BY SARA JANZENSTAFF WRITER

This Friday and Saturday, RUSH will commemorate its five-year anniversary.

The first RUSH ran 20 minutes with fifteen dancers performing six dances to a packed house. From this small beginning, RUSH has grown to approximately 140 dancers performing in 13 dances to anticipated packed houses this year.

Even through all this growth, RUSH has stayed true to its roots.

RUSH was founded in 2003 by Rebecca (Fanning) Donahue and Corrine (Mings) Christian. The two, along with others, saw numerous outlets around campus for the student body’s creativity; they saw art shows and theatre productions and choir concerts, but they didn’t see much dancing.

“RUSH as an entity believes that anyone who wants to dance can,” said RUSH producer Vaughn Donahue, “as long as they’re dedicated and willing to learn.”

Experience takes the backseat. “We have people with 15 years of experience, [and some], it’s their first time.” said Donahue.

RUSH is open to anyone who wants to participate. Senior Kiera Fredericksen, who has participated in multiple RUSH performances, originally didn’t try out until she was recruited to fill an empty spot in a dance.

“I thought you had to be a dancer,” said Fredericksen. Her experience showed that all one really needed to be was dedicated.

Commitment is one thing that is required to participate in RUSH. Choreographers began coming up

with ideas for this RUSH in the spring and choreographed their dances before classes began in the fall. Dancers auditioned in the first week of classes and began practicing soon afterwards.

“It’s a huge time commitment for the dancers , even the choreographers,” said junior Amanda Maloney, artistic director and choreographer. “If you love to dance, it’s a wonderful time commitment.”

Sophomore Michelle Cundy, who will be performing in her first RUSH, echoes Maloney. “Even though it’s so much work, it’s fun. It doesn’t feel like work.”

Many of the dancers and choreographers are drawn to RUSH because of their passion for dance and the chance to bring that passion to the student body.

“I love dancing,” said fourth-year dancer and choreographer Jenni Sybesma. “I love sharing that with other people.”

This year’s RUSH will feature 13 dances that cover a broad range, from hip-hop, jazz and salsa to modern, lyrical and Chinese traditional. The show will begin with a multimedia presentation commemorating RUSH’s five-year anniversary and end with a special dance featuring founders Rebecca Donahue and Corrine Christian and past RUSH leader Heather Sidey. There will be two shows on Friday at 7:30 and 10 p.m. and four shows on Saturday at 2, 4, 7:30, and 10 pm.

The 4 p.m. show on

Saturday was added after the original five shows sold out in roughly two hours, breaking last year’s record setting two and a half days.

Those wishing to attend RUSH but without tickets should arrive an hour early and put their name on a waiting list for seats that go unclaimed.

Volume 80 Number 3 September 21, 2007

top 10 apts & plexes

v-ball douses flames

inside this issue

PAGE 3

PAGE 4-5, 8

PAGE 6

N o r t h w e s t e r n C o l l e g e

BEACON

BY CHANTELLE STEGGERDASTAFF WRITER

This Friday, Sept. 21, starting at 11 p.m., a concert will be held at The Hub commemorating International Day of Peace.

The Hub concert will feature Northwestern student musicians and continue until 2 a.m. on Saturday. The evening is organized to celebrate the end of Volunteer Awareness Week, raise awareness about Peace Day and encourage students to be peacemakers within their community.

The overlap of the International Day of Peace with the local Volunteer Awareness Week has special meaning for members of the NW community, pointed out coordinator Rebecca James, who works with NW through AmeriCorps*VISTA.

The union of the two events emphasizes the possibility of bringing peace to the area by being aware of local needs and acting on them.

“This is beyond politics,” said James. “It’s about bringing peace

to your local community. Think about the idea that you can bring justice to Sioux County. It’s the

whole idea that we’re connected as humans.”

The day became a reality in 1981 when the United Nations passed a resolution for an International Day

of Peace. In 2001, the United Nations declared Sept. 21 the official date.

A new resolution by the United Nations specified that the day be “observed as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence.” It is a day “to be brought to the attention of all people for the celebration and observance of peace,” as established by the United Nations General Assembly.

Although international peace is a goal, James noted that students do not always have the opportunity to go abroad to promote peace.

“We need to rethink this ideal of what being a peacemaker is and how it’s connected to our everyday lives,” said James.

Part of the proceeds from coffee sold at The Hub during the concert will go to The Bridge, Orange City’s new transitional shelter for women and children.

“Living out this idea of peace is going to be in our lifestyles, in our characters,” said James. “It’s living out peace in small ways, bringing it to local organizations that need help.”

Bringing International Day of Peace to the local level

RUSH celebrates five years in a record sellout

volunteer week special

“This is beyond politics. It’s about bringing peace to your local community.” - Rebecca James

PHOTO BY BETHANY KROEZE PHOTO BY BETHANY KROEZE

PHOTO BY BETHANY KROEZE

BY BELINDA FARBERLately I have contemplated the

grand possibilities and incredible impact Christians could have on their world—if only they put their faith into action. But that is really all it has been…contemplation. If

we look around at the blessings we have, can

we see how much we are wasting them? We seldom real ize the true depths

of our resources. How often are we convicted of the way we spend our money, manage our time, and use the talents God has given

us? We live in a place where people squander their resources. We do not manage time well, and even

though we are college students, still learning how to adjust to our changing schedules, I cannot help but be saddened by the frequency of our carelessness. Can we hear the voices of others, pleading with us to use our gifts for God’s glory? I understand that we all need to do a little something for ourselves from time to time, but it happens much too often. Do we ever ask the question, in our world full of suffering, hurt, and need, why were we granted so much?

I have also been thinking about the past lately, and I wonder. If I had lived during the time of William Wilberforce, would I have supported his efforts in fighting against the British slave trade? I wonder if I would have helped Harriet Tubman free slaves on the Underground Railroad, or if I would I have been one of those people that sat back and watched. I wonder how history is in the making now. Sitting on my nursing home bed, what will I say when someone asks, “Where were you when women and young girls were being sex-trafficked, when

there was genocide in Darfur, and when children were being abducted from their homes and trained to be child soldiers?”

The greatest mistakes and regrets in our history were the truths that were never told, the actions never taken, and the prayers kept inside. I pray that this with not be the same

for our future. As Gary Haugen, President of the International Justice Mission, once said, “The greatest enemy in our struggle to stop oppression and injustice is silence.” Imagine if all Christians put their faith into action. I urge you to find the truth that our society tries to hide and do something about it. Share it with others or write to your elected officials. Just do something! And start forming your answer now. Because someday, someone will ask:

You may find it hard to believe, but by nature I’m really not a polemic person. In fact, most of my life I’ve been a peacemaker. I readily admit to mixed motives on my part. I’m a people-pleaser. Some days I’m simply insecure.

But now I’m sitting in my room, sinking into my threadbare sofa, and trying to untangle my stomach from the knot it acquired in our last Beacon production meeting. The opinion editor? What am I doing? How do I end up in such controversial roles?

Opinions seem so volatile. They anger, hurt, and even worse, divide. Yet, after typing this, I realize that everything I’ve written is nothing more than my own opinion of opinions.

Which leads me to this conclusion: opinions are inevitable. Our syntax leads us to believe that being “opinionated” is a negative. In reality, God created us with minds to think and interpret our world based on our belief system.

But we don’t always do this opinion thing well. Joel Belz writes, “It is a pity that we Christians are so often known only for our in-your-face approach. We are frequently known more for our eagerness to exclude rather than our eagerness to persuade.” However, “God never compromises His truth or comes close to suggesting that we can fudge on principle in order to make peace.”

I don’t know about you, but I’m guilty of both extremes. So, how do we get it right? God says loving your neighbor as

yourself should compel you to be careful with the actions you take, the words you use, and even the thoughts you think. That includes our opinions.

Condemn actions. Challenge beliefs. But never attack a person. With loving severity, plead with someone to turn from a course that is destructive. With humility, share how God changed your own opinion. With discernment, bring to light Scriptures that have been overlooked in our community. But don’t turn on your brother or sister in Christ with anger, arrogance, or a spirit of contempt. Why? Because as Christians, our greatest goal is to honor Christ. Our witness depends on it.

Everyone is called to be a peacemaker. And who wouldn’t want that job? After all, they’re bless-ed. But Beatitudes aside, the Bible is full of people sacrificing their pride and right to their opinions for the unity of the body of Christ. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” We may differ in what we are sure and certain of, but let’s communicate that in love and in a way that honors Christ.

Editor Laura JacobsonNews Editor Kim EasonAssistant News Editor Renee NyhofOpinion Editor Jenna BooteEntertainment Editor Emily Sweet LandegentFeatures Editor Elizabeth HeibergerSports Editor Bethany KroezePhoto Editor Bethany KroezeAssistant Photo Editor Jenni SybesmaWeb and Design Editor Jason PuntCopy Editor Paula PudewellAdvertising Manager Brian SpringerAdviser Carl Vandermeulen

BEACONN o r t hwe s te r n Co l l e g e

CONTACT US:101 7th St. SW

Orange City, IA 51041beacon@nwciowa.edu

THE BEACON is the stu-dent newspaper serving the campus community of Northwestern Col-lege. Published weekly and distributed Friday noon, The Beacon en-courages comments from readers. All letters must be 300 words or less, signed with a phone number, and turned in to the Beacon office located in the basement of Gran-berg Hall by Wednesday at 6 p.m. The Beacon reserves the right to edit letters. To obtain a sub-scription, please send $10 to address below.

front deskWITH JENNA BOOTE

OPINION2 September 21, 2007

Do we ever ask the question, in our world full of suffering, hurt, and need, why were we granted so much?

My opinion on opinions

God says loving your neighbor as yourself should compel you to be careful with the actions you take, the words you use, and even the thoughts you think.

BY JOHN NOVYLet me ask you, what kind of

car do you drive? Do you drive it wherever you’d like to go? When you get in your car, do you check for bombs, planted grenades, or any other type of explosives? You probably don’t, because you don’t need to. We don’t need to worry each day about a booby-trapped bicycle, one of which killed five in Iraq this past week (MSNBC r e p o r t s ) , o r leave our house without knowing i f we’ l l ever return. Soldiers in Iraq are doing something good—they’re fighting for freedom. But we are pretty selfish to think that the war in the Middle East has to do with our freedom.

I believe our freedom isn’t near the point of being threatened so much that we will lose it. There are few things that we as citizens of the United States do out of necessity. Many of us, who grew up in the United States, cannot relate to the lack of freedom that much of the world lives in. I do not wish to belittle the events of September 11th, but let me put things in perspective: only 2 and 1/5 buildings were hit that day. Yet how many buildings have we destroyed in Iraq? We seem to justify this with the thought that, “Hey, it’s war.” We may, subconsciously, find ourselves believing that a building in Iraq holds a much lesser

value than a building here. I find it difficult to believe that our freedom is being threatened. The war isn’t over here.

We’re not fighting entire countries like we did in World War II. An organized army did not attack us; a few radicals did. I’m not against the war, but I’m against many views of this war that think of it as beneficial to us. So often we’re concerned

about our own problems that we fail to see the struggles others face. I’m pretty sure a lot of us

would agree that the United States is very powerful. With this power, we should see it as our responsibility to help others, not ourselves.

Moreover, I find it conceited to say that we’re fighting for our values of American freedom and democracy. Congress seems to think that since it works well for us, our way of freedom just has to work for them, too. I felt

embarrassed reading last week’s article on the American troops. Fighting for American freedom? What about Iraqi freedom? Not once did the article mention freedom for the Iraqi people themselves. Seems a bit selfish, doesn’t it?

We are blessed. We don’t live in fear in the United States as so many in Iraq do. We don’t have to worry about dying for what we believe in this country. Last week, Shiite Muslims’ homes were torched, killing 15 Shiite residents, by fighters from the Sunni-dominated al-Qaida. So, whose freedom is really threatened? American vanity is not in need of being fought for.

A perspective on American freedom

Imagine if Christians put faith into action

...I’m against many views of this war that think of it as beneficial to us.

ENTERTAINMENT 3

Top 10 apartments and plexesBY AMANDA WRIGHTSTAFF WRITER

At the beginning of the semester we move into empty rooms with plain white walls. Perhaps we hang posters, put up a few pictures of friends and family and try to add our own personal touch to our living space. For some, a few pictures are just fine, but some of us go above and beyond a few personal touches. This year, a few living in the apar tments and plexes h a v e c o m p l e t e l y o u t d o n e themselves in their efforts to make their space their own. These privileged few have made this year’s coveted top 10 apartments and plexes list.

Movie posters are a popular way to jazz up an empty room but the girls in CYV East #14 must really love them. Sarah Dee Hollibaugh, Tracey Pronk and Jen Shafer decked out their walls in colorful posters including “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “Million Dollar Baby,” “Chicago” and many more. Numerous shelves of DVDs confirm their love for movies. Congratulations on being the “Most Movie Savvy” plex!

This year’s number one “Rock

and Roll” room again goes to girls in CYV East #18. Rebecca Callies, Lynna Iverson and Amanda Wright rocked out their walls with old album covers, vinyl records, an acoustic and an electric guitar. After posters of album covers were plastered over two walls they decided to go even further with real albums, records,

guitars, a tambourine and even a disco ball. Rock on, girls!

Martha Stewart’s style is very crafty, creative and unique and so is the style of the girls in Apt. 333. Ellie Piehl, Kari Squires, Jenna Boot, Jenna Boote, Rachel Posthuma and Amanda Maloney have decorated their room with cute and fun accents that would make Martha proud. Decorative lamps, colorful wall hangings, a fall friendly centerpiece and much, much more give these girls the “Most Like Martha” award. Congratulations, just remember to stay away from that insider trading.

Ever miss the comfort of your own home with all the special touches that only Mom can create? Well apparently so do Jessica Jenkins, Holli Wubben, Heather Ness, Sarah Ageton, Laura Rensink and Lisa Walters in Apt. 231. Their cozy apartment is both environmentally friendly (complete with a recycyle

bin) and sure to remind you of home: comfortable, yet functional and full of handcrafted treasures. If you ask, they might even whip up some fresh-baked c o o k i e s with milk. They’re sure to never get h o m e s i c k living in their apartment t h a t i s “Just Like Home.”

Thinking a b o u t g o i n g t o the Holland

Plaza Theater? Forget about it, just make a trip over to Apt. 201 and visit Tim Ulibarri, Curt Van Wyk, Adonis Meran and Will Moul. The “Most Technology Savvy” room goes to a bunch of boys who got tired of watching TV on a mere 48 inches. These guys went all out with a projector and screen spanning from wall to wall. The picture is complete with sofas arranged like a theater and a lighted canopy over top. Next time you want to watch a movie on the big screen or a football

game in style, stop by, they’ve got plenty of room!

Around campus there are many sports fans, but Luke Perry, Curt Schilling, Brian Springer, Kale Wiertzema, Ben Brown and Chad Schuiteman show their true colors all over theirApt. 332. The Iowa State Cyclones and Carolina Tar Heels are represented with flags on the wall as well as a few of their other favorite teams. They make great decorations as they are watching the game from their big screen TV. Baseball caps line the top of the bedroom to finish off

the look. Way to go, for the “Most Dedicated Sports Fans!”

Most of us are concerned with making all our stuff actually fit in our apartments and don’t worry about creating a perfectly balanced space, but I found an exception: Apt. 221. Liz Colbert, Jenni Sybesma, Chelsea Goulet, Melissa Hisel, Angela Jiskoot and Kristin Spidahl have a lovely apartment uniquely arranged and decorated to perfection. They win the award for the “Best Feng Shui” because their apartment

is serene and beautiful with a comfortable feel.

Feeling groovy? No? Well, I know of one plex that is. Kiera Fredericksen, Amanda Bracklein and Nicole Pullaro of CYV East #13 have a space that is hip and fun to look around in. Posters, CDs, lamps, curtains and other unique decorations make their plex totally far out and earn it the “Grooviest Room” title.

The “Most Artistic” room is Apt. 102, belonging to Kelsey Carroll, Renae Katsma, Amy Larson and Deb Remmerde. With artwork, mirrors

and cute trinkets these girls have created a colorful fun place to hang out, do homework o r wa t c h “ T h e Office.” Creative wall displays and carefully arranged shelves and furniture make their artistic pad one of this year’s top 10 apartments.

Last but not least is the “Most Original” apartment, Apt. 202. Britta Kaltenbach, Bethy Popkes, Sylvia Moore, Lindsey De Kruif and Alyssa

Breucken combined many different styles to create their room’s original look. The overhead curtain that divides the living room and the kitchen is an interesting part of their room as well as a lighted curtain above the window. Lava lamps and photos combined with posters make this a fun room to be in and a very original place to call home.

Congratulations to the top 10 winners for taking an empty space and creating a place unique to you and your personal interests.

PHOTO BY AMANDA WRIGHT Liz Colbert, Jenni Sybesma, Chelsea Goulet, Melissa Hisel, Angela Jiskoot and Kristin Spidahl live in Apt. 221, which wins “Best Feng Shui.”

PHOTO BY AMANDA WRIGHT Apt. 201, home of Tim Ulibarri, Curt Van Wyk, Adonis Meran and Will Moul, wins “Most Technology Savvy.”

campusQUOTES

“Please come dressed for class.” - Professor Paul Bartlett, instructing his Concepts class

to arrive in work-out clothes for next class

“Agile and fluffy, agile and fluffy.” - Senior Elayna Rice, on thinking like a mountain goat while

climbing Mt. Baldy on the Black Hills Retreat.

“My head is cracked.” - Rachel Rietsema evidently talking about a problem

with her car, not her mind or body

Send your Campus Quotes, with context, to beacon@nwciowa.edu.

PHOTO BY EMILY SWEET LANDEGENT

Brianne Caldwell’s Senior Art Exhibit, “Organic Studies 628,” opened last Monday and will show through today in Te Paske Gallery.

September 21, 20074 FEATURES

BY KILEY SELIGMANSTAFF WRITER

The International Justice Mission (IJM) seeks to “spread awareness of world injustice and to pray for the victims of injustice that IJM works with around the world.” IJM is an international organization that has been active for ten years, with campus chapters all across the country. This is the Northwestern chapter’s fourth year, and they are ready for another year of events and fundraisers.

NW’s IJM group began this year having fun and raising funds by selling food at NW’s Baseball Classic. The funds from this event went to help support the main IJM organization in their international outreach for justice in Guatemala. In this country, IJM casework deals largely with victims of sexual assault and rape. All funds will be used to extensively train nurses and doctors in Guatemala with hopes that it will better equip them to serve sexual assault victims.

As of now, IJM has a campus-wide justice conference scheduled for early November, with a speaker coming from the main IJM organization. Later

this semester, they will also sponsor events to recognize World AIDS Day. During the spring semester they will be holding the Season of Justice and Justice Jam, a music venue to raise awareness of world injustice and to bring in funds to support IJM’s mission.

During the year they will have many other demonstrations, movie showings

and campaigns to promote awareness of world injustice.

IJM needs students who are passionate about world justice to participate in demonstrations, organize events, facilitate movie showings and to create new ways to get out the biblically-based fact that God cares about injustice.

BY KILEY SELIGMANSTAFF WRITER

Previously called Hunger/H o m e l e s s , C a l l e d 2 G o h a s changed their name and their focus. Their mission statement centers around Deuteronomy 16:10, “Then celebrate the Feast of Weeks to the Lord your God by giving a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings the Lord your God has given you” (NIV). Called2Go strives to be an action-based, hands-on outreach. “We are community-based, trying to serve with our

hands in tangible ways,” says Jenna Boote, a student leader of Called2Go.

Over the year, Called2Go will organize events on campus, help with needs around Orange City and take trips to help t h e n e e d y i n s u r r o u n d i n g communities.

On campus their most well-known act ivi ty is Night in a Box , where s tudents can spend a night in a cardboard box to experience how the less fortunate live. In Orange City they will help at organizations

such as The Bridge, a new women and children’s shelter. The group will also travel to Sioux Falls to help at St. Francis House, a women’s homeless shelter, and The Banquet, a Christian soup kitchen.

New this year, Called2Go plans on participating in the Kids Against Hunger campaign. The organization will come to campus, and students can h e l p i n t a n g i b l e wa y s b y p a c k a g i n g f u l l n u t r i t i o n a l meals to send to other countries.

BY KEVIN WALLACESTAFF WRITER

“A lot of people are scared or anxious about their first time [visiting prison] but they come away saying that there was never anything to be scared of,” says Jon Plummer, student leader of Prison Ministries. Plummer admits that he was a little anxious when he was on his first visit but quickly grew comfortable with the situation.

Prison Ministries is a student organization on campus that works with professional organizations such as Crossroads Bible Institute, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Angel Tree.

Each week, Northwestern students receive Crossroads Bible studies from prison inmates to correct. When the studies are returned, an encouraging letter to the inmate is included. NW students also travel to McCrossan’s Boys Ranch in Sioux Falls, SD. An organization dedicated to serving boys whose parents are in prison or have family issues, McCrossan’s provides these 10 to 18 year olds with a home in which they can grow. The McCrossan’s FCA meets

every Tuesday and Wednesday night (junior high and high school chapters listed respectively) and is facilitated by NW students. Prison Ministry also organizes the NW branch of the Angel Tree to collect toys for children whose parents are in prison.

In addition to working with professional organizations, Prison Ministries also visits local prisons and ministers to the inmates there. One such prison is the North Central Correction Facility in Rockwell City, Iowa. Plummer says he has had some of his coolest Prison Ministries experiences there. Plummer states, “At Rockwell City we lead the whole worship: music, sermon, skit. At the end, the inmates bring up their own worship team to play along with [NW students].”

Prison Ministries is open to everyone. While many members only correct Bible studies there has been a great deal of freshman interest in actually visiting prisons. Prison Ministries’ first trip to North Central Correctional Facility was this past week, and it was a good experience for the new members.

International Justice Mission: Seeking justice for a hurting world

Called2Go help the needy

Staying faithful to the faith-filled in prisonPHOTO COURTESY OF IJM

In one day, IJM raised over $500 in change to help free modern day slaves in the Loose Change to Loosen Chains campaign during spring semester ‘07.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PRISON MINISTRIESPrison Ministries members volunteered at the State Training School a year ago in October.

PHOTO COURTESY OF IJMSenior Belinda Farber, student leader of IJM, took money at the NW Baseball Classic. All proceeds from this event went to IJM.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CALLED2GOCalled2Go packed meals for kids at the Feed My Starving Children location in Minneapolis, Minn. during Urban Plunge ‘06.

Want to take a break from class for a year and serve? Then Mission Year might be for you.

BY KRISTI KORVERSTAFF WRITER

Today is declared International Peace Day by the United Nations. Emily Fischer, a 2006 Northwestern graduate, seeks to bring peace by picking up a few pieces of fruit every day for the children she interacts with.

During her time at NW Fischer heard about service continually, and after graduation she wanted to get her hands dirty by practicing what she learned. For the past month and a half Fischer has been working at Red Cloud Indian School in Pine Ridge, S.D. as the high school activities director.

Through bus rides, Homecoming events, smiles and fruit Fischer

loves the Lakota people every day. “I hope to give them a safe place to come and become ‘well’ — if only for a moment—as they progress throughout the day.”

One day a student named Jesse told her, “Thanks Emily, you’re my hero.” Fischer is from South Dakota, as are the Lakota people. She has found an area of need, a place to serve and people that she loves right in her own community.

This is exactly what junior Katlyn Emory dreams for the students of NW. Emory works on campus as a Project Serve coordinator along with senior Jessica Jenkins. Their job is to facilitate opportunities for NW students to serve together in the form of wing service projects.

I n t h i s community there is a n e e d f o r volunteers, so Emory and Jenkins make phone calls, vis i t s i tes and organize g r o u p s i n o r d e r t o make those p h y s i c a l connections happen.

E m o r y stresses that “service is not just one hour a week volunteering, it is every day love.” For Emory, volunteering i s a b o u t

relationships. It is a game of cards with an elderly person who later becomes a friend. She dreams that the students at NW could use their gifts and passions to serve people in a way that becomes natural.

Rebecca James calls this a lifestyle of volunteering. Last spring NW received approval to have an AmeriCorps*VISTA and former NW student Rebecca James has filled the position. Her handiwork can be seen all around campus as it is Volunteer Awareness Week.

According to americorps.org, AmeriCorps*VISTA “provides full-time members to nonprofit, faith-based and other community organizations, and public agencies to create and expand programs

that ultimately bring low-income individuals and communities out of poverty.”

James seeks to create resources for volunteers to know about the needs in their community and then connect the volunteers with local organizations. This week there were events in each residence hall to promote peace and service, discussions about service were held in D-groups and on Thursday the RSC hosted a volunteer fair.

All this was done because James finds that it is often easy to think of service as something far removed from everyday living; people travel to go on mission trips and take Saturday afternoons to volunteer. Recently, James asked an older

man why he spent so much time and energy volunteering in Orange City. He replied, “There is a need here, my neighbors live here, how can I ignore it?”

For the 2007-2008 school year we, the students of NW, live in Orange City, Iowa. Our neighbors right here in this area have a need for love and social justice. James, Emory and Fischer all agree that a lifestyle of volunteering is not as much about service as it is about being a part of community. It looks like a spare piece of fruit or an afternoon spent chatting with an older friend. In the words of Rebecca James, “Give back, know your neighbor, help those in need.”

5FEATURESVolunteering — it’s more than just an act, it’s a lifestyle

PHOTO COURTESY OF EMILY FISCHEREmily Fischer, a 2007 Northwestern graduate, poses with a group of high school freshman at Red Cloud Indian School in Pine Ridge, S.D., where Fischer works as the high school activities director.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE NOBLE

Heemstra resident Mike Noble participated in Mission Year during the 06-07 school year. He spent his year in Philadelphia, Penn. doing neighbor-hood outreach and personal disciple-ship with others in the program. Their lives were centered around the statement, “Love God, love people, nothing else matters.”

September 21, 20076 SPORTS

Vermeer, Pannkuk lead golfers to top finishes

BY BETHANY KROEZESPORTS EDITOR

The Northwestern volleyball team took down the College of St. Mary’s in three games on Tuesday night in the Bultman Center. Improving to 11-5 overall, the Raiders will resume GPAC play next week.

Winning the first game 30-20, the Raiders netted 15 kills. Upping their play in the second game, the Flames challenged the Raiders in a nail-biter. The Raiders answered, winning the second game 30-28 and the third 30-24. In the second and third games, the women grabbed 20 and 15 kills, respectively.

Leading the way for the Raiders were sophomore Randa Hulstein and senior Karissa Davelaar, each grabbing 12 kills. Also contributing kills were freshmen Kaitlin Beaver and Bobbie jean Rich, with 10 and seven, respectively.

Hulstein grabbed a team-high five blocks while Davelaar dug up 12 digs and three blocks.

Sophomore l ibero Janna

Bloemendaal led the Raiders defensively with 16 digs. Sophomore setter Rachel Gosselink helped out with 10 digs in addition to her 45 assists.

Last weekend, the Raiders traveled to Hastings, Neb., where they went 3-1 in the Hastings Tournament. On Friday, the Raiders defeated Park University (Mo.) and #25 University of Texas-Brownsville, winning each match 3-1.

In their first match on Saturday, NW defeated Central Methodist (Mo.) 3-0. They suffered their only loss of the weekend against defending champion, fourth-ranked National American, falling 3-2.

Gosselink and Hulstein earned all-tournament honors for their performances. Gosselink averaged 12.5 assists and 3.4 digs per game. Hulstein led the team with 16 blocks and averaged 2.94 kills per game with a .409 hitting percentage on the weekend.

Gosselink also earned GPAC honors for her performance in the

tournament. The GPAC Setter-of-the-Week for Sept. 10-16, she put up 57 assists in the final five-match game against National American.

The Raiders wrap up non-conference play tonight in Sioux Center at the Dordt Tournament. NW will face William Penn at 4:30 p.m. and Grand View at 7 p.m.

NW wil l resume conference play next Wednesday when they travel to take on the USF Cougars at 7:30 p.m.

Raiders win 1,2,3 over Flames

PHOTO BY BETHANY KROEZE Freshman Bobbie jean Rich and sophomore Randa Hulstein go for a block against the College of Saint Mary’s Flames Tuesday night. Hulstein led the Raiders with five blocks in the 3-0 win.

PHOTO BY BETHANY KROEZE Sophomore setter Rachel Gosselink puts up one of her 45 assists Tuesday night as freshman Hillary Hanno prepares for the attack. With nine kills, Hanno’s hitting percentage was .286 on the night.

BY BETHANY KROEZESPORTS EDITOR

The men’s golf team traveled to Sioux City this week, playing at Briar Cliff Monday and at Morningside Tuesday.

Shooting a season-best team score of 311, the men took sixth place at the Briar Cliff Open.

Sophomore Luke Vermeer earned runner-up medalist honors, placing second with a score of 72. Junior Justin Pannkuk recorded his best score of the season, tying for fourth place with a 73.

Shooting an 81, junior Jamie Jeltema also carded his season best. Wrapping it up for the Raiders were freshman Josh Locker with an 85 and sophomore Hans Vander Plaats with an 86.

Morningside took first place honors

with a team score of 299. They also had the first place medalist, Andrew Martin, who shot a 70.

At the Morningside Open on Tuesday, the Raiders tied for fourth place with Doane College. With a team score of 328, the Raiders were bested by Morningside, taking first with a 303, Wayne State (307) and Sioux Falls (312).

Morningside’s Brandon Morehead took first place honors with a 71. Runner-up honors went to Adam Fields from Wayne State, with a 72.

NW’s Vermeer shot a two-over 73 to take third place for his fourth straight top-three finish.

Shooting his season best, senior Nate Summers carded an 80 on the day to tie for 14th place. Vander Plaats shot an 85 while Locker

and junior Matt Boer each carded an 89. “We have a number of guys competing

for the three varsity spots behind Justin and Luke,” said Head Coach Mark Bloemendaal. “We are looking for a couple of players to step up and claim those positions and to give support to Luke and Justin.”

“Many of the players are playing varsity for the first time,” Bloemendaal continued. “They have not seen the courses we have played but are working hard to improve.”

Next Friday, Sept. 28, NW will host the Red Raider Invite at Landsmeer Golf Club.

“We are looking forward to our home meet next week,” said Bloemendaal. “The goal will be to shoot our low team score for the fall.”

BY BETHANY KROEZESPORTS EDITOR

The Red Raider football team suffered their first loss last weekend, falling 44-20 to the defending GPAC champion University of Sioux Falls Cougars.

The Cougars struck early and often in the first half, using the wind to their advantage during the first quarter. Less than five minutes into the game, USF capped off a 30-yard drive with an eight-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Chad Cavender.

About three minutes later, the Cougars nailed a 42-yard field goal, adding three points for a 10-point lead. Another touchdown run with 4:37 remaining in the first put the Cougars up 17-0.

The second quarter was scoreless until the Cougars completed a 75-yard, 4:54 drive with a two-yard touchdown pass with 0:11 remaining in the half.

After shutting out NW 24-0 in the first half, the Cougars met some Raider opposition in the third quarter.

The Raiders made their first strike about four minutes into the second half. After forcing USF to punt, NW took over, running six plays for 69 yards in 2:10. Senior quarterback Craig Hector ran one yard into the end zone for the score. With the extra point from sophomore kicker Grant Moiser, the Raiders decreased their deficit by seven points, 24-7.

With 2:20 remaining, sophomore receiver Reed Van Hulzen grabbed a 57-yard pass from Hector, taking it to the end zone for a second Raider touchdown. Moiser added the extra point.

Responding to the third quarter shutout, the Cougars charged 10 seconds into the fourth, scoring on a 64-yard touchdown pass.

The Raiders answered with junior receiver Seth Moen grabbing a 15-yard touchdown pass from Hector. Failing the two-point attempt, the Raiders still trailed 30-20.

USF dominated the remaining time, draining the clock with two scoring drives. The first, an 11 play, 60 yard drive, completed with a one-yard touchdown run with 6:08 remaining. The final strike came with 1:38 to go, a seven-yard touchdown run after the Cougars drained 3:02 off the clock.

The Raiders struggled against the top-ranked team, losing the rushing battle 197 yards to 11. Freshman running back Taylor Malm led the rushing effort, rushing 16 yards on seven carries. Other rushing attempts resulted in negative yardage, leaving the Raiders with only 11 yards total rushing on 31 carries.

The passing battle was more even, with USF coming out slightly ahead, 268-246. Hector completed 16 of 33 passing attempts for 244 yards and two touchdown passes. Hector rushed for the Raiders’ third touchdown.

Leading Hector’s receiving corps, Moen had four grabs for 89 yards

and one touchdown. Van Hulzen had three catches for 67 yards and a touchdown. Senior receiver Tyler Riechle had four receptions for 38 yards while junior receiver DJ Hansen caught two passes for 37 yards.

Defensively, sophomore Grant Hegstad and senior Scott Stahl each had one sack on the Cougars’ Cavender. Tackling leaders were senior Kadrian Hardersen with eight, Stahl with 6.5 and Hegstad with six.

Tomorrow, the Raiders will host Concordia. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. on Korver Field.

SPORTS 7

BY BETHANY KROEZESPORTS EDITOR

Women shut out LancersScoring their season high six goals, the NW

women shut out the Mount Marty Lancers in Yankton, S.D., on Tuesday afternoon.

Sophomore goalkeeper Kelley Salem grabbed her second shutout of the season.

Leading the Raiders in their strike was senior forward Macy Rozeboom, with three unassisted goals and one assist. Senior Allise Vugteveen grabbed two goals, one unassisted and one assisted by Rozeboom. Senior Brittany Osborn grabbed another goal for the Raiders, assisted by junior Serah Bugler.

The Raiders outshot the Lancers 16-5 in the first half and 20-2 in the second. Twenty-four Raider shots-on-goal were spread out among eight women. Rozeboom led with seven, followed by Vugteveen with six and Osborn with three. Sophomore midfielders Becca Bruns and Carrie Van Wyk and senior forward Jamise Retzlaff each grabbed two while Bugler

and senior forward Chelsea Goulet had one apiece.

With her hat trick on Tuesday, Rozeboom has four goals and four assists on the season. Vugteveen and Osborn wrap up the scoring thus far with three and two goals, respectively.

The women will host Concordia tomorrow at 1 p.m. on the grass field.

Second-half scoring spree leads to men’s victory

The Raiders’ men’s soccer team defeated Mount Marty Tuesday afternoon, 6-2.

Outshooting the Lancers 14-1, the Raiders took the solo goal of the first half. Senior Blake Wieking grabbed the unassisted goal 13:45 into the match.

In the second half, the Raiders outshot Mount Marty once again, 12-3. Almost 17 minutes into the half, sophomore forward Brad White scored the second NW goal unassisted. Fifteen minutes later, junior Andy Janssen scored off a corner kick, followed shortly by an unassisted strike by

sophomore Aaron O’Brien, giving the Raiders a comfortable 4-0 lead.

Mount Marty answered quickly this time, with their first goal of the night coming almost 30 minutes into the half.

With just under 13 minutes left to play, White grabbed his second goal, assisted by Janssen, to put the Raiders up 5-1.

A Lancer corner kick assisted Mount Marty’s second and final goal of the match. Five minutes later, sophomore Dereck Ball put the ball in the net, giving the Raiders the 6-2 victory.

Raiders goalkeeper freshman Ben Schneider had one save on the night. Sixteen NW shots-on-goal came from White, Wieking, Janssen, O’Brien, Ball, freshmen Aron Pall, Ben Karnish and Greg Hubbard and sophomore Jordan Born.

Improving their overall record to 4-4 and 1-1 in the GPAC, the men host Concordia tomorrow, in an afternoon soccer doubleheader. Game time is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on the grass field.

Raiders’ soccer scores double victory

Top-ranked USF Cougars defeat Red Raiders

PHOTO BY JENNI SYBESMA Sophomore Grant Mosier attempts to block a kick against the USF Cougars last Saturday. Defensively, Mosier added 4.5 tackles for the Raiders.

BY LAURA JACOBSONEDITOR

The Red Raider cross country teams competed in the South Dakota State Classic in Brookings, S.D., last Saturday, with both the men’s and the women’s teams finishing in the middle of team standings.

The men’s team finished seventh with 199 points and was the highest-placing GPAC team, just edging out the University of Sioux Falls, who scored 205. Minnesota State University, Mankato won the men’s race with 24 points.

Pacing the Raider men was senior captain Jon Woehl, who finished 32nd in the 102-runner field with his time of 27:10. Following Woehl was the freshman pair of Tyler Peekenschneider and Danny Owens, who placed 44th and 46th, respectively. Peekenschneider finished the course in 27:38 and Owens in 27:40. Junior Jack Peterson was the Raiders’ next runner, taking 51st with a time of 27:59. Sophomore Kyle Gerhard rounded out the Raiders’ top five. Gerhard was 53rd with his time of 28:07.

The Raider women’s team finished sixth overall, well ahead of the nearest GPAC competitor, USF, who scored 253 points for ninth place. The University of Minnesota was the women’s team champion, scoring a perfect 15 points. There were 119 women competing in the 5000-meter race. Freshmen Olivia Johnson and Charity Miles again led the women’s team, placing 17th and 19th, respectively. Johnson’s time was 18:36, and Miles finished in 18:50. Freshman Stephanie Powell followed at 40th place, with her time of 19:54. Fellow freshman Sara Hess was next for the Raiders, running the course in 20:09 for 48th place. Senior Lori Wolf finished out the Raiders’ top five, placing 54th with her time of 20:23.

Head Coach Dale Thompson was pleased with the teams’ efforts in their first full-distance meet. “The team has been working hard for the past few weeks,” he said, “and it was fun to see that effort rewarded with a good race.” Thompson also commented on NW’s scoring strategy. “The women worked together well on the course, and we need to keep tightening our scoring pack to place better in a meet,” he said. “It will take a tight scoring five for the men to place well at the meets.”

The Raiders will next compete on Oct. 6 at the Briar Cliff Invitational at McCook Lake, S.D.

Cross country teams finish near middle at SDSU

September 21, 20078 NEWS

PHOTO ILLISTRATION BY RENEE NYHOF AND BETHANY KROEZE

news AROUND THE WORLD

A powerful bomb killed seven people including Christian politician Antoine Ghanem last Wednesday in Beirut, Lebanon. Ghanem, who was a pro-government Parliament member and belonged to the right-wing Christian Phalange Party, is suspected to have been the target of the attack. The attack happened six days before the divisive election of a new president by Parliament. Ghanem marks the eighth prominent anti-Syrian leader who has been assassinated since 2005.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s request to lay a wreath at the base of the World Trade Centers during his visit to the U.S. next week has been denied. Reasoning for the decision is due to on-going construction at Ground Zero as well as NYPD security measures which would oppose the Iranian president from visiting the immediate area.

U.S. security firm Blackwater is under scrutiny after it opened fire in a busy Baghdad square Monday, killing 11 Iraqi civilians. While Blackwater, a private security company, first reported that they were violently attacked and the shooting was a response, Iraqi witnesses claim that Blackwater’s personnel were never shot at. There is currently a joint Iraqi-U.S. committee reviewing the wider issues raised by this incident—such as the status of security companies in Iraq. Due to a regulation known as Article 17 (2003) which gave immunity to security companies, it is not yet known whether the Blackwater guards will be tried.

The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark rate from 5.25 percent to 4.75percent Tuesday in hopes that it would help to ease the housing market and credit crunch and could prevent a recession. The cut has caused not just U.S. markets to rise, but Asian and European markets to rise as well. The remaining concern, however, is that the Federal Reserve cut it by too much and could initiate inflation.

COMPILED BY JANICE SWIER

BY RENEE NYHOFASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

During Volunteer Awareness Week, possibly the biggest question to ask is, why should I volunteer?

“Volunteering should be a part of who we are as Christians and giving ourselves in service,” said Marlon Haverdink, Director of Service Learning. “Also, through this service, people grow, learn and strengthen their Christian faith.”

Another aspect of volunteering Haverdink mentioned is that it gives students the opportunity to get to know people in the community.

“Not only do people of the community love to know that students are getting involved,

employers also love to see volunteering on resumes,” said Bill Minnick, Director of Career Development. “Volunteering is a lot of what employers look for because it shows leadership and people skills. It also shows that you’re willing to make a commitment to the community.”

Minnick a lso adds that volunteering is a great experience-booster. Even if the skills learned while volunteering are not in the same field as your major, Minnick said those skills still add to the whole academic experience.

“Volunteering gives students the meat to take to an interview,” said Minnick. “The students will have

something to talk about. They can tell how they dealt with challenges, and it shows that the student can overcome struggles.”

These may be practical reasons for volunteering. However, finding a place to volunteer may be a tricky task, but not anymore.

For more information, contact the organizations listed below or the new Service Learning Center in Suite 206 in the Center for Spiritual Formation and Vocation. There, waiting to assist you is Rebecca James with a complete list of the places that need volunteers and what specific needs those places have.

Have you brought “meat” to your college years? U.S. Volunteering Stats

Total volunteers6.2 million – 26.7% of

populationOf those:Men: 2.5 million – 23 % Women: 3.5 million – 35.1%

Total hours spentvolunteering 1-14 hrs: 21.1% 15-49 hrs: 24.9% 50-99 hrs: 14.% 100-499 hrs: 28.6% 500+ hrs: 5.2%

How volunteers becameinvolved*Approached the

organization: 40.8%*Was asked by: (43.3%)-Boss/employer: 1.4%-Relative, friend, co-

worker: 14.2%-Someone in the

organization/ school: 26.5%

-Someone else: 1.1%-Other: 13.5%

Types of volunteeractivities*Coach, referee, supervise

sports teams: 5.8%*Tutor or teach: 10.8%*Mentor youth: 5.5%*Be an usher, greeter or

minister: 4.2%*Collect, prepare, distribute,

or serve food: 8.8%*Collect, make/distribute

clothing, crafts or goods other than food: 3.2%

*Fundraise/sell items to make money: 10.9%

*Provide counseling, medical care, fire/EMS, protective services: 2.9%

*Provide general office services: 4.5%

*Provide professional or management assistance, including serving on a board/committee: 8.1%

*Music, performance, artistic activities: 4.3%

*General lab supply/ transportation to people: 7.9%

*Other: 14%

Want to volunteer?

Volunteering in the U.S. as of September 2006, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/news.release/volun.toc.htm).

BY BETHANY KROEZESPORTS EDITOR

On Friday, Sept. 14, 2007, congressman and Republican presidential c a n d i d a t e T o m Tancredo visited with several students in the South Vermeer Dining Room. For about an hour, Tancredo spoke to students about his platform on immigration and why he would make a good president. He fielded questions from students concerning immigration as well as gay marriage.

Tancredo has served in the United States Congress for almost a decade. Prior to that, he served five years in the Colorado legislature and over 10 years as a regional representative for the Department of Education, a position he was nominated for by President Ronald Reagan.

Congressman Tancredo’s strongest stand is against illegal immigration. On his website, he says, “Illegal aliens threaten our economy and undermine our culture. While our brave soldiers risk their lives to protect us overseas,

our political elites lack the courage to defend us at home. I am 100 percent opposed to amnesty. As president, I will secure our borders so illegal aliens do not come, and I will eliminate benefits and job prospects so they do not stay.”

Presidential candidate visits campus

Here are some places in Orange City to consider!

PHOTO BY BETHANY KROEZECongressman Tancredo, Republican presidential hopeful, shakes hands with Ryan Crawford, chairman of College Republicans.