When I was home for spring break, I went to mass the Sunday before Ash Wednesday undecided on what my Lenten sacrifice would be. I have gone through the Lenten classics, giving up sweets, pop, swearing, meat, certain TV channels and bread.

Sitting in the pew, the priest started talking about how we usually do the same things year after year, and we end up doing Lent our way but not God’s way. We should pray to God and ask what he wants us to give up.

Well, carrying around my Catholic guilt, I couldn’t pick something unless I prayed about it. What did God tell me? He told me the hardest thing I might ever have to give up…Facebook.

Now I am not trying to be like the prophets moaning and complaining, but I think it’s important to realize how often we look at this time of year as torturous and not as an invitation.

Giving up Facebook has not just been a sacrifice, but an invitation for me to spend more time with God. I used to spend hours, more than I would like to admit, on Facebook, and now that time is free.

At first I filled it by going on other Internet sites, which was really counterproductive. Until someone recommended a spiritual website with daily readings and reflections, and the tab that used to be Facebook on my Mac screen is now the sacredspace website.

Lenten sacrifices often become an extension of our New Year’s resolution that we failed at on week two. When we ask God for his guidance, though, it can become a tool to not only improve ourselves physically, but spiritually.

It doesn’t become about our suffering, but about the growth and strength in our relationship with God.

When I went to a funeral of a good family friend this past year, in the eulogy they talked about how the man who passed was not spiritual, but every Lent he would wash all the windows of his house on Good Friday … the thing he hated most.

Our sacrifices define us as much as our successes, so even if you haven’t chosen something yet it is not too late. There are a couple things you must do.

1) Pray about it. I challenged my mom, who has given up sweets for the past twenty plus years, to do this and she discovered God called her to do more.

2) When you pray about it, ask not what God wants you to give up, but what God wants for you. Does God want to be closer to you? More of your time, talents, voice, effort? Sometimes giving things up means doing things we might not normally do as well.

Even though I currently have over 30 notifications waiting for me to reveal on Facebook so far, I think it will be worth it in the end.

Sinatra might have made a hit off of “My Way,” but I think I’ll change my life, and start doing it God’s way.

The 136-page book is a survey, illustrating specific examples against the historical backdrop of the time, which traces the celebration from its origin to today.

“The Feast of Christmas” is Kelly’s third Christmas book (“The Origins of Christmas,” “The Birth of Jesus According to the Gospels”). While readers might expect a thorough investigation into the birth of Jesus, the book documents the actual celebration of Christmas, as the title suggests.

Kelly explains what is known about the birth of Jesus, though.

“The gospels indicate a humble birth to a carpenter and his teenage wife, so we can be sure of that. It certainly took place in Bethlehem. Historians can say these things but other gospel elements, such as the virginal conception, are matters of faith,” Kelly said.

Stories of Jesus’s birth are only included in two of the Gospels.

“Actually Jesus’ birth is important as a prelude to the gospels of Matthew and Luke who, like Mark and John, really focus on Jesus’ public career, death and resurrection,” Kelly said.

Early Christians did not celebrate Christmas until the fourth century, and from there the struggle to balance the “two Christmases” (secular and religious) continues today.

The celebration of Christmas takes dramatic turns through the Middle Ages latching on to its current date and the pagan feast Yule, to the religious Christmas being challenged in the sixth century being banned by Puritans. The book finishes up with documenting the religious Christmas not only existing in consumerist society, but flourishing in it.

Kelly credits the book’s focus and helpfulness to his “History of Christmas” students at JCU in the preface of the book.

“Over the years my students have asked me many good questions that have sharpened not only my understanding of the subject, but also of the kinds of topics that would interest the general reader. If you find this book helpful, my students can take much of the credit.” Kelly wrote in his preface.

Junior Amanda Chu, currently enrolled in Kelly’s class, said Kelly has reminded her of what Christmas is truly about.

“We celebrate Christmas every year and celebrate the traditions, but many people do not know the origins. Nowadays people just celebrate Christmas for the gifts rather than the religious aspect, and they do not know how all the songs and traditions correlate to Jesus and his birth,” Chu said.

Kelly says his interest of Christmas goes back like a lot of us, from childhood. “I like Christmas very much, ever since I was a child. My books on Christmas derive from that interest,” Kelly said.

“The Feast of Christmas” is currently available in the JCU bookstore, and signed copies from Kelly also appear on the shelves.

Wong’s speaking career became permanent after one engagement.

“It happened quite naturally, I had spoken somewhere, and someone approached me and asked me if I would like to do it more regularly in an organized way, and I said I would like to try that. It worked out so well that I enjoyed it that I kept doing it,” Wong said.

Wong’s lecture entitled, “All the World’s a Stage: From Exclusion to Inclusion,” took place Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. in Donahue Audiorium, Dolan Science Center as part of the Shirley S. Seaton Cultural Awareness Series. His talk detailed not only his own struggles but also America’s struggle with diversity.

“I think [America] is kind of struggling with diversity. I elected a president [Barack Obama] that represents, by his very presence, a different sensibility about diversity. Yet we see all around us there is struggle, discomfort, and a lack of understanding that continues,” Wong said.

Discussing the issue of diversity to college students becomes more pressing Wong said because students are defining the world around them, and more importantly, defining themselves.

“All these things are happening. You are deciding what you want to do with your life, deciding who you are, learning about who you are, sharing that, and you don’t do that as freely when you are under your parents’ roof,” Wong said.

These issues face people individually, but understanding issues of diversity, Wong said, will also help individuals relate to others too, which is what he tries to do. Wong strives to be an example that others can relate to who struggle with race or sexual orientation. Something he didn’t have growing up.

“The motivation [in Hollywood] is to create products. This can be dangerous if the ‘products’ in Hollywood don’t reflect the reality of the world. Not only by the proportions of people of color to non-people of color, or gay people to non-gay people, but the way they are portrayed. Those two things make it very difficult for people trying to find their own identity,” Wong said.

Diversity extends not only to race, but also to gay rights. The question of the moment, Wong said, is if gay rights and equality will be the next big civil rights struggle. While the gay civil rights struggle might not be equated to the fight African Americans had in the 1960s, the gay community can equate the same feeling that they do not share the same rights as everyone.

“It is one of the big things we need to check off the list in this country in order to have a healthy living environment. If we are all going to live together we need to figure out how to make gay people feel accepted in our society, and live a life without any compromise, which is a big problem for us,” Wong said.

Wong’s personal struggle between experiencing racism and sexual prejudice is also a struggle between race being more objective while his sexual orientation is subjective discrimination.

“The thing about being Asian American is that it is always on your face, so there is no way to down play it. It is right on your sleeve, therefore it is the more objectifying label rather than the other,” Wong said.

The overall message of Wong’s story is being comfortable in your own skin. Being a healthy person with a healthy outlook on life is how Wong came to accept himself, and maintains that others can reach that optimistic view as well.

“The specific message is a self-esteem message. A part of my journey is how to overcome low self-esteem, there was a time I didn’t want to be a lot of things, but I was. Then I realized I was great at the end of the day [no matter what], and if I can encourage people to find that positive feeling about themselves earlier rather than later that is a great thing,” said Wong.

It is nothing illegal, so don’t worry, Mom, but it is serious. My studies, friends and conscience have all been affected, but I can’t help the good feeling I get from clicking a few buttons on the computer. I am talking about eBay.

eBay was founded in 1995, which means while the online auction was starting to commence I was learning my ABCs. Its slogans have ranged from: “Connecting buyers and sellers globally; whatever it is, you can get it on eBay;” and “Shop victoriously!” … and I often am.

I am not the only eBayer in my family; my brother and stepfather have both bought vehicles through the site, and my brother has sold car parts and a tractor – all in hopes of turning a profit.

With my competitive nature and need to see everything through to the end, I will set alarms on my phone and have multiple windows open to the item’s page to make sure I am triumphant.

 Not only are my personality traits aiding me to become eBay’s newest chronic buyer, but once I received my first package in the mail center, a new dimension of joy was added. When I open my JCU mail and read the subject line “You have received a package,” it’s like Christmas.

To think that there is something waiting for me to pick up and unwrap, just automatically puts me in a good mood. With a hectic schedule consisting of classes, two jobs, and multiple student organizations, these little presents break up the monotony, and cause me to sit back and concentrate on something else for a bit.

Sometimes it is not even about the thrill of the auction. With the convenient “Buy It Now” button, the quickness of a successful transaction has become invigorating as well. These purchases even seem more efficient since creating a PayPal account, a site that stores a person’s billing, shipping and credit card info without having to fill it out constantly.

I am not advocating my behavior or shopping habits, but even when discussing things with my roommate, I am not the only one. 

The best solution is to just stop or never start. Like I mentioned before, once I received my first purchase in the mail it has been a biweekly (oh, OK, weekly) occurrence. 

Another answer might just be to reduce the price or types of items you buy. An example might be instead of buying full outfits every time, just bidding on a shirt or an accessory.

These gifts to myself have been limited to DVDs thus far, and I pray to God it stays that way.

She warned me, “All those ‘too good to be true’ TV products use clever, persuasive speech techniques to get you to buy their junk!” 

Even though this warning might have been true I couldn’t pass up the promise written on the colorful box that read, “Go from flab to fab!” I have been the proud owner of a Shake Weight for a little more than a week now, and I couldn’t be happier with my purchase.

The Shake Weight has been criticized and made fun of from YouTube parodies to SNL promoting the “Shake Weight Commercial DVD” for those viewers who just can’t watch it enough. With positive reinforcement from fellow Shake Weight owner Ellen DeGeneres and a B-plus rating from my favorite morning show, I decided to test the Shake Weight out myself.

As I stuck the free DVD into my laptop and checked to make sure my roommate wasn’t around recording me for future embarrassment, I began my first workout with Lindsey, the instuctor. Lindsey has obviously been using the Shake Weight since birth with her toned and defined arms. I try to keep up with her making sure the Shake Weight is at least 6 inches away from my face, as the box warns several times. 

During my rigorous six-minute workout, Lindsey is kind enough to add in “active recoveries” between each set that consist of chest flies, hammer curls, and shoulder presses with a rotator cuff combination. 

As I was about to take one of these well-deserved breaks, my cell phone rang on the desk.

“Hello? Hi, Mom.”

I didn’t get to finish my workout that day. As I sat there, Shake Weight now still in my hand, I found out my stepfather needed heart surgery within the month. The news was something totally unexpected, and I still can’t believe it.

Just like the contraption I held in my hand, I learned life is shaken up at unexpected moments. Whether it’s starting a new school year, a family crisis, or even spontaneous fun, we can schedule and plan all we want, but life has its own course at times. 

How can we possibly brace for these moments? We need to use the resources around us. Make friends that will be there for you. Get involved with groups on and off campus. Find guidance in prayer, reflection, family, or even with someone from the counseling center.

We are never alone, but individually we decide when our “active recoveries” are over and when it’s time to move forward.

There are so many resources at JCU, and as new and old programs start up this year take advantage of them. Not just the freshmen, but also all of us stuck in our routines. 

We shouldn’t wait for New Year’s to make resolutions and reexamine our priorities. We shouldn’t wait for extreme circumstances to jolt us into reality. We should learn to shake ourselves up once in a while. 

In the end our routines will fade, and I might not get great-sculpted arms in six minutes, but we will always maintain the relationships and goals we care most about.

Evolving from a grant given to JCU following last year’s fall semester, the Xavier-Nichols Foundation is a family-run organization, which awarded $100,000 to JCU to focus on student wellness.

According to Vice President of Student Affairs, Mark McCarthy, members of the XNF met with the Rev. Robert Niehoff, S.J., after the fall semester to offer a grant to JCU. 

“[XNF] came to JCU interested in helping and wanted to give a gift,” said McCarthy.

The Foundation was interested in the health and welfare of the students.  According to Mary Ann Hanicak, assistant to the vice president for student affairs, this grant is the basis for First Thing’s First and its overall philosophy. 

“[First Thing’s First] is concerned with wellness initiatives, encourages positive interactions and communications.”

Assistant Director of Recreation and member of Xavier-Nichols Programming Team, Courtney Farver said that the program is focused personally on JCU students. 

“First Thing’s First is a Xavier-Nichols Programming Team philosophy and overall initiative provoking the JCU community to take care of themselves while reflecting on their daily priorities,” Farver said.

First Thing’s First has various programs to emphasize JCU student wellness. Speedbumps is a reflective message sent via e-mail to students during the school year. Campus Ministry sends out an e-mail so students can benefit from Speedbumps free of charge.

JCU now provides reflection rooms around campus.  There is a room located in the basement of Dolan, the second floor of Pacelli, and in the Sutowski Chapel. Reflective meditation sessions, by Campus Ministry, will be offered in Murphy and Sutowski Chapels and in Pacelli’s meditation space every Monday at 9 p.m.

The recently renovated spaces in Campion and Hamlin Halls will host Wednesday night yoga and mindfulness meditation. These sessions will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. and will alternate weekly between yoga and meditation.  The next yoga session will be Sept. 15 and the next meditation session will be Sept. 22.      

Residence Life Cinema will be showing movies and flashing messages between films, which promote healthy lifestyles and decisions.

The Student Health Center will send e-mails encouraging wellness and ways to practice healthy living, particularly regarding physical health.

The Health and Wellness Fair will take place later in the fall semester, and Mental Health Awareness Day will take place in the spring semester.  

Relaxation and mindfulness classes, as well as yoga classes, and massage therapy will be offered in residence halls during finals week.  

Active Minds is a new program to challenge preconceived ideas of mental health and wellness. This group was started by JCU students, Rudy Donatelli, Meghan Everett, Meredith Kramer and Kyle Ferstle. Over 127 students are involved on the “Active Minds–JCU Chapter” Facebook page. 

As grant administrator, Hanicak said, “I created the Xavier-Nichols Programming Team (XNPT), consisting of a number of administrators from the Division of Student Affairs to work on spiritual and mental health initiatives for students.”

According to Hanicak the team had a retreat in the summer to plan for fall programming.

Hanicak said they asked, “Who are we as a team? What are our goals? And how can we best serve JCU students?”

“Our goals are to provide spiritual and mental health on campus, to reduce anxiety, and increase spirituality and mental health,” Hanicak said. 

Hanicak added that students need to “take time everyday to collect and reflect.”  

As the JCU freshmen arrived they heard not only JCU’s mission, but the mission of First Thing’s First as well. 

“You cannot truly take care of others if you do not take care of yourself,” Hanicak said.

The team made 2,500 bracelets, which have been passed out to the freshman class, First Thing’s First mentors, and even the Rev. Robert Niehoff, S.J., carries one around. 

The mentors consist of large student groups. 

“RAs and certain student leaders have been trained. We will be looking at student athletes and other large student groups, and then we will look on involving the general student body,” Hanicak said.

First Thing’s First is not a program that will only last throughout the academic year.

“We are trying to institute these things so they just don’t go away,” said Hanicak.

More information can be found through e-mail, flyers posted in residence halls and academic buildings, and in the weekly e-newsletter from your mentor.

Junior Courtney Weisenberger, Student      Director of Relay For Life, said, “It is an excellent opportunity for JCU to show support for the American Cancer Society.”

The quad, and later the varsity gym due to rain, was transformed into this year’s theme “Wild for a Cure.” Blow up animals and palm trees, lined the quad as the opening ceremonies started. With words of encouragement and gratitude for the planning team, the singing of the National Anthem by Rhapsody Blue and “America the Beautiful” by the Sweet Carolines, and a blessing from the Rev. Donald Cozzens, the event was kicked off by the survivor walk, where students and supporters spread across the quad to cheer on those donning the purple survivor T-shirts.

All day, teams raised money for the American Cancer Society. On the quad near St. Francis chapel, junior Megan Abraham hoped she would not have to get wet sitting in the SUPB-sponsored dunking booth.

 Even though the water was just as cold as the air in the early morning she was adamant it was for a good cause. 

 “It’s freezing out, [but] it’s for a good cause. I have family affected by cancer, so [to possibly get] hypothermia for 50 cents doesn’t bother me,” said Abraham, shivering as she got dunked several times in her half-hour shift. 

EMS was also continuing their fundraising tradition of offering $1 cot rides, while also being attentive in case of any injuries.

 Sophomore Adam Boggs said, “Last year nothing happened, [but this year] the concrete is a little more slick, [and] the grass is a little more slick. That’s why we are here just in case.” 

The team named the Purple People Eaters held a new fundraiser in front of Bernet Hall.  Using spray paint, they tie dyed T-shirts using the different colors that represent cancer. Team captain, sophomore Amanda Cowan, and participant, sophomore Cory Gotowka, came up with the idea. 

“We went through 24 cans of spray paint, and have made over $100,” Gotowka reported at 1:30 p.m., as Bernet’s grass was becoming as multicolored as the T-shirts being sprayed. At the end of the day he said, “It was about $400 in T-shirt sales ($2 per shirt), and about $350 from personal donations.”

Even members of the local community joined the fight against cancer. St. Ignatius High School students offered chariot rides and had a free throw contest throughout the day. 

Kevin Ryan described the preparations the team went through. “We had weekly meetings, worked out, and conditioned anyway we could for Relay,” he said.

Relay continued even throughout the rain, as the teams moved into the varsity gym. The luminaria ceremony, personal testimony, followed by more walking and closing remarks from JCU students wrapped up the evening, which ended at 4 a.m.

“This is an important event for JCU because so many people are affected by cancer,” Weisenberger said.

Last Thursday evening, the Northern Irish poet and Pulitzer Prize winner, Muldoon, spoke in Dolan Auditorium.

“[He] has been called, by the [London] Times Literary Supplement, ‘the most important writer in English born after the Second World War.’ So he seemed like a good choice,” said George Bilgere, a professor in John Carroll’s English Department, in his opening remarks.

Bilgere said that the Department of English concluded, “He has a wonderful ear for the richness and beauty of the English language. And, of course, there’s a great tradition of remarkable Irish writers before him: Seamus Heaney, Derek Mahon, Joyce, Yeats and on and on. It’s amazing that such a small country has produced so many major writers.”

Alumni, faculty, students and the community filled Dolan Auditorium to near capacity to listen to Muldoon’s inspiration and poetry.

“I was going in not knowing what to expect,” said freshman Nick Wojtasik. “He had a good balance of some seriousness and some humorous nonsense in his poerty which, combined with a relaxed atmosphere, made for a quite enjoyable time.”

Muldoon began the event on a personal note with a poem about the birth of his daughter, Dorothy.  Even as an internationally-known writer, he revealed there are more important things than his literary career. “However corny it sounds for myself, and actually for my children, much more important than anything else is for my children to like me. Seriously, that is something I would like.”

Muldoon incorporated the audience by having them recite refrains from his poems such as, “with a click, and a click, and a clicky click” and other variations of this.

Dave Lucas, a 2002 John Carroll graduate, said, “I was even glad for the audience participation, too – poetry is special among the arts because it requires nothing but the human voice and ear.  We hear a poet reciting his poem and can even recite it back to him.  That’s something you don’t get when you sit down with his book.”

Muldoon finds that he writes many of his pieces from personal experience. “Well, I find it everywhere. I find that out of my usual routine I get more ideas rather than [fabricating things] just in the every day rut of things. So it can happen anywhere at all,” he said about inspiration.

Through his writing, he even reveals some of the most complex aspects of human emotion, as in his poem “Sideman.”  In this piece, Muldoon speaks of companionship.

Muldoon affirms, “You know in many cases, poems begin with a phrase or an image that is striking.”  This was apparent when he read the piece, “Sideman” and repeated the memorable refrain, “I’ll be your sideman, I’ll be by your side.”

Muldoon has a unique literary language all his own. He uses metaphors and thumping rhymes to not only convey deeper meanings, but as a play on words to connect two or more unlike topics.  For example, his poem “Hopewell Haiku” about his home in New Jersey, uses a metaphorical sumo wrestler-like bullfrog which transitions into the deeper emotion of loneliness.

Correlating with Muldoon’s wishes of his own legacy, “I hope people would think I was someone who tried their best, who had adventures with language that others could enjoy.”

Muldoon utilizes his personal creativity with words in his poem entitled, “Quoof.”  The word “quoof” is a reference that was used with his family growing up representing a hot water bottle.

Lucas said, “The poem ‘Quoof’ always stands out to me because it’s a personal favorite of mine. I love the way he wrenches words into rhymes in the poem, but I also have a sentimental attraction to it because I read it as a sophomore in George Bilgere’s poetry workshop, now ten years ago.”

Muldoon ended with a familial tone with his poem, “Saab with Sandi.”  This piece is told from the perspective of a father of a teenage daughter who is newly entering the dating world.  This poem was relatable to this Dolan Auditorium audience in a variety of ways; fathers in attendance from the community and faculty, to students who have recently entered the dating world themselves.

Muldoon participated in a Q & A session at 4 p.m., as well as a reception for faculty and a select group of students.

“At the risk of sounding a bit smarty pants, I think the favorite piece will be the next one.  The reason I do it is in the hope of one of these days that I will write something really interesting,” said Muldoon about his writing and future literary endeavors.

Now, as I ask for extra butter on my popcorn (you know we all do it). I see people leaving the theater from the most recent screening of “Avatar” or “Alice In Wonderland” in their sleek black frames and lenses.

The first 3D movie was released for screening in 1915, and it has taken until 2010 for 3D to sweep box offices. Even making films like “Clash of the Titans” and the upcoming Harry Potter films consider pushing back their release dates to add the 3D element. 

Why this new respect for 3D? Ask James Cameron, the director of the film “Avatar,” who made the largest grossing film of all time, currently still climbing at $2.6 billion worldwide. 

Or perhaps ask director Tim Burton who is smiling just as wide as his character (the Cheshire Cat) in his new 3D film “Alice In Wonderland,” which earned $116.1 million its opening weekend.

I don’t know what you have to do to be considered a movie buff, but as anyone in my hall would tell you, I consider myself to be in this category. 

Boasting over 100 DVDs in my dorm room, I love movies just as much as any college student loves food or sleeping. 

This obession started my freshman year in high school. Suddenly all the gifts I asked for were DVD’s, celebrity autographs, and movie props. I even converted my room into a home theater baosting a popcorn machine, cardboard cutouts of characters from the lastest release, and a lit up poster frame which I could dim for mood lighting.

After seeing these films, and ones like it in the past, they are definitely fun and exhilarating, but also boast their share of problems.

First, I doubt any movie critic will take these movies seriously if all films come out in 3D. 

These films focus on excitement and giving their audience an adrenaline rush, rather than having a good plot and character development. I am not saying this will be an inevitable formula, but why was “Avatar” snubbed for the Oscar up against a movie that only made $21.3 million worldwide?

Another thing to consider is staging. In 3D movies directors stage the actors and their actions significantly, so those books can fly off the desk into your face, rather than just a quick slam against the wall. It might not be a big deal, but for actors/actresses in Hollywood, 3D might limit or direct the character he/she wants to create.

Lastly, I am sure audiences across the world noticed when they went to grab their 3D glasses for these new films, they were also digging deeper in their pockets. 

To make and produce these 3D films costs more, and the viewer is going to absorb all that difference in the ticket price. Unfortunately, those James Bond, recyclable, black glasses won’t pay for themselves.

Hollywood seems to be catching up with the times. It is 2010, a year where people of the last century thought we would be using flying cars and robots.

While we are still driving in our gas-guzzlers and a robot is not cleaning my dorm room, movie lovers and critics are going to have to put in their contacts as it looks like 3D will be here for a while.

Cedric and Jeanniece Jackson 

Sophomore Jeanniece Jackson and her freshman brother Cedric Jackson not only see each other around campus, but as commuters spending time together at home as well.

“Since I’m a sophomore in the Boler School of Business, I’m able to help Cedric plan some of his course load, and show him a lot of the ropes around campus.  He’s always there to share information with me that I may not have been aware of, so we both help each other out,” Jeanniece said. 

Even before Jeanniece came to JCU, Cedric commented how his family’s ties to the University had a significant influence, while Jeannice helped make the final push.

“It was a combination of JCU being my relatives’ alma mater, and the personal reflection of Jeanniece’s campus experiences, that caused me to want to attend JCU,” Cedric said.

Even though Jeanniece and Cedric Jackson experience Lil’ Sibs Weekend everyday at JCU, the Jackson clan does not end there as their little brother will be visiting that weekend.

“Our younger brother, Carlin, is a junior at Cleveland Heights High School, and he’ll be coming for Lil’ Sibs Weekend.  He’s looking to attend Case Western Reserve for computer engineering,” Jeanniece said.

Cedric didn’t realize how beneficial it would be to have Jeanniece on campus. Cedric is relieved to have someone to get advice from and be able to see a familiar face between classes.

“Jeanniece offers me wisdom that the typical freshman might not find out until later in the college career,” Cedric said.

Both Jeanniece and Cedric are Arrupe Scholars and directors of the JCU Gospel Choir. Contrary to constant interaction being considered annoying, Jeanniece comments on how fun it really is.

“We participate in a lot of the same service and community activities on and off campus, especially since we’re both Arrupe Scholars.  As the vocal director and president of the JCU Gospel Choir, and with Cedric being our musical director, we have a lot of fun working together and using each others’ talents; it’s brought us closer together as well,” Jeanniece said.

Cedric has been happy with his decision to come to JCU, and is relieved he never had to experience the solo cafeteria experience thanks to Jeanniece. 

“I really enjoy attending school with my sister, running into her on campus, and being able to catch lunch together,” Cedric said.

Mike and Katie Skelly

Junior Katie Skelly feels that since her brother, freshman Mike Skelly, has started school, their family bond has grown a lot. 

“I really enjoy having Mike here at John Carroll with me,” she said. “I think it has made our brother-sister bond stronger.”

Mike enjoys being at school with his sister because she has helped him adjust to being away from home. 

“She has helped me adjust to the college life, and is always willing to help me out with anything I need,” he said. 

It helps that both are majoring in the sciences, so they can help each other with homework. 

Both have also started a tradition to help them stay close. 

“Katie and I sometimes watch Cavs games together, and we eat lunch together on Fridays,” said Mike. “Our schedules usually conflict a bit, not allowing us to do too much together. But we hang out when we can. Having lunch together helps us bond by just being able to catch up and talk about how our weeks went and what’s going on for the weekend.”

John Carroll was not even on Katie’s radar when she was looking at schools. Her parents suggested they stop by on their way back from a trip to Cleveland, and she fell in love with the University. 

Mike, who was on the trip with his sisters and parents, figures the reason he decided to come to JCU was because of the opportunities his sister has had here. 

“I visited the campus with her when she was in search of colleges, and the tour we took at JCU was great,” he said. “I really liked the campus and it wasn’t far from home. When Katie finally came here, I got to hear more about JCU and the opportunities that [it] offers.”

Another moment the two grew close was when their family experienced a death. 

“Earlier in the semester, our Grandmother passed away and it was tough to get through,” said Mike. “But Katie was there for me as I was for her.”

Mike and Katie have a younger sister who is planning to attend Lil’ Sibs Weekend, March 20 and 21. The weekend, hosted by the Office of Residence Life, will include activities and entertainment for JCU students and their siblings. 

“My younger sister is 13 and has come to Lil’ Sibs Weekend for the past two years,” Katie said. “Although I don’t think she has college on her mind right now, she has seen how happy it has made me.  She proudly sports the John Carroll T-shirts that she’s stolen from my closet.”

When Katie graduates in the spring of 2011, Mike will not need to lean as much on his sister for guidance. 

“When Katie leaves, it will be different, but I have already adjusted to college,” he said. “When she leaves, I know I won’t be able to see her as much, but I’m sure we will still be close.”

Amy and Lauren Gunderman

Sisters Amy and Lauren Gunderman love being at John Carroll together, but, it almost didn’t happen. 

“Me being at JCU actually, I think, was a turn-off for Lauren,” Amy Gunderman said. “She wanted to go somewhere completely new, but she ended up loving Carroll.”

Lauren agrees that she, at first, wanted to look elsewhere for college. 

“I’m the type of person who needs her independence, and I wanted to strike out on my own,” she said. “Then I visited the campus and fell in love with [it].”

When Lauren came to JCU, she was surprised to discover that her older sister would be her resident assistant in Sutowski Hall. She said it has worked out for the better, not only for her, but for the rest of the girls on the floor too. 

“Her being my sister and being my friends’ RA has brought our whole floor close together,” said Lauren. “I feel like she is all of their’s sister too, and I like that my friends enjoy her company as much as I do.”

The elder Gunderman loves having her sister around for support, and to help keep her humble. 

“She is honestly my best friend here as well as my sister,” she said. “We do a lot of things together, and we go to each other for advice because she’ll tell me the honest, brutal truth.”

Having her sister around was beneficial for Lauren because it gave her a shoulder to lean on when starting college. 

“My family is really close and having a person here from our ‘close-family-home’ is very comforting,” she said. “I also think it helped me skip a lot of the homesickness others were experiencing, because I had someone here that understood me completely and knew me.  Also, Amy and I are a lot different but we like doing things together like working out, eating some meals together, and doing homework together.”

It also helps that both sisters have similar interests. 

“We are in the same major and the same scholarship, so she helps [me with] my class choices and my tough subjects when she can,” said Lauren. “We [also] do service projects together for our scholarship.”

The Gunderman family will have three brothers visiting over Lil’ Sibs Weekend, ages 9, 12 and 16. The jury is still out as to whether they will all continue the family tradition at JCU. 

“They all are too young to really think about colleges yet,” Amy said. 

In the end, they are both glad to be with each other at school. 

“It’s amazing having her here and I’d have it no other way,” Lauren said.

JCU’s immersion experience program focuses on five key areas: education, service, social justice, spirituality and community. These five values are expanded upon during the many weeks of preparation for the trips. 

Students were chosen through an application and interview process. 

“I think it’s a pretty good process,” said junior Tori Shelton. “[The organizers] know what qualities and characteristics to look for.” 

The students were introduced to their groups at a community day. After that, the participants met every Thursday evening from 9-10:30 p.m. to bond with food and discussion fueled by the five core values. 

Students going on the trips were commissioned at the 10:00 p.m. mass this past Sunday. The Rev. Robert Niehoff, S.J., presided with Fr. H. Paul Kim as co-celebrant. A procession of students led mass carrying items representing the four values of the immersion program, along with the flags of each state groups will be traveling to. 

Although immersion trips require both a financial and time commitment, they are experiences students like senior Thomas Coast go back on year after year. 

“It is an opportunity to expand your mind and apply what you learn to the outside world,” Coast said.

As the New Orleans Saints take on the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV on Sunday, many sports fans will be whipping out the pigskin, their Bud Light tailgate-approved coolers, and the gold, black, blue and white face paint.

Even though football doesn’t have apple pie or Cracker Jacks, it’s becoming the new great American pastime. 

George Carlin said “[It is where] in the stands, during the game, you can be sure that at least 27 times you are perfectly capable of taking the life of a fellow human being. Preferably a stranger.”

Like myself, a growing number of these strangers, in the stands, are not only decked out in sports apparel and the team colors, but mascara and matching Uggs. 

I am talking about the often forgotten and always underestimated female football fan.

Although most of us were deprived of playing football as a child, we were forced to go to the games of our older and/or younger brothers. While my fifth grade brother learned about football from his coaches and tackling other small children on the gridiron, I, a reigning seventh grader, learned about football from the overexcited fathers and mothers in the stands. 

“Johnny! What are you doing? Go through the hole, son!”

“Mikey! Get your knuckles white, get low and tackle him!”

Whether the female football fan came to know the sport through a sibling, father, boyfriend or pure curiosity, there are some things that make a fanatic female football fan different from any guy. 

Throughout the years, I have noticed that it’s all about numbers with guys. 

Who was the team to beat in 1976, what are their fantasy football ratings, and how much they bet New England to win over the Raiders are all common water cooler conversations. 

On the other side of the cafeteria, the game of football for females is not one purely of statistics and plays, but of emotion and heart. 

We love the game not only for the details and intensity, but the tradition, the emotion, the underdog victories, the physical and aggressive drives, and finally the elegance of a well performed play. 

Don’t get me wrong it’s all football. Both men and women can appreciate both perspectives. So, remember on Sunday as the pre-game ensues and The Who rocks halftime, a fan is a fan. 

Female, male or university squirrel, it’s about donning the colors and numbers of our teams. 

It’s not about who is rooting for who, or who knows or doesn’t know what, but cheering for your team rather than against the other. 

It’s not only about the numbers on the board, but the hearts and passions of both teams from kickoff to the final whistle.

And if we can all remember all these things, then maybe next season I can still wear my Pittsburgh Steelers jersey around campus.

John Carroll University, along with other Jesuit institutes and even the United States and El Salvadorian government, are remembering these tragic deaths.

Priests, Ignacio Ellacuria, 59, Ignacio Martin-Baro, 44,  Segundo Montes, 56, Amando Lopez, 53, Juan Ramon Moreno, 56, Joaquin Lopez y Lopez, 71, Julia Elba Ramos, 42 and Celina Mariset, 16 were murdered for their dedication to social justice, educating the Salvadoran people, and mission to advance the lives of the poor.

JCU senior Theresa Prabucki spent a semester in El Salvador, and described her experiences at the place where the priests and women spent their last moments.

“The rose garden at the University of Central America was planted in commemoration of the six Jesuits that were killed, their housekeeper Elba, and her daughter, Celina.”

“I spent a good amount of time there during my semester in El Salvador; I would often go there to think and just get away. The space is sacred, and you can’t stand on that ground without thinking about what happened there,” said Prabucki.

This anniversary is not going unnoticed as both the United States Congress and El Salvadoran president honor the lives of these men and women.

The U.S. Congress approved a resolution honoring “these eight spiritual, courageous and generous priests, educators and laywomen.”

The resolution cited that, “this crime served as a catalyst for negotiations and contributed to the signing of the 1992 peace accords, which have allowed the government and the people of El Salvador to progress significantly in creating and strengthening democratic, political, economic and social institutions.”

Along with the U.S., the Salvadoran President Mauricio Funes declared, in November, that the priests would receive the National Order of Jose Matias Delgado awards, which is the country’s highest honor, on the date of the assassination.

Chris Kerr, coordinator of social justice programming at JCU, reflected how this tragic event changed Jesuit thinking, especially at Jesuit institutions.

“The assassination of the Jesuits in 1980 was an event to push people working at Jesuit universities to consider issues of social justice more deeply, and look at the deeply marginalized and how their education is,” said Kerr.

John Carroll is holding a weeklong vigil of events remembering these Jesuits and women, which started on Saturday night at the 10 p.m. mass.

At mass 21 students were commissioned, before they traveled to Georgia to attend a protest at the former School of the Americas, which trains Latin American soldiers.

The protest will be comprised of students from Jesuit universities and high schools from all over the U.S., who will call for the institution to stop training Latin American soldiers like the ones that killed the Jesuit priests and women.

“I feel empowered because they spoke out for the poor, and when I go there I can’t wait to fulfill that call they had twenty years ago,” said Amanda Chu, a JCU freshmen who is participating in the 2010 summer immersion trip to El Salvador.

After mass on Sunday, students were allowed to hang wooden crosses on the fence setup on the quad, which represented a victim of human rights abuses in Latin America.

“I stood tonight for hours… I watched.  Students wandered by in the cold winds of November, safe and carefree.  I watched the pictures of those martyred professors.  They are my masters and my models.

Their blood enriches and sanctifies our University,” said Rev. Francis Ryan, S.J.

Rev. Kevin Burke, S.J., president of the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, Calif., will be on campus giving a talk entitled “The Jesuit Martyrs Of El Salvador: Reflection On The 20th Anniversary.”

Sponsored by the Institute of Catholic Studies and Department of Sociology & Criminology, Rev. Burke will be speaking on Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.m. in the LSC Conference Room.

Kerr commented on just how significant this event is to the John Carroll community.

“Without the martyrs, I bet we won’t have 15 immersion experiences with hundreds of students participating. We recognize that we must challenge the beliefs of corrupt governments and the status quo of the poor.”

Before Tom Parish ever set foot on John Carroll’s campus, the freshman was in Austin, Texas, shooting a major motion picture. Parish had a weeklong internship with Troublemaker Studios filming the movie “Machete,” which could be released as early as Spring 2010. Not only did Parish get to rub elbows with writer and director Robert Rodriguez and martial arts icon Steven Seagal, but Parish was also able to work directly with the stars of the movie.

Molly Gradowski spent the summer working with children for University Settlement.

“Basically, I would show up around six in the morning and attend to the needs of the stars; fetching a bagel for Mr. Seagal, getting a soda for Ms. Lohan, etc,” said Parish. “Then as the day progressed, I oftentimes worked on lockups, where I would make sure that no one walked into the shot or no one was in the blood-spatter line; we’d be done around nine or so.”

Parish was invited back to Austin next summer to work on another movie set, and is excited about working behind the spotlight again.

Lauren Stayer, a senior, worked with different types of stars at her internship at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Stayer took a class last year through the Career Center and figured “if I am going to do all this work, I might as well put it toward something.” Stayer was hired by the museum to take care of their 83 Ohio native animals. She was also responsible for training them, doing animal shows and performing basic husbandry skills.

The animal shows ranged from audiences of over 100 people to more intimate groups of 20 or 30. Stayer said, “We showed the people how to interact with the animals. When most people see animals in the wild their first thought is ‘Oh my gosh we need to kill it or get it out of here.’” Stayer’s specialty was working with the skunk and black rat snake. At the end of the summer, Stayer was hired as a part-time employee and now works one day a week at the museum.

Through the Poverty and Solidarity Internship at JCU, Molly Gradowski got to not only work at a nonprofit, but made a difference in Cleveland. Gradowski, a junior, worked at University Settlement in the Slavic neighborhoods of Cleveland. She said, “It is really unique because it is the only community center of its type in the area.” Gradowski specifically worked with University Settlement’s 21st Century and Strive Programs.

With 21st Century, Gradowski taught ninth graders English, multiplication and division skills and attempted to “make school fun.” While the Strive Program worked with children ages 5 to 17, taking them on field trips to their first baseball games, the Science Center, and fire houses, but most importantly providing the children with a safe haven.

Gradowski said, “My goal was just to be happy and be smiling, just so the kids could have a good day.” She said, “I grew in many different ways. Seeing such poverty in Cleveland, in the U.S., I felt as if I was in another country at times. Just thinking…Oh my gosh, there is so much to be done.”

Holly Duns, a senior, acquired a local internship this summer as well. Duns lived out her love for music by interning at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

Duns said, “Music has always been a big part of my life. I love the Rock Hall and their mission to preserve these historical artifacts and educate new generations about rock and roll.”

Duns learned about the internship through the Career Center and Career Connection. At the Rock Hall, Duns was a human resources intern and was responsible for assisting in updating files, interviewing and contacting candidates, and reviewing resumés. She said, “I also was able to volunteer on the Rock Hall floor.”

Duns summed up the importance of internships when she said, “Internships provide students great opportunities and contacts to gain both work experiences and to help narrow their career paths.”