Hail to the Chief

Katie Powers, the editor-in-chief of The Santa Clara, reflects on her first quarter running Santa Clara University's student newspaper in an interview with Managing Editor Sophie Asmar.

Omaha for Obama

This is a big election for Nebraskans.

For the first time since 1964, we might have one electoral vote going to the Democratic candidate. Since Nebraska, being the crazy/great state that it is, it splits its electoral votes by congressional district, so not all 5 will go the overall winner in the state. Obama has the lead in the second congressional district, where Omaha is. This is a big deal for everyone, considering if you are a Democrat in Nebraska the feeling is you might as well just give up, all the time.

I voted absentee, hoping this may be possible. I can't wait.

Obama actually campaigned in Omaha. And that's what I love. Many other presidential candidates skip Nebraska. In fact, Clinton had never even BEEN to Nebraska until his last year in presidency. (My grandmother took me out of school to see him at the Air Force Base, it was great). But skipping places in the Midwest because 'they are Red States' perpetuates regionalism and snotty divisions in our country. And it's just plain wrong. There are many Democrats in Omaha, and now, we are proving it.

We all know Obama is going to be the next president. It inspires hope and patriotism around the country. But for us liberal Nebraskans, it also inspires the hope for local political diversity.

Barack Obama

I am proud to be an American tonight.

Really, B?

Before I get onto representations of women in the media from a historical perspective, have you seen Beyonce's new music video? I used to think of her as an empowerer, jelly and all, someone "who wouldn't dis you on the internet." But this put a ring on it is a little anti-feminist? No?

She's just bragging because she's marry Jay-Z I guess.

I'm skeptical, B.

"Blog it Out"

Touching on Nicole's last blog, I just arrived in the library. Or moonbase, as I like to call it.

I'm about to transcend into the mindset of a historian, writing my introduction pages to my historical writing paper. So to warm up in the most opposite fashion, I started with a blog about college life.

One of the biggest components of college life is stress management, or so I've realized. I  just got off the phone with my best friend from American University, and she too is experiencing some major stress-filled battles. It's like, senior year should be fun? That or the scariest time of your life?

No that is exaggerating. I guess when it's May and I am unsure what I'll be doing in September is the scariest part...But really. We manage so many full-time roles. Student. Editor. Job applicant. Trying to have a personal life. I dunno.

By the way, the loose leaf coffee in the library is $2.00. Steep. Yikes. I forgot to mention one of the roles of the college student is frugal budget manager.

Uhhh...onto Soviet women.

Library - 12:57 AM

You know when you watch a movie and there's that scene at the beginning when the main character is walking down the streets of New York City and the whole world is zooming around them?

That's how I feel right now sitting in the library. I've been in the same seat for hours, and the people have changed, the murmur of the room has quieted and the sky has turned dark.

But I'm still here.

First Blog

Is this going to work?

I used to be a paid blogger. Just putting it out there.

Welcome to mah worlllld!

What kind of car could your tuition buy you?

Could the economy be affecting students' choice in college? Seems like it. According to an article by neighbor school San Jose State's newspaper, the California State University system has already received approx. 50,000 applications thus far, a 21% increase from last year. According to the CSU website, in-state tuition for SJSU, including all fees, room & boards, books, etc. is roughly $20,000, while the cost to attend Santa Clara University is roughly $50,000.

Update with Santa Clara application numbers to follow soon...

Ivy Leagues Debate ROTC Program

After Barack Obama and John McCain spoke at Columbia University in September, controversy regarding bringing the ROTC program back onto Ivy League has been at the forefront of students' minds.

Both candidates criticized the universities for banning ROTC programs on-campus, which is partly in reaction to the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. This article, published in Dartmouth's student newspaper, provides a pretty good explanation of the situation.

Sure, I can do that too...

I'm going to be honest - I'm blogging in class.

But I'm also listening to a great lecture, taking notes, texting with my friend, reading about the economy on CNN.com and... yes, I'm also checking Facebook.

There are about twenty students in my class, and at least a third of them have their laptops open and are attempting the same multitasking routine as myself. Yes, our ability to click between screens is amazing, but are our non-plugged-in classmates learning more than us?

Who knows. But I was inspired to google "college students" and "multitasking", and ran across an article published in TIME magazine in 2006. Pretty interesting, especially this statistic:

Today 82% of kids are online by the seventh grade, according to the Pew Internet and American Life Project. And what they love about the computer, of course, is that it offers the radio/CD thing and so much more--games, movies, e-mail, IM, Google, MySpace. The big finding of a 2005 survey of Americans ages 8 to 18 by the Kaiser Family Foundation, co-authored by Roberts, is not that kids were spending a larger chunk of time using electronic media--that was holding steady at 6.5 hours a day (could it possibly get any bigger?)--but that they were packing more media exposure into that time: 8.5 hours' worth, thanks to "media multitasking"

I rarely even sleep 6.5 hours a day.

New reporting crew

It's a new year with a new team of Streetbeat Reporters ready to start blogging. Introducing...

Sophie Asmar: Back in action after blogging last spring. She's interested in profiles of photographers.

Katie Powers: New to the team. She's from Omaha. She's interested in personal essays and interviewing seniors. She's concerned about finding a job in journalism.

College Reporters goes on vacation

With the academic year coming to a close at SCU, it's time for the College Reporter's crew of bloggers to head home for the summer. Thanks for all your hard work and engaging writing this year.

Saying Goodbye

My range of emotions in the past week have been out of control. I'm graduating college in six days. I've woken up crying, I've had moments of panic, and I've had evenings of pure celebration. I'm excited, I'm sad, I'm nervous, and I'm thrilled about leaving the world of Santa Clara. Everyone seems to be handling this time in our lives differently. Change is accepted by people in a variety of ways. My one roommate has spent the past week scrap-booking, reflecting on photos from our four years and packing up the pieces of her life that has made her college room. Another roomie has chosen to go out almost every night and catch her last drinks at our favorite local watering holes. I am currently receiving daily phone calls from my dad, "eight more days"...."seven more days"...I don't want to be reminded. He called today and said my name "Marjorie McLeod McAteer" like a graduation speaker while humming "Pomp and Circumstance" . I tried on my cap and gown yesterday and while I look ridiculous it was bittersweet to see myself ready for the stage. I can't believe I made it. What an amazing experience. Its hard to believe that Saturday my career as a student here at SCU will come to an end. These four years went by in a blink but I know I will remember them all forever. Thanks for everything!

-Maggie

Pat Semansky, photographer extraordinaire

Pat Semansky is a former photo editor of Santa Clara University's undergrad newspaper The Santa Clara. He was such a wonderful part of the paper, took on so much responsibility and went out of his way to make sure the paper ran smoothly, the staff moonlighting award is now named after him.

Since he graduated in 2006, he has spent his days in New Orleans shooting for the likes of the Associated Press and doing who knows what else. I admire his talent and ambition.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures of his:

Besides the fact that this boy is adorable, which always adds to a picture, his expression captures the moment. He's watching the New Orleans Mardi Gras parade with such wonder and awe. The angle of the barrier and the blurry background draw the eye straight to the little boy's face. The boy is obviously the focus with only an out-of-focus float, scattered beads on the floor and in his hands to give the photo some context.

Kat Ryalls and Lindsey Ott are the two volunteers in this school buidling damaged by Hurricane Katrina. The light coming through the broken roof gives this photo an eerie feel. You really get a sense of the ruins left behind in New Orleans in the dingy colors. Again the angle of the walls and the shadows draws the eye to the girls' corner, along with the brilliant white face masks among the dirt and ruins.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the hope of renewal eventually came from help from the nation. The stark contrast between the strength of the nation in the symbolism of the flag burried in the the grime and rubble is powerful. The contrasting light and dark areas add to the dramatic aspect of the photo.

This is an example of capturing an exact moment, which makes for the best sports photos. The cornerback's hand is still in a fist inches away from the jersey he was just clasping. As the tailback sticks his hand out in the opponents' face and gets away, his jersey still hangs where it was being tugged. It takes a lot of talent and luck to get such a perfect moment -- with the players even facing the camera.

For more great shots and to see where else Pat's work has been, check out his Web site: http://www.patsemansky.com/

- Sophie Asmar

(Photos taken from http://www.patsemansky.com/.)

Megz & Drue!

My roommate Meghan (a.k.a. Megz) took her boyfriend, Drue, to the Delta Gamma Senior Banquet dance last Friday. Prior to their departure, Alexa, James, and I took priceless photos of the couple outside of Sobrato in front of the fountain. Then, a luxurious party bus took the couples to the Hilton Hotel in San Jose, which is where the dance took place. Megz and Drue had a wonderful time dancing the night away. Meghan was impressed with Drue's dance skills, especially since he previously told her he couldn't dance. She also said she enjoyed the music and appreciated the oldies songs that the DJ played, such as "Footloose". Megz and Drue had a truly memorable night!
-Karina Grobelny

Wierdest College News Articles Part V

• College bans hat throwing at Graduation
• Bush commencement speech & chest thump
• Cincinnati water sprayer strikes
• Northwestern's pickiness on commencement speakers
• A college student's worst fear: cursive handwriting
• Wake Forest gets rid of SAT/ACT admission requirements

Another week, enjoy!

-Collier King

Mixed Emotions

Over the last week I have been thinking a lot about the end of my Freshmen year here at Santa Clara University and to be perfectly honest I have mixed feelings about leaving for Summer vacation. Don't get me wrong, I am extremely excited to head back to my hometown of Albany, NY in another week and a half. I look forward to seeing my family and my old friends. I also am excited about my two Summer jobs; as I will be working for the the Ayco Company, one of the nation's leading providers of comprehensive financial counseling and education services, and for the New York Giants as well. However, I can't help but feel saddened and dismayed about not seeing my new friends for about three months. Over the course of the school year I definitely feel like I made some real lifelong friends this past year and it will be hard not to see them for such a long period of time. To help solve this problem I will hopefully be going to visit my friend Alexa, who is coming to New York City twice this Summer. Also, my friend Pat will hopefully be coming up for two Dave Matthews Band Concerts as well. I wish I could visit all of my friends at least once this Summer, but it is unlikely because of everyone's busy schedules and the lack of flexibility I will have from the Giants when they arrive in the middle of July. I wish everyone a wonderful Summer vacation, and I cannot wait to see everyone again in the Fall.
-Ryan Kutey

Madden 2009 Player and Team Ratings

Every year EA Sports will allow various Madden websites to play the game before it comes out. This year, the screenshots of some Madden 09 ratings have been leaked extremely early. Keep in mind that these are very early ratings, and it is very possible that they will change before release. With that said, here are the team ratings:

Patriots 97
Cowboys 96
Chargers 95
Colts 95
Giants 94
Steelers 94
Jaguars 93
Packers 91
Eagles 91
Bucs 91
Vikings 90
Browns 88
Redskins 88
Seahawks 87
Saints 87
Panthers 86
Broncos 84
Titans 84
Bills 82
Ravens 81
Bengals 80
Bears 80
Cardinals 78
Texans 78
Lions 78
Rams 77
Jets 76
49ers 72
Chiefs 71
Raiders 71
Falcons 67
Dolphins 67

As for player ratings, in this post I will discuss the only team that I actually care about- the Oakland Raiders. Some key player ratings for the Raiders are:

Offense
QB- Russell 84
HB- McFadden 85 (According to the guy who posted the screenshots, McFadden has 97 Spd, 96 Agi, 99 Acc)
WR- Walker 87

Defense
LE- Burgess 92
DT- Kelly 91
MLB- Morrison 92
OLB- Howard 91
CB- Asomugha 96
CB- Hall 93
SS- Wilson 85
FS- Huff 84

If you are unfortunate enough to be the fan of another team, you will have to search for your team's players on your own. Heres the link:

http://www.pastapadre.com/2645/madden-09-player-and-team-ratings?nggpage=2

Coast Swapping at SCU

I recently conducted an interview with an east coast transplant at Santa Clara, Ben Seidenstein. Ben hails from Greenwich in Connecticut, near New York City. Ben explained that he chose SCU for the small class sizes as well as the prestige the university has attained throughout the state of California. These reasons were important for me also, in choosing SCU for college. As a student from out of state myself, I wondered whether or not Ben shared some of my views and opinions about moving to and living in the Golden State. When I asked him about what he misses most about leaving home, Ben explained that among other things, hanging out with his high school friends and having his own car topped the list. I can attest that I really wish I had a car here as well and it is kind of tough not seeing your old buddies. Ben also mentioned missing his trips and weekends in New York City and Long Island Sound. While a student at SCU, Ben has travelled to San Francisco on multiple occasions as well as parts of Southern California and Arizona. Ben mentioned his desire to explore more of the Bay Area and California and hopes to do more of this throughout the next three years at Santa Clara. When I asked Ben about his favorite part of living on the West Coast, he told me that the weather and the laid back atmosphere was it. I asked Ben what the hardest part adjusting to California culture was for him. Aside from missing parts about home and having to put up with the word “hella,” Ben said that communicating with his friends and parents on the East Coast through the time difference has been the hardest part about living in CA. On his favorite parts about living in Santa Clara, Ben said that he really enjoys visiting Santa Cruz as well as watching the great division one sports Santa Clara offers like baseball and basketball. Ben plans to travel during the summer and is anticipating a great sophomore year when he returns.
-Collier King

From New York Style Pizza To In'n Out

I interviewed our very own RYAN "DA KUTEJ" KUTEY! He's originally from New York from a small up state New York Town near Albany (I actually forgot what its called; hope u dont get angry Kutey!). I sat down with Ryan recently to talk to him about the struggle and life of living in CA, while being from out of state. I asked him what the troubles of living so far from home were. He told me that being away from home was the hardest when he missed his family because they were all the way on the east coast. That makes a lot of sense because i am from the area, and every time i want to go home i can just hop in my car and see my family. You have to be strong to do what Ryan is doing. He also added that if he wanted to go home he would be have to take a long flight home lose three hours and sleep in order to get rid of the jet lag. He essentially would lose a day. So if he went home for a weekend he would be home friday night sleep have saturday night and leave first thing sunday in order to get here for classes on on monday. On topo of that Ryan is a huge sports fan and being a New York Giants Football fan has been a struggle living so close to the bay where he is consistently harassed by the weak niners fans and the vicious passionate Raiders fans. Our interview was interrupted by a friend, but Kutey was able to explain how difficult it was to live so far from home. I think he is strong willed determine kid to be living so far away, but i also think it's an experience he is always going to carry with him . To be so far from home is a courageous act.

All the way from Nebraska

This week I interviewed my friend Justin Howard who is from Omaha, Nebraska. Justin is a freshman undeclared major here at SCU. I asked him about his adjustment to college life, and how he likes California. Justin told me that the adjustment was difficult for him. "It was hard being so far away from my family and dogs. Also, I hate it when people here at SCU keep saying 'soda'. Its called 'pop' darn it." says Justin. Regarding California, Justin said, "Being from a pretty rural state, I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of people in the Bay Area. The people in California seem much busier and go at a faster pace than people in Nebraska." Aside from the different names for soda, and the busy West Coast lifestyle, Justin thinks California is awsome.

From Arizona to SCU!

I interviewed my suite neighbor, James Spadafore, about his thoughts and feelings about being at a college away from home. James is a freshman (business major) from Phoenix, Arizona. He has enjoyed his first year here at Santa Clara University, and he feels that he has made the right college choice. Ever since his sophomore year in high school, James knew he wanted to attend SCU. One of his high school teachers was a SCU alum, therefore he informed James about how wonderful and beautiful SCU is. James then researched and even visited SCU only to find out that his teacher was not lying-- Santa Clara really is that great. James was finally able to attend Santa Clara in the fall of 2007, and his experiences have been memorable so far. James appreciates the warm California weather (with the exception of winter quarter) as well as the beautiful campus here at SCU, located in the Silicon Valley. He enjoys meeting new people, especially in his classes and around campus. James likes the small class sizes and the ability to be able to interact with his professors and establish relationships with them. He also stated that the ladies at SCU are pretty good-lookin’. During his free time, James enjoys stargazing and horseback riding. On the contrary, James misses his family and his cats. He especially misses his mom’s cooking, but he has gotten used to Benson food (Bacon chicken ranch burgers are an everyday meal for James.) He wishes he had his car on campus so he could cruise in his red convertible Stang’ around town. (However, he should probably stay away from vehicles due to the amount of speeding tickets he has received.) James will miss SCU this summer, and he is excited to return in the fall!

-Karina Grobelny