Issue 4_The SpringHillian_Spring22

2022-2023 SGA Inaguration: Tuñón-Burroughs Elected

DiMya Evans

Reporter

The Presidential Party for the 2022-2023 Student Government Association (SGA) was inaugurated on April 6 in Stewartfield house.

The SGA is Spring Hill College’s student leaders

that pledge themselves to provide services that promote harmony in the college community, protect student rights, articulate student responsibility, and aid in the academic and social development of progressive campus life.

The SGA holds the presidential and vice

presidential election every year to determine a new administration that will serve the students of SHC in the coming year.

This year the winning ballot consisted of President Luly Tunon, and Vice President, Ashley Burroughs. They ran on a platform of creating “a happier hill by fostering community through better communication and by exploring our Spring Hill traditions,” said Burroughs in their campaign video.

The Tunon-Burroughs Party ran unopposed but held a town hall session where students could ask questions about what they had planned for SGA in the future and what initiatives they plan on starting and even some they plan to pick

back up and continue.

Newly elected president Tunon, says “ Ashley and I are really excited to continue the legacies and traditions SGA has while elevating it to what we know it can be. We truly are thankful for this opportunity and are excited to see what this next year will bring.”

Cabinet members and class senators were also initiated into their new positions as well.

Cabinet Members for the 2022-2023 school year include Stephen Bonck, Isabella Lorr, Peter Mimnaugh, and Abby Palopoli.

The sophomore class will be represented by Class President Gavin Johnson, and senators Hammy Hamilton, Nate Ojeda-Pesa, and Gino Gandzior.

First-time senator, Hammy Hamilton says “ I am so excited to be a part of such a great team! I cannot wait to help the voices of the student body be heard and create initiatives that do just that.”

The junior class will be represented by President, Daria Lundberg, and senators Joseph Studt, Jalyn Sneed, and Colin Beddingfield.

The senior class will be represented by the class president, Andrew Castle, and senators Courtney Faulkner, Lolita Sullivan, and Rivers Singley.

The newly initiated members have already begun working so be sure to let them know if you have any questions and ideas by contacting them at shcsga@ shc.edu

Back to the Avenue of the Oaks for 2022 Graduates

Madeline Ortego Editor

About 200 graduating students, along with their friends and families, will be taking part in Spring Hill College’s 2022 Commencement on May 7.

Beginning at 9 a.m. on the Avenue of the Oaks, graduating students will process in alphabetical order by degree category in front of Stewartfield.

In keeping with the college’s longstanding tradition, the Baccalaureate Mass and the commencement ceremony will be held, weather permitting, outdoors on the Avenue of the Oaks. This

tradition allows students to welcome all of their family and friends to celebrate their accomplishments.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be celebrated May 6, at 4:30 p.m. on Library Field near Byrne Hall. A reception will follow on the back lawn of Stewartfield. Commencement will be held the next morning at 9 a.m. on the Avenue of the Oaks. Overflow and inside seating will be available in the Barter Student Center where commencement will be streaming live. Commencement can also be viewed online at the SHC Commencement web page.

The ceremony will include a class orator, chosen by the senior class. The process

began mid-semester when seniors, faculty and staff were sent a survey asking for nominations. The senior class will then choose from the top two or three finalists during the last week of classes.

After commencement, the process continues to the steps of Byrne Memorial Hall for the class picture before disbanding. Diplomas will be mailed approximately four weeks after commencement.

In the event of rain, the Baccalaureate Mass and commencement will be moved inside the Arthur R. Outlaw Recreation Center. A decision to move indoors will be made no later than 12:00 p.m. May 6.

If moved indoors, seating will be limited and each graduate will receive five commencement tickets. If indoors, family and guests will need one of these tickets to attend.

For more information about commencement visit https://www.shc.edu/ academics/academicinformation-resources/ commencement/

Picture courtesy of Spring Hill Media

Ashley Burroughs and Luly Tunon

Picture By: Madeline Ortego

Public Safety Investigating Multiple Car Break-Ins

Alexandria Fonseca Reporter

During March and April, the Department of Public Safety responded to three different reports of vehicles burglarized on the Spring Hill campus..

According to Kevin Anderson, Chief of Police at Spring Hill’s Department of Public Safety and Security, two vehicles belonging to Spring Hill students were broken into while parked in New Hall parking lot. The other break-in was to a golfer’s car parked in the golf course clubhouse parking lot.

“We have a video. We are pretty sure we have ID’ed the car. We think it is a 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage, black in

color,” said Anderson.

The Department of Public Safety and Security reported the incidents to the Mobile Sheriff’s Office and the Mobile Police Department. They have also shared the video of the suspect and the suspect’s vehicle with the Mobile Sheriff’s Office and the Mobile Police Department.

Anderson also said there was a series of burglaries in the Semmes area with the exact same car suspected of involvement.

Anderson urged faculty, staff, students and visitors to be vigilant of your surroundings. “Spring Hill is a very small campus and everyone gets to know one another. Use that to your advantage. If you see someone who is out of place, report it,” he said.

“It could be as simple as a new groundsman or it could be a burglar, but we’ll check it out. We don’t mind,” continued Anderson.

“If you see something strange, someone out of place, report it immediately. Everyone has phones, and if you feel safe, step back and take a picture of it. Don’t get involved and stay away, and call us first,” said Anderson.

Anderson said most burglaries are crimes of opportunity. A burglar will be watching and waiting for someone to exit their car without a purse or bookbag, then they will walk by the car. If they see something they can quickly take, they will.

Spring Hill College students and faculty are encouraged to lock their cars and not keep their

belongings, especially those of value, inside of their cars. If you cannot lock your valuables inside of your building, then lock them in your trunk.

If you see any suspicious activity on campus or have any information that would

help in identifying the owner of the suspected vehicle, please call 251380-4000 or 251-380-4444.

For more information on the Department of Public Safety and their protocols, visit http:// departments2.shc.edu/ publicsafety.

Expanded Funding Opportunities Benefit Students

The students of private universities and community colleges will now have the opportunity to benefit from the G.I. Dependent Scholarship Program.

Spring Hill College students will benefit directly from a new bill signed into law by Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey which allows dependents of veterans to use their Alabama G.I. Dependent Scholarship Program benefits at private colleges.

Previously, the Alabama G.I. Dependent Scholarship could only be used at public four-year colleges and universities.

When Ivey signed SB119 into law on March 9, it expanded the program to private universities and community colleges. This new bill will go into effect on June 1, 2022.

Now, eligible dependents of veterans have expanded college choice, plus the opportunity to combine additional scholarships and financial aid with their Alabama G.I. Dependent Scholarship.

Nathan Copeland, Ed.D., Vice President for Enrollment at Spring Hill College said, “Spring Hill College has and will continue to engage in ways we can help make college more accessible and affordable for all students. We are thankful for the state and federal government’s

actions to join us in this effort.”

This nationally renowned program was created by Act 633 and approved in October 1947 by the Alabama Legislature. The Alabama G.I. Dependent Scholarship Program is administered by the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs.

The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate passed a spending bill last week that includes a $400 increase in the maximum Pell Grant.

This boosts the maximum aid per student for the 2022-2023 academic year from $6,495 to $6,895, a 6.2 percent increase. Congress’ increase also brings the minimum award from $650 to $690.

According to Kristyanne Kiner-Galish, assistant Director of Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs at Spring Hill College, these new funding opportunities will benefit the current students enrolled as well as new students coming in.

“Our students will have access to this new scholarship program and expanded Pell Grant benefits to help with education expenses that their financial aid benefits may not cover,” said Kiner-Galish. “We look forward to helping our students make their college experience as affordable as possible!”

Rising sophomore Airyonna Weaver thinks this is a great opportunity for students.

Weaver said, “I think this new bill gives a wide variety

of students a better opportunity to attend college and get a little bit more of their tuition covered.”

Pell Grants are federal financial aid grants given to low- and middle-income students.

The Department of Education awards these grants using expected family contributions calculated through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

For more information about FAFSA, visit Studentaid.gov.

For help with financial aid at Spring Hill College, contact Student Financial Services at financialaid@ shc.edu or call (251) 3803460.

@shcstudentmedia newswire.shc.edu shcmedia@shc.edu

SHC MEDIA TEAM:

The SpringHillian Editor: Madeline Ortego

Art Director: Madeline Hampson

Advertising Manager: BessMorgan Baluyut

BTV Producer: Conner Moore BTV Director: India Hall

Reporters: DiMya Evans, Kassandra Fairly, Alexandria Fonseca, Codi Clemmons, Olivia Odimegwu

Advisors: Stuart Babington and Gary Wolverton

SHC Student Media

Kassandra Fairly

Reporter

New Hall Parking lot

Picture By: BessMorgan Baluyut

On-Campus Events: Crawfish Boil vs. Mardi Gras Ball

DiMya Evans Columnist

Spring Hill College has a ton of events and ways for students to get involved on campus and have a great time. However, two of the biggest student-led events are Mardi Gras Ball and Crawfish Boil.

It is often debated which event is better but there is a clear choice in my eyes: Mardi Gras Ball.

Both Crawfish Boil and Mardi Gras Ball are led by the Spring Hill Campus Programming Board, a group of 10 students that execute large and smallscale events throughout the year on campus.

Mardi Gras Ball is held in mid to late February so

the weather is near perfect. Mardi Gras Ball is free to all students and is the perfect excuse to get dressed up and have a good time with friends.

“Mardi Gras on the Hill” is a week-long event that encompasses events from clubs and organizations all over campus and what better way to end the week than at a formal event where you can let the good times roll?

On one hand, Crawfish Boil is one of the last campus-wide student-led events before final exams start and is a great way to relieve stress and enjoy crawfish with your friends.

The Crawfish Boil is free, but drinks and t-shirts are not. For alcoholic beverages, the price ranges from about

four to seven dollars.

The annual t-shirts given out at the event are only available to students that donate brand new school supplies to be given to an underprivileged school in the area.

The average school supply cost about three dollars so the average cost

of attendance to experience the event in all of its glory is about six dollars per person.

Contrary to Mardi Gras Ball, Crawfish Boil is hosted during common hour and you can come as you are.

However, in my opinion, Mardi Gras Ball prevails as the better student-led event. Mardi Gras‘s ball

allows students to showcase their creative style and enjoy the festive food and entertainment that the New Orleans-style event has to offer.

Students, faculty, and staff are calm and strut their stuff at the event and create memories together as one. The decorations, photo booth, and music get you to your feet.

Students always excitedly line up in the cafe during the common hour to sign up for tickets to the point that ticket sales have to be stopped.

The hype around this event gets larger and larger each year. In my opinon, Mardi Gras Ball will always be one of Spring Hill’s most memorable events.

Is Reading a Book Better Than Watching a Movie?

Alexandria Fonseca Columnist

To read the book or to watch the movie, is the question… and we are going to answer it today.

The book versus movie debate has been ongoing since the beginning of television. There are strong arguments for and against each side, but in the end, it is all about your personal preference.

Movies are a great way to relax, unwind, and easily take in an interesting story. Movies make it easy for people who may not like to follow complicated book plots or don’t enjoy having to put together the book’s world in your head from only words on paper.

When a story is put on screen, it allows you to see everything clearly and easily, but you are only getting part of the full story.

EDITORIAL POLICY:

According to an article in Towards Data Science, the majority of movies are between 80 and 120 minutes long, which does not give you enough time to dive deep into the story as well as it could be fully explored in a 500 page book.

Books, on the other hand, have no time (or page) limit, and an author can go as deep into the story and characters as they want to,

with no restrictions.

Reading a story off the page allows you to fashion the characters and setting yourself, and follow along as if you were a part of the book.

I personally am a strong advocate for reading the book if you have watched its corresponding film, and that is because the book is almost always better.

A study by Reviews.org

SUBMISSIONS:

showed that when reviewing over 1,100 books, “the book was rated higher than the movie 89 percent of the time - that’s 9 out of 10 times,” and I completely agree.

I prefer to read books because I receive the full background, dialogue, and character interactions that are cut in the transition to the big screen.

When you watch a movie that has been adapted from the written word, you are very likely to find plot

holes or hard to understand interactions that don’t make sense because you are not receiving the full story.

In truth, I love both books and movies, but I will always recommend that you read the book first so that you can fully understand and appreciate the story you see on the screen.

So after binging one of the popular new Netflix series, make sure to pick up the book to fill you in on what you missed!

The SpringHillian is published four times each semester from January to May. The views expressed herein do not represent the views of Spring Hill College and are not the views of the faculty, administration, staff or students. They are the views of the individual columnists.

The SpringHillian publishes guest submissions at the discretion of the student-editor and section editors. Submissions should be less than 400 words, and editors reserve the right to edit the submissions for length and content. Original writings should be mailed or delivered to: Student-editor, The SpringHillian, Communication Arts, Spring Hill College, 4000 Dauphin Street, Mobile, AL 36608. Submissions may also be sent as emailed attachments to: shcmedia@email. shc.edu.

Spring Hill Badgers Enjoying Formal Season!

Andrew Borowiak, Joey Berven, and Chase Picard

Picture By: Danny Lorr

Caroline Landaiche and Michelle Lorio

Picture By: Danny Lorr

Grace Conjar, MK Clifford, and Nora Shea

Picture By: Danny Lorr

RJ Del Rio and Will Brackin

Picture By: Danny Lorr

Kathryn Varnado and Sam Swanson Picture By: Danny Lorr

Lizzie Barrois and Mo Ortego

Picture By: Brendan Mack

Clay LeBlanc and Blair Willoughby

Picture By: BessMorgan Baluyut

Will Newell and Nicolette D’ Ambrosio

Picture By: Danny Lorr

EK Parker and Frankie Giardina

Picture By: Danny Lorr

Caroline Weisinger and BessMorgan Baluyut

Picture By: Hilary Nelson

AROUND THE HILL

Spring Hill Student’s at SHAPe Retreat

Picture By: Madeline Ortego

Bebe Lara practicing her swing for St. Jude

Picture By: BessMorgan Baluyut

Michelle Lorio cannonballs into sprinklers during Swinging for St. Jude

Picture By: BessMorgan Baluyut

Act 2 of Peter and the Starcatchers

Picture By: Kira Babiarz

Members of CPB enjoying the crawfish boil.

Picture By: BessMorgan Baluyut

Ryan Strand participating in Swinging for St. Jude

Picture By: BessMorgan Baluyut

Samantha Gagliano getting groovy at SHAPe

Picture By: Madeline Ortego

Ben Dufour enjoying some crawfish

Picture By: BessMorgan Baluyut

Ariel Thompson and TyKayla Robertson enjoying the crawfish boil

Picture By: BessMorgan Baluyut

Students performe in Peter and the Starcatchers

Picture By: Kira Babiarz

Student Accepts Air Force “You Can Fly” Scholarship

Codi Clemmons Reporter

Spring Hill College student receives scholarship from the Air Force to get flight hours in Mobile.

The U.S. Air Force is offering Air Force ROTC cadets the opportunity to earn flight hours at no cost to them.

Spring Hill College student and Air Force ROTC cadet Keenan Ard received the You Can Fly Scholarship from the Air Force last semester.

The scholarship was awarded to three cadets in the AFROTC program at The University of South Alabama. ROTC cadets enrolled at Spring Hill participate in the ROTC program at the University of South Alabama, alongside South’s cadets.

Ard has been flying since November of last year after receiving 3,500 dollars to get as much time in the air as he can.

“Getting this opportunity has been amazing. Without the scholarship I would’ve never been able to begin flying in college like this. It has been a life changing experience,” Ard said.

This program has been implemented because there is a shortage of pilots in the Air Force. The AFROTC You Can Fly Scholarship program provides the civilian ground and flight training needed to earn a private pilot’s license. There is no required commitment in the Air Force for receiving this scholarship.

“Before doing it I really didn’t know what I wanted to do in the Air Force at all. Before flying a Cessna, I had only flown commercial a

couple times. So, I was really nervous and didn’t have any idea what to expect,” said Ard.

“After my first flight with my instructor, I knew this is what I wanted to do as a career,” continued Ard. “It was just such an exhilarating experience and

I recommend that if anyone ever gets the chance to take a flight lesson, go for it at least once.”

Ard has been working with the Flight Training of Mobile LLC at the Mobile Regional Airport. The school is now closing before Ard has been able to use all of

his scholarship money.

Through the program cadets have until June to use all the scholarship money awarded. Ard now has the option to find a new flight school outside of Mobile within the next few months to finish his training. Either way Ard hopes to fly for the Air Force in the future.

“Sadly, the school I attended just recently closed but I definitely will continue to fly in the future. Hopefully my flying is not done via flying in the Air Force as a career,” Ard said.

For more information about AFROTC go to southalabama.edu/afrotc.

To learn more about the You Can Fly Scholarship program email afrotc@ south.edu or go to afrotc. com. More information about different careers in the Air Force can be found at airforce.com.

Keenan Ard in uniform

Picture by: Codi Clemmons

Spikeball Tournament Raises Money For SAAC

Kassandra Fairly Reporter

Over 10 teams came out Sunday to compete in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee also known as SAAC’s Spikeball fundraiser. The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is made up of representatives from each sports team on campus to be a voice for the rest of their respective teams.

The Badger Beach volleyball team helped SAAC host this event by providing coaches for each team as well as the beach volleyball courts to hold the event.

The money raised at this fundraiser will go towards the end of the year allsports banquet hosted by SAAC, the banquet will be held on April 26 from 5-8 p.m. in Lablanc A.

Sunday’s activities started at noon. The teams crowded

around the large platforms to listen to the rules of the event before finding their team’s name on the posted bracket. Each team then spread out amongst the beach volleyball courts to begin their games of Spikeball.

Spikeball has become increasingly popular over

the past few years. It is a game that involves two teams of two, a net and one ball. The objective is for one team to serve the ball off of the net that is positioned on the ground between the teams and the team that is receiving the ball will then use their hands or any other part of their body to get a

“Pass”, “Set” and “Hit”. Teams score points by either hitting the ball into the net where the other team is unable to return the ball or when their opponent is unable to successfully get the ball back into the net.

Although this event is put on to raise funds for the student-athletes, many nonstudent athletes participated in the fundraiser to have a good time as well as support some of their studentathlete friends.

Collin Darby, a Sophomore on the Men’s Golf team said, “It’s a great way for the student body to come out here and just another way for them to support the studentathletes. It is another way for the student-athletes and the rest of the student body to connect and show support for each other.”

The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee also

puts on events around campus such as the end of the year all sports banquet to honor student-athletes and their achievements in their own sport as well as in the classroom. Sophomore SAAC representative Brooke Borgmeyer said, “The meaning behind this tournament is to help student-athletes and SAAC in general. It helps involve the student body with different activities that help bring awareness to SAAC and what they do. This also helps raise money for SAAC and the stuff we are able to do as an organization.”

Many Spring Hill students came out although they did not compete they were able to enjoy the sun and watch some Spikeball. For more information on SAAC go to shcbadgers.com and click the inside athletics tab.

SHC Cheer Places in Top Ten at NCA Nationals

Codi Clemmons

Reporter

The Spring Hill College competitive cheer team competed at the National Cheerleader’s Association College Nationals competition in Daytona Beach, Florida that took place April 6-10.

After months of preparation and late-night practices, the Spring Hill cheer team made it to NCA Nationals on April sixth.

The team competed two days at Nationals. Thursday, April seventh was prelims with the team placing sixth in their division.

Friday, April eighth was finals and the team finished in eighth place in the Small Coed Division II with the highest score Spring Hill has ever received at NCA Nationals. They were just points away from the teams placed above them.

Cheer coach Alyssa Paesano said in a post on

social media, “This team is truly something special. They came out on finals and had a zero-deduction routine that brought me to tears.”

The senior members had a heartfelt experience taking the mat for the last time. Senior Reese Lebbing said, “It is sad to be finished with the sport that I love and have spent so many years doing, but the sense of accomplishment I felt walking off the mat

at Daytona was like no other. I knew I would be sad, but that feeling did not even compare to the overwhelming feeling of accomplishment.”

This was also the first time some of the team members have ever competed at Nationals. Junior and first year member of the team, Armando Rodriguez-Castro said, “Cheering at NCA nationals was a completely new experience that I

never imagined myself experiencing. Ever since I started cheering, I have grown to love it more than any other sport I’ve done in the past.

Being able to represent Spring Hill made it even more memorable because it was with a team that helped me and supported me throughout every practice and moment of frustration. Standing on the mat at nationals was a surreal experience that I will

remember forever because it was with the people who made me a better athlete.”

Before nationals they made an appearance at the Gulf Coast Classic Competition at the Mobile Civic Center and the Deep South Beach Blast at The Wharf in Orange Beach.

The team did not compete at these two events but the experience on stage helped improve their routine for nationals.

“I am amazed by how far we’ve come, and how quickly it’s gone by. I am beyond proud of our performance at nationals and will be forever grateful for all the memories I’ve made along the way,” said Lebbing.

For more information about the cheer team at Spring Hill go to shcbadgers. com under the cheerleading tab or email the cheer and dance coach Alyssa Paesano at apaesano@shc.edu. To see the final scores of the NCA Nationals competition go to tv.varsity.com.

Members of women’s volleyball team participate in tournament

Picture by: Kassandra Fairly