Collegian 4.4.2024

Michigan’s oldest college newspaper

Physics department, students plan solar eclipse outings

By Zachary Chen Collegian r eporter

As the solar eclipse approaches on April 8, several groups of Hillsdale students plan to visit the path of totality in Ohio, including a group led by Associate Professor of Physics Michael Tripepi. Hillsdale County should witness a maximum solar coverage of 98.6% around 3:11 p.m., according to NASA’s Eclipse Explorer tool. While 98.6% is a high percentage, scientists in a recent NPR article said seeing the complete eclipse is much more impressive than even a 99% partial eclipse.

Sophomore physics major Paige Lettow said Tripepi’s group will drive to a viewing location two to four hours away, though the destination is not yet finalized.

“It’ll all depend on the weather,” Lettow said. “Wherever the weather’s nice, we’ll go.”

Lettow said she looked forward to seeing the upcoming eclipse now that she has more experience in physics.

“The last solar eclipse was in 2017, and I saw that one,” Lettow said. “We were in the path of totality then as well, but I’m really excited to see it again now, having more astronomy and more of a physics background.”

Hillsdale physics students will gather solar data during the eclipse with a radio telescope called DLITE Ohio, which Hillsdale physics students built in Montville, Ohio.

“Before, during, and after the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, DLITE Ohio will be used to observe how the ionosphere reacts to the sudden removal of radiation from the sun,” according to Force Courier, a newsletter of the Hillsdale physics department.

Lettow, who has visited Montville twice to help construct DLITE Ohio, said she is looking forward to seeing the rewards of the department’s telescope construction with data on the sun’s corona and the earth’s ionosphere.

“When there’s a solar eclipse, it’s the best opportunity we have to study the ionosphere because it’s affected by the sun,” Lettow said. “You can make artificial eclipses to study the ionosphere, but a real solar eclipse is an amazing opportunity that you rarely have, so we’re taking advantage of how close we are.”

Other Hillsdale students will also make trips to witness the eclipse in Ohio. Sophomore Helen Rogers said she plans to drive to Cleveland with four friends to watch it.

Alumnus to join Yale Law School faculty

By Thomas McKenna SportS editor

Garrett West ’15 will join the Yale Law School faculty as an associate professor of law starting July 1.

“Many of us say that Garrett West is one of the best students we have seen, a high standard,” said College President Larry Arnn. “He is a fine young man in character and intellect. We are very proud of him. His brothers are pretty smart too.”

West received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from

Hillsdale before graduating from Yale Law School in 2018. “The college taught me how to read, write, and think, and it is where I first experienced the intellectual life,” West told The Collegian in an email. “I am grateful to the many friends and mentors who helped me along the way.”

really meaningful conversations. We’ve taken a lot of the same professors because we’re in the same major.”

Lee Cole, chairman and associate professor of philosophy, said West was a freshman during his first year teaching at Hillsdale. West took six courses with Cole and wrote his thesis under the professor’s direction.

“It’s quite an accomplishment, and it’s a feather in the cap of the college — though Yale is also lucky to have him,” Cole said. “Garrett is tremendously gifted, insightful, and hard-working, and I know that his future students will benefit greatly from his pedagogy.”

Cole said he appreciated West’s sense of humor and that he kept his academic pursuits in perspective.

“To be honest, he told a number of jokes that I would grade as ‘barely passing,’” Cole said. “Presumably he’s made strides in this area since graduating.”

Garrett is the oldest of four West children who all chose to attend Hillsdale, according to junior Anna West. His sister, the youngest in the family, said three of the four — Garrett, Gill, and herself — chose to major in philosophy.

“It’s really nice to share the experience of Hillsdale,” West said. “It’s formed the way we think and allowed us to have

After two clerkships with federal judges, West clerked for Associate Justice Samuel Alito of the U.S. Supreme Court. He is now an associate of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, where he works for the Supreme Court & Appellate Litigation Group in Washington, D.C. He said his teaching subject has not yet been decided.

Hillsdale in DC begins construction project

By Jillian Parks dC CorreSpondent

An 18-month-long construction project has begun at Hillsdale in D.C. to keep up with the growth of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government.

Professor of Philosophy and Religion Nathan Schlueter, the director of Hillsdale’s pre-law program, had West as a student in his Social and Political Philosophy class.

“I am very proud of Garrett,” Schlueter said. “He exemplifies the best of a Hillsdale education, and shows that one does not have to be loud or sacrifice the love of truth in order to reach high positions of influence and that there is no substitute for excellence, probity, and care in one’s work.”

Current operations and elements of the school’s Washington-Hillsdale Internship Program have been temporarily relocated to a nearby office space and townhouses. Renovations are scheduled to be finished in the fall of 2025.

so than it is now, a beacon of Hillsdale’s teaching mission for undergraduate and graduate students and friends and alumni in the nation’s capital.”

“It’s exciting,” said Matthew Spalding, dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government. “We need more space as we are growing. These renovations will make the D.C. campus, even more

The concept of expansion has been in the works since Hillsdale came into possession of multiple buildings near the Kirby building on the Hillsdale in D.C. campus as early as 2019.

The plans include annexing the building next door to the Kirby Center for more faculty and staff offices, seminar spaces and classrooms, and public gathering areas for conferences and speakers. There will also be more student housing on the same street.

“The purpose is to integrate the Kirby Center and the Van Andel School of Government, with all our programs and fellowships, into a campus that is architecturally beautiful and very much a permanent Hillsdale presence in Washington, D.C.,” Spalding said.

To accommodate the project, faculty, staff, and students have vacated the Kirby Center. Many faculty and staff members collaborated in cataloging, packing, and storing the D.C. campus’ large library, alongside moving all of the offices, furniture, and artwork to the new, temporary work spaces.

“A huge logistical part of the planning was making sure that we were able to do this without stopping any programs,” Executive Director of Washington Operations Andrew Heim said. “The students have been wonderful and understanding as well as the staff, putting in extra hours and really coming together as a team to make all this happen. So that’s been wonderful to see.”

In addition to its functional purpose of gaining space, the project will also involve a number of architectural and decor changes.

Student sponsor saved from Haiti amid gang crisis

By Maddy Welsh Senior e ditor

A columnist with a connection to Hillsdale College was rescued from Haiti March 12 amid the country’s recent political tumult.

Mitch Albom of the Detroit Free Press is director of the Have Faith Haiti Mission, a nonprofit that runs an orphanage in the capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince. Two Hillsdale freshmen — Widley Montrevil and Jean Veillard — lived in the orphanage as children before coming to America. Albom helped them make the move to America and begin their studies at Hillsdale. “He is one of the most inspiring people I have ever met, and I continue to see that every time I see him in Detroit,” Montrevil said. “In many ways, I would consider him and his wife to be my parents, but they are my guardians while I am here in America.” Albom had traveled to Port-au-Prince in early March for his monthly visit to the orphanage which he has run since a massive earthquake in 2010. “Our place is an oasis for children who have been orphaned, abandoned, lost or given over by relatives due to sickness, homelessness or extreme poverty,” Albom wrote in a March 17 article. “We have clean dormitories, a three-story school, a playing field, medical care, and a large, working kitchen. I visit every month to

oversee the operations.”

Not long after his arrival, the Haitian government declared a state of emergency because of a gang-orchestrated mass prison break in Port-au-Prince and another in nearby Croix de Bouquets. Widespread violence followed, including a gang takeover of Toussaint Louverture Airport, the main international airport in Port-Au-Prince. “Our children do their nightly devotions in a small gazebo. This month, they sang their prayers with gunfire in the background,” Albom wrote.

The U.S. embassy in Haiti was unable to help Albom and his group flee. Through a connection of one of the eight guests Albom and his wife had brought to the orphanage for that month’s visit, U.S. Rep. Cory Mills privately arranged a helicopter evacuation for Albom, his wife, and their guests. After departing from a secret location in the middle of the night, the group made it safely to Michigan on March 13.

“For the 10 of us, there was an uplifting conclusion, a brave and fortunate escape,” Albom wrote. “For the children and staff at our orphanage — and for the millions of innocent Haitians throughout the country — there is no happy finish. They are without safe shelter, starving, without water, without fuel, without medicine, praying for someone to save them.”

Garrett West ’15 graduated from Yale Law School in 2018. e rik t eder | Collegi A n

Smith promotes new book, speaks on Protestant roots in the US

By Tayte Christensen Collegian RepoRteR

America is a Protestant nation at its core, Assistant Professor of History Miles Smith IV said in a speech March 28.

Smith’s speech, sponsored by the history department, promoted his new book, “Religion and Republic: Christian America From the Founding To the Civil War,” and was hosted in the Formal Lounge.

“There are so many conversations that happen about politics and history these days without either side defining what each is,” he said. “I hope to highlight why this conversation is an important one to have.”

While the Christian principles America is founded on have historically been Protestant, today they are blended with ideas of nationalism, Smith said.

“From 1789-1861, the U.S. was a Christian nation of a sort,” he said. “Now, Christi-

anity and nationalism have seemed to mix, for better or for worse.”

The beginning of Donald Trump’s presidency brought about a new change in evangelical America, with the discussion of Christian nationalism being at the forefront, according to Smith. “There’s even more confusion about the relationship between religion and civil order today than in 2016, even,” he said.

Smith said the term “Christian nationalism” has begun to be thrown around more often and has led to overuse of the term without defining it.

“It has essentially become a meaningless term,” he said.

“One side names everything they dislike as ‘Christian nationalist,’ while the other side names everything they do like as ‘Christian nationalist.’”

The overuse of this term has led to cultural confusion about America’s roots and founding principles, Smith said.

“Whatever meaning and whatever historical meaning it had in the founding republic, it’s essentially useless now,” he said.

Smith also said that while many believe America to be a Christian nation, it is not that. Instead, it is a nation founded by people who hold Christian beliefs, but that does not explicitly endorse a specific church.

“The federal union was never meant to inhibit religion, but it was not founded to support it, either,” he said.

America’s founders, who were mainly Protestant, wanted to use the principles of Christianity for the foundation of their nation without forcing those beliefs on their citizens, Smith said.

Professor of History Paul Moreno said Smith’s perspective on America’s founding principles are true regardless of one’s religious beliefs.

“He had it exactly right about the church and state

relationship,” he said. “Even though I’m Catholic, his point that the country is fundamentally, at the founding, a Protestant country, and these are Protestant principles, is right.”

Senior Addy Longenecker attended the speech and said she appreciated Smith’s views on the history of Christian principles in America.

“I think it’s a really insightful look at what we are as a Christian nation and what that meant historically and the effects of that today,” she said.

Smith’s book will be released on May 23 through the Davenant Institute, a nonprofit that seeks to “retrieve the riches of classical Protestantism to renew and build up the contemporary Church,” according to the organization’s website.

“Everyone should buy his book and have him sign it so that one day it’ll be really worth something,” Longenecker said. “Give it to your Republican grandma for Christmas. She’ll love it.”

DC from A1

“The architects have done a really wonderful job in keeping with that sort of traditional, classical style that we have at Hillsdale,” Heim said. “It’ll be a beautiful place to learn.”

The Kirby Center renovations will also create a new chapel that will be the first thing visitors see when they enter the building. Its official name is still in the final stages of approval.

Hillsdale secured funding for the chapel and the rest of the project before beginning to build.

“That is one of the great sort of fiscally responsible things about Hillsdale, as opposed to other institutions who are like, ‘Build it and the money will follow,’” Heim said. “It’s like, well, no, we have to make sure that that’s first. And that is part of why this has been in the works for years.”

The next two classes of WHIP will have to make slight adjustments compared to what has been customary in the past. But, according to Undergraduate Program Coordinator Mary Wheeler ’22, the character of WHIP will not change. “It’s not going to affect the housing or the programming,” Wheeler said. “I hear this from countless students, and I know this was the case for me, it was our most formative semester. So I honestly wish every Hillsdale student would do it just because of how much you grow professionally, of course, but also personally how your character develops.”

GOAL to partner with HCCF, host fifth annual Day of Service

By Lauren Bixler Collegian Repo R te R

Students will clean yards, paint a mural, and pack miscarriage kits with local residents as the GOAL Program hosts the fifth annual Day of Service on Saturday, April 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

“The Day of Service is an incredible opportunity for the college and the wider Hillsdale community to unite in celebrating our community through serving the needs of our community members and beautifying our town,” said senior and GOAL Program Director Mary Ann Powers.

GOAL will partner with The Hillsdale County Community Foundation for the event.

“On the organizational side of things, we have partnered with HCCF before but never like this year,” GOAL Program Coordinator and junior Mark Den Hollander said. “This year HCCF is fully funding the entire costsof all of the Day of Service, which we’re really thankful for.”

In addition to HCCF’s financial support, Den Hollander said the nonprofit plans to bring new people into the event who haven’t been involved in the past.

“Ultimately, they are helping this to be a community event and not just a Hillsdale College event,” he said.

Since the scope of the project is expanded with additional funding and volunteer support from HCCF, the Day of Service offers many service opportunities for students and community members.

“We have gathered about 30 different service projects to complete this year and we are hoping to recruit about 500 volunteers,” Powers said. “Projects will include spring cleaning and painting King’s Kupboard Food Pantry, performing yard work for local community members, cleaning up Mrs. Stock’s Park, painting a mural on the side of the Hillsdale Brewing Co., and packing miscarriage kits.”

According to Powers, the day will begin at 9 a.m. in the Searle Center for volunteers to check in with their service teams. Coffee, donuts, and T-shirts will be available and at 9:30 a.m. the volunteer teams will disperse to their project sites for three hours to complete their respective service projects. After the projects are completed, volunteers will return to Searle for lunch.

“At 12:30 p.m. everyone will return to Searle for a celebratory lunch with pizza and sandwiches catered from several local favorites including Handmade, Filling Station, Main Street Pizza, Hungry Howie’s and Cottage Inn,” Powers said.

The GOAL Program will be tabling in the union this week to advertise the event, and any student can sign up to participate.

“At the college we have the wonderful privilege and opportunity to spend our time reading, discussing, and contemplating the good life,” Powers said. “The Day of Service and the GOAL volunteering programs ground us and remind us of our calling to not just read about the good life but live it by loving and serving our fellow man.”

Moyar offers guidance for students pursuing jobs in politics

By Francesca Cella Collegian FReelanCeR

Hillsdale students must be willing to venture into the ugly realm of politics, Chair of Military History Mark Moyar said in a lecture on Tuesday.

In a talk titled “Is a Job in Politics Right For You?” Moyar spoke from his experience as director of the Office of Civilian-Military Cooperation at the U.S. Agency for International Development in the Trump administration.

He also referenced his book “Masters of Corruption: How the Federal Bureaucracy Sabotaged the Trump Presidency,” which is scheduled for publication in May. While Moyar said the book is mostly about bureaucratic corruption and tyranny, it also holds lessons on political careers and how to choose them.

“Dr. Moyar gave practical advice about networking, how best to use your ‘Hillsdale cre-

Eclipse from A1

“We’ve had nebulous plans all semester,” Rogers said, “but it took a while to find a group of people who were willing to skip class on Monday and also to find someone with a car.”

Junior Henry Ahrabi said in an email that he has been looking forward to watching the eclipse with a large group of friends since the beginning of the fall semester. Ahrabi said his group plans to drive about an hour and a half to Ohio.

Though the trip will involve missing parts of their regular

dentials,’ and get your foot in the door in D.C.,” sophomore Maggie McGee said.

Moyar pointed out that while a job in politics normally refers to some sort of employment in the government, there are numerous political jobs with think tanks, lobbying firms, and political advocacy groups that should also be considered as politically interested students weigh job possibilities. Moyar mentioned non-partisan political employment opportunities, such as working in the military, as other options.

“One thing I had never thought about, which Dr. Moyar shed light on, is the best age to work at think tanks and other private institutions,” McGee said.

McGee mentioned the value of working in the political realm in one’s 20s and returning mid40s.

“The time away in your 30s allows you to climb the ladder and grow your skills so that

Monday schedules, Ahrabi said the rarity and beauty of total solar eclipses make the inconvenience more than worth it.

“A solar eclipse is supposedly visually amazing — ancient cultures usually explained it by something eating the sun — and this will probably be the only one I will ever have the chance to see,” Ahrabi said. “The chance to see one of the most dramatic natural phenomena on Earth at the slight cost of three hours in the car and missing a couple of classes is a bargain.”

you are ready to take on a higher position at the same group,” McGee said.

Moyar began his career in the business world, which he said was valuable because he was able to understand finance management and reshape his views of economics in politics. Moyar later worked for 15 years in the Defense Department.

“I was willing to put partisanship aside because America was at war,” Moyar said, “and I consider myself an American before a Republican.”

Sophomore Hinson Peed said he was happy to learn about nonpartisan political career options.

“It was surprising to me how he mentioned so many jobs that are apolitical and don’t have to do with partisan politics,” Peed said. “I was glad to hear that there are so many opportunities to do work and help the country without having to engage in circular debates.”

Moyar said he eventually

Montrevil is from PortAu-Prince and lived in the Have Faith Haiti Mission orphanage beginning at age 5 after his family lost everything in the 2010 earthquake. He said the current situation back home is proof that Haiti needs better government.

“If gang members are able to take control of the country like that, then it is obvious that our leaders have failed to deliver their promises,” he said.

Veillard is from Aux Cayes,

found that the challenges of partisan politics were a necessary sacrifice.

“I turned to partisanship,” Moyar said, “because of the recognition that partisans wield more power over the country.”

He cited partisan groups exercising their power in schools by teaching children that American history is racist and by funding abortion and gender-related surgeries.

Moyar pointed out the downsides of pursuing politics that might not be apparent.

“Students at Hillsdale have pursued the true, good and beautiful; political leaders often prove to be false, bad, and ugly,” Moyar said.

He also alerted students that politics immerses one in adulthood, even from the sheer number of rejection emails one is likely to get.

“Your Hillsdale pedigree will impress those you encounter,” Moyar said, “but don’t flaunt it or boast about it.”

Haiti, but lived in the orphanage in Port-au-Prince for most of his childhood.

“I think that it is awful what Haitians must go through,” he said. “People losing their jobs, leaving their homes — it’s terrible. But people still have hope that everything will cool down again.”

Montrevil said he has hope for Haiti. “Haiti needs someone, or group of people, to rise up and make changes,” he said. “I think of it like Dr. Franklin, my great books professor, talked about in one of his

He cautioned against “Hillsdale Exceptionalism” as a mentality that has a reputation in Washington, D.C., and deters students from success in the political realm.

“If you do go into partisan politics, I would recommend that you have a backup plan in your mind,” Moyar said.

He said the intention of the Founding Fathers was for politicians to spend a short amount of time in government. Spending too much time in the swamp can make people obsessed with politics, he said.

“Partisan politics often causes people to struggle to interact with people who have views opposed to their own,” Moyar said.

Although he said most politicians are corrupt, Moyar said he hopes Hillsdale students carry on the tradition of virtuous partisans like Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan.

“We should not and cannot leave governing to people of low character,” he said.

lectures: we need a version of Odysseus to come back home and drive the suitors out of the house.” He said Americans should know that other Haitians have hope, too.

“Yes, many are fearful, and that can’t be denied. But there is a good portion of people that continue to fight for their lives,” Montrevil said. “I’ve seen it myself in the past, and I believe that it is one of the hallmarks that describes Haitians — resilience.”

The drawing shows a rendering of the student chapel, which will be the first thing visitors see when they enter the Kirby Center. (See A1) Courtesy | Anne sC herer

Haiti from A1

Classics students win big at Eta Sigma Phi national convention

By Sophia Mandt CollEgiAn rEportEr

Six students placed in writing and translating competitions at a national classics competition in Pennsylvania last week.

Eta Sigma Phi is a national academic honors program for classics students. The annual convention for the honorary, held this year in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, celebrates the study of classics with student presentations, contests, and events including the Maurine Dallas Watkins Sight Translation Contests.

Professor of Classics Joseph Garnjobst said during his many years in the classics department, he can’t remember a time when Hillsdale students won this many awards.

“You never have that expectation because you don’t know the exam and you also don’t know how many other schools are going to compete,” Garnjobst said. “The point of these exams

is not really to win. It’s like a rock festival where you’re there to celebrate something, and we’re there to celebrate classics.”

In advanced Greek junior Jonah Murray tied for first, winning the Lawrence Crowson Prize. Freshman Zachary Chen received an honorable mention in advanced Greek, placed second in advanced Latin, and first in advanced Latin prose composition. Junior Jonathan Rolfe placed first in Koine Greek and advanced Latin. Sophomore Brian Curtin placed second in Koine Greek, freshman Viola Townsend placed third in intermediate Latin, and sophomore Isabella Krob placed third in advanced Latin prose composition.

This year, Hillsdale College also had two national officers for the honorary, Rolfe and sophomore Alexandria Laird. “As a national officer for Eta Sigma Phi, my main duty has been to go to the annual conference of the Society for Classical Studies in January,” Rolfe said.

“The national officers man the Eta Sigma Phi table, promoting the honorary to students and professors. This is really a perk of the job more than a responsibility.”

Rolfe said he has always loved the study of languages and how the knowledge of ancient languages allows for a deeper understanding of the language and literature itself.

“There are of course many worthy ancillary goals: producing translations, reading untranslated texts, learning about history, etc.,” Rolfe said. “But if the only point of language learning was to have access to more texts, then this would be a slow and laborious way to undo the happy sin of Babel.”

Rolfe said he encourages other students to study classics. “Even a little bit of dedicated study of Latin and Greek can bear a lot of fruit,” Rolfe said. “There’s almost no field that has such potential to open up other branches of knowledge, particu-

larly in the humanities.”

Garnjobst said he views the convention as a celebration of the scholarship that all the students are doing, rather than a game of us versus them.

“Classics as a field is in danger in a lot of places,” Garnjobst said.“This convention is a way of saying it ain’t dead yet.”

Chairman of Classics Carl Young said the college has been fortunate to have many talented students who are classics majors.

“We demand a lot from our students,” Young said. “We have very high expectations especially regarding language proficiency. We expect a lot, but we’re also prepared to give a lot in return. Our advanced courses tend to be small, and our faculty are generally willing to invest as much time in our students as the students are willing to give in return. So, I think our students know that we, the classics faculty, want them to succeed and we’re there to help them do so.”

Graduate student presents dissertation on CS Lewis, political theology

By Elizabeth Crawford AssistAnt Editor

Because the scientific revolution changed the definition of nature, C.S. Lewis believed the natural law does not necessarily follow from nature, according to Van Andel Graduate School of Statesmanship student Joshua Paladino.

Paladino presented his dissertation “The Political Theology of C.S. Lewis” on March 27 in Lane 124.

Paladino earned his undergraduate degree from Hillsdale in 2018. He was opinions editor for The Collegian during his senior year. He also serves on Hillsdale’s city council.

“Lewis has a whole section on the word ‘nature,’ and he talks about how in the medieval world the idea of nature was more of an all-encompassing word of the whole system of reality,” Paladino said. “So the supernatural and the natural would be part of this system of nature, but he says that in the modern world we’ve moved from this conception of nature.”

This new understanding of nature, according to Lewis, is nothing more than material reality, Paladino said.

Using quotes from Lewis’ book “Miracles,” Paladino asserted rational thought is outside the modern understanding of nature.

“Reason is coming from another plane to give us guidance about how to order this world of chaos,” Paladino said. “In a way, you could say that there is a law proper to nature but it doesn’t come from nature. God tells us how to use nature.”

When we think about political theology, we usually think of a radical reliance on the Scriptures, but Lewis never does this, according to Paladino. “His idea is that reason is the divine mind coming down to grace us with knowledge of morality,” Paladino said. “And it’s more than knowledge of morality. Reason is coming in for the laws of logic, the law of contradiction, the law of the excluded middle, geometry, algebra. All of the first perceptions that are necessary for the sciences to

even begin come from outside the realm of nature.” Paladino said, for Lewis, politics is about God revealing truth to human reason.

“Nature cannot give us values,” Paladino said. “We bring the values into it.”

Lewis always subordinates the preservation of the species — a tenet of the natural law — to the understanding that man is a certain type of creature, a creature that still is capable of friendship, freedom, dignity, and mercy.

“This is where you get the radical turn in Lewis’ thought,” Paladino said. “If we are not that type of creature, it is better that we not exist.”

Chair of the politics department and Paladino’s first dissertation reader John Grant introduced Paladino, praising the work he had done on his dissertation.

“Josh has this capacious knowledge of C.S. Lewis, more than any I’ve ever met,” Grant said.

Graduate student Josh Waechter said that Paladino’s

presentation was the best he had heard during his time at the graduate school.

“He did the difficult work of weaving together Lewis’ thoughts about a number of key political issues from across his public works and private letters,” Waechter said. “With this dissertation, Dr. Paladino has clearly established himself as the leading Lewis scholar to be in permanent residence on Hillsdale’s campus. I’m, of course, excepting our distinguished visiting professor, Dr. Michael Ward.” Waechter said that Paladino did a good job properly explaining political theology. “Put simply, political theology is a lot more sophisticated an idea than simply seeing what the Bible or a bunch of pastors say about human politics,” Waechter said. “I think a lot of online commentators on this subject — especially those keen to argue for or against Christian nationalism — could learn a lot from Lewis.”

College to host economics conference, panel discussions

By Michaela Estruth Assist A nt Ed itor

A Nobel Prize-winning economist will visit campus as the new Center for Commerce and Freedom holds its first annual conference Friday, April 5 in Plaster Auditorium with lunch and dinner in the Searle Center.

Vernon Smith won the Nobel Prize in economics in 2002 for his use of laboratory experiments in market analysis, according to his biography on the website of Chapman University, where he serves as a professor of economics and law. Smith will conclude the conference with his lecture on “Adam Smith’s Theory of Society.”

The conference will highlight the current challenges to free enterprise, according to Charles Steele, associate professor of economics and Detweiller chair of economics and business administration.

“Our opening panel will discuss ‘stakeholder capitalism,’ a movement that would redefine the purpose of the business enterprise, changing the objective from production of useful goods and services to one of top-down social engineering,” Steele said.

This conference is the beginning of a larger project in defense of economic freedom, according to Roger Butters, associate professor of economics.

“This is the first of many initiatives to promote the importance of freedom and the role of commerce in creating peaceful, free, and prosperous societies,” Butters said.

The conference panels are open to all Hillsdale and non-Hillsdale students as well as the general public, but registration for meals is required, Steele said.

Two other panels will address buying and selling a company and managing assets in reference to the modern political and regulatory business climate, according to Steele.

In addition to the evening dinner, the conference also features a lunch and presentation on “Artificial Intelligence, Commerce, and Liberty,” from John Seiffert, associate professor of computer science.

Steele said the conference will promote Hillsdale’s unique approach to business and economics.

“We understand that commerce is how free people provide for themselves and others,” Steele said. “That it is inextricably linked with liberty, and that it is important that all citizens understand and appreciate this if we are to remain a free, self-governing people.”

Hillsdale is unique in its stand for freedom in economics and business, according to Butters.

“Hillsdale is one of the last academic departments that explicitly argues for free people and free markets,” Butters said.

Steele said The 1792 Exchange, a nonprofit organization, is partnering with Hillsdale and sponsoring the event.

“The 1792 Exchange is a nonprofit organization founded by business men and women who are alarmed by the politicization of business, and especially the ‘woke’ turn and the push for things like stakeholderism, ESG metrics, and DEI policies,” Steele said.

“The 1792 Exchange thinks business firms should engage in commerce, not social engineering.” Steele said the ideas of the conference are applicable across majors and interests because they engage with questions involving man, society, and freedom.

“It is an opportunity to hear important ideas. Students who are not studying economics or business disciplines are especially welcome,” Steele said.

“It is vitally important to understand our economic system if one is to understand the nature of man and the nature of society.”

Sophomore Emily Schutte wins 24th annual Everett Oratory Competition

By Evalyn Homoelle sE nior rE port E r

When sophomore Emily Schutte saw the topic for the 24th annual Edward Everett Oratory Competition, she knew she had to enter. Her memorized presentation on “Foreign Policy, Free Speech, and Academic Freedom” earned her first place and a prize of $3,000 in a competition against four other finalists on March 5.

A past competitor in competitive high school speech and debate and the American Legion’s Oratorical Contest, Schutte said she heard of the oratory competition before coming to Hillsdale and first participated in her freshman year.

“I liked the topic a lot better this year,” she said. “It was definitely something that I felt more passionate about.”

Last year’s topic was “Is Social Media Good for Us?” and was won by current senior Caleb Sampson. Schutte advanced past the preliminary round on Feb. 16. Her prize included the cash award as well as a photo and signature of Edward Everett, the American politician and orator who is the competition’s namesake.

Everett served as a U.S. representative, senator, governor of Massachusetts, secretary of state, unitarian pastor, and president of Harvard University. He is best known for speaking directly before President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. The drafting, memorization, and presentation process for her speech was arduous and lengthy, Schutte said.

“I started writing my speech the week before coming back to campus for the spring semester,” she said.

Schutte said she split the manuscript up among notecards and memorized one at a time, combining them together until she mastered the entire speech. From there, she worked with Professor of Rhetoric and Public Address and Director of Forensics Kirstin Kiledal on creating a presentation strategy. “Dr. Kiledal gave me some really helpful tips on what to avoid, like facing away from the audience, how to position myself, and how to not overdo movements and hand gestures,” she said.

Kiledal coached the Everett competitors throughout the entire process.

“The students are a joy to

work with — it is lovely to get to know them as people as I assist them through drafting, coaching, and competing,” Kiledal said.

Schutte said support from her family helped her with the many hours of writing, editing, and preparation. One of them is Sarah Schutte ’18, who is an editor as well as podcast manager at National Review.

“My older sister is an editor and my mom has always helped me with my speeches,” she said, adding that her mom helped her incorporate stories of the Schutte’s family meetings into her thesis about free speech and academic freedom.

Although the topic spanned various levels of political philosophy and policy, Schutte said she tried to avoid writing a strictly political speech and instead sought to explain her thesis through anecdotes and personal experience.

“A lot of people really relate to family stories, patriotic stories, stories about real people and real things,” she said. “Narrative is a powerful way to persuade people because it’s a way of giving them a concrete example of how they can do it in their lives. That’s why I always sit down and start by looking for a story and I build my case around that story.”

In her speech, Schutte used the example of family meetings in her household to explain the impact of both words and nonverbal cues on free speech. “Fix your face!” was a common expression in the Schutte family and served as a reminder to welcome healthy, honest, and

uncensored communication, Schutte said, a fundamental principle that she argued must permeate America’s educational institutions and its relations with other countries.

Schutte’s story of her family’s household meetings and her mom’s phrase “Fix your face!” was especially effective, as she said several audience members told her they were going to adopt that phrase.

“That was really special because it’s just a family saying that we have, and it was special that it was impactful enough to stick with people,” she said.

The competition was judged by College President Larry Arnn, Chairman of Politics Department John Grant, and businessman and motivational speaker Don Tocco. The other finalists were seniors Victoria Kelly and Konrad Verbaarschott and sophomores Mattie Grace Watson and Patrick McDonald. Senior Jacob More was selected as the alternate finalist.

“We had a strong set of finalists this year,” Kiledal said. “Dr. Arrn, Dr. Grant, and Mr. Tocco were quite impressed with the entries as a whole.”

Schutte said presenting her speech for the judges and the audience was nerve-wracking, but that her passion for the topic and the support of her friends and family made it an enjoyable experience.

“What really helped me was when I looked out into the audience and saw my friends and my mom and my younger brother,” she said. “It just meant so much to look out into the audience and

see people who were rooting me

on. And the other contestants were just wonderful people and really encouraging. Konrad Verbaarschott even prayed for all of the competitors before we started.”

Verbaarschott won second prize, and said that although the competition was fierce, the support and camaraderie from his fellow finalists made the experience enjoyable.

“The experience of vying for the Everett prize was certainly intense, but not cutthroat,” he said. “Backstage, we all prayed together before each student gave their speech. You could feel that while each of us wanted to win, we also wanted to see our fellow competitors shine. It was an atmosphere of encouragement and excellence – what a blessing to be a part of something like that.”

Verbaarschott said Schutte’s personality and speaking style made her presentation stand out.

“Emily has a sweet, approachable style and she spoke from the heart about her family,” he said. “Dr. Arnn appreciated that, and I think that’s what he was looking to hear.”

Schutte said she was surprised when Arnn announced that she had won the competition.

“My first reaction was definitely shock, and then extreme gratitude because I never expected that,” she said. “It was an amazing experience and very rewarding. Especially because of how much time and work I put into it, it was just a huge win for me.”

Sophomore Emily Schutte presented a speech in response to the topic “Foreign Policy, Free Speech, and Academic Freedom” at the competition. Courtesy | Instagram

By Thomas McKenna SportS Editor

Apple knows it can’t compete with the flexibility, affordability, and other advantages of Android phones, so instead it makes me a social outcast.

The $3 trillion company thinks it can force me to buy an iPhone by encouraging my friends to exclude my Android phone from group chats. I won’t give in — and for reasons both practical and ethical — you shouldn’t either.

Start with the practical benefits. There are way more Android than Apple phones to choose from, and they tend to be less expensive. From Samsung to Google to OnePlus to Asus, a range of Android brands provide a range of options.

Apple, on the other hand, forces users to choose from a small selection of similar phones. They may be high quality, but they’re expensive and don’t allow users to pick their tradeoffs.

Consider an older user who doesn’t care much about camera quality, but wants

great battery life. He can choose an Android phone like the OnePlus 12R, with a battery life of almost 19 hours, according to tech journalist Phillip Michaels. That beats the snot out of the 14-hour iPhone 15 Plus, the best battery life Apple can offer.

Then compare the prices. OnePlus 12R: $599. iPhone 15 Plus: $899.

A younger user who has the opposite preferences can opt for a phone like mine, the Google Pixel 7a (I own the older 4a). It costs less than $400, and the newest Google Pixel budget phones consistently trounce the twoyear-old iPhone SE, the latest and only Apple phone in the budget price range.

An iPhone shopper has a one-size-fits-all choice, unless they want to shoot for a more expensive version of the same phone.

Once you’ve got an iPhone, the company draws you in with its ecosystem of AirPods, MacBooks, iPads, and Apple Watches that all work best together. This means even if you see a more affordable Android device

By Moira Gleason aSSiStant Editor

I was ready for my first total solar eclipse on Aug. 21, 2017.

A nerdy 13 year old obsessed with astronomy, I had ordered eclipse glasses well in advance and even made my own pinhole camera to view the eclipse as it was happening. My family and I made the three-hour trip from Charlotte, North Carolina, to the Blue Ridge Mountains for the occasion.

As the sun slipped behind the moon, darkness crept on the mountain landscape like dusk in the afternoon. The crickets and frogs started to sing, perhaps confused by the noticeable drop in temperature. Where the sun was moments before, I saw only a hole in the sky wreathed in white light. No wonder the ancient Incas offered sacrifices to the sun god after solar

that better fits your needs, you’d rather stick with the Apple software that connects all your electronics.

The best example in Apple’s “walled garden,” as some have called it, is iMessage. The default messaging app for Apple devices allows for an easy texting experience between Apple devices, but not Android phones.

As my friend Joshua Mistry rightly notes below, these green bubbles can keep me out of group chats. This is no accident: internal emails reveal why Apple executives haven’t allowed Androids to download iMessage. As Apple’s chief software executive said, the change would “remove [an] obstacle to iPhone families giving their kids Android phones.”

The reasoning hasn’t changed, as other executives noted iMessage keeps users “locked-in” to Apple products.

Josh may be in the Spikeball group chat, but he is a prisoner of the blue bubble.

Thomas McKenna is a sophomore studying political economy and journalism.

their data.

that one annoying group chat with all the green bubbles.

My friend Thomas Mckenna knows all too well the pains that choosing Android over Apple brings.

We both travel to Spikeball tournaments as members of the Hillsdale Roundnet Club, and all our tournament players communicate details in a group chat.

Unfortunately for Thomas, he never has and never will see any of those messages.

His Android’s green bubbles left him an outcast, and left our group free to directly reply to messages, un-send and edit typos, and react to messages without cringy descriptions of the reaction.

Thomas’ Android not only ruins group chat experiences, but exists in a world by itself, outside of any cohesive operating system. Apple’s ecosystem provides protection against the wild and vast array of Android operating systems and devices.

Every Apple device seamlessly connects to transfer data, communicate via text or FaceTime, and keep users free from having to buy additional devices to connect across different Android platforms.

Developers trust Apple’s app store to house their apps, knowing users have assurance in Apple’s quality standards and protections against malware.

Not only can Apple users freely complete any necessary tasks across a myriad of devices, but they do so with the peace of mind knowing their ecosystem secures all

eclipses to appease his anger. I may have traded my National Geographic Kids magazines for a copy of the complete works of William Shakespeare, but I’ll be breaking out the eclipse glasses again next week.

when the moon passes between the sun and the earth, and the moon’s shadow completely covers the sun. In the path of totality, viewers can see the corona – the sun’s outer atmosphere – which looks like a ring of bright white

Professors should cancel classes or give excused absences for the total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8.

The next total solar eclipse won’t happen in the contiguous United States until Aug. 23, 2044, when I’m almost 40 years old. And what if it’s cloudy that day?

A total solar eclipse occurs

light and is usually obscured by the face of the sun. Total solar eclipses don’t happen in the same place twice for an average of more than 300 years at a time.

Apple might lag behind some Android phones in camera quality, but its innovative features, ease of use, and simple interface provide easy access to those less technologically adept.

Apple’s high quality design also allows iPhones to retain more of their value, giving owners an easier burden when trading in for the next model.

Apple bests Android by providing a better experience, at a higher quality, with simpler ease of use across the many devices most people have.

Having an Apple phone doesn’t make one any better. It just lets someone know when to go to their next Spikeball tournament.

Joshua Mistry is a sophomore studying politics and journalism.

By Evalyn Homoelle S E nior rE port E r

More than 30% of Michigan children are “chronically absent” from school — and now state lawmakers want to make it even easier to cut class by mandating up to five “mental health days” each year.

They seek to help students with mental-health challenges, but their solution would do more harm than good.

The problem is serious. More than 20% of schoolage children in the United States have a mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder, an estimated 50% of mental illnesses appear before the age of 14, and reports of suicidal behavior among high school students have risen 40% in the last decade. Something must be done to investigate and help solve the mental health epidemic.

House Bill 4389 and Senate Bill 29 would allow up to five absences per year without a note from a medical professional. The bills dictate that if a student uses two “mental health” days, they “may” be referred to see a counselor or administrator. There are many blind spots of this legislation, such as the lack of parental involvement and follow-up protocols for students who use their mental health days, and the fact that this might skyrocket Michigan’s already low attendance rates. But the most concerning aspect of this legislation is its logic. “Mental health day” policies destroy any distinction between students who are simply using a mental health excuse to get five days off and students who are actually dealing with conditions like clinical depression and anxiety. Instead of encouraging the cultivation of mental wellbeing, these policies normalize mental health issues and destroy the sensitivity and gravity of many students’ very real mental health conditions. School is stressful, and everyone experiences feelings of anxiety and sadness at some point. But creating a policy that effectively equates bouts of poor mental illness with unavoidable physical illness is not a

Hillsdale professors should give students the afternoon off or an excused absence so they can travel to observe the solar eclipse without missing lectures. At the very least, take a break from class to go outside and watch the partial eclipse. It’ll be the most memorable Monday afternoon any of us ever have, no Incan sacrifice required.

Moira Gleason is a sophomore studying English and journalism.

Students who stay in Hillsdale will see a partial solar eclipse of 98.6% on Monday afternoon, according to NASA, but totality is worth the drive. It takes an hour and a half in normal traffic to drive from Hillsdale to the path of totality, which passes through Ohio from just north of Cincinnati to Toledo. With an expected increase in traffic due to the eclipse, it’s going to take even longer. Totality in Toledo will last 90 seconds from 3:12-3:13 p.m. EST, according to Fox Weather.

Absences are not the solution to the adolescent mental health problem

viable solution to the rising rates of mental health issues among school-age children and adolescents.

Legislation like Michigan’s creates a one-size-fitsall policy where protocols from individual institutions would be most effective and practical in addressing specific districts’ and students’ concerns. Individual schools should certainly create policies for students who struggle with serious, recurring mental health issues to know that they can approach a teacher, administrator, or counselor, and can receive an excused absence from school. But making students take the initiative to seek out these excused absences will ensure that the reason will be legitimate and will create a system of accountability and awareness, so that the teachers and counselors know to contact the student’s family members and ensure their safety while they are away from school, especially if there is a potential for students to become harmful to themselves. This system would encourage accountability and compassion, instead of providing kids wanting to skip class with a blanket excuse that delegitimizes students who are actually struggling with very real mental health issues.

Low-effort legislation like Michigan’s will not solve the mental health epidemic among schoolchildren because it normalizes widespread mental health issues. It doesn’t encourage students to make healthy choices or purposefully work to heal and prevent mental health relapses. And it doesn’t take into account the many underlying causes of mental health issues, such as bullying, technology and social media, and the lack of social interaction, physical exercise, and healthy food at schools.

Ultimately, this type of legislation and school policy denotes how casually our society treats mental health issues. Instead of something to mitigate and overcome, mental and behavioral disorders are something to be expected and even normalized. Giving students five “get out of school free” passes, just be-

cause they say they’re sad or stressed, only encourages students to avoid the problems that are causing these feelings instead of facing them head on.

Adolescence and young adulthood is full of transition and uncertainty, but rather than teaching students how to handle these challenges that will only continue into adulthood, “mental health days” policies teach them that these feelings cannot be overcome – that they have to sink into isolation and forego their commitments to fully cope with their feelings.

This will only lead to an increase in the emotional immaturity and weakness of future generations, while lumping students who actually suffer from recurring episodes of poor mental health together with students wanting a bit more time to study for an exam or hoping to avoid their class bully. There are other solutions to those problems, and although they take more intentionality, time, and resources from parents, teachers, and school administrators than signing off on a mental health day with no check-in or follow-up, they would be more effective at cultivating resilient students who are able to grapple with their problems or seek intervention when necessary.

It’s probably a good thing that the mental health day bills in both branches of the Michigan legislature have been gridlocked since early 2023. This is a problem that individual schools, school boards, and parents need to decide for themselves, their communities, and their students – not legislators who aren’t willing to allocate actual funds and ask uncomfortable, unpopular questions about why rates of mental health issues are rising and what can be done to mitigate, not expect, these issues among the youngest and most vulnerable members of society.

Evalyn Homoelle is a senior studying politics and journalism.

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don’T miss The eClispe. CourTesy | housTon puBliC mediA

The pro-life case against in vitro fertilization

By Caroline Kurt AssistAnt Editor

Tiny, lifeless children on a lab floor: did they die from the force of the impact, or when they came to room temperature? Either way, they never knew the warmth of a womb.

When several couples sued a fertility clinic in Alabama claiming the wrongful death of their frozen embryos in Dececember 2020, the state’s Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos qualify as children. The Feb. 16 decision exposed the ways even prolife Christians and conservatives lack a united front on third-party reproduction.

IVF commodifies human life, keeps unborn children in limbo, and contributes to our country’s practice of throwing away inconvenient lives.

I have several friends conceived through IVF. I’m so glad they exist. While I don’t think their parents were justified in choosing IVF, their lives have as much dignity as people conceived naturally. But IVF needs to end. Pro-lifers must see through the facade and enact real compassion toward people at every stage of life.

Developed in the 1970s, IVF entails extracting a woman’s egg, fertilizing it with sperm in a lab, and implanting it back into her

We all want to see couples who’ve struggled with infertility finally achieve healthy pregnancies, and modern science has created ways to make that possible. To many of the one in eight American couples suffering infertility, in vitro fertilization seems like science’s answer to their prayers. Its proponents have secured broad approval for the procedure by manipulating our compassion. In reality, IVF is founded upon principles antithetical to the pro-life position, which dictate that everything is permitted if the result is a child.

body. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as much as 3% of the American population was conceived through IVF.

It seems contradictory for pro-lifers to oppose such a popular means of creating life. But IVF plays a dangerous game. It treats children as commodities: something capable of being bought and frozen and implanted for the sake of deserving adults. In the majority of states, IVF embryos qualify under the law as property, not persons. But in the logic of false compassion, the ends justify the means.

And they are chilling means indeed. Stories in the media usually glaze over the grim details of in vitro fertilization.

For $10,000 to $25,000 per treatment round of IVF, fertility clinics typically create two to four embryos for every implantation attempt.

Clinic workers and parents select only the genetically

Give Kate her space

By Carly Moran AssistAnt Editor

London Bridge is falling down, and so is our tact.

Kate Middleton, the princess of Wales, announced her cancer diagnosis on March 22 at Windsor Castle, but wanted to wait to tell the public. Various breaches of privacy led to her sharing this information far before the family was ready.

Middleton’s video was released after she had not made a public appearance since December 2023. After a security breach revealed she underwent abdominal surgery at the London Clinic in January, and a poorly edited photo was released on U.K. Mother’s Day on March 10, rumors ran rampant.

“We hope that you’ll understand that as a family, we now need some time, space, and privacy while I complete my treatment,” Middleton said in her March 22 video. “My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy, and I look forward to being back when I’m able. But for now, I must focus on making a full recovery.”

Being royalty is a public job, but everyone has the right to privacy when it comes to health. The breach of Middleton’s medical information and the inappropriate accusations that followed are just a continuation of the unraveling of the British monarchical tradition, both within the system and among its citizens.

“[There are] systems in place to monitor management of patient information

and, in case of any breach, all appropriate investigatory, regulatory and disciplinary steps will be taken,” the London Clinic’s CEO, Al Russell, said in a statement to NBC News. “There is no place at our hospital for those who intentionally breach the trust of any of our patients or colleagues.”

Following the breach of hospital information, Kensington Palace officially announced her abdominal surgery on Jan. 17. On Jan. 29, authorities stated she returned home after making a successful recovery. The March 10 publication of the edited Mother’s Day photo was the tipping point, leading to rampant inquiries on social media about the status of the future queen.

While many of the conspiracy theories in the wake of the edited Mother’s Day photo were hilarious — a la Middleton getting a Brazilian butt lift — it only accelerated British tabloid culture into forcing the palace to announce too soon. Upon Middleton’s announcement of her cancer diagnosis, many comedians regret joking about it, such as Andy Cohen who said he wishes he had “kept my mouth shut,” on his “Radio Andy” show.

Members of the British royalty have shared information about their medical conditions previously. Buckingham Palace just announced on March 25 King Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer. In 2007, the palace announced Queen Consort Camilla had

a successful hysterectomy. Yet these have occurred after treatment and when it was time for the public to know, rather than prematurely.

As the online world becomes louder, the British monarchy will face mounting pressure to release information with greater frequency and faster, both at the expense of the royalty’s privacy, and the public’s quality of knowledge.

Middleton is a mother of three young children and is undergoing chemotherapy. She might be the future queen, but she deserves rest like anyone else. According to People Magazine, Middleton did not want to share her diagnosis until her children fully understood what this would mean. The employees at the London Clinic, and the chronically online citizens of Twitter, clearly did not care.

Around March 31, people began to notice Getty Images had left an editor’s note on the Kensington Palace cancer announcement video, stating it “may not adhere to Getty Images’ editorial policy.” Rumors are running rampant yet again, with many a gossip now claiming the video is a deep fake.

The drama may never end. For now, and for the sake of Middleton and her privacy, it is best to keep calm and carry on.

Carly Moran is a junior studying politics and journalism.

strongest embryos to implant, discarding or freezing all those deemed “poor quality.” Because of the delicate nature of the procedure, most women take two to three embryo transfers to become pregnant. This means, for an average woman who conceives through IVF, about eight embryos go unused.

These embryos may be thawed out and discarded as medical waste, sold as research material, or preserved for the future through cryopreservation. Embryos can be used for future rounds of IVF, but most linger indefinitely in the freezers of fertility labs or storage facilities. Most never know anything beyond the minus 70 chill of a freezer. Couples put the lives of these children on hold for the sake of a sibling they may never meet.

The data vary widely, but the National Embryo Donation Center estimates close to a million embryos have been frozen since the 1970s.

Allowing couples — no matter how well-intentioned — to buy human beings and then deprive them of the chance to grow to full term is anything but pro-life. A truly compassionate response to infertility means acknowledging the good desire of couples trying to conceive, while seeking an ethical means to parenthood.

Many infertility medicines and therapies exist to help couples conceive. Nor are infertility treatments the only path to parenthood. According to AdoptUSKids, “Of the 400,000 children in foster care, approximately 117,000 are waiting to be adopted.”

The siren song of IVF draws the money and focus of prospective parents away from children who already exist and desperately need permanent families.

It’s not too late to reverse course. In a culture devoted to pursuing easy solutions at the cost of inconvenient lives, the movement against IVF will be arduous.

Fertility clinics have every reason to continue IVF despite ethical quandaries, for the practice is lucrative. The IVF industry represented a $5 billion market share in 2022 and is projected to increase by 7% yearly, according to Allied Market Research.

But the cost is a million voiceless children in dry ice.

Caroline Kurt is a sophomore studying English and journalism.

We can both call out IVF for what it is — a practice antithetical to compassion — while honoring the goodness of the lives created through IVF. If anything, these people deserve greater empathy for the complex circumstances of their conception and the reality of their frozen siblings.

Shut up and sing: Olivia Rodrigo should stop promoting abortion

By Ellie Fromm CollEgiAn rEportEr

Olivia Rodrigo must quit her pro-abortion crusade during her GUTS world tour.

Not only is abortion the termination of life, but it is also not her place as a pop star to distribute condoms, lubrication, and Plan B, i.e. morning after pills, to concert attendees.

Recently, she was caught handing out these supplies at a concert in Missouri, a pro-life state with laws against abortion, according to Today News. The State of Missouri asserts that life begins at conception, and does not allow for executions except in the case of a medical emergency. Rodrigo’s largest listener demographic is teenage girls ultimately leading Rodrigo’s team to discontinue this practice after outrage from parents and politicians.

Imagine your teenage daughter coming home from a concert with these supplies in the back pocket of her jeans. By handing out contraceptives, Rodrigo is directly promoting the promiscuity of her main audience demographic, teenage girls which can be dangerous to these girls and create unnecessarily difficult situations for them.

Additionally, Rodrigo donates proceeds from her tour to the National Network of Abortion Funds,

with whom she is partnering for her latest initiative, “Fund 4 Good.” According to a TikTok video of Rodrigo’s, Fund 4 Good supports girls and women in many aspects, one of which is abortion.

“A portion of all the proceeds from the ticket sales of the GUTS world tour will go to ‘Fund 4 Good’, which I’m very excited about,” Rodrigo said in a TikTok video. “For the North American leg of the GUTS world tour, I’ll be partnering with the National Network of Abortion Funds to help those impacted by healthcare barriers in getting the reproductive care they deserve.”

The “reproductive care” she is referring to, of course, is abortion.

Rodrigo performed in Detroit at the Little Caesars Arena on March 23. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was ecstatic that Rodrigo chose to bring her show, and pro-abortion influence and donations, to Michigan.

“Here in Michigan, we’re no stranger to fighting for what’s right,” Whitmer said in a video posted to X. “We couldn’t be happier to have you.”

The mistake made here by Whitmer is that abortion is not objectively “what’s right.” This is a hot subject in America, and there is no nationwide, or even state-wide, consensus.

As much as Whitmer and Rodrigo want to ig -

nore this fact, abortion does not abort something, but rather someone..

Throughout her 45-second video, Whitmer uses phrases from Rodrigo’s songs to push “the fundamental right to make informed decisions about your own bodies,” Whitmer said.

“Like you, Michiganders have guts and are using their voices to drive change,” Whitmer said in the video.“We’ve slayed outdated vampire laws that threaten our autonomy.”

The bodies mainly affected by abortion are not the ones deciding to abort, but rather the aborted. There is not one body, but two.

On March 25, Whitmer posted on X, “We agree: politicians have no place in our private healthcare decisions… I’ll never stop fighting for your reproductive freedoms.”

If politicians have no place in private healthcare decisions, why did she praise a 21-year-old pop star for becoming involved in private healthcare decisions a few days earlier?

By handing out contraceptives at her concerts, Rodrigo is injecting herself into the debate and taking sides. Her job is to entertain, not be an abortion advocate for the left.

The Owens-Daily Wire split isn’t as deep as you think

By Catherine Maxwell AssistAnt Editor

Candace

Owens and conservative news organization the Daily Wire ended their relationship on March 22. Owens’s supporters immediately flooded X (formerly Twitter) to accuse the company of canceling her.

Conservatives love fighting the cancellation mob. It doesn’t matter if the person is left, right, center, or from outer space. If someone is attacked for saying anything containing a speck of common sense, we immediately defend them.

Unlike many leftists, we’re able to recognize commonalities with people who have different political beliefs. J. K. Rowling, Joe Rogan, and Bill Maher are all historically liberal, but conservatives have defended all of them for questioning

various left-wing ideologies.

And it doesn’t just happen to leftists. When Fox News canceled Tucker Carlson’s show, conservatives called out the network and flocked to Carlson’s new show on X (formerly Twitter). Many right-wingers are hyper-aware of anything that smells like cancellation.

But hasty judgments, like the accusations against the Daily Wire, only cause unnecessary division and impede conservative efforts. Turning cancellation into a slur used against people you disagree with dilutes its meaning and doesn’t help the person you’re defending.

Problems began when Jeremy Boreing, CEO of the Daily Wire, announced that it and Candace Owens ended their relationship. Daily Wire hired Owens to host a podcast in 2020; she had previously worked for PragerU

and Turning Point USA.

After the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, Owens repeatedly criticized the Israeli government and questioned whether the U.S. should support the country. Her views led to spats on X with Ben Shapiro, founding editor-in-chief and current editor emeritus of the DailyWire, and some suggested her comments were anti-semitic.

As soon as Boreing made his announcement, Owens’s supporters jumped to X to accuse the Daily Wire of trying to cancel her because of her Israel coverage. They accused Daily Wire hosts of being Zionist shills and claimed it was proof that Jews control the media.

Never mind that Owens was happy to leave Daily Wire. After the announcement came out, she said on X, “The rumors are true –– I am finally free.” Although she claimed people had launched

a smear campaign against her, she never said the Daily Wire unjustly fired her. Instead, she’s announced that she will continue her show on her own and appears entirely capable of maintaining her audience.

Nor is there evidence that she was “fired” at all. Judging from Boreing’s and Owens’ statements, the Daily Wire most likely declined to renew her contract. Everything points to the split being a mutual decision, not an attempt to silence Owens.

But even if the Daily Wire did fire Owens, the company was perfectly within its rights. Owens has promoted theories that could undermine the company’s credibility as a news organization. She’s suggested that the moon landing was faked, and recently said she “would stake my entire professional reputation on the fact that Brigitte Macron

[wife of French President Emmanual Macron] is in fact a man.”

In an episode of his show posted the day of the announcement, Daily Wire host Andrew Klavan explained that the company does not claim to be perfectly objective. It has a clear conservative bias and wants to promote a specific set of values, and if any host wants to push an idea contrary to the Daily Wire’s beliefs, that host would have to leave.

Granted, Owens has contributed to conservatism. She founded the Blexit organization, which encourages economic freedom for black people, and created a documentary researching the Black Lives Matter movement and George Floyd riots. She has built a brand around refusing to play racial games or conform to racial stereotypes.

Given the range of her comments, perhaps the Daily Wire had a legitimate reason for parting ways with Owens, perhaps not. Either way, it has done nothing to stop her from continuing her career as a political commentator. Sometimes two decent groups split and, while unfortunate, it doesn’t signal wrongdoing.

Cancellation can ruin lives. False accusations of cancellation may not ruin the accused, but it pits conservatives against each other when they should be focused on defeating common enemies.

The Daily Wire has become a successful example of conservative alternative media. We shouldn’t try to shut it down over a single business decision.

Catherine Maxwell is a sophomore studying history and journalism.

Ellie Fromm is a freshman studying history, religion, and journalism.

City News

Quincy considers disbanding police department

By Logan Washburn Associate Editor

The Village of Quincy may disband its police department after the resignation of its police chief leaving only one officer on patrol.

Quincy Police Chief Mike Kolassa submitted his resignation March 18 and it took effect March 26, according to Village President Mike Hagaman. The village council will hold a public hearing April 16 on whether to keep or disband the department. “The council would like the village residents’ input on what they would like to do,” Hagaman said.

Kolassa did not give a reason for his resignation, according to Quincy Clerk/ Treasurer Marci Clancy. The resignation left officer Kasey Cappella to patrol the village alone, working during the day Monday to Friday. Hagaman said she is “moving forward as normal” with help from the Michigan State Police and the Branch County Sheriff’s Office.

“She’s still going to be doing what she did before,” Clancy said. “If somebody called 911 and she’s not on the clock, they just send the county over or the state.”

During February, Cappella

and Kolassa – the only officers on the force by that point – responded to 75 total events

ments.

Councilors may decide to maintain the police force,

“If somebody called 911 and she’s not on the clock, they just send the county over or the state.”

and 30 total complaints in the village and Quincy Township, according to council docu -

Jonesville to host 18th annual residential spring clean up

By Michael Bachmann

The city is hosting its 18th Annual Residential Spring Clean-Up on April 27. Residents will be able to dispose of unwanted items, both large and small, through a free curb-side pickup service.

“We try to use it as an opportunity to provide folks help get rid of stuff that has accumulated over the year,” City Manager Jeff Gray said.

The spring clean-up helps to reduce the strain on municipal services and code enforcement, as well as protecting the health and wealth of the community, according to Gray.

Gray said that most of the city residents participate in the clean-up. Last year, the city collected 33 tons of junk.

“When you drive around town that week before you’ll see at least half of every street has something out,” Gray said.

There is no limit on how many items can be disposed of. Residents can get rid of a variety of items including fur-

niture, rugs, mattresses. Batteries, latex paint, and other hazardous materials will not be accepted. Residents wishing to get rid of large appli-

It’s an opportunity for residents to get their properties cleaned back up.”

ances must call the city office in advance to schedule a pick up.

LRS Waste Management, which provides Jonesville’s residential waste and recycling services, will begin pick-

ing up items at 7 a.m. on April 27. Residents can begin placing items for curbside pickup on April 21 so that neighbors and visitors from out of town can look through for items they may want.

“Most of the good stuff never even makes it to be recycled. People will come with trailers and trucks to fill,” Gray said. “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”

City employee Cindy Means said pickers help to reduce the cost of the spring clean-up since the town pays LRS per pound.

“In the end it helps us,” Means said. “The pickers start coming in and bring trucks and trailers and drive through town if there is anything they want. Sometimes they take entire piles.”

Grey encouraged residents to take advantage of the free service.

“It’s an opportunity for residents to get their properties cleaned back up,” Gray said. “It’s a way to make the town look nice and neat when things have gotten a little out of order.”

according to Hagaman, but staffing difficulties, cost inefficiency, and low officer

retention could lead it to disband the department.

The village has been paying its officers a starting wage of $19 per hour, but experienced officers like Cappella earn $22 per hour and Kolassa earned $60,000 per year, according to Clancy. The City of Hillsdale pays its officers a starting wage of $21.14 per hour.

“We have the police department in our budget, we can cover the police department,” Clancy said. “That’s not the issue right now.”

Shutting down the police department may allow the village to reallocate its resources, according to Clancy. She said as of March 25, she

had not heard discussions about raising officer pay and recruitment.

If the council disbands its police force, Clancy said, it would likely need to contract with officers from another agency.

The number of police officers in the state has dropped 19% since 2001, according to Bridge Michigan. Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a $30 million grant in 2022 to help police agencies hire more officers.

“We would like to keep the police department, but we just have to make some decisions,” Clancy said. “It could go either way.”

Hidden Turtle Art Gallery to offer painting lesson

By Anna Broussard Collegian Reporter

The class, taught by instructor and owner of the gallery Dena Rushton, will take place at 6 S. Howell St. in Hillsdale.

Participants can sign up on the Hidden Turtle Art Gallery Facebook account through private messaging or come as a walk-in, Rushton said.

Each painting session costs $35. Rushton will provide an 11 inch by 14 inch canvas, painting materials, and instruction.

“I supply everything that you need to paint the brushes and the canvas, and then I will stand in front of the class and go step-by-step on how to get to the final product,” she said.

The class is for anyone with any range of talent, Rushton said.

“You will walk away with your own flowering masterpiece,” she said. Holly Haynes, a reoccuring attendee, said that the painting classes have been super fun and have aided her in developing her painting skills.

“I really thought I didn’t have the ability to do it,” Haynes said. “I was surprised when I finished and stepped back from the painting.” The classes have also fostered a community in the studio, she said.

For artists who have more experience, Rushton provides larger canvases and other materials.

“People who are more experienced actually prefer to do bigger canvases. So they can do a 16 inch by 20 inch canvas if they prefer, and there is a slight upcharge for the larger canvas,” she said.

Many attendees are beginners, Rushton said.

The upcoming class will feature a flower painting Rushton calls “Hydrangeas at Home,” which was chosen by attendees of previous painting sessions.

“I teach techniques that people can take and paint on their own. I encourage creativity,” she said. “I like to see people create their own masterpiece.”

“I enjoy the help, fellowshipping with the other painters, and encouraging them,” Haynes said. Rushton also offers oneon-one sessions for people who cannot make the Saturday sessions and those who want more structured lessons.

With increasing attendance for the sessions, Rushton said she hopes to get a larger space in the future.

“When I have 12 pupils it gets a little crowded,” she said. “We are going to be moving to a bigger studio eventually.”

Kasey Cappella shook Mike Kolassa’s hand when she started working at Quincy police department in September. Courtesy | FaC ebook

A turtle painting. Courtesy | FaC ebook

County rakes in nearly $1 million from pot shops

By Logan Washburn Associate Editor

Governments in Hillsdale County are receiving nearly $1 million in state tax revenue from marijuana sales in 2023, according to County Commissioner Doug Ingles.

“It is a significant number of dollars, so has a big impact helping to create funding in many departments,” Ingles said.

Of the $945,381 distributed, the county government received half – or $472,690 – in state marijuana revenue because it has eight licensed dispensaries, according to Ingles. Three localities in the county split the other half, as

Jefferson Township received $59,086 with one dispensary, the City of Reading received $177,259 with three dispensaries, and the Village of Camden received $236,345 with four dispensaries. The state paid each local government in the county $59,086 in marijuana revenue per licensed dispensary, according to County Commissioner Brent Leininger.

The Michigan Department of Treasury announced it would begin distributing $87 million to localities statewide the week of Feb. 29.

Since 2020, the state has paid the county increasing amounts totaling more than $1.2 million, according to In-

gles. The money this year was not dedicated to anything spe-

“Those funds are included as revenue in the county

“I will say there is an element of crime that follows these types of establishments.”

cific, so it will help fund various county departments after the budgeting process.

general fund and are used by the county to meet current financial obligations,” Leininger said. “This has been deemed

the best use of these funds.”

Camden Clerk Robin Vasko said the state marijuana revenue accounts for more of the village’s funding than anything else “by far.” She said the money would go toward funding infrastructure.

Localities, not the county commissioners, decide on whether to allow marijuana dispensaries.

“I will say that there is an element of crime that follows these types of establishments,” Leininger said.

City of Hillsdale Mayor Adam Stockford said the city did not receive money because it opted out of Michigan’s marijuana legalization in 2018. He said allowing dispensaries sim-

ply because the state promises funding would be a “slap in the face” to residents.

“I’m sure the money is nice for the townships who receive it, but it’s not elected officials’ jobs to tell their constituents that we know best; it’s our job to represent their wishes,” Stockford said. “At this time I would not be in favor of allowing dispensaries in the city.”

Stockford said Hillsdale could take advantage of many revenue-generating businesses, but cited economist Thomas Sowell to say nothing comes without drawbacks.

“There’s no solutions in government policy,” Stockford said, “only trade-offs.”

The Sauk to host student-led play ‘Mockingbird’

By Anna Broussard Collegian Reporter

Student-led play “Mockingbird” will premiere on April 5 at The Sauk Theatre in downtown Jonesville.

The show, sponsored by Playford Real Estate in Jonesville, has additional performances on April 6 at 7:30 p.m. and on April 7 at 3 p.m.. Admission costs will be $10 for a reserved seat and tickets at the box office will be on a “pay-what-you-can” rate.

The play, featuring nine local Hillsdale teenagers, is the first of many student-led showcases for The Sauk according to Trinity Bird, executive director of The Sauk Theatre.

“Mockingbird” is intended to bring awareness to significant social issues, Bird said.

tunity for local teens to be involved in theatre as well as learn valuable life lessons, Bird said. They can use it as a creative outlet.

“The whole idea for the theatre project is that the students make 99% of the decisions,” he said. “They set the budget. They pick the ticket prices. They approve all the costumes.”

The theatre held auditions for the play and advertised it throughout Hillsdale County.

The goal for the project was to make social issues a comfortable conversation within schools, especially mental disabilities since April is autism awareness month, Bird said.

Although Bird intended for the student groups to choose or screen write the plays, he chose the first production to include prevalent social issues.

Atticus Maas, who plays the role of Caitlin’s antagonist, said the focus of the play is Caitlin navigating her emotions after the shooting.

“It’s from the perspective of Caitlin, who is an autistic

The play is a story about an 11-year-old girl on the autism spectrum named Caitlin Smith. A traumatic shooting takes place at her school and her older brother Devon is killed, according to Bird. Smith learns how to navigate the loss of her brother, her mental disabilities, and the post-traumatic stress from the shooting.

girl and how she’s dealing with everything happening around her,” Maas said.

Bird said he chose the play to draw out social issues and could bring awareness to the local community.

“The idea was to pick a social issue or something that could speak to modern day,” Bird said.

Samuel Guest, a member of the cast, said the play is communicating serious and emotional subject matter.

“We realize how somber the subject matter is, but we want this show to be really accessible to everyone,” he said.

“Mockingbird” is the first play produced through a youth theatre program Bird intended to launch in March of 2020. The program finally got its start this year. The program is an oppor-

Bird attended a theatre conference at the American Association of Community Theatre in Louisville, Kentucky where he saw “Mockingbird” for the first time.

“In the middle of it I knew that ‘This is the play,’” he said.

Initiative returning local control over green energy gains support

By Jackson Casey Collegian Freelancer

A ballot initiative aimed at returning control of largescale green energy projects to local communities is on track to secure its place on next November’s ballot, according to organizers.

The initiative, Citizens for Local Choice, would reinstate local governments’ power to decide whether those projects are developed in their jurisdictions. HB 5120, signed into law last November, gave that power to the Michigan Public Service Commission.

Kevon Martis, a Lenawee County commissioner and part of Citizens for Local Choice’s leadership team, said the effort hopes to “initiate a piece of legislation that will repeal the state’s preemption of wind and solar zoning.”

Martis said the group is formally working with numerous organizations statewide, including The Michigan Association of Counties, Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan Townships Association, and Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan to gather petition signatures.

Martis said this ballot initiative began as a response to legislative overreach by the state government.

“The state took away townships’ and counties’ ability to regulate wind and solar installations and battery en -

ergy storage last November,” Martis said. “We are strongly opposed to that, and we’re seeking to gather 550,000 petition signatures by May 29 to get this matter on the ballot so that people can decide.”

Martis said although the law has already been passed, it will only go into effect this November unless it is repealed by the ballot initiative. He said support for the ballot initiative in Hillsdale County has been encouraging. “Our volunteerism is much higher than other similar campaigns,” Martis said. “We have an amazing lady leading the effort to gather signatures in Hillsdale County. Her name is Ashley Risher, and she’s knocked it out of the park.”

According to Risher, captain of Hillsdale County’s Citizens for Local Choice group, the county government has responded positively.

“The county commissioners are actually drafting a resolution in support of Citizens for Local Choice,” she said.

One of the commissioners, Steve Lanius, has been a strong supporter of the initiative and said the state government’s actions have gone too far.

“I’ve been watching it for years, and they’ve slowly and incrementally been taking away our rights,” Lanius said.

“Now they’re being a little more adamant about it, and

it’s starting to come to our doorstep.”

While Hillsdale County failed to pass a resolution in favor of the ballot initiative at a meeting on March 26, Lanius said he is hopeful it will join others across the state that have already passed similar resolutions.

“I think at our next meeting, we’re going to have a little more public support,” Lanius said. “I believe it’s the right thing to do.”

the state government.

“We’ve already distributed sufficient petitions to gather 600,000 signatures, which is far in excess of what we need,” Martis said. “Now we’re in the process of getting those back into our possession and getting ready to go before the board of canvassers at the end of May.”

Risher said volunteer efforts within the county have been strong even though the number of volunteers is low.

“Our volunteerism is much higher than other similar campaigns.”

Freshman Josiah Jones, treasurer of the Hillsdale College Republicans, said he thinks the state’s actions were brazen and antagonized local governments.

“Democrats seized zoning authority from democratically elected township officials and conveniently gave it to Governor Whitmer’s handpicked cronies in order to force green energy projects on municipalities that may not agree with them,” Jones said.

According to Martis, Citizens for Local Choice is in an ideal position for challenging

“They’re slow, but the people that are helping are very involved,” Risher said. “I’ve got one gal that’s been going door-to-door and getting signatures. My parents have been helping out — when they’ve been able to, they’ve had booths.”

Risher said Citizens for Local Choice ran a booth last Saturday in nearby Frontier, and she said the group will soon be increasing its efforts.

“Once the weather gets nicer, we’ll be up at the fairgrounds on weekends and we’ll be doing more booths around the county,” Risher

said.

She said other groups in the county have been supportive of the ballot initiative.

“The Hillsdale America

First Republican group has also been helping us gather signatures,” Risher said.

“When they have events up at Liberty Hall, they’ve been doing petitions there when they have their monthly meeting.”

Lanius said he thinks these problems stem from legislators’ infidelity to the people.

“If I raise my right hand and swear an oath, that’s my word, and I’m going to do the best I can to uphold that. I don’t see that from a lot of state representatives,” Lanius said. “That’s why we are where we’re at right now. We’re going to have a ballot initiative because they raised their right hands for no reason.”

He said he feels the state’s refusal to respond to the will of local governments is largely the cause of this friction.

“There’s no reason why we should be in this position right now. Fifty seven counties wrote resolutions against these laws that they’ve passed, and the government did it anyway,” Lanius said. “How did that happen? And why did that happen?”

Martis expressed concerns similar to those of Lanius.

“This is truly a slippery slope,” he said. “The state has already, at least for now,

taken away local zoning for wind, solar, and utility-scale battery storage. They’re next looking at taking away local control of sand and gravel extraction. These special interest groups in Lansing are using the tools of the federal government or the state government to create value for their shareholders.”

Martis said he thinks this fight is important to everyone in the state, including college students.

“Students should understand that the government that’s closest to them will be the most responsive to them,” Martis said. “To lose that voice, and have it trampled on by the public service commission – who are political appointees and not directly accountable to the electorate – is the worst of all solutions, particularly when several of them have deep ties with the renewable energy industry.”

Risher said these policies affect people from all kinds of areas.

“This isn’t just a rural thing,” he said. “Under current state legislation, battery power plants and storage units can be put up within city limits. If they can do this kind of overreach right now, what are they going to go after next? It’s not just going to affect us out here who have to deal with these installations on a day-to-day basis.”

Students lead the play. Courtesy | t he s auk t heatre

Sports

Softball

Baseball

Hillsdale drops weekend games to Trevecca Nazarene

By Cassandra DeVries Collegian Reporter

The baseball team lost to the Trevecca Nazarene University Trojans in last Friday’s afternoon doubleheader and in the Saturday afternoon doubleheader on March 29-30 in Nashville, Tennessee.

“It wasn’t the outcome we were looking for,” junior Kaden Nowak said. “But we were less far off than it looked. We had the ability to win some of those games but it just didn’t go our way.”

In the series opener, the Chargers lost 18-1 to the Tro-

jans. They stayed with Trevecca in the first three innings, only for Trevecca to pull away in the fourth inning, scoring seven runs. Senior Jaekob Sallee scored senior Danny Passinault in the top of the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly.

Junior Will Shannon and freshman Rocco Tenuta each hit twice for Hillsdale at the plate, and freshman Tyler Turner hit a double. Senior Tommy MacLean struck out three and walked six in just over three innings. Junior Drew Erdei, sophomore Patrick MacLean, senior Daly Skees, and senior Brendan Pochmara also pitched for the Chargers.

On Friday night, Trevecca won again 20-7. Hillsdale fell behind by 8 early, and again when the Trojans made 11 runs in the sixth inning. Turner led the Chargers, hitting a triple, an RBI single, and an RBI groundout. Junior Zak Kent also hit an RBI single, and freshman Aaron Jasiak had two hits, including a triple. Junior Augie Hutchison hit a home run in the seventh inning, Shannon hit a double, and Tenuta and senior Evan Fauquher each hit an RBI hit, all in the seventh inning.

Freshman Daniel Higdon

Men's Tennis Chargers stay undefeated in G-MAC play

By Jamie Parsons Collegian Reporter

The men’s tennis team beat two teams on the road to remain undefeated in the G-MAC play March 29-30.

The Chargers seized a third straight victory against Cedarville University on March 29, taking the doubles point and sweeping all six singles matches to win 7-0.

The Chargers won two of three doubles flights, the doubles point and a 1-0 lead in the match. Conrad and freshman Ellis Klanduch won 6-3 at No.2 doubles, while senior Daniel Gilbert and freshman Henry Hammond won 6-1 at No.3 doubles.

Sophomore Aidan Pack started off the singles play with a difficult win at No. 1 singles, coming out victorious in a first-set tiebreak and taking the second set 7-5 to secure a win. Conrad also had a three-set victory at No. 2 singles, rebounding after a first-set loss to win 6-3, 6-4 in the next two sets.

Head coach Keith Turner said both Pack and Conrad were able to hold off their opponents because of their mental toughness.

“Their mental toughness is

Brennan said Mills was a skilled rebounder from the beginning but continued to contribute more offensively each year. “One of the coolest transformations that I’ve seen is the way that she focused on her inside game,” Brennan said. “One of the things she worked on is just slowing herself down because she’s so much stronger than most girls and she’s so skilled with her touch around the hoop. And so it was really cool to just see her continue to expand the ways that she can score inside.”

Mills showed up to practice every day with a smile on her face, ready to work, according to Brennan.

“When you play basketball for five college years, that’s hard to do,” Brennan said. “Because

a product of playing a heavy tournament schedule in juniors prior to starting college,” Turner said.

The Chargers had a second match on Saturday, March 30, securing a 4-1 win against Ashland University to improve 4-0 in the G-MAC play.

The Chargers started the match with a win at No. 1 doubles, losing the doubles point after a loss at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles.

“Northwood will be our toughest G-MAC opponent yet.”

“It is always a bit of a daunting feeling being on the losing side of the doubles point,” assistant coach Brian Hackman said. “As a coach you know that means 4 out of your 6 lineup players have to win their singles matches.”

Expecting a long drive back to Hillsdale, the Chargers and Ashland decided to

she showed up every single day ready to go, she just kept getting exponentially better. It’s her mindset. It’s her drive. It’s also her passion. She’s crazy passionate about the sport, but also just about our program in general.”

Mills said Averkamp and Brennan both challenged her to be a more vocal leader on the court. “She has always, always, always led by example,” Brennan said. “Each year, she would feel more comfortable at calling her teammates out or challenging them when we’re not holding the standard we want to hold. She became more vocal, so she was really like a coach on the floor for us.”

Freshman Maddy Greene said Mills was always able to help the team refocus during games. “She’s like our rock on the court,” Greene said. “She al-

pitched just over two innings, striking out two and walking six. Senior Devin Murray and freshman Winston Delp both pitched in relief.

Hillsdale almost held off Trevecca in the first game, 1211, but then lost 15-3 in the nightcap on Saturday.

The Chargers started with a 5-0 lead in the first and second innings, even maintaining an 11-6 lead in the bottom of the seventh. In the final inning, Trevecca scored six runs, just passing the Chargers and taking the win.

Shannon hit a three-run home run in the first inning, and Passinault hit a sacrifice fly and RBI double in the second inning. Freshman Will Millard hit a solo home run in the fourth inning, and Sallee and senior Jeff Landis both hit tworun doubles. Tenuta and Turner also both contributed two hits. Senior Drew Olssen pitched for just over five innings, walking two and striking out two.

Junior Brandon Scott, senior Chad Stevens, and junior Andrew George also pitched for Hillsdale.

In the Saturday nightcap, Hillsdale lost 15 - 3. The game ended early when Trevecca made six runs in the sixth inning.

Landis hit an RBI double and Passinault and senior Nate Waligora each had RBI singles. Tenuta and Millard both hit a double.

Senior Paul Brophy pitched three and a half innings with three strikeouts and two walks. Sophomore Logan McLaughlin and freshman Hayden Hoffpauir both pitched in relief.

The Chargers overall record fell to 9-16, and their G-MAC record fell to 4-8.

“We’ve got the talent, we’re just working on executing some of the smaller, more specific things,” Nowak said.

The Chargers will next travel to Lake Erie, where they play four games against the Storm.

“Our biggest takeaway is just to put these games behind us,” Passinault said. “We’re looking forward to our next game this weekend where we’re looking to put together quality defense, offense, and pitching.”

Women's Tennis Hillsdale takes down Cedarville, Ashland

play the singles matches to clinch. No. 1-3 singles were won by the Chargers, and at No. 6 singles, Gilbert pulled out a 6-0, 6-0, victory to clinch the match. Both No. 4 singles player, Klanduch, and No.5 singles player, Hammond, were in the lead when their matches were stopped.

“It was a chippy match between us and Ashland so it felt good to get the clinch,” Gilbert said. “It helped that Klanduch and Hammond were winning so it took a bit of pressure off of me.”

At No. 3 singles Conrad recorded his 121st collegiate win, tying with 2020 graduate Charlie Adams for the most wins in Hillsdale College program history.

“Tyler is a huge part of the success of our program over the years. Hopefully, he will get the all-time wins record this weekend,” Turner said.

The Chargers will play against Northwood on Saturday, April 6.

“Northwood is better than their record indicates. They will be our toughest G-MAC opponent yet,” Turner said.

ways knows how to get us in a rhythm or get us out of a slump.”

Though Mills always called her teammates out and challenged them on the court, she was always there to support them as a friend, according to teammate and junior Carly Callahan.

“She’ll push you in practice and everything, but at the end of the day, you can always come and talk to her after practice,” Callahan said.

Although Mills said reaching 1000 points and rebounds was her most significant personal accomplishment at Hillsdale, she hardly mentioned it to the team, according to Callahan.

“When she broke her record for 1000 rebounds, she never made any comments,” Callahan said. “No matter how she individually performed, it didn’t matter, if the team played well.”

By Isabella Helms Collegian Reporter

The women’s tennis team defeated Cedarville and Ashland universities last weekend, extending their conference play winning streak to 4-0.

“Easter weekend was a great one for us,” junior Courtney Rittel said. “It was such a joy and honor to be able to glorify God through our hard work and integrity on Easter Weekend.”

Even with the momentum from their spring break success, senior Melanie Zampardo credited the Chargers’ hardearned wins to their effort and teamwork.

“It feels good to start conference play 4-0,” Zampardo said. “Cedarville was tough because we’re not used to playing outside with the wind and sun, however, the weather turned out great for us. Ashland was a lot tougher than our 4-1 win seems. A few matches were very close and could have gone either way if we all didn’t show up 100%.”

The Chargers clinched a 7-0 win against Cedarville University March 29, dominating the match from the start in doubles play.

At No. 2 doubles, freshman Ane Dannhauser and Rittel led

Personal accomplishments aside, Mills said her favorite memory with the team was finding out they made the G-MAC conference tournament after beating Malone University her true senior year.

“We came out, and we literally played the best game of our whole entire year,” Mills said. "I just remember 'coach A' going to the front of the locker room and pretty much telling us we got into the tournament. Everyone stands up and cheers. I think everyone was just so proud of each other.”

Mills decided to stay of a fifth year after her sophomore season, but she said she didn’t realize how hard it would be to stay on campus a year longer than the friends in her year.

“It has been probably the hardest thing that I've ever done,” Mills said. She said she has enjoyed getting the opportunity to foster

the charge with a 6-2 victory, while senior Helana Formentin and junior Libby McGivern finished 6-3 over the Yellow Jackets.

Singles play saw the Chargers solidify their lead as they swept the Yellow Jackets across all matches. The competition heated up after freshman Ane Dannhauser set the tone with a 6-4, 7-5 win at No. 1 singles. Her win was followed up by Zampardo’s 6-0, 6-1 performance at No. 2 singles, and McGivern emerged victorious with a 7-5, 1-6, 1-0 (10-6 in the super tiebreak) win.

Formentin maintained the Chargers’ advantage with a 6-3, 6-4 victory, Rittel contributed to the sweep with a 6-1, 6-0 win, and sophomore Isabella Spinazze wrapped up the singles matches with a closely contested 6-3, 7-6 victory. The Chargers defeated Ashland University 4-1 on March 30.

Zampardo and Dannhauser pushed the team ahead 6-4 at No. 1 doubles. Rittel and Dannhauser followed suit with a 6-1 victory right after.

Singles play posed more of a challenge, but Zampardo pulled through at No. 2 singles with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 comeback in the third set. At No. 3 singles, McGivern secured a 6-1,

relationships with the younger girls in the program – some of whom jokingly refer to her as ‘grandma.’

More than Mills’ leadership on the court, Greene said she will miss having Mills around on the team. Whenever the team travels, Greene said she and Mills would try to pull pranks on the other girls.

“It’s more than just basketball,” Greene said. “She’s just a great friend too.” Mills said she stuck with basketball for so long because it’s a selfless sport that values both team and individual accomplishments.

“It's the ultimate team sport,” Mills said. “I've been on good teams where we celebrate other people's successes more than you celebrate your own. And if you're on teams like that, you don't want to give it up.” Mills said she is grateful for the support of her parents, who

6-4 victory, and at No. 4 singles, Formentin sealed the deal with a score of 6-3, 6-2, clinching the win for the Chargers.

“Traveling on Easter weekend is less than ideal,” Formentin said, “but this weekend was just what we needed to boost our confidence and get us ready to play the tough teams we have coming up.”

Senior Julia Wagner did not play over the weekend due to injury but said she was proud of how the team handled both matches.

“Ashland was tough because we had to wait around the whole day to play, but everyone showed up on court and we got the job done, especially impressive for Helana pulling the clinch,” Wagner said.

With these victories, the Charger improved to 7-9 overall and remained unbeaten in conference play, setting up a highly anticipated match against G-MAC contender Northwood University on April 6.

“This weekend we really came together as a team in both of our matches,” Formentin said. “I am so proud of everyone on the team, we really played as one unit, battled on every court, and did what we went to Ohio to do.”

have attended almost all of her collegiate games, as well as her coaches, teammates, and the athletic department at Hillsdale.

“If I was at any other school, I don't know if I'd have coaches that are calling me up to my their office to just chat,” Mills said. “People in the athletic department, people in the training room, they just care about you. And so I'd say playing for a school that supports you in more ways than basketball is what makes this place so awesome.”

Mills plans to pursue a career in counseling and return to Dewitt to coach middle and high school basketball.

“It's hard that basketball is done,” Mills said, “but I think what keeps me sane is that I have the opportunity to bring younger girls or younger boys, whoever I end up coaching, to

Senior Devin Murray has 15 strikeouts this season. Courtesy | Hillsdale College Athletic Department

Senior Joe Hardenbergh has hit five home runs this season. Courtesy | Hillsdale College Athletic Department

Mills from A10

High School Wrestling

Petersen brothers receive all-state honors at Ford Field

By Sarah Katherine Sisk Assistant Editor

During his final trip to Ford Field, Hillsdale High School senior Stephen Petersen culminated his high school wrestling career with a second-place finish at the state championships held March 1-3.

The four-year member of the wrestling team and threetime state qualifier began his final postseason by taking first in the 190-pound weight class, both at the district and regional Division 3 championships. Entering into state championship, Stephen boasted an impressive 38-4 record overall.

In years prior, he competed in the 171-pound and 175-pound weight classes, but fell to his opponents during the blood round. The "blood round" is a crucial match where wrestlers

Opinion

compete for the opportunity to advance to placement matches and earn all-state honors. Wrestlers who win in the blood round secure their spot among the top finishers, while those who lose are eliminated from further competition.

According to his father and Hillsdale College Dean of Men

Aaron Petersen, Stephen approached this year's championships with a new level of mental toughness and resolve.

Stephen clinched his first two matches via pinfall. During the semifinals, he faced a wrestler who had previously defeated him during the season. Ultimately, Petersen defeated him in a 7-5 sudden victory decision, according to TrackWrestling.com.

Aaron Petersen said Stephen spent a lot of time “mindset training,” working to overcome obstacles like getting in his own

head during a match and wrestling defensively. “He just turned it up a gear,” Petersen said. “His mindset was like, ‘I'm not afraid to lose. I'm gonna go just unleash hell on these guys. I'm not gonna stop wrestling.’ It gives me goosebumps.”

Wrestling offers a unique opportunity for young men to develop, according to Petersen. “That's why I love wrestling. It forces men to make decisions about manning up,” he said. “And so the young man grew up tremendously. He went to the semifinals and had to wrestle one of the kids who beat him during the season. He had to face him again at states and he beat him in overtime.”

During the finals, Stephen fell to his opponent via a close 3-1 decision, making him runner-up to the state champion.

“My final wrestling match was the perfect sum of my wrestling career: good enough to be great,” Stephen said. “I worked hard enough to get there, but just fell short. I lost 3-1, and in wrestling, that is a very close match. I don't think I‘ve worked for anything harder in my life.”

Younger brother and fellow Hornet junior, John Petersen, also competed. John secured an all-state honor, finishing fifth in the 215-pound weight class.

John said although it was not exactly the outcome he was hoping for, he was thankful for the experience.

“Wrestling is very hard, but when you have a brother that loves you and pushes you, it teaches you how to go through hard things, and that's important for wrestling and life,” he said.

Stephen will attend Hillsdale College in the fall, where he will join the Charger football program as a running back.

Hillsdale College head football coach Nate Shreffler said Petersen exhibits promising traits for success at the collegiate level.

“His experience as a wrestler, competing for a state title, shows he has the toughness, desire, work ethic, and focus needed to be a successful college player,” Shreffler said. “His high school football program also has a solid record of preparing their players very well for the next level.”

Shreffler said Petersen has the size, speed, and athleticism necessary to be an excellent running back at the Division II level.

“It’s hard to predict anyone’s college career, but I do expect Stephen to work his tail off, on and off the field, be a leader, and be a great unselfish teammate that is willing to do whatever it takes to help us be the best team possible,” Shreffler said. “I have no doubt that he will make a strong contribution to our college community and our football program.”

According to Shreffler, the biggest obstacle most players face as they transition to the collegiate level is learning terminology and processing information so they can play quickly.

“It takes a little time to get comfortable in our schemes and get to a point where players aren’t thinking too much,”

Shreffler said.

Shreffler said he looks forward to Petersen continuing a family tradition of Charger football.

“I’m excited to have Stephen join his cousins, the Affholter’s, on our current team and carry on the family tradition that his dad and brothers established before him,” he said.

Stephen said he looks forward to the team dynamic that football offers.

“In wrestling, it's just you and your opponent. But in football, you get to be in battle with a team,” Stephen said. “It's just really cool. I knew I wanted to be a part of the charger football team, and the support of my friends and family helped me to solidify my decision.”

Major League Baseball needs promotion and relegation

By Christian Papillon Collegian Reporter

Few things in sports can be as frustrating as a team with owners who seemingly refuse to put a winning product on the field. Baseball’s Pittsburgh Pirates, for example, have not won a division title since 1992, and have put together a division finish higher than fourth in only six of the seasons since.

Owners have little incentive to improve the team because they still profit even when their franchise performs abysmally.

One solution to the incentive problem would be to institute a system of promotion and relegation to Major League Baseball.

Promotion and relegation are already a part of European football. At the end of each season, the best teams in a given league move up a level, while the worst teams move down. Adopting this system would incentivize competition. Pirates owner Robert Nutting would need to produce a competitive team, lest he spend next season in AAA.

This system could offer midsized cities, such as Norfolk or Oklahoma City, opportunities to host a Major League Baseball team if their respective AAA teams win their league championships, just as the Tide and Dodgers did last season.

For this system to work, the minor leagues need to become independent and have separate drafts. This would eliminate the possibility of a franchise having two teams in a league. Imagine both the Chicago and Iowa Cubs in the same division.

"The best teams move up a level, while the worst teams move down."

Independent leagues eliminate the possibility of conflicts of interest between a franchise’s MLB team and its AAA team. The MLB team need not sabotage its AAA team to retain its status.

Stadiums would need to expand to accommodate larger crowds. The average AAA stadium holds about 10,000 people, well under the average capacity of 42,000 in an MLB stadium.

Without the guarantee of Major League statuses and revenues, the prospect of relegation would prompt much-needed

competition among teams. Promotion and relegation offer fans a reason to maintain interest in their team. If a team is not in contention for a championship, it may be in danger of demotion. Fans will finally have a reason to follow their teams into the final weeks of the season.

Recently, baseball has moved away from rigid traditionalism and embraced new changes.

Promotion and relegation are just the shake-up it needs to become more competitive and exciting for the fans.

Charger chatter

Compiled by Elizabeth Crawford Rocco TenuTa, BaseBall

What is the weirdest tradition at Hillsdale?

It’s weird how many people are married. It’s kind of insane. A lot of students are married. Good for them though.

Who would play you in your movie?

Adam Sandler.

What should everyone see in Chicago?

Wrigley Field. It’s right behind Disney World — it’s my second favorite place.

What would you do with three wishes from a genie?

Be a little bit smarter, probably be little bit better at baseball because it’s hard, and I’d donate the third wish to my mom.

What is the best book you’ve read in Great Books?

I really like the "Odyssey." But Ovid’s not it.

Gum or sunflower seeds?

Definitely sunflower seeds.

Worst Easter candy?

I think Peeps suck.

Courtesy | Hillsdale College Athletic Department

Hillsdale High School senior Stephen Petersen took runner-up at the wrestling state championships. Courtesy | Koreena Hemker

Stephen and John Petersen wrestled for the Hornets. Courtesy | Koreena Hemker

Charger Sports

Sydney Mills ends record-breaking Charger career

By Moira Gleason Assistant Editor

One of the most successful careers in the history of the Hillsdale women’s basketball program started with a Twitter direct message.

Fifth-year senior Sydney Mills was in the recruitment process for Division II basketball programs when her dad saw a Hillsdale women’s game and sent a message to thenhead coach Matt Fritsche that he was bringing his daughter to

Softball

visit the school. “From that moment, they started watching my games a lot, coming to my high school games,” Mills said. “I got an offer to play here. It kind of just all fell into place.”

The four-time All-G-MAC honoree from DeWitt, Michigan, finishes her career as the program’s all-time leading rebounder with 1,181 career rebounds, breaking the previous record of 1,146 set by Sandy Skaisgir in 1986-91. She also ranks eighth in total points with

1,440 career points and is the third player in Charger history to reach both 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds.

“She's one of a kind, especially for Hillsdale women's basketball,” head coach Brianna Brennan said. “She’s a generational talent. I don’t know when we’ll see the next Sydney Mills.” Mills helped lead the team to two G-MAC conference appearances and its best conference record since 2018-2019 in her final season. She will graduate in the top 10 all-time in Hillsdale women’s basketball in multiple categories including sixth in blocked shots with 83, 10th in field goals made with 501, eighth in 3-pointers made with 182, and third in double-doubles with 41.

“Sydney is one of the best rebounders in all of Division II,” former head coach Charlie Averkamp said. “She has a knack for being around the ball and will sacrifice her body at all costs to help the team get a rebound. Her breaking the Hillsdale career rebounding record really cements her legacy as one of the all-time great players in the rich history of women’s basketball at Hillsdale College.”

The daughter of two coaches, Mills started playing basketball with her family when she was four years old on a court her parents built in their backyard.

“That's kind of where it started — just shooting around the backyard, my brother and my mom and dad,” Mills said.

By third grade, she was playing year-round. By seventh grade, she knew she wanted to continue in college.

Mills said the first things she noticed about Hillsdale when she visited were the honor code and the culture of the team.

“People are super trusting here and super caring,” Mills said. “And that was just evident from the first day that I stepped on campus. And the players too, I got to talk to all of them. You could just tell that they all really loved each other, and I wanted to be part of something like that.”

my job easier as a coach and I am so proud of the player and person she has become.”

Averkamp said Mills was bought into helping the program improve from the first day he came in as coach, and she would do anything for the team.

“I don’t know when we’ll see the next Sydney Mills.”

am sure she was annoyed by the constant ‘What are you doing Sydney’ and ‘Come on, Sydney, get it together,’ but the end result showed the type of player she could become. Her improvement as a shooter, rebounder, leader, and winner is a true story of hard work, time and effort, and buying into a system and a team.”

Because she came from a talented high school team, Mills said she knew she would have to put in the work to earn a spot in the program at Hillsdale.

“I didn't really expect to play coming in, which I think, looking back on my career, has kind of been an advantage to me a little bit because from the day I stepped on campus, I knew I'd have to work for my minutes,” Mills said.

That work ethic not only earned Mills playing time freshman year, but launched her into a leadership role on a team that would undergo two coaching changes during her career. Averkamp became head coach after Fritsche in 2020, following Mills’ sophomore year. He remained in the position until Brennan became head coach this year.

“I will remember Sydney as a fun loving, goofy, clumsy, hard-working person who cared more about the team than herself,” Averkamp said. “On the court she is one of the best rebounders I have ever seen and could score inside and out, making her a really tough player to match up with. She made

“My first year, I remember getting on Sydney so many times for doing stuff wrong because I truly saw the potential in her,” Averkamp said. “I

It was because of Mills that the team improved from winning only three conference games her freshman year to making the conference tournament her fourth and fifth years in the program, according to Averkamp.

Hillsdale splits weekend, defeats Kentucky Wesleyan

By Ellie Fromm Collegian Reporter

The softball team finished the weekend with a 2-2 record at home against the Kentucky Wesleyan College Panthers and the Trevecca Nazarene University Trojans.

On Friday, the Chargers defeated the Panthers 11-2 and 10-3, playing five innings in both games. Saturday, they lost to the Trojans 8-0 and 11-2, playing six innings in the first game and five in the second.

The Chargers’ regular season record is 20-10, with a conference play record of 6-2, which includes a win streak of 14 games.

Games against the Grand Valley State University Lakers, initially scheduled for April 2, have been postponed due to weather.

According to head coach

Gross said the Charger’s Saturday loss to the Trojans was uncharacteristic, despite the Trojans being a skilled and competitive team. “We had some uncharacteristic errors in the outfield and our starting pitchers walked a significant amount more batters than usual,” Gross said.

“Then you tip your hat to Trevecca. They came in and hit the ball really well, and they were just the better team on Saturday.”

Senior Erin Kapteyn agreed, saying the game felt off for the Chargers as they made unusual mistakes.

Kyle Gross, the softball team's ability to capitalize on the Panthers’ mistakes contributed to their wins on Friday. “We hit the ball well that game and then we took advantage of Kentucky Wesleyan’s errors,” Gross said. “It was kind of a reverse fate that happened to us on Saturday. What we did to Kentucky Wesleyan, Trevecca did back to us.”

“Both the teams we played were really good,” Kapteyn said. “I think on the second day, everyone seemed to be a little off and a bit out of character with what we were doing. It seemed like everyone happened to have a bad day on the same day.”

Last week, junior pitcher Joni Russell was named to the Tucci/NFCA National Pitcher of the Year Watch List. Russell is one of 120 female NCAA Division II pitchers to receive this national honor. The organization will announce the Pitcher of the Year Award on May 27. “It’s an awesome honor,” Russell said. “I’ve been putting a lot of pressure on myself from being an All-American last year and trying to live up to that again this year when really I just need to go out and have fun and play for my teammates. So I’m just embracing it and letting myself realize this is a cool thing.”

Next, the Chargers will play the Cedarville University Yellow Jackets on the road Saturday at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, they will face the Thomas More University Saints at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. at home.

Gross said he is looking forward to an upcoming weekend of competitive play, in which he says the Chargers need to dominate.

“Cedarville has been playing well as of late and in conference, so they’re in the top half of the conference,” Gross said. “So they’re another team we have to beat to stay ahead of. Also, Thomas More is new to the conference, and even new to Division II. So we look at those games that we really, really need to win.”

All three teams competing this weekend are participating in the Go 4 The Goal initiative,

to

for pediatric cancer

research. According to Gross, each team will wear golden laces to bring awareness to the cause. “The laces are a reminder for research for pediatric can-

cer, and all the proceeds from the purchase of the laces go to this research,” Gross said. “This is something we do every year, but we’ve gotten all three teams involved this year.”

Senior Sydney Mills is Hillsdale's all-time leading rebounder. Courtesy | Hillsdale College Athletic Department

which brings awareness

and fundraise

Junior Joni Russell was honored on the National Pitcher of the Year Watch List. Courtesy | Hillsdale College Athletic Department

Mills on A8

Mills started playing basketball at 4 years old. Courtesy | Hillsdale College Athletic Department

C U L T U R E

Packed pews, parties: students celebrate Easter in Hillsdale

By Adriana Azarian Collegian Reporter

Hillsdale was hopping with Easter celebrations last Sunday.

Every year, many students stay in Hillsdale for Easter, attending church services and various festivities on- and off-campus.

“Nobody knows how to celebrate Easter like college students,” junior Clare Oldenburg said.

Oldenburg said this was her first Easter in Hillsdale, and she attended the Easter Vigil mass at the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church and its annual Greek feast afterward.

“I just loved how everyone came together,” Oldenburg said. “It was fun to see the professors enjoying themselves and my friends getting to experience the Easter Vigil and Greek feast. It’s just a blast.”

Oldenburg also attended a cereal party, bonfire, and lamb roast throughout Easter Sunday.

“My favorite part of Easter was engaging in the hospital-

ity, with my friends opening their houses to others,” she said. “It was really beautiful.”

Senior Reilly DeMara held her fourth and final Easter dinner in Hillsdale at her off-campus house, Backstage. DeMara said she started the tradition her freshman year for students who couldn’t go home during COVID, and she’s been hosting Easter parties ever since.

“I just wanted it to be a relaxing time to celebrate the

“Nobody knows how to celebrate Easter like college students.”

Resurrection of our Lord,” DeMara said. “I’m just so grateful for my Hillsdale family and for

the opportunity to welcome everyone into my home.”

Junior Ellen Nave said Hillsdale students understand the importance of Christ’s Incarnation, death, and Resurrection and celebrate accordingly.

“People at Hillsdale give Easter the solemn reverence it deserves and also the excitement and incredible atmosphere that comes along with that,” Nave said. “Everyone’s so busy, but the opportunity to rest and be intentionally present with everybody was so beautiful.”

Sophomore Emily Schutte said eating and playing games with her friends reminded her of home.

“That’s what we do in my family, so it was special to have a taste of that at school since I was away from home,” Schutte said. “Easter is the pinnacle celebration of the church year, and I just love to see everybody pull together in celebrating.”

Senior Lucas Joyce said he encourages all students to spend at least one Easter in Hillsdale to experience the

church services and community.

“I’m from a city where I recognize a lot of people cele-

“It was really something to have basically everyone in town celebrating Easter.”

brate Easter, but not all,” Joyce said. “It was really something to have basically everyone in town celebrating Easter.”

Oldenburg said people should go all out in their Easter celebrations.

“This is the biggest holiday for Christians,” she said. “Christ did not rise from the dead so we could be sourfaced and boring all the time.”

London doctor visits campus for US book tour

By Tayte Christensen Collegian Reporter

When a half-Thai, half-British classicist-turned-medical doctor spent time in an impoverished African country, he noticed the West’s impact on this tiny African country’s culture.

Alexander Chula, currently a medical doctor working at a London hospital, served for a time in the African nation of Malawi as both a Classics teacher and medical doctor. He recently published a book, “Goodbye Dr. Banda,” documenting his experiences of living in Malawi.

Chula visited campus March 21 to give a public lecture about his book. This was part of Chula’s U.S. book tour which covers several Midwestern schools including the University of Indiana, Notre Dame, and the University of Chicago, according to Chairman and Associate Professor of History Korey Maas.

Chula’s book has been well-received in conservative circles in England, Maas said.

“It’s a unique book,” Maas said. “It’s part travelog, part memoir, part social commentary, but also an implicit commentary on colonization.”

After first studying Classics at Worcester College, Oxford, Chula considered going right to medical school but he instead began working in Malawi as a Classics teacher.

“I was thinking about medical school, when I saw an ad-

vert for a teacher of Latin and Greek in Malawi,” Chula said. He applied for the job and got it. Upon arriving in Malawi, Chula said he was surprised by the cultural differences between Malawi and the West, especially when it came to money.

“Malawi is the 10th poorest country in the world. It’s a very dysfunctional place,” Chula said. “The survival of anyone, anything, or any in-

“Even, and especially, in extreme hardship, you get this powerful sense that man does not live by bread alone.”

stitution is questionable from one year to the next.”

Chula said he was amazed to discover a school that was teaching the Western Classics in an impoverished country.

“It started with curiosity because I was there teaching Latin and Greek, but it seems so wildly unlikely that there should be anyone teaching

Latin and Greek in a place like that,” Chula said.

Hastings Kazmu Banda, a Malawian dictator, founded the school Chula taught at. During his time in office, Banda established the Classics school, which provided an education that starkly contrasted with the country’s environment.

“Banda thought Malawi’s greatest problem was that no one knew Latin or Greek,” Chula said.

“The world outside the school is rural Malawi, which is a world of extreme material hardship,” Chula said. “And on the other side, you’ve got students learning Latin and Greek, reading Homer and Virgil, so you can’t help but be confronted by what on earth has brought about this bizarre situation.”

The two worlds within Malawi — the one within the village and the other within the school — were drastically different from one another, Chula said. This prompted him to begin thinking about Western influence in these two places.

“When I sort of compare the culture of village Malawi — these very poor people with the sort of high culture that was presented to them by Western missionaries through the best of their education programs — what I’m pointing to in the village is this sense that you get, which is all the more powerful because it’s materially so poor,” Chula said.

Banda, along with Christian missionaries such as David Livingstone, introduced Malawians to Western ideas of classical education throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

“Even, and especially, in extreme hardship, you get this powerful sense that man does not live by bread alone,” Chula said.

Chula taught for several years in Malawi before returning to England to attend medical school. He later returned to Malawi as a medical doctor specializing in infectious diseases.

“It was after I left Malawi that I started thinking about the experiences I had there, and I started writing,” he said. “I wrote an article initially for the New Criterion, and the article was very well received.” Chula wrote a series of articles before deciding to write a book about his experiences in the country.

“It was quite a compulsive thing,” Chula said. “If I had found that someone else was writing that book, I’d have been delighted that I didn’t have to write it myself. But I saw that no one else was going to write it, so I felt that Malawi contained a story that was so little known and yet so relevant and so important for people in the West to hear about.” Chula’s talk at Hillsdale centered around discussion of colonialism and the spread of missionary work which allowed for the school to take root in Malawi.

“The missionaries who brought these ideas to Malawi were people who promoted higher things over that which is material,” Chula said. These days, Malawians view westerners as materialistic people, and according to Chula, they have a difficult time separating the idea of materialism from a definitive aspect of Western culture.

Sophomores Gianna Dugan and Ashley Poole attended Chula’s speech and said they appreciated Chula’s discussion of literature and the impacts of missionary work and colonialism.

“I really appreciated how he discussed the effects of reading the Classics like Plato’s ‘Republic’ and how it forms the idea of a national literature in Malawi,” Poole said.

Dugan said she thought the discussion of missionary work in Malawi was compelling, especially how it spread the ideas of Western culture.

“It’s fascinating to me to think about how the Western culture or Western heritage is affecting such an isolated group that wasn’t a part of that at the time,” Dugan said.

“I think we need to be more aware of the broader impact of Western thinking.”

Ultimately, Chula said he hopes audiences gain a greater appreciation for Western culture and its impact on specifically Malawian culture.

“The thing that I suppose I’m trying to draw out in the book is not maybe a difference, but actually a point of similarity,” Chula said.

Dr. Alexander Chula served as a classics teacher and medical doctor in Malawi. Courtesy | University of Notre Dame Hillsdale students went for an Easter hike. Courtesy | Ellen Nave

Junior Clare Oldenburg made a charcuterie tray for Easter. Courtesy | Clare Oldenburg

C U L T U

Odd jobs: students explain their niche on-campus work

By Skye Graham Collegian Reporter

Hillsdale College student workers can be found in every corner of campus, from the admissions office to A.J.’s. Some people, however, have more niche jobs on Hillsdale’s campus.

Sophomore Johannes Loock works cleaning whiteboards and chalkboards in Strosacker.

“When I signed up for this job, I expected to be entertained by the doodles of artistically inclined students,” Loock said. “I, however, failed to consider that I would be cleaning chalkboards used by soulless, overworked, STEM majors. I can tell that an organic chemistry test is coming when I see an inordi-

nate number of badly drawn hexagons scribbled across the boards.”

Loock said he occasional -

“You run into some interesting things in supposedly empty buildings past midnight.”

ly comes across interesting drawings when working. “I choose which doodles to preserve for another day, and which to consign to an acidic fate,” Loock said. “The elect

few drawings which I deem worthy of preserving for another day have included a snail labeled with the name Snailelius Bromelius.”

Loock said his job has weird hours, often late at night.

“The security patrolmen aren’t the only people I’ve met while working,” Loock said. “You run into some interesting things in supposedly empty buildings past midnight.”

Freshman Elena Sickau works for Professor of Biology David Houghton sorting Caddisflies in the biology lab. Sickau said she’s been working this job since the end of January.

“Dr. Houghton looks at how many species of Caddisfly are in a particular sample,” Sickau said. “He uses that combined with other factors to deter-

mine how healthy a stream is.” Sickau said her job responsibility is fairly simple.

“Dr. Houghton has samples from rivers across the U.S. and Canada. He gives me a jar of bugs, I dump them into a tray, and then I sort them into their species,” Sickau said. “I have to group them based on looks. It’s great to work in a lab if I decide to go into ecology.”

Sophomore Madison McClure works in the CCA office on campus. According to McClure, the week she spends preparing for the CCA seminars is incredibly busy.

“For prep week, we stuff registration envelopes with name tags, reserved seating, and basic information,” McClure said. “We also prep for student check in. Typically we lock ourselves in a conference

“I’ve sat next to an aerospace engineer, the guy who invented telemedicine, a judge, and multiple high-ranking veterans.”

room and work for as long as we can.” According to McClure, during the CCA conference, she checks in guests, answers questions, and gets to eat all the meals provided at the conference.

McClure said one of her favorite things about her job is meeting visitors.

“They are always such interesting people. I’ve sat next to an aerospace engineer, the guy who invented telemedicine, a judge, and multiple high-ranking veterans,” McClure said. “It’s cool to see how many people support the school and to actually meet them.”

A treat gone stale: ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ isn’t impressive

By Ty Ruddy Collegian Reporter

DreamWorks’ 2020 masterpiece ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’ was an animation renaissance, with its style and story making for one of the most memorable releases of the 2020s yet. This was not the case with the studio’s newest release. ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ didn’t charm audiences like its preceding trilogy. It’s no horror show. There are points of nostalgia for viewers who grew up watching the original movie, but the eight-year break between the third and fourth movies does the franchise no favor.

Where did we leave off?

Oh, that’s right: with Po having accepted his role as a teacher and guide, a bridge between the Valley of Peace

and the Panda Village. Quaint enough. But now the ‘Kung Fu Panda’ story feels distant and foreign. Audiences were promised a treat. They got a treat gone stale. ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ follows Po on his journey to relinquish the title of Dragon Warrior and become the spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace. Po teams up with the sly criminal Zhen on a quest to defeat an evil sorceress, The Chameleon. Very little of the original trilogy remains. The Furious Five are dismissed in Po’s first scene, off fighting never-before-mentioned villains. Shifu broods more than usual, and Juniper City replaces the Valley of Peace.

The movie takes too many risks. The first movie in a saga takes the risks, introducing absurd characters and an absurd plot. First movies turn a

crime fighting panda into an Oscar-nominated phenomenon. Fourth movies send characters off in the best of lights — at least they should. This installment, however, pays no homage to its original, and its new characters add nothing to what the first three movies built. They add no charm, no wisdom, and they certainly innovate no interesting plot.

Po’s fox “friend” Zhen claims to know The Chameleon inside and out: her whereabouts, her motive, her plan. So she leads and Po plays the bumbling fool, which would work, except we already have an older, better version of this. Po’s and Zhen’s relationship mirrors Po’s relationship with Tigris. Po and Tigris struggled for years over destiny and competition. Audiences have seen the hurt

and triumph.

And as for Po as the fool?

Let watchers remember this is the panda who brought himself back from the spirit realm with Oogway’s staff of wisdom. He is no fool. He is the Dragon Warrior. DreamWorks excels in animation style and Jack Black impresses again with his voice acting performance. And although the story lacks coherence and emotional weight, the creativity of the action scenes are captivating as always. But the positives stop there. This is a passive piece of modern animation. It adds nothing. It subtracts nothing. DreamWorks should aim higher, and for now, it will have to postpone that animation renaissance.

Professors’ Picks: Roxanne Fogel Kaufman, visiting assistant professor of art

From the minds of Hillsdale’s professors: the song, book, and movie everyone ought to know

“Take Me Home, Country Roads” (2023) by Lana Del Ray

I love “Take Me Home, Country Roads” covered by Lana Del Ray. I love Lana Del Ray. I grew up listening to John Denver sing that song, so when she released her cover of it, I just fell in love with it again. I am a country girl through and through, but I also love culture, music, and art.

“The Secret Horses of Briar Hill” (2016) by Megan Shepherd

My favorite book is “The Secret Horses of Briar Hill” by Megan Shepherd. It is a fantasy and historical fiction. It takes place during World War II. It’s about a British-based safe house for sick children during the war who couldn’t travel. The main character, Emmaline, sees pegasuses in the mirrors. I grew up on a horse farm, and I can remember feeling like I saw horses in places that didn’t exist in the natural world but did in my mind. It’s always been a favorite book. It has all the human emotions wrapped up in it, sadness, happiness, joy, struggle — it’s beautiful.

“Braveheart” (1995) dir. Mel Gibson

This is the easiest question out of all of them. I love “Braveheart,” directed and produced by Mel Gibson. Since I was a small child, my mother immersed us into Celtic culture. And I’ve always loved the story of Sir William Wallace from the 13th century. I tend to love action movies. The fact that it’s in Scotland and there’s bagpipe music — it has been my favorite movie ever since I saw it for the first time as a teenager.

Kaufman’s father holds her when she was a baby. Courtesy | Roxanne Fogel Kaufman

DreamWorks released “Kung Fu Panda 4” eight years after ‘Kung Fu Panda 3.’ Courtesy | IMDb

FEATURES

Librarian retires to volunteer and travel

By Megan Li Collegian Reporter

After 39 years of bringing the best and rarest books to Hillsdale, interlibrary loan technician Pam Ryan is retiring from her second home.

“I’ve seen so much change on campus — change for the better,” Ryan said, referring to the buildings that were torn and built, the student body, and the increase in faculty and staff. “The college is really my second home, and I’m glad I have gotten to work here.”

Ryan is originally from Jonesville, Michigan, and began working at Hillsdale College in 1984.

“My mother worked here in the library, and she told me if I wanted to work here, I could come up and get an application,” Ryan said. “So that’s what I did. I got hired, I think, the very next day.”

Ryan worked at the college’s postal center for 27 years before moving to the library in 2012. After a year in circulation, she shifted to her current role with interlibrary loans.

Ryan said she will work at her antique booth at the Allen Antique Mall in Allen, Michigan. She is also planning to volunteer with the Hillsdale Humane Society and continue working as a foster aid at Animal Branch County.

“Antiquing and thrifting — that’s what I enjoy doing,” Ryan said. “But you know, I love dogs and cats. And I thought maybe someday, I might volunteer down here at the Humane Society — helping with dogs and cats because they’re my passion. I just love them.”

Ryan also hopes to spend more time working with plants.

“My other passion is planting flowers and plants and that kind of stuff around my house so it’d be nice,” Ryan said. “I don’t want to just retire and grow old.”

After Ryan’s husband retires, the two plan to travel.

“My husband and I would like to travel to Montana,” Ryan said. “I’m not so much a fan of flying overseas. But I would love to go to Hawaii someday and travel out West. I like the West.”

Public Services Librarian

Brenna Wade, Ryan’s supervisor, oversees library loan as well as outreach and technology. She and Ryan work together to collect articles,

“It’s definitely going to be big shoes to fill for the next person.”

books, and other library items that need to be transferred from other libraries as well as to ship things out that other libraries need.

“It’s a constant movement of materials, and Ryan does the day-to-day running of that department,” Wade said. “It is very busy. We have a lot of requests. We move a lot of materials.”

Ryan said there are some days when the interlibrary loans are difficult to fill.

“I really just dig and dig, and sometimes I just won’t find it — I put it on hold for the

following day to get a clearer mind,” Ryan said. “And then I come right in here and boom, I can find it. It’s just that easy.”

Wade said Ryan’s role requires keeping track of all the little details concerning many materials and systems, and something could go wrong at any step.

“It’s not an easy thing to do, and we are definitely going to miss her,” Wade said. “But I wish her all the best in her retirement. She completely deserves it. It’s definitely going to be big shoes to fill for the next person.”

Ryan does not mind the work. She said it is hard to recall a favorite moment from her time at Mossey because she loves every moment of her job.

“The staff and the librarians that I work with — they’re all wonderful,” Ryan said. “I just go day by day, and I just enjoy every day.”

Ryan recalled some memorable, paranormal experiences she had during Mossey’s “witching hour.”

“There have been a few times I’ve opened the library, and I was here by myself,” Ryan said. “You can actually hear chairs slamming out here on the first floor.”

Ryan said she would not see the chairs moving, but she could hear them, and she never heard a response when she called, “Who’s there?” One morning, she was sitting at her desk, working by emergency light because a storm had knocked out the power the night before. Through her open office door, she could hear chairs slamming outside in the darkness of the library.

“I looked out there, and I said, ‘You’re not gonna scare

me this morning.’ And I just got up, shut my door, and that was that,” Ryan said. “I don’t believe in ghosts, but sometimes I want to.”

Wade said Ryan has been with her through Mossey’s digital transition during the Covid-19 pandemic, changes to the system that require a complete revamp of process, as well as getting international material through customs.

“She puts up with my ideas very well,” Wade said, laughing. Sophomore Carolyn Spangler, a student worker at the library who helps Ryan with interlibrary loans, said she has great respect for what Ryan does for the library.

“The number of carts that are in her office is incredible,” Spangler said. “It’s almost like one of those puzzles where there’s only one stage left, and you have to move all of the stuff into place.”

Spangler said she enjoys working with Ryan and that she is thankful for all the time Ryan dedicated to the library. “She’s very friendly, always willing to help,” Spangler said. “She’ll go out of her way to help find information for someone.” Ryan said there are some days when the interlibrary loans are difficult to fill.

Colleen Ladd, the library’s circulation technician and a friend of Ryan’s, said she sometimes helps Ryan out with items from the Michigan eLibrary Catalog and Resource Sharing System. Since their desks are in close proximity, they spend a lot of time in each other’s company, and Ladd said she will miss Ryan next year “It’s gonna be very hard, because she’s one of my best mates here,” Ladd said. “Most of us staff gals are pretty close. And she’s probably a little clos-

er just because we work so much together. So it’s gonna be a real tough change. But I can’t blame her, you know— it’s time to move on.”

Spangler said she is happy that Ryan will be able to take a break from library busyness.

“I’m glad that she’ll be able to enjoy some time on her own,” Spangler said. “It’s amazing that she’s been at the college for so long.”

Ryan said she is sad about leaving the Mossey Library community.

“By working in the library, I’ve learned how the library field works,” Ryan said. “And it’s amazing — the things that staff and librarians do. We all work diligently, and we all work well together over here. I love my job, and I’m definitely going to miss it.”

QUICK HITS with Michael Driscoll

By Elizabeth Crawford Assistant Editor

In this Quick Hits, Visiting Assistant Professor of Politics Michael Driscoll talks Europe, Locke, coffee, and the Federalist Papers.

What is your favorite meal that your wife makes?

Tough one — she’s a good cook. There is this chicken and rice in a ginger and honey glaze that she makes that I really like. She makes a great beef roast, too.

Where would you most like to go in Europe and why?

I’m sort of a homebody, so this is a difficult question for me. I did go on a wonderful trip to Europe in 2011 for World Youth Day in Madrid. All things being equal, I’d like to see the basilicas of St. John Lateran and St. Peter’s in Rome.

What common student mistake bugs you? Employing a quote as evidence and not explicating it. Or worse, saying that it shows that the person being quoted thought that the thing they were talking about was important.

Ketchup or mustard?

Ketchup, unless it is cheap with bad ingredients. I’m more likely to use mustard when I go out to restaurants because even cheap mustard doesn’t

contain high fructose corn syrup.

How do you drink your coffee?

A bunch of different ways. Straight, with a little raw milk, or with collagen powder, coconut oil, and a little maple syrup or coconut sugar.

John Locke or Thomas Aquinas, and why?

In the words of Admiral Ackbar, “IT’S A TRAP!” But jokes aside, while I don’t yet have much of a reputation academically, if I am known for anything, it is that I am the Catholic who likes Locke. I think that Locke is mischaracterized by more traditional conservatives, and what struck me in my research was just how much Locke had in common with a thinker like Aquinas. Take the natural law for example. Both St. Thomas and Locke say that the natural law directs men to preserve their lives, to procreate and educate children in stable families, and that men seeking out community should strive to be good to their neighbors.

What is your favorite Federalist paper and why?

If I had to pick a single paper, it would be Federalist No. 6, where Hamilton rejects the notion that a history of friendly relations or commercial ties alone are enough to keep independent nations-states from coming to blows. But picking

a single paper is difficult because what interests me are the themes that pop up throughout the papers, especially the various arguments about human nature that are employed to demonstrate why the government under the Constitution will work.

Daily Mass or a daily rosary?

Right now, I am working on committing to a daily rosary, but I am often reminded by good friends that I can also grow in holiness and give thanks and praise to God by living out my vocation as a husband, father, and teacher.

What is the best thing about being a dad?

There are many things. I love when the kids line up at the door to wave to me when I go to work, and when they run up and jump on me when I come home. I love watching them play outside and tumble around in the grass, and I love reading and snuggling with them and answering their questions.

If you could improve one thing about Hillsdale, what would it be and why?

I really like Hillsdale, and there is not much I would suggest in terms of improvement. But my 4 year old says we do too many building projects: “I wish they would just leave campus how it was so that I could run and play where I usually do.”

Ryan began working at Hillsdale in 1984 in the postal center. Courtesy | Hillsdale College

Driscoll embraces his wife Katie on their wedding day. Courtesy | Michael Driscoll

Celebrating Easter in the eternal city

By Caroline Kurt Assistant

Smoke billowed up into the Mediterranean sky, just as the first stars began to pierce through the gentle dusk. Hushed, we crowded around the Paschal bonfire, candles in hand, eager for the Easter vigil to begin.

Like many Hillsdale students, my Holy Saturday was one of prayer, community, and — at long last — celebration. Unlike others, I was experiencing the Resurrection from the Eternal City: Rome.

Freshman Isabelle Ellis and I awoke that morning — our eighth day in Rome — in a little hostel run by nuns, a 15 minute walk from the walls of the Vatican. We grabbed a quick breakfast of espresso and pastries before power walking to the Valle Aurelia station, catching a train to Termini and then a second one to the Circo Massimo stop.

We emerged from the subway station, meters from the Circus Maximus—once the site of chariot races and gladiator fights to entertain half a million people, now a grassy park with gentle slopes, a favorite of Roman dogs and their owners. We passed one man holding six greyhounds on a leash.

Our first destination that day was the Mouth of Truth, to test some of our most pressing quandaries. The ancient Roman sewer cover in the shape of a man’s face is said to bite off liars’ fingers.

I ducked inside the church behind the Mouth of Truth: the sixth century Santa Maria in Cosmedin. Catholic clerics of the Melkite Greek rite bustled about, already busy setting up for the evening’s vigil Mass. On the right side of the church, a wide doorway led to a side chapel, dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

My ability to read Italian and Latin is limited, but I had little need to decipher the signs: all across Rome, the artwork spoke a language of its own, a universal Christian dialect. White plaster angels hovered above a large image of Mother and Child, silent in their duties. Peeling paint betrayed the former splendor of the room.

A series of interlocking, engraved arches intersected light streaming in from the chapel’s narrow windows.

Upon leaving the church, we headed toward the Aventine hills. A left turn took us up a series of mossy stone staircases. After a couple of dead ends, we found our way to the top. Orange trees swayed in the breeze while tourists snapped photos of the overlook. Flocks of doves swooped over our heads. Beyond the Tiber, the city was a vast, tiered expanse of church domes and orange tile roofs, hazy in the sun.

Emerging from the gardens, we came upon the Basilica of St. Sabina, the mother church of the Dominican order. Two Dominicans sat reading in folding chairs, white habits ruffled by the wind, outside of the convent that St. Thomas Aquinas frequented and where St. Dominic lived.

Unlike many Roman churches, St. Sabina’s interior is simple. Built in A.D. 432 on the site of early Imperial houses, the basilica borrows the crisp, high-ceilinged style of the secular Roman covered forum. Its carved wooden doors bear the earliest certain depictions of Christ’s crucifixion.

In a small chapel at St. Sabina’s, I discovered some of my favorite artwork in all of Rome: exquisite Baroque frescoes by Giovanni Odazzi. The four pendentives of the chapel show a blond, blue-robed Jesus giving St. Catherine his wounds, the crown of thorns, his heart, and finally the Eucharist. On the dome, Mary presents Catherine to her son, clouds and cherubim brimming over the frame.

I longed to sit and stare at Odazzi’s milky pastels for hours, but Isabelle and I were off to our next destination: the Aventine Keyhole. The halfinch peephole in the Knights of Malta’s gate presents a perfect view of St. Peter’s Basilica, framed by arching rows of trees. Despite my doubts, the sight was well worth the 30 minute wait in line.

We next headed down the hill to meet up with friends at the Trevi fountain. After a lunch together of fried risotto and spaghetti, Isabelle and I treated ourselves to a neces -

sary gelato and caffè latte.

On a cobblestoned sidestreet, I bumped into my brother, Jack, also in Rome for Holy Week. While Isabelle shopped around, the two of us perused a little menswear shop. Jack found a the perfect navy polo. I bought a tie for my boyfriend.

Per tradition, both of us had tossed a coin over our right shoulders into the Trevi: a return trip to Rome was certain. Next time I’d buy shoes and a leather jacket, and even see the bones of St. Peter. For now, Jack was off to St. Peter’s Basilica to claim a spot at Mass with the Pope. We parted ways on the steps of St. Ignatius.

Isabelle and I made our way to Villa Balestra, home to the Roman College of Santa Maria, and the beautiful chapel in which we would celebrate the vigil. We sank into our pews, tired from a long uphill walk an hour before the service.

The choir was already practicing in the loft above, their Easter hymns in three-part harmony resounding through the length of the chapel. Eight priests walked down the aisle, practicing for the Mass, their vestments resplendent in the evening light.

The tabernacle stood open and empty: the only time of the year it would be so.

Sixty minutes passed quickly. Before I knew it, the pews around us were full, and it was time to gather in the fresh night air around the Paschal bonfire.

We celebrated Mass in English—most of the liturgies that week had been in Italian. An ocean away from Hillsdale, we sang the same Latin chants sung at St. Anthony’s, its cadence familiar, its message universal to the international congregation.

Isabelle and I joined our friends after Mass to wish one another a “Buona Pasqua.” Our group taxied to a restaurant across from the Vatican for Easter drinks and dessert. The fast was over.

The moon high above us, we walked back to our hostel in high spirits. Nevermind the 10 hours on a plane awaiting us tomorrow — we were under Roman stars, and it was