Staff writer

Opening on Friday, April 13th, Roanoke College’s Art Major Show displays a variety of senior’s artwork from their area of focus. The annual spring event exhibits work in the Olin and Smoyer Galleries, such as ceramics, design, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture.  Students whose artwork is displayed include Alex Kies [...]]]> Madeline Hooker

Staff writer

Opening on Friday, April 13^th, Roanoke College’s Art Major Show displays a variety of senior’s artwork from their area of focus. The annual spring event exhibits work in the Olin and Smoyer Galleries, such as ceramics, design, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture.  Students whose artwork is displayed include Alex Kies ‘12, Kayla Lynch ‘15, Kelsey Daniel ‘12, Renae Dower ‘14, Sierra Rock ‘13, Hailey Doss ‘12, Joanna Hooker ‘12, Olivia Freeman ‘13, and Heather Woody ‘12.

Hooker wanted to submit pieces of artwork that showed diversity and ranges of her talent. The art major submitted three of her paintings and a variety of black and white photographs. Her favorite submitted piece is her painting titled “The Tumultuous Journey of an Immigrant Ship.”

“The painting is a part of a series I have been working on for my Painting III class,” Hooker said. “It is also for my independent study of Progressive-era photographs that I incorporated into my own style for my art.”

The Art Majors Show is an important event for the seniors whose art is displayed.

“It really is the only time that students can present their work to the general public,” Hooker said. “There are such talented art students here at RC, and their abilities need to be recognized.”

For Woody, the Show was a bittersweet experience.

“I am graduating in May, so this show really signifies the end of an era for me,” Woody said. “Olin was practically my second home at RC.”

Woody submitted five photographs and described them as being a little fantastical and whimsical. A part of her final Photography II project, Woody knew she wanted to shoot portraits, and worked hard to make them as unique as possible. “I dressed my subjects in formal attire and led them to different spots around Virginia,” she said. “I really wanted to contrast their beauty with the scenery surrounding them as well as illustrating continuing lines and echoing shapes in my work.”

Woody was grateful for the Art Majors Show.

“[The Show] gave me an opportunity to display the results of all my late nights in the Photo Lab,” Woody said. “I am proud of my final images, as I worked very hard and drove miles to capture pictures as specific places.”

The Art Majors Show will conclude on May 5 with a closing reception from 12-2 pm in Smoyer Gallery.

Staff writer

On Monday, April 16th 2012, Helen Whitney visited Roanoke’s Campus to give a talk about her award-winning documentary, “Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero.”  Helen Whitney is an Emmy award-winning director and producer having produced over ten documentaries in over 30 years. Whitney has also visited the campuses of Yale and [...]]]> Matthew Othus

Staff writer

On Monday, April 16^th 2012, Helen Whitney visited Roanoke’s Campus to give a talk about her award-winning documentary, “Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero.”  Helen Whitney is an Emmy award-winning director and producer having produced over ten documentaries in over 30 years. Whitney has also visited the campuses of Yale and Harvard to mark the 10^th anniversary of the documentary’s release.

Unlike other directors who looked at the attacks through a political or historical lens, Whitney was given nine months to create a documentary that viewed the 9/11 attacks through a spiritual lens. It only took her seven months to make the documentary for Frontline PBS. The movie is mostly composed of testimonies from atheists, rabbis, ministers, and notable figureheads from New York City.

Whitney touched briefly on the “catastrophic political repercussions” before focusing mostly on the spiritual aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. Pointed with clips from the movie, Whitney pushed and pulled on the emotional strings of the audience members who attended her talk, bringing several to tears with her final clip.

The major theme that Whitney addressed was the emotional and mental states of the citizens of New York City in addition to the newfound doubt in god that was found in the spiritual community. Many citizens pondered if god had gone on vacation for the day to allow such a tragic event to unfold. Whitney said that, “Death was the text and subtext of conversations at the time.”

Whitney stayed on campus for a reception and several campus activities on the following day before continuing on to her next destination.

Staff Writer

More than 2,200 people came out last Saturday, April 14, to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a global organization which seeks to raise money and provide support for those diagnosed or otherwise affected by breast cancer.

Susan G. Komen’s Race for the Cure is an annual program [...]]]> Victoria Zelvin

Staff Writer

More than 2,200 people came out last Saturday, April 14, to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a global organization which seeks to raise money and provide support for those diagnosed or otherwise affected by breast cancer.

Susan G. Komen’s Race for the Cure is an annual program that raises money for research and breast cancer prevention programs all across southwestern Virginia. Races, like the one this Saturday, are held all over the globe and Roanoke’s own Race for the Cure was able to raise over two hundred thousand dollars to benefit those afflicted by breast cancer.

Survivors wore special pink caps and shirts, while the runners wore white with pink ribbons. At the start of the Race at promptly 9 am, the runners took off under a giant pink archway. Less than twenty minutes later, the first competitive runner crossed the finish line and retired to a grove a trees strewn in pink ribbons for those lost to breast cancer, but not forgotten.

“It’s important to have that support when you’re going through the treatment and it’s important to have their support at events like this,” said Blake Seitz, Co-Chair of the local race committee.

In addition to the monetary support, many of the pink clad racers were men and children. This showing was of great encouragement to many organizers, who were pleased to see the show of support for the many women and survivors who were also in the Race.

As Melissa Woodson, the Executive Director for Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s Virginia Affiliate, said in her opening remarks for the race, “The major factors in having a greater risk of breast cancer are being a woman and growing older.”

Though most of those affected by breast cancer are women, it is possible for men to be diagnosed with it as well. Over the past several years and through the efforts of organizations like Susan G. Komen working in tandem with health care providers, the mortality rate of those diagnosed with breast cancer has been in a steady decline. The best hope for anyone diagnosed of breast cancer is early detection.

The most common symptoms of breast cancer are a change in the look or feel of the breast. It is important for women of any age to be aware of the warning signs and check themselves regularly. Those with more questions about breast cancer or those wanting more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s efforts to eradicate breast cancer should log on to http://www.komenvablueridge.org/

Sports Editor

Roanoke College ended their regular season on an impressive high note Wednesday evening with a win over Guilford College 17-7, bringing the season to a close with an 11-3 record, 6-1 in the OCAD.

At the end of the first period the Maroons were up by four points. The first goal [...]]]> Kathleen Fountain

Sports Editor

Roanoke College ended their regular season on an impressive high note Wednesday evening with a win over Guilford College 17-7, bringing the season to a close with an 11-3 record, 6-1 in the OCAD.

At the end of the first period the Maroons were up by four points. The first goal was scored by Reid Mayberry, ’12, within the first eight minutes of the game. This was following his multi-goal game last Saturday where he scored seven points. Richard Lachlan, ’13, also scored a goal soon after with the Maroons gaining three more points before the end of the period.

However, Guilford managed to make it onto the scoreboard just in time to end the period.

Reid Mayberry put two more goals on the board seconds into the second period giving the Maroons a substantial lead over the Quakers. The Maroons continued their strong scoring pattern over the next length of time, with Guilford responding several times before the third period. By that time the Maroons were up 10-3.

Lachlan was essential to scoring coming out of the gate in the third period, although this goal was answered by Guilford a minute later. Joey Coretti, ’12, scored his first goal after this and Reid Mayberry scored his sixth immediately thereafter.

Chris Doran, ’15, scored a goal for the Maroons in the fourth period, assisting the Maroons in their 17-7 win. Jeff Keating, ’12, had his second goal in the fourth as well. This goal awarded him the position of second on the all-time scoring list. In total, he has acquired 155 goals. Reid Mayberry was the leading scorer for the Maroons during this game with six total goals.

On April 28^th the men’s lacrosse team will play again in the first round of the ODACs. The time is TBA. They will play at the Donald J. Kerr Stadium at home.

Staff writer

Summer is nearly here but before Roanoke College students can enjoy those beaches and summer jobs they first have to get through finals. For many upperclassmen this is a normal routine but for underclassmen this is the second round of finals. Here at the Brackety-Ack we understand just how stressful these [...]]]> Nathaniel Rioux

Staff writer

Summer is nearly here but before Roanoke College students can enjoy those beaches and summer jobs they first have to get through finals. For many upperclassmen this is a normal routine but for underclassmen this is the second round of finals. Here at the Brackety-Ack we understand just how stressful these times are, so we compiled a short list of study tips and tricks that will help everybody get through their finals:

Got a test?

Most people have test this time of year, and while a lot of test are cumulative and may seem daunting at first the amount of material that is covered in one test but here is a helpful hint. Most of the material covered on the test is previous material that was on the mid-term.  If they are not cumulative as in  the material covered the first half of the semester is not on the test then  expect to be tested on the materials covered in the second half.

Your best resource is your professor. If you have a question about the material ask them. They are here to help you.  Now this doesn’t mean asking questions like “what is going to be on the test?” instead ask questions pertaining to the material.

Don’t cram everything in the night before.  Doing this will only give you a basic overview on topics you already know. Also when it comes to studying try applying the knowledge you know in a problematic situation. Like for an example trying to explain Marxist perspective to your friend. Or solving an equation using skittles. Doing this helps you master and thoroughly understand a certain topic to the point where the core concepts become easier to understand.

Got a paper due?

Start now. No seriously no matter how long the paper is now is the best time to start. This for some people, myself included, is easier said than done.  Starting a paper early allows for a longer time to look over the paper. Which when it comes to the revision process of the paper seems to be the last thing on a person’s mind when they are writing a paper.  A good tip when working on a paper is to read your paper out loud. Reading the paper out loud may look weird but you tend to notice a lot of things that wouldn’t be noticed when reading to oneself.  If you’re stuck on a paper the writing center at the library is a great resource. See the Roanoke College’s website for details.

Most important thing to do while studying for finals is to stay relaxed. Many students get overwhelmed with finals that the stress gets in the way of studying.  Studying is always good but remember to have fun while doing it.

Staff Writer

Roanoke College’s campus has sprung into full bloom with warm weather, students spending their time outdoors, and a new, refreshing look on the quad, filled with green grass and lush landscaping. With every new sign of the forthcoming warm weather, also comes an appetite for a cold and refreshing sweet! Just [...]]]> Kaitlyn Bell

Staff Writer

Roanoke College’s campus has sprung into full bloom with warm weather, students spending their time outdoors, and a new, refreshing look on the quad, filled with green grass and lush landscaping. With every new sign of the forthcoming warm weather, also comes an appetite for a cold and refreshing sweet! Just in the nick of time, Bayou Snowballs, a local snow cream shop, opened up in downtown Roanoke this previous winter. This yummy snow cream shop is an experience certainly worth checking out.

Owner and operator, Crystal Ware, started up her business with the inspiration of one of her favorite places in the country; New Orleans, Louisiana. Her sweet shop reflects the true New Orleans Bayou style with Mardi Gras beads and decorations from floor to ceiling.  Ware explains how she was inspired to start the business and bring snow cream to the Roanoke Valley. Although snow cream is a popular trend in Southwestern states such as Mississippi and Louisiana, Bayou Snowballs is one of a kind in downtown Roanoke. So, when Ware decided to open up her shop, families and friends came to visit from all over.

The creativity and diversity of flavors is always changing and improving for Crystal. She experiments with the flavors and uses key natural ingredients to truly give her snowballs an enriching flavor. The flavors at this snow cream shop range from wedding cake flavor to dreamsicle flavor and even a key lime pie flavor. But, one of the most important factors beyond the yummy flavors of the snowballs is the commitment to service and friendly atmosphere to the business.

Ware is dedicated to ensuring that her customers receive a truly wonderful experience and enjoy the new and unique flavor. With this strength in dedication and loyalty to customer service, comes great success. Ware has gone from the unknown shop on the corner of the market square to a common household name for those living in the local Roanoke Valley.

Taking a snow cream shop and turning it into a fun and wonderful memory for all those who visit has become a very important aspect to the success that Crystal Ware has had the opportunity to achieve. There is no doubt that her business will be a continual success and a place of interest for several Roanoke College students. For more information, visit the Bayou Snowballs Facebook page or visit the shop in downtown Roanoke!

Staff Writer

“The Cabin in the Woods,” written and produced by Joss Whedon and starring Chris Hemsworth, Kristen Connolly, Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams, and Anna Hutchison, opened in theaters everywhere Friday, April 13.

The film follows five friends who are just looking for a relaxing weekend “off the grid.”  Each of these [...]]]> Emily Dabbs

Staff Writer

“The Cabin in the Woods,” written and produced by Joss Whedon and starring Chris Hemsworth, Kristen Connolly, Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams, and Anna Hutchison, opened in theaters everywhere Friday, April 13.

The film follows five friends who are just looking for a relaxing weekend “off the grid.”  Each of these friends fit snuggly into a different stereotype; there is Curt (Hemsworth) the jock and his sexually-driven blonde girlfriend Jules (Hutchison); the stoner Marty (Kranz); the intellectual gentleman, Holden (Williams); and goody two-shoes Dana.  Little does this group know, their quiet weekend in the woods has been painstakingly planned out to a T by a mysterious company.

When I saw the trailer, I wasn’t sure that I wanted to see the movie, at least not in theaters.  As a huge fan of the horror genre, I don’t usually see the point in paying the $10+ to go see the same old things being done on screen again. When I saw that Joss Whedon, writer of the hit shows “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” and “Dollhouse,” as well as several movies such as “Toy Story,” “Serenity,” and “The Avengers,” was responsible for this film, that hesitation almost completely disappeared.  And boy, am I glad it did.

Whedon, with the help of his co-writer Drew Goddard, have successfully created a new genre: comedic horror.  I have never laughed so much in horror movies because it was written to get laughs – I am usually the one snickering in the theater at everyone else’s terror.

Critics seem to agree that this movie is definitely one to watch, scoring a 92% on the popular review site, rottentomatoes.com.

“‘The Cabin in the Woods’ has a number of amusing twists,” said Lisa Kennedy of the “Denver Post.” “Goddard and Whedon are crazy about the horror genre, to be sure. They’re even more compelled to use their bag of tricks to tell a dark tale about the bonds of friendship and the demands of humanity, about sacrifice and manipulation, about good and evil.”

“A horror movie embedded in a conspiracy flick embedded in another horror movie-the most inventive cabin-in-the-woods picture since ‘The Evil Dead’ and the canniest genre deconstruction since ‘Scream,’” said Christopher Orr, film critic for “The Atlantic.” “It is by turns moderately horrifying and wickedly funny, offering more nods and winks than a narcoleptic on jury duty.”

So if you find yourself with a couple hours to spare this weekend in between Relay for Life and studying for the ever dreaded finals, head on over to Valley View or Salem Valley 8 and check out “The Cabin in the Woods.”

Staff Writer

In April of 2009, a group of theatre students from University of Michigan created a musical parody of the popular book and movie series “Harry Potter” which they entitled “A Very Potter Musical.” Soon after Starkid Productions was born. Now, three years later, Team Starkid has finished their fifth masterpiece: [...]]]> Emily Dabbs

Staff Writer

In April of 2009, a group of theatre students from University of Michigan created a musical parody of the popular book and movie series “Harry Potter” which they entitled “A Very Potter Musical.” Soon after Starkid Productions was born. Now, three years later, Team Starkid has finished their fifth masterpiece: “Holy Musical B@man!”

Written by Nick and Matt Lang, the show is a parody of DC Universe Comics; it mainly focuses on the vigilante Batman, but also includes Superman, The Green Latern, and several other DC heroes as well as a new villain who, with the help of some old ones we know and love, threatens Gotham City.

The show, performed in Chicago March 22-25, welcomed Joe Walker, Meredith Stepien, Dylan Saunders, Lauren Lopez, Nick Lang, Jaime Lyn Beatty, and Denise Donovan back to the stage as well as several newcomers to Team Starkid.

For those of you who are comic book junkies don’t be offended by the departure from the Batman canon. Starkid satirizes the Dark Knight and brings to light those little quirks that even the biggest Batman fans lovingly roll their eyes at.

“It was one of the most hilarious things I have ever seen. It was a riot and I recommend it to anybody looking for a good study break,” said Shannon Mace ’15, a longtime fan of Starkid Productions.

The music from their past four musicals has all been written by Darren Criss, the face of Blaine Anderson on Fox’s “Glee” and co-founder of Starkid Productions, but with this show, Starkids Nick Gage and Scott Lamps wrote the music and lyrics.

“I was a little worried at first when I found out that Darren Criss wasn’t writing the music for the show,” said Kelsey Daniel ’12, “But the songs were great and very catchy.”

Some of these songs include: “Robin Sucks,” “The American Way,” and “Super Friends.”

Starkid Productions uploaded the show in its entirety to YouTube Friday, April 13, and in the just a week has over 300,000 views. So this week, when you need a break from studying or you are all done with your exams, check out “Holy Musical B@man!” on YouTube to see what all the fuss is about and if you like it be sure to check out their other musicals which can be found on their YouTube channel, “Starkid Potter.”

Entertainment Editor

There has always been some debate between “Harry Potter” fans as to which website is the official website for the popular book and film series. Fans go to websites like MuggleNet and Harry Potter Lexicon for information on the series and to interact with other fans. As of April 14, however, [...]]]> Zephyr Erwin

Entertainment Editor

There has always been some debate between “Harry Potter” fans as to which website is the official website for the popular book and film series. Fans go to websites like MuggleNet and Harry Potter Lexicon for information on the series and to interact with other fans. As of April 14, however, fans have a place to go for accurate information. Pottermore, an interactive website created by J.K. Rowling herself, opened worldwide, though it is still considered to be in the early access for members.

Members of the website can interact with the novels by going through each chapter, often finding key items or other items that can provide some additional information into the world of “Harry Potter.” While there are slots available for each of the books, the only one available for members to interact with is “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.” There is a rumor going around that members won’t be able to interact with “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” until later this year.

While it initially seems like there isn’t a lot to do, Pottermore is more than meets the eye. Members take tests in order to determine what type of wand they will receive and another test upon arriving at Hogwarts to determine what house they are in.

Another redeeming feature about Pottermore is that members can duel each other using spells like Incendo, Mucus ad Nauseaum, and Flipendo. You can challenge others from other houses or practice with members of your own house. The spell casting process is difficult at first, but once a member realizes what to do, it becomes easy.

One of the biggest concerns with the game involved the process in which members sign up. Members cannot choose their username. Instead, they are given four options that they can choose from four or five usernames with names like FireDragon4812 or GoblinCrusher1374. It’s normally easy to remember the first part of the username, but remembering the exact order of the numbers is more difficult. This system is in place to protect children from online predators.

I’ve been a fan of “Harry Potter” since I was eight, so Pottermore being opened to the public is pretty exciting news. I can interact with my favorite series in a new way and can talk to other fans of the series like never before. I’m only on chapter nine of the book and am hoping that my continued interactions with the series are going to be awesome.

The reason we are mammals, as opposed to birds or amphibians, is because we as a species possess in both sexes mammary glands and nipples.

In the female they function both as primary erogenous zones and as the source of sustenance for [...]]]> Dear Dr. P: “What do you make of our preoccupation about nipples?”

The reason we are mammals, as opposed to birds or amphibians, is because we as a species possess in both sexes mammary glands and nipples.

In the female they function both as primary erogenous zones and as the source of sustenance for our infants during lactation and nursing.  In the male the breasts and nipples are less developed but can serve also as primary erogenous zones.  However, if sufficiently stimulated, or augmented by hormone treatments, a male’s breasts can also serve as a source of sustenance for our babies!

Yes, it is true that intact otherwise heterosexual males have successfully nursed infants.  It is an extremely rare phenomenon, but it does occur.  If you can’t believe this, see the website “Milk Men, Fathers who Breastfeed” at unassistedchildbirth.com

In about 15 percent of young adolescent males, gynecomastia occurs as they go through puberty.  This is the temporary swelling of breast tissue on one or both sides with sometimes secretion of fluid from the nipple.  This freaks out the young man who does not know what is happening to his body (“I’m turning into a girl!”).  A visit to the physician, or pediatric endocrinologist, corrects the situation with an injection or two of androgens.  In rare cases, as was told to me by a tall, strapping young man who claimed to be a successful high school footballer “I had to get breast reduction surgery to correct my case!”

But why do we have a fascination with the all-but-taboo nipple?  According to Freud, the nipple—and the mouth—is the locus an infant’s first sexuoerotic experience with another person, the mother during the oral phase of sexuoerotic development.  Some of us never get beyond this stage and become “fixated” or arrested at the oral-nipple phase because of insufficient satisfaction during this stage of development.  We were not sufficiently nursed by our mothers so as to successfully pass beyond the oral phase.

Our culture for a long time thought that breast feeding was old-fashioned and nasty, almost obscene.  We were stuck trying to get that elusive and denied nipple.  This is the case—if you believe in Freud’s psychoanalytic theory—and there are many who do.

Thankfully, there seems to be resurgence in natural wholesome breastfeeding.  This may very well reduce our fixation with the nipple.

There are some cultures in which bare breasts and exposed nipples are no big deal.  These cultures seem also to have extensive breast feeding sometimes into the fourth year and beyond of the child’s life.

We are fascinated also because the nipple is indeed a primary erogenous zone, which when stimulated can produce an orgasm in some women without any other additional manipulation.

Nipples telegraph responsiveness by enlarging and increasing sensitivity.  But there are also some women who are relatively non-responsive sexuoerotically with nipple and breast stimulation.  It does nothing for them.  This may be a form of hyposexual anhedonia due to a repression of response because of learned sexual negativity.  What is learned negatively can be unlearned.

Nipples have not always been objects of taboo.  During the Napoleonic era in France, young women proudly exposed their rouged nipples (or painted gold) over the tops of their Empire gowns.  Generally, in the modern era women were somewhat self-conscious and wore thick bras and other clothing to hide the bulge of their nipples.  During the late 1990s and early 2000s, nipples were augmented (or you wore false nipples) so as to show them through sweaters or shirts.

Today it is quite the fashion for nipple jewelry or piercings to be worn by ordinary young women—and even men.

Fashions change, but we, males and females, always are concerned with nipple appearance.

Galactophorously yours,

Dr. P