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]]>Originally, Abigail Doonan (‘24) didn’t know what she wanted to do for her THEA 497 – her capstone production project for her theatre major. She did know that she wanted to direct, whether it was a play that she had written, a Shakespeare play, a piece by Tennessee Williams or something else entirely. In the end, a one-act play was the best option, due to the short time frame for rehearsals and the inevitable time conflicts in an ensemble cast. She told me during our interview, “I was looking through Concord Theatricals and I stumbled upon ‘In Juliet’s Garden’, which was a comedy about Shakespearean characters, and I thought that was really cool. I’ve done a lot of work with Shakespeare over the course of my college career, so I thought it would be fun to tie a little bow by working on another Shakespeare-related play.”
“In Juliet’s Garden” by Judy Elliot McDonald is a 45-minute, one-act comedy about Shakespeare’s heroines coming together to discuss the difficult plots that their author put them through. It is ultimately about listening to each other and seeing things from a new perspective— although, of course, that comes with challenges. “I have very mixed emotions about the play,” Doonan said, “Because seeing the cast’s reaction to the play was very different than how I reacted reading it the first time […] It just depends on how you interpret Shakespeare’s plays.” Indeed, many interpretations of Shakespeare’s work have portrayed women as mere accessories to the plot, while plenty of other productions have elevated, even celebrated them. The challenge is to give each text its due diligence. “In Juliet’s Garden” provides ample opportunity for debate and discussion, whether you come away from it thinking the heroines were treated poorly or fairly.
Doonan is not only the director of “In Juliet’s Garden”; she is also a co-producer and publicist. The other co-producer is Cherry Bauer (‘24), who is also in charge of costume design and wardrobe for the production. Lydia Konings (‘24) is both scenic designer and sound designer, Deborah Van Iwaarden (‘26) is lighting designer, Claudia Hwang (‘26) is choreographer and music director, and Eden Comer (‘25) is the stage manager. Doonan said that other factors went into her choosing “In Juliet’s Garden”: “I want to do something that’s going to be beneficial for the department and allow people to have opportunities. That’s a big thing for me: giving people with potential that haven’t done things yet an opportunity to be in something or be part of something. For instance, it’s Eden’s first time stage managing, it’s Deb’s first time lighting designing, half the cast hasn’t been in anything at Hope other than the ten-minute plays [for the Directing I class]; so I was really intentional with whomever I picked to be part of the production process.”
“In terms of casting, I think that I was very lucky in the amount of people that auditioned for my show,” she continued. “With 490s, normally you get just the amount of people that you need. But I had nineteen people audition. It’s so hard to let people down. There were so many good actors, and I really hope that people continue to audition because there was so much talent in that room.” For Doonan, casting has been one of the most difficult parts of the process.
I asked about some of her other challenges on top of casting. “One thing that I’ve learned as a director is that I still struggle a lot with delegating tasks, specifically to my designers. I’ve found it to be a struggle communicating to them my exact vision, but that’s been fun to work on. I’ve also learned more about how to communicate with my actors, and if there’s something I don’t necessarily like, I ask myself, ‘How do I deliver that in a way that’s kind but also encouraging?’ My designers and actors are killing it— I’m really excited for it all to come together this coming week!”
One special aspect of this production is that it will be in the DeWitt Studio Theatre in arena configuration, meaning that the audience will sit on all four sides of the action. “I’ve never directed in arena before,” Doonan told me. “It’s fun trying to block [arrange] people in a way that looks visually nice, but also still movement-oriented.”
As an actor in the show myself, it has been a very interesting experience to determine movement in relationship to my fellow actors, while also allowing the audience to see me from multiple sides. This is opposed to proscenium, which is the classic, most common configuration of a theatre, in which the audience sits on only one side of the stage. “I think proscenium is so much easier [to direct in], because actors tend to have more experience in that,” Doonan said, “But I wanted the challenge of working in arena […] I couldn’t imagine doing it on the [DeWitt Main Stage] because it’s such an intimate play. I think a big theme in it is working through your problems, and I think that you have to be very vulnerable in that, and being in a big space wouldn’t allow you to feel those emotions in the way that I would like them to be expressed.” With approximately 65 seats in the theatre, arena configuration in such an intimate, immersive setting will definitely make for a unique viewing experience.
So who should come see this play? The short answer is, everyone. “You could say that it’s specifically targeted at people that enjoy Shakespeare, which I think is actually quite a few Hope College students. Or haters of Shakespeare! I don’t think anybody’s impartial to Shakespeare, you know? I think Shakespeare can seem really inaccessible, it can be really hard to digest and read, but once you throw yourself into the fire and get into it, I think that Shakespeare’s work is a lot more accessible than people think because it’s very much about the world and the human experience.” The fun thing about “In Juliet’s Garden” is that there is little-to-no Shakespearean text in the play other than a singular sonnet. This alone makes the play more accessible to people who are weary of Shakespeare’s writing.
The cast of “In Juliet’s Garden” includes Ashley Lauraine (‘25), Anya Kapitula (‘26), Ingrid Baker (‘26), Kate Lawrence (‘26), Adeline Thalhammer (‘26), Bridget Kenny (‘27) and Jesalyn Ashby (‘27). The performances will take place in the DeWitt Studio Theatre on March 22nd at 7:30 p.m. and March 23rd at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $3 each and can only be purchased at the door via cash or card.
Doonan added, “I just think everybody should support student work. ‘In Juliet’s Garden’ [and other 497s] is fully student-led art, which is amazing and super fun!” We hope to see you there!
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]]>Kiptum grew up in nearby Chepsamo, Kenya. He worked as a herder as a child and trained to become an electrician before pursuing a career in professional running. “I knew him when I was a little boy herding livestock barefoot,” Rwanadanese coach Hakizimana told BBC. “It was in 2009 when I was training near his father’s farm, he’d come kicking at my heels, and I would chase him away.”
Kiptum became a household name in the running community in October after obliterating the previous Marathon world record with his 2:00:35 run at the Chicago Marathon. That record was officially ratified by international track federation World Athletics. For more on the specifics on the record please refer to The Anchor’s digital article, “Kelvin Kiptum smashes marathon world record.
In a statement on X, Kenyan President William Ruto said “He was only 24. Kiptum was our future. An extraordinary sportsman has left an extraordinary mark in the globe.” His death sparked many tributes across Kenya.
Kiptum was set to compete at the 2024 Rotterdam Marathon in April. “I am going to Rotterdam to run fast,” Kiptum told reporters in December. “The course is good and the fans in the streets encourage you to run faster. I would like to be a part of the rich history of this marathon.” He was hoping to be the first person to organically break 2 hours in the marathon. He was also set to compete against the legendary Eluid Kipchoge in the Paris Olympic Marathon. Kipchoge held the previous world record and broke 2 on a heavily assisted course in 2019.
Kipchoge joins an unfortunately long line of famous athletes whose lives were tragically taken from them before they could reach their full potential. Others like him include:
Len Bias (1963-1986)
Len Bias was a 6’8” basketball player from Landover, Maryland who played college basketball at the University of Maryland. While there, Bias was a 2x All American, 2x ACC Player of the Year and ACC Athlete of the Year. He was drafted 2nd overall by the Boston Celtics in 1986. Two days after being drafted he sadly passed away of cardiac arrhythmia after snorting cocaine with some college friends.
Roberto Clemente (1934-1972)
Roberto Clemente was a Puerto Rican Outfielder who played 18 years for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was a 15x All-Star, the 1966 MVP, 2x World Series Champion, 12x Gold Glove Winner, 4x Batting Champion and a member of the 3,000 hit club. This decorated resume earned Clemente a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973. He was a known philanthropist and spent most of his offseason doing charity work. In 1972 the city of Managua, Nicaragua was hit with a massive earthquake. Clemente immediately arranged emergency relief efforts but tragically the plane of supplies he was on crashed into the Atlantic just off the coast of Isla Verde, Puerto Rico.
Ernie Davis (1939-1963)
Ernie Davis was a football player from New Salem, Pennsylvania. He excelled at baseball, basketball and football at Elmira Academy. He attended Syracuse University where he was a 2x All-American and led the Syracuse Orangemen to the National Championship in 1963. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1961, becoming the first African American to do so. He was drafted first overall in the 1962 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins. The Redskins owner refused to sign a black player so he was traded to the Cleveland Browns and paired with fellow Syracuse alumni and future Hall of Famer, Jim Brown. This dream duo took a tragic turn when Davis was diagnosed with leukemia. He was hospitalized in the summer of 1962 and died 9 months later. His no. 44 and 45 jerseys are retired by the Syracuse Orange and Cleveland Browns respectively.
Dale Earnhardt (1951-2001)
Dale Earnhardt Sr. was an American NASCAR driver for over 2 decades. He is tied with Richard Petty and Jimmie Johnson for the most NASCAR Cup Series Championships with 7, in 1980, 86, 87, 90, 91, 93 and 94. He has 76 wins and 428 top ten finishes in 676 races all time. In the NASCAR Xfinity Series he won 21 races with 75 top ten finishes in 136 races all time. He was famous for his No. 3 GM Goodwrench sponsored car. On February 18, 2001 Earnhardt was involved in a three-car crash with Ken Schrader and Sterling Marton during the final lap of the Daytona 500. Earnhardt passed away later that afternoon from a fatal basilar skull fracture. His son Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished second place during that race.
Jose Fernandez (1992-2016)
Jose “Nino” Fernandez was a professional baseball pitcher from Santa Clara, Cuba. He was drafted 14th overall by the Miami Marlins in the 2011 draft and received Rookie of the Year and All-Star Honors in 2013. He was the youngest opening day pitcher in over 30 years when he started in 2014 at age 22. He was an All-Star again in 2016. On Sep. 25, 2016 he was found dead in a boating crash after hitting a rock in Miami Beach at 65 mph. The Coast Guard found him around 3 a.m., dead with cocaine and alcohol in his system.
Lou Gehrig (1903-1941)
Lou Gehrig was a Manhattan Native who played 1st Base for 17 years for the New York Yankees. He was a seven time All-Star, six time World Series Champion, two time MVP, Triple Crown winner, and American League Batting Champion. He once hit four home runs in one game, tied for the most ever. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939. He was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease) on his 36th birthday at the Mayo Clinic. He announced his retirement two days later and the Yankees honored him on July 4, 1939 when he gave the famous “luckiest man on the face of the Earth” speech. He passed away in his Bronx home on June 2, 1941. ALS still has no cure and the MLB actively fights to help fight the disease though the Eleanor and Lou Gehrig ALS Center.
Dwayne Haskins (1997-2022)
Dwayne Haskins was a native of Highland Park, NJ but grew up a diehard Ohio State Buckeyes fan. He attended the prestigious Bullis School where he passed for over 5,300 yards and 50 touchdown passes. The 6’4 Quarterback was a Heisman trophy finalist and went 13-1 during his senior season with 4,831 yards and 50 touchdowns. This was good enough to be drafted 15th overall by the Washington Redskins, now the Washington Commanders. He was 12-14 in two years there before being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers. On April 9, 2022 he was struck and killed by a dump truck while crossing I-595 in Fort Lauderdale by foot. He had a BAC of .24 and had ketamine and norketamine in his system.
Paul McMullen (1972-2021)
A native of Cadillac, MI, Paul McMullen was a high school mile state champion and eight time All-American at Eastern Michigan University. Following graduation he ran professionally for seven years with Asics and Saucony before enlisting in the United State Coast Guard. He most recently ran under the four minute mile barrier at the age of 32, at the Prefontaine Classic. He retired from professional running after failing to qualify for the 2004 Olympics. He still holds the record for the 1.5 mile run in the Coast Guard and multiple records at Eastern Michigan. He founded the local track club Chariots of Fire and coached there until his untimely death in a ski accident in 2021.
Thurman Munson (1947-1979)
The Akron native, Thurman Munson was a professional catcher for eleven seasons for the New York Yankees. He earned the 1969 Rookie of the Year, 1976 MVP, three Gold Gloves, seven All Star games and two World Series Championships. He was also named captain of the New York Yankees, a prestigious honor only bestowed on sixteen Yankees ever. On Aug. 2, 1979 Munson was practicing takeoffs in his personal light aircraft and on his final landing, the flaps did not extend. He was trapped in the cockpit and unable to move due to a cervical fracture causing paralysis. Two nearby men attempted to free Munson by he died of asphyxiation due to inhalation of superheated air before they could free him.
Steve Prefontaine (1951-1975)
Coos Bay, Oregon native Steve Prefontaine is one of the greatest distance runners in American history. The 5 ‘9 phenom won two high school state championships before running for legendary Bill Bowerman at the University of Oregon. While at Oregon he won the 1970, 71 and 73 Cross Country National Championships and four more in Track and Field in the three mile and 5000m distances. He earned fourth place in the 5000m at the 1972 Munich Olympics. He was also a strong advocate for athlete pay and was Nike’s first sponsored athlete. His life came to an unfortunate end in a single car drunk driving accident on May 30, 1975 when his car flipped onto itself traveling outside Eugene, OR. The 24-year-old had his eyes set on the 5,000m Gold Medal in the 1976 Montreal olympics. He died with many impressive personal bests including a 7:42 3000m, 8:18 2 mile, 13:21 5000m, and 27:43 10,000m, all American records at the time.
Tyler Skaggs (1991-2019)
Tyler Skaggs was a three sport standout athlete at Santa Monica High School before being drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the first round of the 2009 MLB draft. Skaggs made his debut with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Aug. 22, 2012 and continued to have success before being traded back to the Angels. He finished his career. On July 1, 2019 Skaggs was found dead in his Southlake, TX hotel room. He had received painkillers from an Angles staff member and an autopsy revealed he had a mix of fentanyl, oxycodone and alcohol in his system and that he died of asphyxia from aspirating his own vomit. Suicide and foul play were ruled out and it was deemed and accidental death.
Sean Taylor (1937- 2007)
Sean Taylor was a Florida City Native who attended the nearby University of Miami. While there he was a two time all Big East, a Unanimous All-American, a National Champion and went all Big East in Track & Field. The Washington Redskins drafted him fifth overall and he became a two time Pro Bowler and All-Pro Safety. On the night of Nov. 18, 2007 Taylor’s house was broken into and he was shot in the leg while investigating noises downstairs. He was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital but unfortunately died of blood loss from a severed femoral artery the next day. He was posthumously named to the Washington Ring of Honor, had his number retired and has a statue outside the stadium
Pat Tillman (1976-2004)
Pat Tillman was an All-American Safety at Arizona State University taken in the last round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played three seasons for the Arizona Cardinals, totaling 340 tackles, three interceptions and three fumble recoveries. In May of 2002 he famously turned down a $6 million dollar contract to enlist in the U.S. Army with his brother following the 9/11 attacks. He graduated from Fort Benning Ranger School and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2003. On April 22, 2004 he was reported to have been killed by enemy combatants. After an investigation by the Department of Defense, it was confirmed that Tillman was killed by friendly fire. Tillman was often very critical of the military’s occupation of Iraq and his family has been incredibly outspoken about the miltary’s deception and cover up of his death.
(Featured image: Michael Reaves / Getty Images)
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]]>I say “simulated world” because at college we do not live as functioning adults. Many students are still relying on their families for support—monetarily, emotionally and physically—and most of us do not work a 9-5.
We walk through college with some goal in mind so that we can leave home, or for some people, help support our homes. I believe that higher education is a place to nurture and grow our own passions, interests and skills ranging from the natural sciences to the arts. However, through this journey, we have to develop some goal; or else, we are just wandering through life with little purpose. Now that does not sound very good.
Whether this goal is an occupation, a deeper understanding of a particular subject, a stepping stone towards another higher degree or even to find the love of your life—these are all admirable goals to discover at college.
I entered college with a very concrete goal: to become the best surgeon I could possibly be. About 3% inspired by “Grey’s Anatomy,” I learned as much as I could about surgery, the different paths it could bring me down and even learned how to suture early on in high school. However, once I finished my first year, where I was exposed to the vastness of a liberal arts education, I changed my mind. I chose to explore my other interests that bled over from high school. As a result, I jumped paths. I decided that I did not want to become a doctor, and instead, directed my attention to something else: chemistry research. I started researching organic chemistry here at Hope
the summer before my freshman year, and I fell in love with it. I continued to deepen that love by researching at multiple institutions all around the United States.
This jump was uncomfortable, but I persevered through that bit of discomfort. What discomfort you may ask? Imagine you have been working toward one goal for many years, making decisions in regard to that single goal, then that goal just vanishes. Wouldn’t that make you uncomfortable? I had pictured myself as a surgeon for years, making many decisions based on that goal. It was hard to let go of something so ambitious and renowned as becoming a doctor.
Although this jump shook some future plans, I rebounded and directed my energies toward becoming the best research chemist. Even though I had research as my priority, I did not stop exploring all my random and widespread interests. I attended conferences where I sat with others late into the night discussing ideological dilemmas. I helped found a TEDx organization at Hope. I marched on the streets of D.C. for something I vehemently believe in.
As I moved through college, my non-science passions and interests started to shine through. I became involved here at The Anchor. I was published for the first time in the Wall Street Journal. I joined politically active clubs and became involved with deep-thinking organizations like the Intercollegiate Studies Institute.
I fell in love with the constant excitement of working within journalism and politics. Political theory fascinates me. Campaigns excite me. Articulating my opinion for the world to read brings me joy.
But even with all of these feelings, I still had one goal in mind going into my study abroad semester—chemistry research. But here is the catch: in London, there was no chemistry research to be conducted. Instead, I could only deepen my passion for journalism and politics.
So, once again, I jumped paths. Now do not get me wrong, I still love chemistry and the impact I could make while researching. But in my heart, I know that what excites every atom of my being lies with politics and journalism. It is hard to give up something that you’ve been working on for the last three years, but in the end, you have to make choices in life.
To throw one more curveball, I’ve decided to join the Peace Corps with my boyfriend and move to Liberia for the next two years. This was not in my plan, but I jumped. The Peace Corps is something that I have always thought was admirable; however, I thought it would be outrageous for me to actually do it. As I discerned this decision, I realized that this is the perfect time to make a jump. This jump did not make me uncomfortable or leave any uncertainty. It felt like the norm because I have walked through college normalizing resonating goals.
My point is not to narrate all of my life choices for you, but rather to say that it is okay to figure out your goals as you walk through college and life. This is the time to jump from one passion to another and explore your compatibility with something or even someone else. When you were growing up, your parents likely told you to try many things. This could be sports, theater, dance or really anything. So why do we discard this adventurous spirit once we go to college? Some of the greatest leaders in our world are the most multifaceted people where it is hard to describe what exactly they do. Names that come to mind are Steve Jobs, Elon Musk and Joe Rogan. They have dipped their toes in so many areas affecting our world, and you can too.
You have to be comfortable with making uncomfortable choices. You may be the only one who is studying physics while also writing poetry on the side—but that’s okay. You have to be flexible with your own future. I was the person to write out my four-year college plan the summer before my freshman year. Now look at me! I’ve changed my life goals multiple times in just the span of a few years. And it is because I took time during college to lean into all of my interests instead of secluding myself to one discipline.
I am graduating this May with a chemistry degree, with hopes to become a political commentator, with a Peace Corps position waiting for me in Liberia. How confusing is that? I have jumped from path to path, and I could not be happier with my choices. Each experience has shaped me into the person I am today. I have learned what I love.
Once you decide that it is okay to change your goals in accordance with your passions, then you can have the freedom to do whatever you want. Life does not have to be one linear path, we don’t just get to have one vocation. Instead, our paths can zigzag along, going from one thing to the next. We have the freedom in America to pursue, at least, most of the things that we find inspiring in the world.
I’ve put my foot into so many doors these past four years, and I urge you to do the same. This leaves only one question: which door should you first enter and close behind you?
(Featured image: Pixabay)
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]]>With 53.7 seconds remaining in the second half of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship game, the cameras are not fixed on the soon-to-win Louisiana State University basketball players, but on the disappointed face of Iowa Hawkeyes’ Caitlin Clark, who had been named the Associated Press’s Player of the Year just three days prior.
According to ESPN Press, there was a record high of 6.5 million viewers in person and behind screens who tuned into ABC that day for the game, all watching as the 6’0” phenom lit up the court. Although the Iowa Hawkeyes did not end up with a ring that night, Caitlin Clark sure won the long game. Since the championship game went down in 2023, the basketball star has earned roughly $818,000, according to On3Sports.
The Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rule, put into effect by the NCAA in the summer of 2021, ensures the right of collegiate athletes within the association to make financial profit. The top NIL earners make upwards of seven figures in advertising deals. Bronny James, LeBron James’s son, a basketball player at the University of Southern California–has been reported to have made $5.8M from deals so far, and he’s only a freshman!
Though these profits are substantial, not every college athlete is LeBron James’s son. Many collegiate athletes have smaller brand deals with local companies. Regardless of the dollar amount, the opportunity NIL provides is critical for the wellbeing of athletes across the country. Any income has the potential to change the lives of student athletes that have minimal time to work outside their strict athletic and academic schedules.
A common misconception regarding collegiate athletes is that they all have their college paid for by scholarships attributed to their athletic participation. But according to Forbes, only one percent of collegiate athletes have full athletic scholarships. The other ninety-nine percent make the most of their budgets by offering partial scholarships to meet any additional academic or miscellaneous scholarships students receive.
Accessibility to athletic scholarships also depends on the division the school is in. For example, there are 74,243 athletic scholarships given between the 350 NCAA Division I colleges, according to NSCA College Recruiting. In comparison, a grand total of zero combined scholarships from the 438 schools present in Division III are dispersed amongst their athletes. Division III colleges and universities tend to focus more on academic over athletic success, which limits their athletic budget a considerable amount, thus diminishing the opportunity for athletic scholarships.
Scholarships enable a broader range of students from various socioeconomic backgrounds to pursue higher education. But without financial aid from the athletic department, student athletes must look to different sources for financial support. Whether it be federal aid, academic scholarships, or a part-time job, figuring out how to pay for college can be tricky.
NIL proposes a new avenue to rethink Division III athletics. What if these athletic departments did not increase their budgets, but rather increased their focus on obtaining business deals for their student athletes?
Some may believe that brand deals at lower-level schools are unrealistic, but with schools that have high numbers of donors and interactive alumni, this could be a real possibility. Any company –if compliant with NIL policy- can compensate a college athlete. According to Icon Source, “autograph signings, product endorsements, (and) social media posts” are just a few examples of NIL in action.
One of the roles that Kevin Wolma, the Assistant Athletic Director of Wellness and Compliance at Hope College, serves is to make sure that Hope is in compliance with the rules and regulations of the NCAA. In reference to Hope’s practices in NIL, Wolma confirmed that “currently we have a handful of student athletes who are a part of an NIL club while a few others are doing service for products.” According to nilclub.com, NIL clubs are online “athlete-operated fan (communities)”, that in exchange for a monthly subscription, fans are able to “gain access to exclusive content throughout the year”.
Wolma admitted that these clubs and product services do not generate much income for the players. He said that although “the average NIL deal for Division 3 athletes that have an NIL deal is less than 100.00 per year,” he is intrigued about its future. “As the NIL landscape continues to change it will be interesting to see this evolve in our community and the support we receive.”
The Name, Image, and Likeness policy has the capacity to benefit athletes from big and small schools alike, and should be talked about more in the athletic departments of smaller schools, like Hope. Though local companies and businesses are not likely to provide the superstar level of compensation that Caitlin Clark or Bronny James receive, any deal has the potential to positively impact a student-athlete’s life.
(Featured image: Nico Kazlauskas)
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]]>In response to the first question, many academic institutions, including Hope College are using AI to their benefit. An article written in the summer of 2023 by Josh Bishop, titled, “AI and Liberal Arts: Embracing the Power, Preserving Humanity,” discusses this point further. “To ask how AI might be used at Hope would be something of a misnomer, because the technology is already being used on campus,” Bishop asserts in his article. “It’s editing images and graphics, generating content, refining emails, and cleaning up computer code. And in an ironic twist, faculty members are using AI to catch students who try to cheat by turning in AI-generated assignments.” Further in his article, Bishop sheds light on the gray area that the emergence of AI has brought into academic spaces: the issue of academic integrity. “The curious element of using AI-generated papers is that it isn’t, strictly speaking, plagiarism: the AI generator isn’t copying text that already exists but actively generating original content.” However, Dr. Griffin, Hope’s current Provost, provided clarity on this issue. In Bishop’s article, Dr. Griffin states, “We already are interpreting our policy to say that generative AI is a breach of academic integrity . . . Without a proper citation or permission of the instructor, if you put in a prompt, take from a produced essay, and put your name on it, you’ve misrepresented work that you’ve not done.” While this affirmation of plagiarism is important to keep in mind, the tools that AI can offer before crossing this line are also important to understand as this new technology continually develops.
To gather more information about the tools AI provides, I emailed Wesley Stewart, a junior and Computer Science major here at Hope. We discussed some of the emerging questions about AI, and its relation to the Computer Science field. First, I asked Stewart to provide a general overview of computer science, so I could better understand how AI factors into this field of study. “Hope’s Computer Science program is a general introduction to all sides of software development,” Stewart said. “From a diverse portfolio of learned languages to intense study of the very basics of what makes computers tick, we do it all.” Next, I asked Stewart about how AI specifically aids in the field of computer science. “AI in coding is a really interesting case where, while generative language models can be helpful for tips and tricks or debugging simple coding issues, they aren’t super useful at doing projects for you like they can in other fields,” Stewart noted. “Computer science requires critical thinking and context knowledge that generative AI can’t have in its current state.”
In addition, I asked Stewart about where he thinks AI oversteps important boundaries. He addressed some of the controversies that it yields: “I think that the biggest overreach that generative AI has done so far is the massive amount of non-consensual, non-compensated works that have been stolen and used as test data to train these algorithms.The conversation usually comes there for works of AI Art, but text generation is just as egregious in that area.” Following this, I inquired about another controversy: AI’s prevalence within the workplace. According to an article from CNBC, “More than one-third (37%) of business leaders say AI replaced workers in 2023 (Curry). . .” In response to this statistic, Stewart asserted how he doesn’t think AI poses much of a threat for the field of computer science. “If you tried to replace an actual software engineer with GPT4 in its current state, you officially have traded a software engineer for a glorified search engine,” he said. “Almost all of what generative AI pulls from to give you in terms of coding advice are from publicly accessible books and forums. It also is not guaranteed to be right or even the answer to your question/coding prompt. . .” This is important when considering how AI presents a risk when used for academic aid: it may not present accurate information. Stewart expanded on this issue and paralleled it with the emergence of the internet: “Generative AI is such a controversial thing right now in a very similar way to the internet twenty years ago but in different areas of study. Where the internet streamlined research and information processing in a way never before seen, generative AI streamlines any sort of text generation in a way that we have never seen before. I think that, in time, people will find ways to work around generative AI and incorporate it into learning similar to how the internet has been incorporated into learning today. When looking at it like that, I conclude that generative AI becomes a crutch at the same time that the internet becomes a crutch: When you’re mining one or the other for quotes/ideas to simply copy-paste into your assignment and not truly learning. . . it has officially become a crutch.” Stewart isn’t alone in his outlook on the risky side of AI.
Dr. Devereux, a professor in the Mathematics and Statistics department at Hope, shared caution about this nuanced risk, and expanded on the dangers it poses. “I remember being a college student, and I remember how hard it [was],” Devereux recollected. “. . .One of the worst decisions to make as a student is to cheat. The danger there is that a student who is stressed is more likely to use a more powerful tool in a way that doesn’t aid their education. Instead of correcting your mistakes or pointing out your flaws, you’re using it to create something, and I think it costs you as a student.” In light of this, though, Dr. Devereux shared optimism about how AI has positively affected the math field. “. . . AI is a great tool for efficiency. . . I want AI to become a part of math education, Devereux stated. “I’ve read about systems in AI that check if a mathematical proof is correct. It’s heading in a direction where students are going to be able to check the logical accuracy of their work in a way they’ve never been able to do before.” This answer paved the way for my next question, which concerned the future of AI. Dr. Devereux made a comparison to a mathematical breakthrough that occurred in the 1970s, and articulated how his curiosity about the possibilities of AI is ever-increasing. “There was a very interesting result in the 1800s called the four color conjecture. . .Until the 1970s, they finally came up with a proof for it using computers . . . I think about that and I think about AI coming into this . . . I don’t know that we would have a proof for that, were it not for this computer aid. I think AI has the potential to do that. There are some big questions we have in math– things that a few years ago I would have said ‘I don’t expect those to be solved in my lifetime,’ and now I don’t know.”
Addressing another less talked-about controversy, I asked Dr. Devereux about how humanism clashes with AI: Does AI take away the humanistic aspect of mathematics and cloud math’s creativity with convenience? Devereux told me he thinks there is still so much humanity and creativity in math, even with AI on the horizon as a tool. “There’s still so much creativity in mathematics that requires a human mind. And while AI can suggest new ideas, it still requires human input and previous information to be fed to it to influence those ideas. And part of the beauty of mathematics is that people are coming up with some pretty amazing ideas and making connections that feel so new, and different. And I don’t think AI is yet at the place to challenge that. If it ever does, then at least right now, I still see it as a tool made by humans to do so– I think there’s still humanity in that.”
Just like many new emerging technologies, AI brings an array of nuanced questions to the table. While it does provide users with a host of useful tools in many different areas, it also doesn’t guarantee accurate information, and discounts the authorship and artistry of many of its source materials. And while it can be argued that there is still humanity and creativity left untouched by AI, the growing number of jobs it is replacing may thwart this optimism. Through communicating with Stewart and Dr. Devereux, it is clear that they both parallel the rise of artificial intelligence with the rise of the internet. Perhaps the future of AI will mimic that momentous time in history– paving a way for even newer technological advancements.
(Featured image: Nico Kazlauskas)
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]]>The post Hope’s Very Own Capitol Hill: A Look at Student Congress appeared first on The Anchor.
]]>Student Congress is Hope College’s student voice and representation. It allows students to share their opinions on issues and to find solutions. Hope’s Student Congress is composed of many different branches. At the top are the leaders of Congress: the President and the Vice president. Below them, Congress splits into several branches that split into even more. One of the highest branches is the Executive Board, which consists of the President, Vice President, Chief of Staff, Controller, Chief of Assessments, and Chief of Culture and Inclusion.
The Cabinet is another branch, and it is the head of the General Congress. General Congress has 81 members in total. Other branches of Congress include the Academic Affairs Board, the Culture and Inclusion Committee, the Assessments Committee, and the Appropriations Committee. Students who are members of Student Congress are also eligible to sit on campus governance boards. These boards are composed of mainly faculty but have a few student representatives. Together, these committees and boards strive to enrich life on campus and to find ways to meet every student’s needs.
Kate Kalthoff (‘24) is the current President of Hope College’s Student Congress. When explaining what she likes about Congress, she said, “I think as a Hope College student, it made me realize pretty quickly how unique Hope is in realizing that administration does care and takes the word of students pretty seriously. I think far more seriously than even some other colleges from what I can tell.” Kate went on to explain that as President, she sits on Hope’s Board of Trustees. She is able to meet with the board and present to them as a representative of the student body.
Hope’s Student Congress has many plans to improve campus and student life. The Academic Affairs Board has been pushing for American Sign Language to count as a second language credit. They have met with staff and faculty to discuss the matter, and are working on a solution. Congress has also been busy trying to create a long-term and short-term medical leave policy, due to the number of students who have had frustration with this issue. One of the more exciting things that Congress has been working on is an ice skating rink. They have been communicating with the city of Holland to provide a public ice skating rink that would be available for students to use.
Congress has been working hard to make things better for Hope students, and it has already accomplished many goals. An accomplishment for the Culture and Inclusion Committee this year was including DAR staff and faculty in its shared governance positions. This adjustment has allowed more students to be represented so that their needs can be met. Other recent improvements from Congress include implementing a campus shuttle over the summer for students who stay at Hope during the summer season. Congress has also been persistently working with administration to improve parking and dining experiences. After many discussions with faculty, a parking initiative was implemented, which allows students to park in staff and faculty parking lots overnight and on the weekends. A few weeks ago, Congress held a town hall to inform students of the new changes to the FAFSA. Congress was able to ease students’ worries about the process of filling out the FAFSA by answering any questions and concerns that students may have had. One of Student Congress’ more visible accomplishments is the new furniture that has been placed near the Kletz. Congress is also working on getting new furniture for other parts of the Bultman Student Center as well.
Members of Student Congress strive to be able to build relationships with students and faculty that they may not usually talk to. Sara Cerda (‘24), Chief of Culture and Inclusion, said, “I would also say that because of Congress, you get a lot of networking opportunities, especially with people you thought you wouldn’t have a relationship with.” She frequently talks with administration to build relationships with them, which is not always an opportunity that all students have. Ethan Adams (‘26), a Sophomore Class Representative, said that he was able to build a relationship with his mentors who pushed him to do more than he ever would have. He also said that it is easy for students to build relationships with administration, as they are very approachable and easy to talk to.
Congress offers a variety of ways for students to voice their concerns. Throughout the school year, Congress has sent out many assessment surveys in order to hear about what needs to be improved on campus. It is important that students fill out these surveys because they allow Congress to see what improvements students want to see happen on campus. Another way that students can get involved with Congress is by attending General Congress meetings. These meetings are open to all staff and students, and they are held on Monday nights from 8:15-9:15 in the president’s room in Graves Hall. Student Congress hopes to see you there! For those who are unable to attend the General Congress meeting but would still like to voice their concerns, a form can be found on the Congress website where students can submit their questions or concerns. Each hall and residential area also has a representative, and each class has at least one representative. Students are encouraged to reach out to their representatives if there is a matter they would like to bring to Congress.
Students can reach out to members through office hours as well. Many of the top positions of Congress have hours where these members are available to talk to students about anything they may need. Eric Alsgaard (‘25), the Chief of Assessment, said, “It has been really awesome to know where to refer people if they need information to things that I don’t immediately know. The informational network of Hope College is just groundbreaking, and being a student voice in that has just been so rewarding, to see change and to be able to help other students as well when they have questions.” Mariah Shaver (‘24), the Chief of Staff, said, “Our favorite thing to say, which really encapsulates all of the General Congress functions, is that we’re a liaison between the students and the administration.” Hope’s Student Congress has a variety of ways for students to voice concerns because they truly care about what students want and need. When talking about her experience in Congress, Mariah said, “I think it’s kept me connected to the students here at Hope, and it’s taught me a lot about communication skills, organization skills, how to reach people in potentially unseen places.”
(Featured image: Hope College Student Congress Facebook page)
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]]>The post The Endless Potential of TEDxHope: Conversations and Aspirations with the Executive Team appeared first on The Anchor.
]]>TEDxHope College is a student-driven organization whose mission is to “spread ideas worth sharing” through live speeches prepared and delivered by Hope students.
The fourth annual TEDxHope event took place this year on Saturday, February 10, at 7 pm in the Knickerbocker Theater downtown. The night included a line-up of nine student speakers across all grade levels and a variety of disciplines, with topics as diverse as the current conversational environment in higher education, the impact of comics on culture, the unsettling similarities between screen time and cigarettes, and more.
The Knickerbocker Theater offered a comfortable experience for attendees of the event, complete with plush seats, professional lighting, and concessions during intermission. Iconic red cubes and a circular red carpet sat on the stage, while student volunteers handled admissions in the lobby area and handed out notebooks for guests. These complementary features were intentional, according to Andrew Haggerty, the Assistant Director of Student Life who served as the faculty advisor for the event. “The fact that we have notebooks is not random–it’s to give you an easy way to engage and to kind of jot notes down. The fact that we have an intermission, with free concessions, to get people out of their seats, isn’t random. It’s to kind of try to pull people out and into conversations,” stated Haggerty.
Lauren Tocco (‘24), the student director of TEDxHope College, shared some of the behind-the-scenes work that she and her team invested during the past several months in preparation for the event. “My role as director involved working directly with Hope College Events and Conferences to coordinate the event space reservation, meeting with our advisor, Andrew, to make sure things like ticketing and budgeting were well planned and taken care of, and delegating tasks to my team among other things,” stated Tocco.
Both Tocco and Haggerty named hearing the students’ finished speeches as their favorite part. Though Haggerty was part of the selection committee at the beginning of the year, he was less involved in the speech planning and revisioning processes. “Some of the drafts I read, you know, had interesting ideas but definitely weren’t there in a coherent flow, and then next thing I know, I get to see it happen [during rehearsal]…and I’m like, ‘oh, that came a long way.’”
This was Haggerty’s first year serving as advisor for the TEDxHope event, but he was introduced to TEDx as a concept in college when his best friend delivered a talk at Michigan State. He shared more about his enthusiasm for TEDx as a program and the unique way it functions at undergraduate institutions like Hope. “In the broader TED landscape, as I think about the TED talks that a lot of people have seen or that have really informed me, a lot of them are from older people that are experts in their fields that are giving a talk on something they’ve worked on for like 30 years,” said Haggerty. “Something that I think is really cool [at Hope] is that…we have chosen to narrow the focus to students. I think it really recognizes the expertise that students do have.”
He continued, “You don’t necessarily have to be working in a field for 30 years to have something to say. And so focusing on students as speakers gives them an opportunity to reflect on, recognize, and own their ideas and their knowledge and their expertise.”
TEDxHope College was started four years ago during the 2020-2021 school year by Lizzy Bassett (‘23), who in turn urged Lauren Tocco to get involved. Tocco commented on the ways TEDxHope has evolved since its founding: “From starting at Jack Miller to moving to DeWitt Theater, then to the Knickerbocker Theater where we currently host our event, the team has gone through changes with each new executive team.” Despite the organization’s growth in the past few years, it remains “relatively unknown on campus.” Tocco expressed her hopes that the event continues to reach new students and that it eventually becomes “a beloved student organization.”
Haggerty echoed some of these aspirations, seeing the event’s potential to be “a catalyst for continued conversations” on campus. “I definitely have hopes and a pretty strong feeling…that those who do engage with TEDx keep talking in the future. That’s kind of the point–that it’s a starting point and not a conclusive event that ends when it’s over.”
The theme of this year’s event was “The Endless Journey,” an idea that corresponds both to the persisting nature of the TED talks themselves and the personal “endless” journeys that students experience in college. Tocco commented on the team’s rationale behind choosing this theme: “We constantly see things begin and end, but we wanted students to dig into the things they saw or experienced as ‘endless’ in their lives and reflect on how these things impacted them or the people around them.” Speakers took this overarching theme and explored some of the most enduring concepts, goals, or problems they have encountered in their lives.
The TED talks themselves have the potential to continue to impact people for years to come because of the requirement that they be video recorded and posted on TED’s online platform. “TED as an organization has kind of a global culture and a global following,” stated Haggerty. “So, you never know, if Hope College’s TEDx program is going to land on someone’s radar, if you find the right topic where you kind of catch the right group…who knows the reach that is happening. It’s cool to know that that’s a possibility.”
Tocco shared an example of a past TEDxHope talk that has had an exceptional impact. “A really cool thing happened to our curator liaison and past speaker, Brooke [Bennett (‘24)],” said Tocco. “She gave a talk two years ago about the price of insulin and how people with diabetes can no longer easily afford the very thing they need to survive. Her talk was viewed by over 67 thousand people and she was invited on a podcast to talk about her experiences.”
“It is so incredible to me that a talk from a small college like ours could impact so many people. And I know that our speakers this year will reach many people, just as Brooke did,” shared Tocco.
All nine talks from this year’s TEDxHope event were live-streamed and released on YouTube by Hope College (click here to watch). The individual talks will be processed by the TEDx organization and released later this year on the TEDx YouTube channel.
(Featured image credit: Adam Vander Kooy)
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]]>The post Do you rock with The Mannequins’ lore? appeared first on The Anchor.
]]>Grant McKenzie (‘24) says, “All right, guys, let’s ROCK!” as he and the rest of The Mannequins [Carter Bulthuis (Previous Hope Student), Michael Sherman (‘24)] prepare for their daily jamming session. Sparks fly as McKenzie rips a sick riff, Bulthuis locks into the tightest of bass grooves and Sherman wails on the drums like his survival depends on channeling the spirit of Nirvana-era Dave Grohl. The whole room is awash in the sounds of an energetic band absolutely rocking out.
Or, at least, that’s probably what would have happened if we met in their jamming space. Instead, The Anchor met in a coffee shop with the band. Over the course of the next 45 minutes, this enigmatic band were kind enough to chat about their band’s history, future releases, and being a part of the thriving indie-rock scene in Holland, MI.
It all started a few years ago when McKenzie and Bulthuis met… and that was as far as they were willing to elaborate. However, the word on the street is that they discovered a lot of common music interests when deciding to meet up and jam one day. By all accounts, it was a rousing success, with a few songs they still play frequently being written in that very session. McKenzie, Bulthuis, and their original drummer, Davis Miller began to jam more. This original lineup was the creative force behind “Blast Off For Kicksville,” their best-selling album to date.
A knowledgeable source claims that half of each practice was dedicated to inflicting grievous harm on the large assortment of mannequin heads just lying around McKenzie’s house. One of the few intact ones, who they named Jason, became the band’s symbol and is the face of their marketing. The band believes that Jason somehow ascended to a better place, having disappeared under mysterious circumstances despite being guarded under lock and key.
After about a year or two of being a band, Miller could no longer continue, leaving huge shoes to fill after making an indelible imprint on the band’s identity and sound with his outstanding talent for percussion. However, Sherman managed to get in contact with McKenzie, and as soon as he showed up, it was clear that he was the new man for the job. Sherman brought an explosive energy to his drumming that proved to be the “secret sauce,” and from there it seemed like the band was on an upward trajectory yet again.
It was not too much longer before they started to play shows. Favoring house shows and small local venues, they brought the energy night after night, playing both the hits and the deep cuts from “Blast Off For Kicksville.” Playing live shows also gave them the opportunity to road test new material, some of which will probably find its way onto their upcoming album.
Speaking of which, they have a new album coming! They do not know when, but it is coming, and it is going to be awesome. This is what McKenzie spoke about the rollout process: “A lot of the mastering and production is being done by people who are great at what they do, and they are charging way less than they could be. We are incredibly grateful for their efforts because our music is going to sound as good as it possibly could for the budget we have as a small band. However, that means we and our fans need to be patient with the release timeline.”
The recording process itself was pretty incredible, with Sherman having less than two days to be present with them when they were doing a final rehearsal before recording the following week. Battling both nasal congestion and traffic congestion, Sherman made the odyssey from Detroit to Illinois, listening to the rhythms and drum fills that he was going to play on the way there. At many points during his drive, he was improving the music on the go, pulling over every now and then to make adjustments to his parts. When he finally arrived, Sherman propelled the fantastic new tunes with his drumming, possessing a level of determination that can only be obtained after a long drive, low sleep and lots of NyQuil. The songs were all recorded live in-studio, with the band giving it their best shot to translate the kinetic energy of their live shows into their new music. It is fair to say they are immensely proud of the results, and in lieu of new music, they are releasing a concert video within the next two weeks to give everyone a taste of that live energy.
If there is one thing that The Mannequins really wanted to articulate over the course of the interview, it is gratitude. They all absolutely love what they do, and getting to use their creativity to express themselves and bring people together around their music is a dream come true. “The ability to play live shows, and the response to what we’ve been doing, especially at Hope, is amazing. It’s so loving and tremendous and impossible for me to understand (in a good way),” said McKenzie. Seeing friends, acquaintances and strangers alike singing along to their songs electrifies them, and the community response has empowered them to learn and grow and take new risks.
If you suddenly feel the urge to see one of their live shows, you are in luck. The Mannequins are going on a small run of shows this spring, and they would love to see you there. Seize the opportunity; you will not regret it. Details are below:
3/9: Cole’s Bar in Chicago, IL
3/21: Hope College Coffeehouse in Holland, MI
4/5: Park Theatre in Holland, MI
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]]>The post Beyond the Spotlight: Peeking Behind the Curtain of Hope’s Performing Arts Communities appeared first on The Anchor.
]]>To better understand how instrumental community is in bringing the shows we love to the stage, I talked to Aleya Bierma (’27), who is a freshman at Hope pursuing a dance minor. First, I asked her about how she was able to cultivate friendships through dancing, and she told me how the long hours in classes together helped to form physical and emotional bonds. “Last semester I would spend about 12 hours a week with some of the people in my dance classes,” Bierma recalled. “Dance is such an emotionally invested art form, and friendships tend to move quicker than in other areas because there’s a more physical aspect of dance. For example, I’m in an improv class, and there’s a lot of physical contact– and that expedites friendships because you have to be comfortable being close to each other.”
I then asked Bierma about how a shared passion for dance contributes to this performing arts community. “Dance is just such a beautiful and incredible art form that unites people because all have such a passion for it,” she said. “We all chose to come to college and continue dancing. We all want to be here; we all love to dance so much. The individual people and the collective passion for dance, combined with the joy and movement we get from dance is really cool to see.”
Similarly, I spoke to Emma Shulz (’25), who is a junior pursuing a music minor at Hope. She commented on how being a section leader advances her connections within her performing arts community. “I think that as a section leader, you not only have the responsibility of making sure that your section is prepared for a concert, but also that your section is able to work together really well,” Schulz said. “Because we do have so many flutes, we have to make sure we are right there with each other. It’s such a weird thing, the better you know somebody, the better you’re going to play a song with them. That for sure has really impacted the connections I’ve made among my section.” In a similar way, Beirma reflected on being on the receiving end of leadership and how it has helped her form connections. “All the upper-classmen have been so amazing in the dance department; I have been so supported by all of them. Coming in as a freshman you don’t really know what to expect. . . they’ve all been amazing mentors.”
In addition, I spoke to both women about how trust is an essential part of creating connections with those they perform with. Birema told me about how the vulnerability of dance requires the cultivation of trust. “Trust plays a huge part in dance and in performing with other people. Not only in trusting in physical aspects like lifts and holding each other up, but also, dance is so vulnerable,” she noted. “We really, really have to trust each other to share our vulnerability and our struggles . . . holding each other up, figuratively and literally is so important, and to do that we have to trust each other.” Schulz spoke about how collective effort cultivates trust in music. “It takes a lot of trust to play along with people. . .I think that you have to trust that your section is going to hold up their accountability. . .You have to trust everyone’s preparation and trust that as we play together in a performance everyone is playing to the best of their ability to make the ensemble sound better.”
Lastly, I asked both interviewees about what makes the performing arts communities at Hope unique. Bierma shared, “I think that Hope as a whole is such a special place. Truly, there is something different about Hope that people can’t put their finger on. But I think that “difference” whatever it is. . . really extends into the dance program. I think that maybe other dance programs are focused on the end goal. . . and while the Hope Dance program is good at this goal too, they focus more on the process, and cultivating that community. So I think that the Hope Dance department is different in that way because they focus more on the process. . . the professors are so invested, and the community is so close-knit.” Schulz illustrated how the music community at Hope has exposed her to other communities on campus. “At Hope, people have so many different friends from so many different things they’re involved with. By bringing all of these different personalities together in ensembles, it’s really great to meet people and get to know people that you otherwise wouldn’t. I think that ensembles here really bring people together– it exposes you to different things on campus.”
The testimony from Beirma and Shulz illustrates just how much community plays a part in bringing performances to the stage. Shared passion, leadership and trust unite performing arts students together to create a community that extends beyond the spotlight. By creating an environment where process is valued and different people come together, Hope College cultivates a unique kind of affinity among those who perform.
(Featured image credit: Hope College website)
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]]>The post Emotional Support Objects: Childish or Functional? appeared first on The Anchor.
]]>Though most children do not carry around chunks of human hair, the idea of an emotional support item is quite common–especially in Western culture. Blankets and stuffed animals being most common, children often cling to these objects in every part of their life. From trips to the park to sleeping in beds, these objects never leave a child’s hand.
The American Psychological Association has determined that this link to inanimate objects for comfort refers to the initial separation between a child and their parent–specifically in the transition from sleeping together to sleeping alone at night. These objects are “spontaneously chosen and used by a child” and “ease the anxiety of separation from their […] mother, until the child has established a […] mental representation of her, that provides a sense of security and comfort.” Because these children are not physically with their mothers, their object of choice initially serves as an emotional crutch to bear those moments without her.
While adults have developed a clearer understanding of their mother’s existence regardless of her physical presence having regularly spent time away from them, they psychologically have less of a need for emotional support objects. However, many people still feel connected to their emotional support objects into their adulthood. In 2017, a study conducted by Build-A-Bear found that 40% of their respondents still sleep with teddy bears as adults. Aside from childlike objects like stuffed animals, many adults identify things like cell phones or even water bottles as their emotional support objects.
This past week, my Spanish 121 professor, Dr. Leticia Espinosa invited her students to bring a stuffed animal to our upcoming oral exam, to soothe any stresses we students may experience that day. As a proud stuffed animal mother myself, I will be choosing to be a part of this experience with my class.
Dr. Espinosa’s invitation piqued my curiosity on the subject–would it be socially acceptable to bring my stuffed animal to an exam where this practice was not explicitly permitted? What about non-academic situations? Being an out-of-state student, I fly home often, and my stuffed animal comes with me sometimes to “keep company” at the airport.
I feel no shame in bringing Moosey, my stuffed Moose, with me on rare occasions like travel days but I also believe that carrying around a stuffed animal everywhere I go is not socially acceptable as an adult. Bringing along a stuffed animal to anxiety-inducing situations like job interviews or even dates most likely may do more harm than good, but a less alarming object could be the link between comfort and subtlety.
According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, 7.1% of the U.S. population struggles with Social Anxiety Disorder., so it may be more common than one thinks for individuals to require a comfort object. From “happy stones” to fidget rings or sensory objects that can be added onto keychains, there are many affordable items that could aid in comfort for an adult in stressful situations.
Though children are most commonly known for their attachments to inanimate objects, adults often find themselves having attachments as well. Next time you have a stressful exam, think about bringing along your stuffed animal, or consider looking into things like fidget rings or soothing stones to aid in a more subtle form of comfort. Anxiety is normal, so let us make support in all forms normal too, across all ages (with the exception of a wad of human hair).
(Featured image credit: Abby Stoy)
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