio Symphony, chocolate wine shots from Vito’s and chocolate donuts from Hamburger Inn.
Businesses like Fantasy’s of the Flesh on Winter St. are new to the community and participate to get the word out.
Pudgie, an employee at Fantasy’s of the Flesh, said, “We’re doing the Chocolate Walk for the simple fact that we’re new to the area and we’d like the community to know that we’ve (got) some pretty good guys.”
Margo Bartlett of the Central Ohio Symphony said they’re favorite part of the Chocolate Walk is the people coming in to the office for the baked treats.
“I think it (the chocolate walk) makes people more aware that we’re here, and they can come in and buy tickets and visit us,” Bartlett said.
The Chocolate Walk also allows groups to purchase a table spot on the sidewalks of Sandusky Street. Junior Ellen Defenderfer and friends were out selling chocolate treats Friday night.
“We are fundraising for Up ‘til Dawn, which is a fundraising branch of St. Jude’s Research Hospital,” Defenderfer said. “Normally you have to pay a fee of 35 dollars to have a table out here, but they actually let us do it for free because we’re fundraising for St. Jude’s.”
The Up ‘til Dawn student group ended up raising over 100 dollars for St. Jude’s Research Hospital.
Businesses also have the opportunity to offer things other than chocolate.
“I always encourage them (the vendors) to give their customers something unique if they have some sort of business focus themselves so it will emphasize their business,” Hamilton said. “I also encourage them to give something to the customers that will make them come back. A coupon, an ad or a flyer.”
Many businesses take Hamilton’s advice. Avvio’s gave customers of the Chocolate Walk a coupon for Valentine’s Day, and Global Village handed out a coupon with their Madagascar organic fair-trade chocolate for 10 percent off of All Palestinian products as well as Swazi and Ugandan Shea Butter.
Other businesses offered entertainment such as live music at their location for the customers to listen to as they snacked.
Anyone who would like to participate with Mainstreet Delaware events is welcome to attend the promotional committee meetings at Beehive Books on the Thursday before the first Friday of every month at 9 a.m. or contact Frances Jo Hamilton at mainstreetdelaware@yahoo.com.

‘Everest’ strives for peaceful understanding

Students were granted the opportunity not only to watch a powerful documentary with a message of peace, but also to speak with the writer and director of the documentary himself.
“‘Everest: A Climb for Peace’ was produced for public television and has been shown in 44 states on over 300 channel programs,” said Jodi Kushins, associate chaplain for Jewish life. “It has also been shown in some international film festivals.”

Director and Founder of the documentary, Lance Trumbull, Skypes with students to answer questions and explain his mission about actively spreading peace.

On Jan. 31, students viewed the documentary, narrated by Orlando Bloom, in Corns 312.
The documentary was followed by a Skype session with the founder and director of the film, Lance Trumbull.
The documentary viewing was hosted by Ohio Wesleyan’s Jewish organization, Hillel, and paid for by the Wesleyan Council on Student Affairs (WCSA).
Kushins said Hillel has been trying to get the documentary to campus for two years.
“We’re really excited to finally show it,” she said.
Lance Trumbull started the Everest Peace Project to help unite peoples of different cultures and faiths around the world.
Nine climbers representing different countries and beliefs met in Katmandu to begin preparing for the 60-day climb to the summit of Mt. Everest.
The film shows the power struggle between the climbers such as those from Israel and Palestine who held separate beliefs about what land belonged to the other.
Before the climbers headed for the base camp, a “puja” was performed.
A “puja” is a Buddhist blessing that consists of prayers and the throwing of rice to ensure good luck.
The climbers were assisted by a group of Sherpas who are indigenous to the mountain and known to be the strongest climbers.
“Four percent of people who try to climb Mt. Everest die; it’s the highest mountain in the world,” said Jamie McGuinness, a climber in the film.
Following the viewing of the film, Dr. Kushins was able to set up a group discussion with Trumbull on Skype.
Trumbull began the discussion by explaining his inspiration for completing this climb.
“In 2000 I was going through a difficult time, a divorce, and I wanted to do something radically different. So I sold everything and moved to Katmandu. Then on Oct. 2, 2002 I was on a mountain in India and I had this vision that I was going to create a world peace climb on Mt. Everest.”
Trumbull wanted to show the world that people from different cultures can overcome separate beliefs and do something monumental.
Trumbull jokingly said, “If we could only get our politicians on a mountain top, I think they could suddenly solve a lot of issues.” Students responded well to the documentary. Junior Tammy Winkler said, “What makes it so great is that they have different beliefs, but they have that one common goal.”
Students inquired about the fundraising for such a project.
“Fundraising is not a fun thing, it’s quite difficult. I spent eight years funding this,” said Trumbull.
“I didn’t want the climb to be a profit making thing, but people needed some financial stake, so each climber had to put in $10, 000 of their own money,” said Trumbull.
Trumbull ended the discussion with a final message,
“You have to actively get out there to do things, and make peace. The action of peace makes the world a better place.”
Information about the Everest Peace Project and the upcoming climb on Mt. Kilimanjaro can be found at www.everestpeaceproject.com/.

Alumnus’ work returns to campus

Ohio Wesleyan alumnus Mohsen Shirzadian’s artwork has made a return to campus, showcasing his passion and talent for photography.
Although his photography has been displayed before, the photos currently on display in the Alumni Gallery in the Mowry Alumni Center have never been seen by campus.


Displayed on two floors, the photos depict subject matter ranging from nature to portraits to Iranian market scenes. The dates the photos were taken range across three decades; some photos date back to 1980, when Shirzadian was still a student at OWU.
According to Shirzadian’s artist statement, his interest in photography started during childhood.
“I remember my father taking me on trips, each time inevitably accompanied by his camera,” wrote Shirzadian.
“His main interest was placing me in his favorite locations and taking pictures that would capture both the landscape and myself. This, I think, marked the start of my interest in photography.”
Shirzadian’s photography depicting photographs taken during his return trip to Iran in 2006 were displayed in Beeghly Library in 2009. He also gave an illustrated speech to the campus about his work.
Justin Kronewetter, museum director and fine arts professor, is one of the main people involved in choosing whose art is displayed on campus.
Kronewetter said he believed Shirzadian’s work merited another visit to campus.
“He (Shirzadian) was invited back because his previous exhibit was shown mostly to students who have graduated,” Kronewetter said.
“There’s different generation of students on campus. An artist can be invited back two to three times.”
When Kronewetter chooses artists, with the help of his staff, to be displayed on campus, he said he looks for a talented individual with a point of view to share and who will benefit the campus.
Shirzadian’s work is no different, Kronewetter said. “It wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think highly of his work.”
Not only is Shirzadian’s photography of high caliber, but it also is relevant to a world view, said Kronewetter.
“Rock Jones emphasizes a world view at OWU and encourages off-campus study and awareness of other cultures,” Kronewetter said. “Mohsen is from Iran and has strong politics regarding the Iran situation. His photography is a picture window into a different part of the world.”
Kronewetter said Shirzadian is going to come to campus at an undecided date to discuss his photography as well as his world view.
The photography displayed in the alumni gallery is only half of the entire exhibit.
After mid-semester break, the other half will be replacing the photography currently installed.

Guest author captivates audience with reading

“Colorful as a rainbow.”
This was how senior Mary Slebodnik described the work of Mark Brazaitis, an award-winning poet, in her introduction on Jan. 26 when Brazaitis read from his collected works in the Bayley Room of Beeghly Library.

Mark Brazaitis

Slebodnik also introduced him as a father, the basketball coach of his daughter’s team, and a political columnist in Cleveland.
Brazaitis is also the director of the creative writing program at West Virginia University and the winner of the ABZ Poetry Prize.
He was also awarded the Benedum Distinguished Scholar Award by West Virginia University.
His book of poetry, “The Other Language,” is composed of work inspired by his time spent in Guatemala.
Brazaitis was sent to Guatemala as a Peace Corps volunteer, turning what might be considered a cliché out-of-college experience into a collection of literary merit.
Some of the poems delve into the effects of a 36 year civil war in Guatemala, recounting tales from the people he encountered.
Brazaitis also examines the complications of being American in Guatemala.
In his poem, “Conversations in Wartime,” Brazaitis talks about Americans he met who “
spent their careers amid this war that isn’t theirs.”
He posed the audience with a question:
“When you’re abroad and you see something you don’t like, what do you do?”
His reading ended with a less serious but engaging story called, “The Boy Behind the Tree,” a piece about a son wanting to live up to his father’s ideals.
Senior Diane Bizarro was fond of Brazaitis’ reading.
“I really enjoyed the range of things he read. The subject matter crossed a lot of genres,” Bizarro said.
Senior Steffany King had a preference for his poetry over his other work.
“The themes related to my recent experiences abroad,” said King, who had recently studied in Germany.
English majors such as Bizarro and King are required to attend 10 of these poet and writers’ readings hosted by the English department. The styles and genres of authors greatly vary, exposing students to a wide range of work.
When Brazaitis was asked about advice for aspiring writers he said, “It is important to write often. Whether it’s writing in a journal, or old-fashioned letters to friends, or long emails, or even writing for the newspaper.”
He also emphasized the need to have “meaningful experiences.” His last bit of advice was to “have an adventure after graduation.”

Roller skating transforms Benes

The Campus Programming Board (CPB) hosted a roller rink event Friday, Feb. 3, from 7-10 p.m. in the Benes Rooms.

Smokers should learn the rules

The issue of whether or not to allow smoking on campus was a hot button issue last year, to say the least. I myself find smoking to be a less than healthy habit, but it is not my place to walk up to every smoker, take their cigarette and shout, “Smoker, no smoking!”
However, I do find it my place to address a few issues with said smokers. The Ohio Wesleyan Student Handbook states, “Smoking is prohibited in all University buildings and areas immediately adjacent to doors and windows. (Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3794 – Smoking Ban)” Standing directly in front of a dorm door, regardless of the weather, is in direct violation of this policy. Also, it’s just plain rude. Smoking in a doorway allows the smoke to travel inside, either through the direct openings or ventilation. If you want to smoke, fine. However, some of us don’t want to smoke with you.
The next thing to address with smokers is not a violation of school policy, but a subtle request to those students who smoke on their way to and from classes. If you choose to light up on the JAY, please be considerate to people walking behind you and let them pass, especially if the wind is blowing so that they will inevitably inhale the smoke from your cigarette. For people who do not partake, the smell of cigarette smoke can be nauseating, and in the case of someone who has breathing issues, even harmful.
For nonsmokers on campus, there is a document called, “The Non-Smoker’s Bill of Rights,” which states that: nonsmokers have the right to clean air, and this right supersedes the right to smoke when the two conflict; the right to speak out, meaning nonsmokers have the right to express – firmly but politely – their discomfort and adverse reactions to tobacco smoke and they have the right to voice their objections when smokers light up without asking permission; and the right to act, meaning nonsmokers have the right to take action through legislative channels, social pressures or any other legitimate means – as individuals or in groups – to prevent or discourage smokers from polluting the atmosphere and to seek the restriction of smoking in public places.
Whether OWU should be a smoke-free campus is ultimately up to the student body.
I believe that the option should still be available to those who wish to continue smoking.
However, for the right to smoke on campus, shouldn’t smokers also respect a nonsmoker’s right to breathe clean air?