These seven students come from all different places, backgrounds, majors and interests. They do have some things in common though: They have left an impression on John Carroll University through activities, academics and relationships.

These students have gone above and beyond during their college careers. As college students, they’ve reached success.

Now, with graduation and life after Carroll right around the corner, we asked these students what their futures hold.

Andrew Summerson

Andrew Summerson

Major:

English

Minor:

Religious Studies

What are some of your JCU accomplishments?

“I’m graduating. I also helped edit JCU Review and studied abroad in Rome, Spring ‘07.”

What are your future plans?

“After graduation, [I plan to] go into the seminary and become a priest, and take care of a perish.”

Do you have any influential role models?

“Francis Ryan, Phil Metres and Paul Murphy: they’re very down to earth, great professors, really smart. All saints. They’re saints of guys.”

Matt Wooters

Matt Wooters

Major:

Political Science

Concentration:

Peace Studies

Minor:

History

What are your future plans?

“In August I am moving to Belize to do two years of service. I will be teaching religion, running retreats and organizing sacraments for a Catholic school district of 30 schools.”

Why did you choose this path?

“To have the opportunity to live in solidarity with the poor, while striving to have a positive effect on those around me is something I have wanted for quite a while.”

What were some other options?

“Grad school… though I didn’t apply to any. And a few other service organizations.”

Jessica Serbin

Major:

Biology

Concentration:

Perspectives on Sex and Gender

What are some of your JCU accomplishments?

“SUCH (Students United in Care and Healing), ‘The Vagina Monologues,’ immersion trips (Tijuana, Mexico, Immokalee, Fla.), editing World View Magazine and Honors Program.”

What are your future plans?

“I’m going to the University of Michigan School of Public Health to get my masters in public health and international health epidemiology.”

What will you take with you from John Carroll?

“A good education. I’ve also met a lot of great people and have formed a lot of good connections. Because this is a small school, it’s more personal and that forms closeness between students and professors.”

Josh Marcin

Josh Marcin

Major:

Political Science and Spanish

Concentration:

Latin American Studies

What are your future plans?

“After a summer with the Truman Foundation, I’ll spend a year completing either a public affairs fellowship here in the U.S. or a Fulbright Research Grant in El Salvador. I will then attend Harvard Law School.”

What do you think your biggest accomplishment was?

“My research published with the support of the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland supports a number of policy options to safely and effectively reduce HIV/AIDS transmission rates. My hope is for us to continue to gain legislative support in Ohio and at the federal level.”

What is your favorite Carroll activity?

“Do nights at the Beachland Ballroom or Grog Shop count?”

Samantha Cocco

Samantha Cocco

Major:

Sociology

Concentration:

African Studies

What are some of your JCU accomplishments?

“Co-chairing Relay for Life last year, co-directing and coordinating ‘The Queer Monologues’ and Millor Orator”

What are your future plans?

“In August, I’ll be leaving for the island of Pompeii Micronesia, where I’ll be spending two years teaching high school aged kids.”

What is your favorite Carroll activity?

“Unwinding with my roommates at the end of the day and sharing our joys and struggles.”

Doug Walton

Doug Walton

Major:

Economics and Political Science

Minor:

Spanish

What are your future plans?

“After graduation, I will begin working at the Pew Charitable Trusts in Washington, D.C., a nonprofit organization that researches public policy and makes recommendations to Congress and other policy-makers.”

Why did you choose this path?

“As a double major in economics and political science, I was excited by this opportunity to put my skills to work in a real-world setting.”

Do you have any influential role models?

“My biggest role models are my parents. My dad taught me the importance of personal integrity and hard work, and my mom has showed me the importance of love and responsibility.”

Scott Matthews

Scott Matthews

Major:

Accountancy

What is your favorite Carroll activity?

“Playing hockey. Hockey has been a big part of my life and some of my fondest memories here at JCU stem from the team.”

What are your future plans?

“I will be moving back home to Buffalo. I am taking the CPA exam this summer and will start my full-time position as an auditor for PricewaterhouseCoopers in September.”

What does success mean to you?

“I truly believe you’re only as successful as the amount of lives you touch and I want to hopefully one day give back twofold to those who have helped me pursue my dreams.”

Seniors’ Secrets to Success: What it takes and why they have it

We all wish to be successful in life, but what exactly is success? To some it may be the amount of money they have, to others, a good education, a powerful job or simply happiness. Hilary Flanagan, director for the Center for Career Services, said, “Like beauty, success is in the eye of the beholder.” But she also believes that between those considered successful there are many commonalities.

On May 17, John Carroll University will bid farewell to the Class of 2009. What made this class successful?

Flanagan said, “They [the seniors] truly succeed because they own their own path. They have an idea where they are headed while remaining open to new possibilities and adaptable to change.”

Andrew Summerson, Jessica Serbin, Matt Wooters, Samantha Cocco, Scott Matthews, Doug Walton and Josh Marcin certainly meet these qualifications and their professors and peers have noticed. These seven seniors were nominated by department heads and professors, as seniors to watch.

John Ropar, the director of the University Counseling Center, said, “When I think of leadership I think of the ‘Four Pillars of Success’ from the book ‘Heroic Leadership’ by Christopher Lowery (a former Jesuit). The pillars are self-awareness, ingenuity, love and heroism. These students represent the pillars well.”

Describing the self-awareness pillar, Ropar said, “leaders must be genuine and willing to ask questions about themselves and find out who they are.”

Senior Andrew Summerson embodies self-awareness. When asked why he chose to pursue the priesthood he said, “I felt called. I dug my heels in and realized it wasn’t a joke. It was something I really loved. I liked the idea of letting people know that God is real. I think that’s really important.” He turned down his acceptance to the University of Iowa’s Master of Fine Arts program to pursue his religious calling.

John H. Yost from the department of psychology said, “Being successful is accomplishing what you set out to do. Therefore, I would say that you first have to set a goal that you are willing to strive for. The ‘willing to strive for’ part is important as these have to be goals that you are completely committed to Ð these are goals that tap into the core of your self-concept. Therefore, the goal becomes part of one’s very being and the goal is constantly accessible to one’s attention. So, one is constantly monitoring situations and the environment for things that will help them to accomplish the goal. The goal is always there. One prioritizes other important activities around their goal. I would say that one key is not to become distracted from one’s goal.”

Senior Scott Matthews has had his eyes on his goal from day one. “In high school I was afforded the opportunity to take accounting as a class and really enjoyed the field from the start. My high school accounting teacher was an influential mentor for me and opened my eyes to the variety of career paths an accounting degree can offer.”

Being called “successful” is a pretty big deal for college students who have worked hard for four years to make a difference in the JCU community. Although the students were humble enough to be at a loss for words when asked why they thought they were nominated, they had a lot to say about what “success” meant to them.

Doug Walton said, “To me, success means being a balanced person. It means having a fulfilling career, one that enables me to make the most of my skills and abilities. It also means taking time to serve others and develop strong relationships.”

For these seniors success is about their past, present and future. It’s about recognizing what they have been through and how it has helped get them where they are while having the courage to take their qualities and put them to use in the community.

Flanagan said, “They [the seniors] live life to its fullest every day. They can’t help but make the world a better place, and we’re fortunate that their success can be contagious.”

1. Date someone whose parents are loaded.
   In order for this to be effective, you need to write home to their house at least twice a week requesting money so that you can “treat their child right.”
2. Don’t discriminate based on gender.
   If the woman pays, it doesn’t mean chivalry is dead; it means equality is alive.
3. Box of wine.
   It’s cheaper and you don’t need a corkscrew. Also, don’t be a fool, SUPB cups work.
4. Make your own presents.
   Elbow macaroni and construction paper aren’t just for kindergarteners; they’re also for serious daters. For the card, go to the store and copy a Hallmark slogan, then draw some pictures on the front and end it with an “XOXO (insert name here).”
5. Don’t be a hero; you have a meal plan.
   Guest swipes aren’t off limits as far as paying for your date goes (never actually pay cash for JCU dining).
6. Always be prompt.
   Another idea is to take standard date ideas and put a money-saving twist on them. Have your date meet you for coffee, but make sure you get there about 15 minutes early. That way you can pick out a table and order yourself a drink before your date arrives, so that he or she will have to pay for his/her own drink. Moral? Perhaps not. Financially wise? You better believe it. Also, you’ll save money because you won’t have to worry about paying for a second date.
7. Fast food has dollar menus for a reason.
   If your date is unhappy about you sticking him or her with his/her own coffee bill, you can always head to Taco Bell and buy a meal for under a dollar. Not only does this keep the amount of money you spend on your date under a dollar, but it also puts you back in his or her good graces with triple layer nachos or a cheesy double beef burrito.
   McDonald’s, Wendy’s and KFC all have cheap ways to feed your date. Use them.
8. Gift cards are not out of line.
   You need to use those Christmas gifts at some point, might as well be on your date.
9. Use movies for inspiration.
   If you’re looking to recreate a movie-like romance, you and your date can take a pottery class together. Odds are the two of you will be able to make something more useful and practical than Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore did in “Ghost.”
10. Pheromones.
    Sticking with the movie theme, you can always watch a movie that you already own. Just be sure to put on clean clothes and Febreze the couch before your date arrives. There is nothing worse than having your date wonder whether it’s you or your couch that smells.
11. Carroll Cash
    You need to be resourceful, so use what you have. The money is already on the card, and there’s no point in saving it. Plus your date might think you’re swiping your gold card. Who says the Inn Between can’t be romantic? You’ll be blessed with good karma at the checkout when told, “Have a good night!”

There are infinite possibilities. It is all just a matter of finding something cool that does not break the bank. Whatever you do, just do not pay with your credit card because if the date does not go well, the last thing you will want is a bill in the mail a month later.

John Carroll University is no exception to this phenomenon, as students often sacrifice sleep in order to finish all of their responsibilities. You can find plenty of people in the library all the way until closing time, and there are always a couple of students getting their reading done outside the Inn Between even after night has become morning.Junior Aaron Yantko is the quintessential example of the sleep-deprived student.

He’s used to staying up all night to do homework multiple times in one week. “Pulling all-nighters has become second nature at this point,” he said.Yantko is well-practiced at the all-nighter, but he recognizes that it can’t be done without caution.“Not sleeping for 24 hours is like giving blood,” he said. “You can do it more than once, but there are rules you need to follow, otherwise you’ll crash.”Janet Larsen, chair of the Pyschology Department, agrees there are negative effects to skipping sleep.

Besides making a student less able to perform well in class due to tiredness, not getting sleep can actually affect how well you retain information learned in class and while studying.“You learn and remember better when rested,” she said. “There is research that strongly suggests that consolidation of learning happens during sleep.”Yantko said he ends up staying up so late because he procrastinates with his homework. “If I start working on homework that would keep me up until 3 a.m. anyway, and I have an 8 a.m. class, then I just stay up. I don’t trust myself to wake up to my alarm at that point,” he said.His late night habits have caused him to sleep through his alarm a few times in the past, and he has ended up missing class after going to sleep early in the morning. “Fear has become a motivator,” he said.

While that method has worked for Yantko, Larsen counters that some sleep is better than no sleep.“Sleep is very useful for the brain; there are chemical things going on during sleep that need to happen. Getting enough sleep is an important aspect of being a successful student,” she said.She added that research suggests those who get more sleep have better memories and are better at more complex tasks.

Yantko says that he drinks 5-Hour Energy and double shot espressos, especially when studying or working on something that doesn’t interest him.“Study breaks help, but you need to do something that you like during them, for me it’s playing video games.”Yantko said he makes up for his all-nighters by sleeping-in on the weekend.“I usually catch up on sleep missed during the week by getting more sleep on Saturday. I’ll sleep until the afternoon sometimes,” he said.While he knows that it may not be the best thing for his body, Yantko said that his method works for him.

Larsen, however, pointed out that maintaining a stable pattern of sleep is much better than getting an inconsistent number of hours.“You’re much better off having a regular pattern of sleep. Making up for it on the weekend just means that you’re not getting enough sleep during the week,” she said.

“If you can’t wake up without an alarm clock, then you’re not getting enough sleep.”Students might find it hard to change their routines and stick to a consistent sleep schedule, but the evidence shows that it will benefit learning in the long run.

When deciding whether or not to stay up and cram for that test, you should sleep on it.

Zoltán Bugnyár, a master’s student in communications management, is a prime example of fulfilling this goal.

Bugnyár, a native Hungarian, came to JCU in January 2005 to continue his communications education. He studied as an undergraduate and earned his first masters degree in Hungary. Afterwards he started working full-time as an editor and reporter for two magazines and later for the Hungarian National Catholic Radio.

During his work, he learned about the opportunity to study in the States. “I learned about the opportunity while I was on duty as a reporter,” Bugnyár said.

“I was sent to a fund-raiser dinner by my boss, but when I got there, I learned about this communications scholarship in Cleveland. I did a little research and made a quick decision that I really wanted to do it; I wanted to gain some experience abroad, and in the communications field, the U.S. is the best place to study.”

Within three months, he applied for the scholarship, quit his job, obtained his Visa, and passed the Graduate Record Examination, a test foreign students are required to take.

“I was picked up at the airport that night when I arrived in Cleveland and JCU was the first part of America I saw in daylight,” he said. The Calasantius Training Program is run by a Hungarian American opthamologist, Dr. Peter Forgach of Buffalo, New York who has various connections to American universities.

The program was designed to contribute to the social and ethical development of the Hungarian society and economy through the participant’s personal experience, as well as their academic knowledge, gained in the U.S.
Bugnyár stressed that it isn’t just the academics; he described his experiences growing up in Socialist Hungary and the different perspective offered by living in the U.S.

“It was not only academic knowledge, but also what you learned in terms of volunteerism, because that was not encouraged at all during the time of Socialism,” he explained. “Party leaders told people what to do for free, and during those 40 years, people forgot that it was possible to work from the ground up and that it could really make a difference. That’s one perspective you can take from living in the U.S.”

Bugnyár is also a resident minister. He has participated in various volunteer work with campus ministry at JCU, including a couple immersion trips. He particularly enjoyed working alongside the volunteer students.

“The biggest thing I got out of the trips was my interaction with the students and the transitions I watched them go through,” he said.

“When we went to Ecuador, some of the U.S. students went through an uncomfortable process of witnessing the poverty there. I think it made them realize that money isn’t everything for people to be happy.”

Bugnyár’s religious calling goes back to the way he was raised. Even during the Socialist regime, his parents took him to church and religious classes.

“I experienced a time when freedom wasn’t a given. My parents did take me to Masses, but it wasn’t information I wanted to share with my classmates because it wasn’t tolerated,” he said. “If you kept it secret, it was okay, but you couldn’t talk about it. For people who take freedom for granted, it is difficult to understand it.”

If he wished to combine his communications education with his religious background, Bugnyár was open to it, but it he said it wasn’t really part of his immediate future plans.

“I am going to take three comprehensive exams in October and then finish my project thesis,” he said.

“I am here in Cleveland through May for Campus Ministry. I would like to find a U.S. company with international presence and first work for them here and then possibly in Hungary in the field of business communications. I don’t really want to make a living in media anymore, but I can see myself doing a radio show or something like I do for WJCU.” (He is the co-host for Bocskai Radio, The Voice for Hungary, on Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m.)

Ultimately, he wants to run his own communications agency in Hungary. He explained that his experiences in the U.S. have influenced his career goals.

“I’ve never regretted making the decision to come here,” he said. “I want to implement things from here towards different causes in Hungary. I now have knowledge of things to utilize when I go back.”

But it is much more than a definition. It is an understanding and a connection to people who you may not know. It involves not only the mind, but the heart as well. It is contagious, but not when forced upon people. It requires courage and sacrifice.

Friday was the International Day of Peace. This is a day of nonviolence, when the entire world should cease fire. There were many events that took place all over the world including vigils, meditations, prayers and peace walks.

In the U.S., Peace Action Cleveland had a prayer and meditation for 45 minutes at the Gandhi statue in the Indian Cultural Garden of Rockefeller Park beginning at 6:30 a.m.

According to Peaceactioncleveland.org, “Peace Action Cleveland is the nation’s largest grassroots peace organization. Peace Action’s mission is “to reduce the threat of violence, war and terrorism by working through peaceful, just and democratic means.”

Students can voice their concerns with this group as well. An affiliate of this organization is the Student Peace Action Network, which organizes college and high school students to work together in order to help spread peace too.

In Cleveland, the 2007 Peace Show, a festival of peace groups in celebration of peace work and peace-making, was held downtown on Labor Day in honor of the International Peace Day.

John Carroll University Associate Professor of English, Philip Metres even wrote a short blog about it. “The Peace Show has been a Cleveland event since 2002 and began as a response to the Air Show, which members of the Catholic Worker and other radical pacifist groups had been picketing as a celebration of militarism.”

“The idea of the Peace Show was to move beyond the negativism of protest to a celebration of what we believe. One of the many activities and entertainments is a mainstage of music, rap and poetry.”

When asked what he thinks about having a day set aside in order to celebrate peace all over the world, JCU Director of the Program in Applied Ethics, Paul Lauritzen responded, “Efforts like this are largely symbolic, but they are nevertheless very important. Symbols are often vehicles for expressing our deepest hopes and aspirations. Affirming a commitment to peace in ways small and large is significant and can be transformative.”

It doesn’t have to be the International Day of Peace to advocate peace and justice. People support this cause every day and some of them do it without even realizing it. Even by doing something as simple as praying for someone or volunteering at a homeless shelter, people can spread peace. Everyone has the ability to help.

According to Lauritzen, “I try to do my part through my research and writing. For example, I have co-edited a volume on using experiential narratives, fictional literature, theater, poetry and other forms of humanistic work in human rights education.”

Peace is very symbolic. It has several meanings across the world. Here in America, the symbol for peace is a white dove.
In Christianity, the dove is usually seen with an olive branch. According to the Bible, Noah sent a dove to find land after the Great Flood. The dove came back with an olive branch, meaning he had found land. This symbolized God ending the war between him and the people.

According to the Web site Designboom.com, it was also used in art with famous painters such as Pablo Picasso. He used the dove to create a design for the International Peace Conference in 1949 in France.

Another very recognizable symbol of peace is the white crane. This symbol started in Asia along with several legends behind it. The crane became especially significant to Japan after the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings.

It is also said that if one folds one thousand paper cranes, their wish will come true because it is believed that cranes can live for 1,000 years. Also, cranes mate for life, so many Asian weddings use cranes as decorations. Now, the peace symbol of a crane is even popular in America, too.

Everyone can do something for International Day of Peace; it’s not too late. Several simple things such as folding a paper crane and giving it to someone who needs peace and hope in their life can make a difference.

Peace is not an unachievable goal. It can happen as long as people believe and take action.

In the past few decades, modern changes on the view of marriage have taken two dramatic turns. One end deals with young, married couples and the other end concerns the rising trend in America to wait before saying I do.

Statistics prove that young adults are indeed waiting to get married. According to a USA Today poll in 2006, 73 percent of men ages 20-29 said they had never been married, compared with 64 percent in 2000. For women, 62.2 percent had never married in 2006, compared with 53.4 percent six years earlier.

According to Ad2000.com, from 1970 to 2004 the annual number of marriages per 1,000 adult women in the United States plunged by nearly fifty percent.

At JCU, 80.5 percent of graduates who applied for Federal Financial Aid from fall 2007 are not married and 19.5 percent are either married or remarried according to Vice President for Enrollment, Brian G. Williams. Out of the undergraduates, 99 percent are not married, .9 percent are married or remarried and .1 percent of them are divorced or separated.

Someone who has no desire to get maried young is JCU sophomore Crystal Uvalle. “If I found the love of my life now, at 19, I would still want to wait because I still have a lot of growing up to do and I’m sure he does too.”

However, just because people are marrying later doesn’t necessarily mean they are not going to get married at all in life. According to Findarticles.com, an estimated 90 percent of young women will marry at some point during their lifetime.

Society is starting to view marriage in a different way.

JCU sociology faculty member John Klein said, “Society’s view of marriage certainly has changed dramatically post World War II and has evolved with increased diversity. For instance, greater acceptance of divorce, greater acceptance of remarriage, and the changing role of what it means to be a husband and a wife are quite different from the 1950s TV shows such as ‘Leave It To Beaver,’ ‘I Love Lucy’ and ‘The Donna Reed Show.’”

Klein also says these changed roles have to do with an increased acceptance of premarital sexual relations.

Wives are beginning to excel in society and do not have to depend on their husband in order to be successful.

Klein’s words seem to focus on how wives’ roles have changed. Society has opened up a myriad of options for women as wives to prioritize other commitments on their own such as a career, education and stability, instead of solely being a housewife.

Even though several statistics show that people are waiting longer to get married, this is not always true with celebrities.

Celebrities rush into a marriage, which is followed shortly by a divorce. Recent examples include stars like Britney Spears, Pamela Anderson and Angelina Jolie.
This also shapes people’s view of marriage, whereas many years ago, it was unheard of to get divorced.

Klein believes that there is a greater acceptance of divorce and remarriage. According to Chicagolandmarriage.org, in the early 1980s, the United States witnessed the highest number of divorces ever granted; over one million.

Today, more than ever, society is extremely comfortable with such ideas of divorce and remarriage.

Therefore, many couples find themselves submissive to society’s drastic changes.

However, the idea of finding your soul mate early on in life still exists. Young couples do still marry at an earlier age; it is just less common nowadays.

At JCU, senior Arielle Simpson decided to tie the knot at the age of 20. Against the rising trend in society, she and her family have found much joy in spending their new life together.

There are several opinions and many different views on marriage. It changes depending on the person and the couple.

However, many couples discover their own view on marriage and their own meaning of love in a personal way.

And despite society’s views and the influence of the media, they will know whether it is worth waiting two years or ten years for it.

From “Thriller” to “This is Why I’m Hot,” the John Carroll University 2007 Lip Sync for Greek Week was anything but dull. These acts were completely original and kept me entertained the entire time.

Even though some technical difficulties occurred, the people backstage managed to work through them and after a short break the show resumed.

The performances were well rehearsed and there was a little bit of everything from country to rap to 80’s music.

Kappa Kappa Gamma went first with “Once Upon a Kappa…” A princess was looking for her prince and on the way she ran into some interesting fairy tale characters, including Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and her seven dwarfs and Little Red Riding Hood.

Each fairy tale character had their own song and dance, each with their own certain flare. The songs were popular rap and pop songs such as “Bad to the Bone” and “Hot in Herre.”

This performance was extremely funny and very creative.
The next act was “I Love the KDs” by Kappa Delta. They did a television show going through the 80’s and 90’s.

The Kappa Deltas did a wonderful interpretation of “Thriller” and I especially liked the dance to “Baby Got Back.” Their 80’s hair styles and outfits were also extremely appropriate for their performance.
Toy soldiers and Barbies were the characters of “Theta Toy Story” performed by the girls of Kappa Alpha Theta.

It was one of the girl’s birthdays and all of the toys came to life and did their own dance when she left the room.

The costumes for the toys were very imaginative and well thought out. I particularly liked the toy Bentley and Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head. Their dances were comical, yet witty.

Gamma Phi Beta went fourth, and their theme was “Spring Break Around the Globe.” They started out with a group of girls at the airport waiting for their flight to Mexico.

They suddenly found out that their flight had been delayed so they all went their separate ways until it was time to depart for their flight. However, the plane left without some of the girls.

Not only did they miss their flight to Mexico, but they got on other flights not knowing where they were headed. They ended up in New York City and Africa.

Even with the music stopping halfway through their performance and having to start their act all over again, they still did an excellent job and made a good recovery.

Sigma Phi Epsilon did “SigEp Stock,” which was hilarious and well worth the wait. It was exceptionally interesting and I liked the guy dressing up as woman. Their song choices were good too.

The dance to the song “Just the Two of Us” was good, as well as several others. I also enjoyed the dance to “You Can’t Touch This” by M.C. Hammer. It was amusing watching the guys run around stage in those costumes.

“American Bandstand: Music Through the Decades” was sixth and performed by Chi Omega.

I liked their idea a lot and their routines were very good as well. Their outfits were quite appealing and I loved the music they picked out including “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey and “Kiss” by Prince.
They ended by dressing up in their sorority’s color, red, and sang “This is Why I’m Hot” by Mims.

Delta Tau Delta was the last to go and their act was called “A Tour of John Carroll.” A prospective student was taking a tour of John Carroll University and he went around to every building here.

At Murphy, there were a bunch of parties going on. At the student center, Spartans from the movie “300” came and destroyed the jukebox and made the boy eat in Parkhurst.

It was a funny skit that truly summed up most of John Carroll student’s attitudes toward each place on campus as well as capturing most people’s assumptions of these buildings.

In the end, Chi Omega and Sigma Phi Epsilon were the winners of this tough competition.

This past week sororities and fraternities participated in a weeklong tradition filled with events full of entertainment.

These include the five sororities – Kappa Kappa Gamma, Kappa Delta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Gamma Phi Beta and Chi Omega. This also includes the three fraternities – Sigma Phi Epsilon, Delta Tau Delta and Kappa Sigma.

According to freshman Maggie Matune of Kappa Kappa Gamma, “Greek Week is a special week set aside to celebrate all of the sororities and fraternities.”

In order to raise money each sorority and fraternity sponsored several events and took part in many activities.

On Sunday, April 15, all of the organizations had a cookout on the Quad.
On Monday, they played kickball and dodgeball in the intramural gym. Junior J.D. Corr of SigEp said, “Kickball was a great opportunity for all of the organizations to get together. The game was genuinely fun. It gave us one last chance to let loose before finals.”

On Tuesday, there was the talent show in Kulas Auditorium. Freshman Joe Capasso said, “I was very excited to see SigEp in the talent show. I had been hearing a lot about their act all week. I was taken aback by the other fraternities and sororities acts as well. It was all very well done.”
Wednesday was a group outing to “The Tempest” at the Ohio Theater.
Thursday was the infamous Lip Sync.

On Friday there was a bunch of water games and then a social at Jake’s, in the basement of Pizzazz. Saturday was Relay for Life with each sorority and fraternity having their own relay team.

Then, to finish it up on Sunday, there was an awards ceremony.
Each member was required to volunteer at the events and and set up for them. Different people worked different events each day and everyone had a part in the experience.

Everyone put a lot of dedication and effort into this specific week and they all seemed to pleased with the end results.

The co-chairs of Greek Week, freshman Nick Toney and junior Keiko Sano, were in charge of most of Greek Week and oversaw everything.
They announced each sorority and fraternity at the lip sync and each performance at the talent show. They put several hours each day into this enormous occasion and it all paid off in the end.

Greek Week turned out to be a huge success, raising over $1,500 thanks to everyone’s involvement.

All parents have some type of intention when naming their children. Whether it is extremely methodical and explored during the duration of a woman’s pregnancy or as simple as opening up a name book and pointing to the first one that sounds remotely decent, a first name is quite special.

A name is a symbol that all human beings possess. As individuals, we are labeled and referred to by our names from other people. Through the ages, various traditions have been developed throughout all parts of the world that create patterns and cycles of representations in families.

Depending on one’s culture, family, religion, etc., names are chosen for various reasons. For example, there are names that are given as a virtue. According to www.genealogy.com, some of the most conservative names came from early New England where parents sometimes named their children after virtues they hoped they would possess such as Patience, Charity and Prudence.

In other families, it is popular to use a surname as a given name. Many times, a woman’s maiden name serves as a child’s first name in order to preserve both the mother and father’s identity.

In the United States, names have often gone through changes because of immigration factors. As explained by www.genealogy.com, this happened even more frequently with given names because most names in European languages have an English equivalent. A German named Franz, a Pole called Franciszek, and an Italian named Francesco could all easily become “Frank.”

Another common tradition is to follow a naming pattern in order to honor family members. It is very popular to name a firstborn son after his grandfather and a second born son after his father in Italian culture. In English culture, a specific model was used in the naming process. While the first son was named after the father’s father, the second son was named after the mother’s father. The third son would then be named after the father and the fourth son was named after the father’s eldest brother. The same pattern would be used on daughters but using the opposing women in the family.

Today however, it seems that anything goes when chosing a name for a child. Parents pick names that they believe are best for the child, rather than perhaps what tradition has called for in the past.

Sibling rivalry is something that has always been prevalent in families. Ever since the Biblical story of Cain and Abel, numerous historians and psychologists have studied the relationship between siblings and what causes their relationships to become competitive.

For most of us who have siblings, it’s not uncommon to want to outshine them in things like academics and athletics. For many brothers and sisters, choosing a specific area of interest and different schooling path helps one to differentiate his or herself. But choosing that same path can make “standing out” hard to do.

For a few students at John Carroll University, including freshmen Elias and Vicky Haddad, freshmen Matt and Tony Mihalich, and juniors Adam and Cara Pizzurro, they don’t have the option of avoiding their siblings. Not only are these brothers and sisters going to school together, but they are all twins.

“It’s good for twins to go to the same school,” commented John Yost, a psychology professor at John Carroll University and father of two fraternal twins, “it’s particularly good if they have different majors and interests.”

Freshmen fraternal twins Tony and Matt Mihalich both agreed that attending the same school has been for the better because of their different majors and interests. It has also made the adjustment to college life a little easier.

“I didn’t have to sit around in my room and hug my knees all day,” recalled Tony on the very first weeks of school, “I knew I had my brother to go out and do something with.”

For the Mihalich twins, going to the same school was not something that they had planned.

“We applied to a lot of the same schools but for different reasons,” said Matt. “Tony liked John Carroll because he could study abroad, and I liked it because I could play basketball.”

According to recent studies in the U.S., siblings are more likely to have negative relationships if they are the same sex and close together in age. This is heightened in the case of same sex twins. Being compared and contrasted with each other seems to promote competition and rivalry.

However, when it comes down to sibling rivalry between the two, both Tony and Matt agree there is none. “If anything we’re more competitive with our older brother than with each other,” replied Matt.

Given their situation, it’s common that Matt and Tony are not competitive with each other.

“Competitiveness among twins is a result of having the same interests,” said Yost. “With competition, there is always a winner and a loser which will cause strain on the relationship.”

In the case of freshmen Elias and Vicky Hadadd, both feel that their relationship lacks competition between each other because they were never compared by their parents.

“There is no competitiveness between us because our parents have different expectations for the both of us,” said Elias.

The twins explained that their parents react to each child’s individual efforts differently because they are both strong in different areas.

While Elias is a pre-med student excelling in the science field, Vicky is a compelling writer, making her strongest subject English.

“If I do really well on a Biology test my parents make a big deal about it,” added Vicky. “However if my brother does just as good they don’t make as big of a fuss over it.”

“Parents play a large role in twin’s competitive relationship,” Yost said, “When parents tell their children things like, I love you for winning that award, kids are naturally going to compete against each other to get their parent’s love.”

For junior twins Adam and Cara Pizzurro, it’s their parents who seem to have helped shape their strong relationship.

Adam doesn’t deny the fact that many people, including his parents, probably compare the two of them. “With two report cards going home to the same house there’s going to be some comparing,” he said.

Cara realizes that as a twin, people are likely to be perceive her and her brother as more competitive with each other than other siblings. “I think with any siblings there’s competition,” she commented, “but it doesn’t even feel like we’re really twins, it’s more like brother and sister.”

Both Adam and Cara expressed that there is no ongoing rivalry between the two of them, but that both of their competitive drives come from their parents’ philosophy.

“Our parents always stressed more importance on being good individuals and not to be content with mediocrity,” said Adam, “they always told us do it to the fullest or don’t do it at all, and I think that’s where a lot of our competitiveness comes from.”
Although having a sibling or even being a twin can be a personal battle to set oneself apart, the relationship between siblings is a unique bond. If twins attending the same university can make their relationships work well while still seeing each other’s face everyday, there’s hope out there for the rest of us.

As Natalie explained, the doctors had scratched her mom’s vocal chords putting tubes down her throat during a treatment. “She would try to sing, but she’d get upset because she couldn’t,” Natalie recalled.

Losing her ability to sing is just one memory that Natalie can vividly recall from her mom’s battle with cancer. But the day that is still fresh in her mind is the day her mom lost her three year battle with the disease.

According to The American Cancer Society, Natalie’s mom was just one of the estimated 1,500 people who die each day from some form of cancer.

But for one night this April, she, along with others who have been affected, will have the opportunity to celebrate life and reflect on how cancer has impacted them.

John Carroll’s Relay for Life, which is being held on Saturday, April 21, is tentatively hosting over 50 teams comprised of Greek Life, student organizations, as well as students and faculty wishing to get involved.

It’s Natalie’s experience however, that motivated the 19 members of the JCU Relay for Life Leadership team to take the initiative in bringing the event to campus.

After three long years of discrepancies, such as noise restrictions, that hindered JCU from hosting the event, senior and Event Co-chair Joel Mullner and other members were finally approved.

Mullner explained that while raising money for cancer awareness is a major goal in hosting the relay, another big priority is expressing the idea that the John Carroll community involves itself with major societal concerns.

Almost every person on the crew has been affected by cancer, igniting a deeper passion to execute the event.

“I’ve been so inspired to hear people’s stories, and this ties into the mission statement by engaging the world. Cancer isn’t just an Ohio or U.S. problem. It’s universal. It does affect everyone and we’re doing a small part to help others,” said Mullner.

So far, senior and Survivorship Chair Maureen Carroll has recruited several students and faculty members who are cancer survivors to participate in the relay. Carroll was quick to express that the relay is a vital event to those who have personally battled cancer and who have been affected by it through a loved one.

By coming together for one cause on one night, people are able to learn and lean on those who have experienced similar situations.

“It communicates that people are concerned collectively as communities about something that affects all facets of people,” said Carroll.

A cancer survivor herself, Carroll explained the personal connection she feels that she has with the event. “This is a very small thing that I can do to give back after all the things people did for me while I was sick,” said Carroll.

She went on by explaining that Relay for Life is an opportunity to give back.

“This is something that offers so much more than financial benefits. When you’ve been affected, you deal with it for the rest of your life.”

There is an expected 1,444,920 people who will contract some form of cancer this year, according to The American Cancer Association.

Although cancer is on the decline from preceding years, The Relay for Life organization continues to have a growing number of participants.

In order to prepare for the event, JCU’s Leadership Team attended Oberlin College’s Relay this past February to gain insight and tips on how to host the event.

Junior and Education Chair Andy Costigan, who lost his mother to lung cancer just a few years ago, said that finally hosting Relay for Life offers hope for the future and closure on the past. “If you’ve been there before, you don’t want anyone else to go through it.”

“Losing my mom was the most difficult experience of my life. You continually deal with it. I am just so different from all of this. It changes you, but you continue to have strength and deal with it,” he said.

For those who have lost a loved one, The relay will be an emotionally satisfying experience that will help sustain many of the feelings caused by cancer.

This was the lifestyle of Thomas Holbrook, a Wisconsin psychiatrist, who became obsessed with not becoming fat when he injured his knee, according to www.gurze.com.

“I was waking up at 2:30 or 3:00 in the morning and walking for hours on end,” said Holbrook in a USA Today article. “I was the champion of denial, and probably sicker than any of my patients.”

Holbrook’s case is one among the growing number of anorexic males in the U.S.

Anorexia nervosa is a dangerous psychological and physical disorder characterized by the relentless pursuit of thinness, according to casapalmera.com.

Although anorexia is usually associated with teenage girls, recent data shows a large increase in the number of diagnosed males.

The Harvard University Medical School conducted a research survey in February 2007 that indicated 25 percent of adults with eating disorders are men, according to anred.com, a site funded by Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, Inc.

Research indicates that there is little difference between male and female symptoms. According to caringonline.com, both sexes suffer similar rates of anxiety, depression, phobias, panic disorder and dependence on alcohol.

However, the increase in male numbers appears to be more than coincidental. According to Maleanorexia.net points to perfectionism as the leading cause of anorexia for men.

According to the site, perfectionism leads to the desire to be right, accepted, and in control – all of which can be the primary causes of male anorexia. Male anorexics actually desire to reach perfection and have the erroneous belief that being thin, or perfect, will lead to happiness.

Regardless of the cause or a person’s gender, anorexia has many detrimental effects on the body.

According to pubmed.gov, anorexia puts a particular strain on the structure and function of the heart and cardiovascular system.

More specifically, the site says people with anorexia typically have a disturbed electrolyte balance, low levels of phosphate, muscle weakness and immune dysfunction. Osteoporosis can also develop as a result of anorexia in 38-50 percent of cases, as poor nutrition leads to the retarded growth of essential bone structure and low bone mineral density.

Besides this, caringonline.com describes the specific dangers of male anorexia. According to the site, it’s more dangerous for men to develop anorexia than for women because when males get down to the lowest weight ranges, they’ve lost more muscle and tissue as opposed to fat, which is something you can lose for a period of time without repercussions.

If left untreated, many cases of anorexia can be fatal. However, maleanorexia.net encourages people to get proper treatment to correct physical and psychological problems resulting from the illness.

If you or a loved one is suffering from anorexia, there is help available locally and across the country. Consult caringonline.com’s list of eating disorder treatment centers and clinics in your area, or call a list of hotline numbers provided on awarefoundation.org.

Peace. It’s the main objective for the United States Peace Corps and the foremost incentive for a program that declares it’s motto as, “the toughest job you’ll ever love.”

Today more than ever, young adults, primarily fresh college graduates, pass on the opportunity to start their professional career and dive into a world of volunteering with The Peace Corps. “I have developed this inexplicable passion for helping those in need from my activities here at JCU, and the only thing I can see in my future right now is continuing that after graduation,” said John Carroll University sophomore Samantha Cocco.

For others, the reason for choosing this route stems from the need to stay active. “I told myself that I’m never going to work in a cubicle,” said JCU sophomore Matt Wooters. Wooters is just one student planning to join a similar, unaffiliated government organization called the Jesuit Volunteer Corps after graduation.

Since its’ birth in 1961, The U.S. Peace Corps organization has sought to recruit people who are adamant about helping others and promoting cultural awareness in low-income countries.

Recently, the program has taken interest in focusing on the AIDS/HIV epidemic in Africa and the Caribbean as well as information technology. According to www.peacecorps.gov, with a volunteer population of almost 7,800 people, the Corps disperses those willing to help over 139 countries world-wide.

For those who believe The Corps is a potential experience to pursue, the perks can be both emotionally and financially rewarding.

The majority of the 27-month tour allows one to assist people living in impoverished areas of the world. “I would love to spend my time in The Peace Corps abroad, especially in Africa. My heart lies, for whatever reason, in Africa, and I would love nothing more than to spend a year or two there, immersed in the culture and intense poverty I expect to face,” said Cocco.

According to the Web site, depending on an individual’s educational background and area of study, The Peace Corps places people in certain positions to address issues in agriculture, business, education, the environment and health.

Furthermore, for every year spent in the corps, 15 percent of any outstanding loan payment is cancelled. The organization also assists those pursuing graduate school studies.

But just as the motto says, the Peace Corps is not for the weak of heart. As Wooters explained, volunteers are usually placed in remote villages by themselves and are given a stipend that reflects what a normal citizen of that area subsists off of. Conditions can be not only dangerous, but life–threatening as well.

Although volunteers become well aquainted with this possibility, many understand and accept the potential obstacles.

As Cocco explained,“I expect this experience to be very difficult for me but very valuable. I have thought lately about looking for a career with The Peace Corps. I cannot see myself in an ordinary profession, settling down as a lawyer or even a social worker somewhere in the US.”

The Corps also stresses the importance of staying where everyone is stationed, rather than making visits home. For those who have strong family ties, leaving the U.S. for an extended period of time may raise concerns. “I think my biggest fear is just fear of the unknown and being away from family for so long that you miss the big things,” stated Wooters.

However, there are alternatives. If a two-year stay in a foreign country alone doesn’t sound enticing, a similar organization called The Jesuit Volunteer Corps offers much of the same benefits and experiences as The Peace Corps but on a smaller scale.

Wooters, who plans to join this corps, explained that his reason for picking the organization stems from his ties to the Jesuit community and the strong emphasis that JVC places on the Ignatian tradition, faith and spirituality.

According to www.jesuitvolunteers.org, “JVC is more than just a job. Social justice, imple life-style, community and spirituality: these values provide the cornerstone for living out a commitment to faith and justice.”

As Wooters said, “I chose the Jesuit program because it has a foundation that I believe will impact me. They say that when you’re apart of the JVC, that you’re ‘ruined for life’ because once you’re a part of it, you’re going to have the mind set of wanting to help people all the time.”

The program, which started its roots in 1956, places volunteers in the U.S. as well as outside the country with other volunteers for a year of hard work and dedication. JVC recruits people over 21 years of age and offers two weeks of vacation time plus holidays for those serving.

Regardless of which program one may have interest in, both organizations offer experiences committed to helping those in need. “I think it’s amazing and everyone should do it at one point. We live in the United States where you can get anything you want. People need to have that experience,” said Wooters.

Because both organizations offer raw experiences of poverty, those pursuing a position have little to prepare themselves with. As Wooters explained, sometimes just diving in is the best way get the true experience of the program.

“My expectations are to have no expectations. Nothing can prepare someone for this. I’ve been to the Dominican Republic and Haiti to help me get an idea of what this is going to be like. But this, I think, will be so much more different. I just hope it’s life changing.”

“Sleeping is one of my favorite things to do,” said sophomore Jessica Bader. “My bed is so comforting, and I love the feeling of being able to sleep in.”

It is clear that college students value and need sleep, but according to dailyfreepress.com, studies from the Sleep Foundation of America show that college students are the leading group of people not getting enough of it. One of the major causes of students’ sleepless nights is insomnia.

Insomnia is the inability to fall asleep or remain asleep. It can be either acute, lasting one to several nights, or chronic, lasting months to years. The studies found that adults ages 18-29 are the most likely to experience and perpetuate insomnia.

According to sleepfoundation.org, half of American insomniacs report “stress or worrying” as the primary reason.

However, there are several causes, some explainable and others not, that are particularly relevant to college students.

According to John Carroll University psychology professor Nicholas R. Santilli, insomnia is often a result of how students treat their bodies. “A good bit of insomnia is related to how much exercise you get,” Santilli said. “Consuming energy drinks, caffeine and alcohol can also disrupt sleep.”

According to the National Sleep Foundation, taking over-the-counter or prescription drugs, such as pain relievers or even birth control pills, can contribute to problems with insomnia.

Santilli also commented on how health issues relate to sleeplessness. “Some disruption in sleep can be related to illnesses, such as the cold or the flu, which cause changes in your body.”

Perhaps the largest cause to students’ insomnia is their irregular sleeping habits, something typical of the college environment. “The hours of sleep I get per night vary a lot,” said sophomore Stephen Kam. “Sometimes I’ll get 10 hours, other times only five or six. I do a lot of napping during the afternoon before I go out for the night, and sometimes I’ll wake up really early to do schoolwork.”

Insomnia has many adverse effects on students and their academic and social performance. It is not uncommon to hear students complain about being tired or not getting enough sleep.

“Paying attention in class, staying involved with my sorority and fulfilling my Resident Assistant obligations are much harder if I get a poor night’s sleep,” said junior Missy Kocab.

Although many students experience insomnia, it is not incurable. There are several ways to combat restless nights. According to the University of Cambridge Counseling Service, one of the best ways to cure the problem is to change your environment. Students need to maintain a clean sleeping space, with proper lighting and temperature.

Eliminating as much noise as possible will also help control the problem.
Students may also need to change their lifestyle in order to get healthy, restful sleep. “Any changes in one’s eating habits or social and work practices can disrupt sleep,” said Santilli. “Trying to get on a schedule and developing a regular sleeping routine can eliminate bouts of sleeplessness.”

Since stress seems to be a part of many insomnia cases, students are advised to develop forms of relaxation to alleviate tension or worries. Examples of this are playing non-competitive games or practicing breathing exercises before trying to sleep.

Santilli feels that managing stress is the key. “Some people respond to stress by sleeping too much and others not enough. Students need to recognize the more stressful parts of the semester in order to control sleep problems.”