Académique Documents
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Culture Documents
Fourth floor Caecilian transforms into a course and learning community for Six Degrees of Harry Potter
By Anne Moe - sections editor
Beginning next fall, St. Catherine University (SCU) students will be able to live in the Gryffindor Tower Community. Students will take Cecilia Konchar Farrs Six Degrees of Harry Potter while living in the learning community on Caecilian Halls fouth floor. To create a community around those books seems pretty easy, kind of obvious. I cant believe no one has done it. As far as we can tell, no one has done learning communities at universities around the Harry Potter books. Were pretty psyched about it, English and Womens Studies professor Cecilia Konchar Farr said. Since the students living in the community will be taking Six Degrees of Harry Potter over the course of the academic year rather Photo illustration by Sarah Wente and Heather Kolnick. going to do really well, Sabrina Anderson, Associate Director of Residence Life, said. We had heard on a survey...in 2007, that that was a theme students wanted to do, so when [Farr] came up with the idea, it just seemed like perfect timing for it. Many students who are involved with the project have high expectations that the experience will have effects on the SCU community. I think...some will have the feeling that theyre [going] to Hogwarts. I think that will be a very different dynamic from what weve had so far. Its kind of a nice dream, Evan Gaydos, a senior who has been one of the teaching assistants for the class since the course first began, said. Were really hoping it does well because one, wed like it to go well, but we think it can foster that sense of community which will be great because we [have] such a well I go home on the weekends student [body]. First year student Megan Teddy Gonzalez expressed her excitement for the combination of a course and themed floor option next year. Im going into elementary education and English, so all in all it would help immensely with my majors. Also, how cool would it be to be able to tell people you live in Griffindor Tower? Gonzalez said. While the themed floor is exciting for those who love of the book series, the new
The new water fountains on campus promote St. Kates efforts to ban plastic water bottles on campus. Photo by Ashley de los Reyes.
home
than just one semester, Farr is able to spread out class material and include other themed activities. What we like about it is that we get to have Tuesday night, so that makes it easier than trying to get outside activities integrated because [students] already have lives and stuff going on. So if youve agreed to live on that floor youve agreed to setting aside your Tuesday night, Farr said. Residence Life is also enthusiastic about the new project because it is the first of its kind. The biggest thing that you have to do is get faculty to also be excited about it, and then it obviously has to be a topic that is going to be popular with students to create that interest. So we thought those two were
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HOGWARTS continued...
addition is upsetting to students currently residing on Caecilians fourth floor. We definitely have one of the strongest senses of community on campus. Ive heard residents tell me that this is their home, this is their family, this is their support system. All of my residents know ever other resident on the floor, Anna Payne, the junior resident advisor who lives on fourth floor Caecilian Hall, said. Its very hard for me to support a decision that disrupts that because its my job to build a community and it feels like theres no point. The creation of the Gryffindor Tower Community, while exciting to some, is troubling for other students already concerned about living space next year. As Whitby halls residences will be converted into classroom space next year, Caecilian is one of the few non-apartment style dorms available for
WHEELSTAFF
Volume 79, issue 11
Editor-in Chief: ALEXA CHIHOS Layout Designer: SARAH WENTE Managing Editor: BECKY DOUCETTE Sections Editor: ANNE MOE Copy and News Editor: RACHEL ARMSTRONG Photo Editors: HEATHER KOLNICK, SARAH KICZULA Photographers: ASHLEY DE LOS REYES, ALEXA CHIHOS, SASHA POLAR Adviser: SHEILA ELDRED Cartoonist: WESLEY PIVEC Senior Staff Writers: ANNA HAYES Staff Writers: ASHLEY SKWIERA, PAIGE LAPOINT, RACHEL THOMPSON, RHICA HOGUE, HEATHER KOLNICK, ZOUA PA XIONG If you would like to contribute to The Wheel, please contact us at wheel@stkate.edu.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Wheel aspires to reflect the diversity and unique atmosphere that comprises St. Catherine University. We strive to provide an inclusive newspaper primarily for the students and by the students. The Wheel promotes the vision of empowering women to lead and influence as well as an understanding of the university community inside and outside of the gates. As a staff we aim to meet the highest journalistic standards and stand in accordance with the 1st Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America and policies of prior restraint. The Wheel is not a public relations vehicle for any SCU individual, group, department or for the college as a whole. We welcome feedback and encourage an open discourse. The Wheel is supported by student funds and is distributed free of charge.
Merchandise sold at a bands merch booth during concerts is the most reliable source of income for many bands. Photo by Alexa Chihos.
The Wheel | 3
Spotlight:
News in brief
Local news outside SCU gates
By Alexa Chihos
St. Paul man selected for national honor for courage: Montel Mixon, who saved a woman from an apartment fire that was set by her boyfriend, is one of three recipients of the Citizen Service Before Self Honor. Mixon rescued a woman from behind a locked bathroom door who was in a burning East Side apartment complex. The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation made the announcement on Mar. 12, and Mixon will be formally recognized on Mar. 23 for his acts of selflessness and courage last summer. Trust for Public Land to buy Frogtown site for farm and nature sanctuary: The Trust for Public Land and the Amherst H. Wilder foundation made an agreement to buy a 12-acre property in Frogtown that had originally been home to the Sisters of the Good Shepherd convent. Sold for 2.2 million dollars, the property will be transformed into an urban farm, a recreation and a nature sanctuary for the neighborhood. The Wilder Foundation bought the site in 1971, intending to use the land for administrative and program headquarters until the Wilder Center building was constructed.
What is the presentation about? The presentation is about the research I did for e-learning in class. The focus for this e-learning is nursing. In the presentation, I will also be discussing about how the simulations work. The simulations can also be helpful for nursing students as well. The main component for this presentation is the game that is included. The game is for the nursing majors. What are the features of this game? The game is broken up into modules. These modules are based on the skills for Nursing 3100. In the first module, it is a safety check. It will ask whether this is the right patient and make sure that he environment is correct or safe. For the second module, it is a head to toe assessment. Here, it will check the patient over. The third module focuses on medication administration. For this module, not only does it go over medication administration, but it also contains six checks to insure that it is the right medication as well. The last and fourth module, it is the final review which contains a combination of everything from the past three modules. Were there any preparations necessary? Before playing the game, the students, would be doing a pre-survey on technology and nursing. Next, the students would then prepare to play the game. Afterwards, the students would take a post-game survey. The purpose of the post-game survey would be to see if the game was in any way beneficial for the student. Erica Nicholson. Nicholsons project is a computer simulation to help nurses review and study their skills. See her project online at Elearninginnursing.weebly.com Photo by Sarah Kiczula. What did you learn after the students played the game? I learned that through the research, this game can be of help to students. For example, it could be used as another studying method besides reading and memorization. This game allowed for the students to get a hands-on experience. What do you expect or want people or the student to get out of the presentation? I think that it can apply out of the nursing major. The 2020 statement vision statement, part of it was incorporated more technology to the curriculum. Thought it would be a good way and you can do this same project for other majors.
their bodies in dumpsters; their method to eliminate the phenomenon. After the stonings occured, the Interior Ministry issued a follow-up statement warning citizens not to step on public freedom of Iraqis. When trying to comprehend what I had read from multiple sources, there were many questions I could not answer. One of which was, what is their definition of emo style? The Daily Mail had provided a photo of one of the victims which shocked me. He was a young adult, with a clean shaven face, white jacket and sunglasses. His hair was black and spiked. The hair, according to the source, was the defining feature that made him a part of the emo phenomenon. Whos responsible for the deaths? Of course Id say its the religious extremists, who claim some Western styles are devil worship, and who decided to exterminate the phenomenon by killing young people. But what about the Ministry of Education, or the Iraqi Interior Ministry? Did they really not know the Moral Police would be going in and singling out teens? I highly doubt it. Did the Interior Ministry feel no harm would be enacted toward emos? I doubt this also. Usually by this point in my column, I like to provide my own solutions that can work
to help in these situations. I dont have any. I dont have any because this is a massive, systematic social justice issue. In the Middle East there are deaths like these for different reasons; one reason could be to rid of any possible thread of homosexuality, another could be because the extremists dont want Western influences. Both of which have been suggested for this tragic stoning, and both of which have not been disproven. I dont know enough about Iraqs customs, government, education system or culture to come up with a solution. What I need is proper education on matters within the Middle East. These incidents of death dont abruptly come out of thin air as they may appear in our media sources. We must know where the hatred comes from, where the threats begin for some and end for others, while certain policies and laws are instated and others are looked over. I know killing is wrong, and I know many in Iraq will agree with me, but my shouting of this as a white Western girl will not solve anything in Iraq. Knowledge is always the first step to a solution. Becky can be reached at rjdoucette@stkate.edu.
Pro-Ramen
By Wesley Pivec
St Kates ink
Students showcase their body art
2012
Compiled by Heather Kolnick
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FEATURES
Marc
I got [the tree] because its a combination of my two majors, biology and womens studies. The trunk of the tree is actually in the shape of a womans body. Sometimes I feel very connected to nature and I feel like this tattoo demonstrates that. I worry about [finding a job] a lot actually. I can cover all of my tattoos but the one on my leg, especially anytime I wear shorts, I get stares and stuff like that. I know that if I got a job that was semi-professional I probably wouldnt be able to wear shorts, which would be a big bummer because its just not really acceptable to have a huge tattoo all over your leg.
hannah starr
2012
Mikaela Haertl
together. We couldnt decide on what to get and we used to play cards at Uptown Tea Garden a lot, and her and her sisters and I would play for hours. That became a meaningful place to me in that event, and she got a Jack of Spades and I got an eight because I really like the number eight. Mine is a club. I couldnt get a face card because my arm is too small. I think my mom was a little concerned about jobs for [the tattoo on] my arm. But, my mom has a tattoo and if my dad wasnt so old I can see him getting a tattoo.
[Right] I had wanted a tattoo since before I was eighteen and I had a lot of ideas, but there was one I was definitely okay with being permanent. [Jack Johnson is] my favorite artist, so I thought it would be cool to have his lyrics on my leg, and they are meaningful lyrics too. [Above] My best friend and I have been best friends since I was six and she has like, ten tattoos. We [wanted] to get one together because we grew up
Anne grady
WEC
The koi fish tattoo is actually a cover up. I had another tattoo underneath this that was a key to an old house that was within my family. When my parents got divorced we [didnt] have access to that house anymore. The guy who did [the tattoo] did a really terrible job. It was just really ugly and I showed it to my current artist and we discussed designs that are good for cover-ups. We have a pretty open relationship and he did a really good job of covering it up in a way that it blends in with the rest of his design. When koi fish are going upward, it represents something like swimming through the tide. Most people get tattoos that have extremely deep personal significance. Mine have some personal significance, but I mostly
Anna garski
2012
janelle taggart
2012
[Left arm] The tattoo on my arm says, Tick tock goes the clock, and all the years they fly. Tick tock and all too soon, you and I must die. And, its actually a quote from the show, Doctor Who. They play it in part of a lullaby in a super creepy episode, but I thought it was really cool because it reminds me [that] Im mortalIm going to die. Its a nice reminder to just live, and not worry about all of the terrible things happening right now. [Right wrist] The one on my wrist is a musical symbol; its a dal segno. Its a sign that you go back to when you hit a certain point. If I get philosophical about it, its more like I go back to who I am, especially in times of stress. At my latest job interview, one of my big questions was, Do I need to cover up my tattoos? Do I need to be aware that people are going to give me strange looks? Especially in retail and whatnot, youre not entirely sure how people are going to respond. But, for the most part when people notice my tattoos, they think theyre pretty cool. I havent had a problem so far. All photos by Heather Kolnick.
see them as an opportunity to interact with an artist and give a decorative type of adornment to your body. [In considering jobs,] I think as times progress its already gotten better since I got my tattoos. Ive never been denied a job based on having tattoos. Especially within my chosen profession in the art world, no one has any concern about that. Any way you present yourself physically, people are going to have some kind of certain assumptions. But as tattoos become more mainstream and just more of a common thing within society, people are going to get over it because really it has no actual bearing on my work ethic.
I love seahorses. The just really like seahorse fun creatures. Theyre were to come back in an a seahorse. My mother and gran when I got the one on m worried that it would st They were really upset said something comple explain it to them. Then they were better, but I do They know about my feel a little better abou promised my mother I w ones until I was twentyI think that tattoos are h today and you just nee work a job around your
ch 16, 2012
FEATURES
The Wheel | 5
finding the right cover. Grunst had commented about how finding a cover image can be extremely expensive and tough. Luckily, Grunst wrote a friend who came across a cover image of an orange grove. [The image] is sort of a late Impressionistic image, so Im going halfway between [a] literal and abstract cover to try and appeal to the readers, Grunst said. However, coming up with the title for the book, Blue Orange, was not as difficult as finding a cover. Thats the title because literal oranges are one of the unifying figures in the book. There are oranges all through it. They come up in different ways and different contexts. Sometimes they are central, other times they are only peripheral, and sometimes theyre orange and sometimes theyre blue, Grunst said. So metaphorically Im playing with Professor Robert Grunst sporting his new book. the idea of the literal orange, but Photo by Sasha Polar. then also a metaphorical orange, sense, Grunst said. and Im also playing with a line from the Grunst is very adamant that his new book French poet Paul luard. The first line in is not just about nature, as his first book was English translation is The world is a blue generally thought to be. orange. So Im working on that metaphor, In this new book, these are nature poems, Grunst said. I think that there are other dimensions, Grunsts new book Blue Orange will be other complexities that will be maybe more released May 15. accessible or obvious to readers. So maybe the book...will escape that pigeon-holing, Rhica can be reached at which I dont like, Grunst said. rrhougue@stkate.edu. Part of the process of publishing a book is managed to arrive at our destination after a long day of travel. Unfortunately, however, our accommodationssleeping on the third story of a fairly decent but less-thanyour-average-American hotel with water that randomly worked, being attacked by bugs during the night and waking up with swollen faces the next morningwere less than satisfactory. But, since we were a group of young college students, we could handle all this. Plus, we kept telling ourselves that we were only there for three nights. Our main activities were climbing to the top of a mountain to reach an amazing fortress called the Citadel, traveling in the open bed of a pickup truck on bumpy dirt to a pristine beach and going out to a couple Haitian clubs. I should probably add that the official language of Haiti is Creolea Frenchsounding idiom that I have been told is not really all that similar to French. During my stay, I could not communicate with anyone except my nine peers and four travel guides. This situation made me feel helpless and frustrated at times, forcing me to realize how vital the ability to communicate with others really is. Looking backnow that all is said and donethis journey has by far been the most memorable of all my experiences during my time abroad. In a way, it was like leaving my home again. Just as I have left the U.S., I left the D.R. During this time away, I realized what I really do have back in Santiago: running water at my disposal, access to public transportation systems so I can travel independently, the ability to speak the local language and protection from critters during the night. Its amazing what one can learn from experiencing the absence of something. Hopefully we all can step back more often and appreciate the wonderful things that are already in our midst. Anna can be reached at amhayes@stkate.edu.
By Anna Hayes
international columnist
ey are my spirit animal. I es, and I think that theyre myself in a creature. If I nother life itd probably be
ndmother were very upset my arm, because they were top me from getting hired. with me; they thought it etely different and I didnt n when they finally saw it, ont think they like it at all. most recent one, and they ut it because its hidden. I wouldnt get anymore visible -five and had a steady job. highly acceptable in society ed to find the right job or r tattoos.
You dont know what youve got til its gone. This phrase has been running repeatedly through my head these past few weeks, plaguing my every thought. When I set out on my study abroad trip, I did not have the intention of traveling out of my new home country of the Dominican Republic (D.R.). However, when discussing plans for our four-day weekend in February, a group of my fellow classmates expressed interest in a daring plan: visiting our neighboring country, Haiti. I should note that, geographically, the DR and Haiti are the two countries that comprise the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean. So, why was this daring plan such a bold proposition? Considering Haitis slow recovery from the catastrophic earthquake in 2010, the United States (U.S.) government has recently issued a Travel Warning that highly discourages its citizens from entering Haiti. The intentions of this warning are to raise awareness of Haitis weak service infrastructure, to bring to light the recent cholera outbreak and to emphasize its inadequate medical system. Additionally, the U.S. Embassy does not possess adequate resources to evacuate U.S. citizens or to pay for their evacuation if such unfortunate circumstances would occur. In other words, Haiti is currently neither properly situated nor developed enough to serve as a tourist destination. However, all of these issues and risks in Haiti did not dampen our sense of wanderlust. I, in particular, felt compelled to participate in the trip for reasons unbeknownst to me. Perhaps this was because during the last four-day weekend I did not really do anything exciting, or because deep down I have always been interested in visiting Haiti. I began planning to take this excursion to Cap-Haitian (in the northern portion of Haiti) with ten of my peers through a travel agency called Haiti Tourism Inc. in the final week of January and we departed from the D.R. on Feb. 24th. This expedition consisted of traveling long hours on buses and full-size vans, being the only fair-skinned people walking across the bridge that constituted the border between the D.R. and Haiti and being stopped midway to show our passports to an official even though we had already completed all the necessary paperwork in the immigration office. Somehow, we
6 | The Wheel
FEATURES
Album
Anarchy, My Dear
Rating
out of five
Tracklist
1- Burn A Miracle 2- Say Anything 3- Nights Song 4- Admit It Again 5- So Good 6- Sheep 7- Peace Out 8- Overbiter 9- Of Steel 10- Anarchy, My Dear 11- The Stephen Hawking
Release Date Website
energetic music throughout the entire album. Known for brutal honesty in his lyrics, Bemis does not shy away from this trait as he critiques the hipster culture in Admit It Again where he bellows, Im sure youre proud that youve usurped the popular kids table you son of a (ineffable)/Which means youve forfeited your dubious anti-cred by buying into your own inflated hype/And I dont define my enemies by the clothes they wear or the pretentious bands they like/Its about how you seek to control minds, just to appease what youve always lacked. Fans of Is A Real Boy will hear this track and reminisce about its predecessor, Admit It. Continuing on the path of musings geared toward personal shortcomings, musical standout Peace Out incorporates both mystical instrumentals and critical lyrics. On this track, Bemis ruminates on personal relationship conflicts as he croons, You were
not comes, to kill our love and trust/I only want a soul to know it feels so good with us/Feels so good with us, and its all right. Even on Say Anything Bemis directs more emotion laden words toward his partner as he sings, If Satan showed up with a gun, threatened be disloyal or I shoot/Id take it in the kneecaps, rather than to be that guy to you/Id throw up every morning, pull my nails out, take a wrench to all my teeth/To put a ring upon your digit, have you fidget in your bed with me. Unlike their self-titled album, the presence of Bemis wife, Eisley guitarist and vocalist Sherri DuPree-Bemis, on Anarchy, My Dear feels like a smooth and lively contribution and less like a forced addition. Even though Say Anything have been a tough pill to swallow for some in the music scene, Anarchy, My Dear shows that they are able to make a lasting contribution with their unique
March 13
www.sayanythingmusic.com
brand of music. Say Anything will be performing at Station 4 in Saint Paul on Apr. 3 with Kevin Devine & The Goddamn Band, Fake Problems and The Front Bottoms. Alexa can be reached at anchihos@stkate.edu.
Recipe: Vegetarian Microwavable or Baked Lasagna From the Kitchen Of: Chef Auggie Austreng
Serves approximately 6
Ingredients: 1/2 pound lasagna pasta noodles 3-4 cups pre-made tomato sauce 3-4 cups Ricotta cheese 3-4 cups Mozzarella cheese 3-4 cups vegetables to your liking- squash, onion, spinach, roasted red peppers- sauted Optional: 3-4 cups premade bchamel sauce (an equal amount of flour and butter mixture to make creamer- not found in the Marketplace). Directions: -Preheat oven to 350 degrees if not using microwave. -Add enough sauce to the bottom of a 9x9 pan to cover it. -Add one layer of uncooked noodles. -Add about two ladles full of sauce, enough to cover noodles. -Add 1/3 of the vegetables. -Add one layer of the bchamel sauce (optional). -Top the sauce with 1/3 of total cheese. -Bake until bubbly in oven for 30-45 minutes OR in five minute increments in microwave for 30-45 minutes. Let noodles rest and soak up moisture in-between heatings. -Insert a thermometer into lasagna. If it goes in unrestricted and is at 165 degrees it is ready. Enjoy! Note: Since noodles are uncooked, make sure lasagna is soupy before it is put into the oven to make sure there is enough moisture.
Cut out this recipe card for directions to make Vegetarian Lasagna - a recipe from Chef Auggie Austreng.
HEALTH
The Wheel | 7
Never dry dry the piercing with a cloth towel because they are not washed often and contain bacteria. 3. Dont touch. Avoid touching your new piercing with your hands; avoid contact with scented soap and avoid sleeping on it. For piercings that come in contact with your mouth it is important to follow the diet instructions and special mouthwash aftercare to avoid infection. Piercings becoming infected are quite common and usually easily remedied. If your piercing becomes infected it is most likely because you arent keeping up with the piercers instructions. Senior Critical Studies of Race and Ethnicity, Spanish and Sociology triple major, Andrea Benson has struggled with infected piercings in the past. Piercing wise, nipples tend to get infected. Ive hear that from many people, and mine were not fun. Of the 15 or so piercings Ive had, the nostril was the worst, believe it or not, and Ive had it done three times, Benson said. The other reason your piercing could become infected is if your body is rejecting it. Rejecting is a natural process your body goes through to push out the foreign object. This can result in migration where the skin behind your piercing slowly grows and eventually pushes your piercing completely out. It is important to go back to the piercer if you notice that youre piercing has moved or if it is consistently infected. If my piercing becomes infected I would call my piercer and get it checked out as soon as possible. Do not wait more than three days for it to maybe heal. It is always good to double check and be more careful than not at all, Emily Monson, a junior Social Work and psychology double major, said. Caring for a tattoo or piercing is well worth it in the end. Garski is passionate about the care that she takes of her multiple tattoos and puts effort in to preserving them to their highest potential. In reference to applying 100 sun protection factor sunscreen to her tattoos every day they are exposed to the sun; she uses this analogy to explain her passion. Would you buy an expensive painting and then leave it outside exposed in the sun and elements for days at a time? No way. Well, you shouldnt do that to your skin either, Garski said. Rachel can be reached at rethompson@stkate.edu.
Hipster health
Tattoo and piercing tips for long-term health
By Rachel Thompson
staff writer
Tattoos and piercings have become an important part of the identity of young adults today and taking proper care of them is equally important. According to the Paw Research Center, 36% of 18 to 25 year olds in the United States have at least one tattoo, and 30% have a piercing in a place other than their earlobe. That means that about one in every three people within this age range have at least one tattoo and/or piercing. That is a huge number and it is certainly seen in the St. Catherine University (SCU) community. Many students on campus have tattoos and/or piercings, and they are passionate about keeping them looking their best. Tattoo aftercare is surprisingly simple. Tattoos tend to heal faster and become infected less often than peircings. The most difficult part of caring for a tattoo is working to keep it from fading. Tatoo Care: 1. Initial care for your tattoo is vital. The tattoo artist covers the tattoo with plastic wrap or something similar, and instructs you to leave this on for a few hours. 2. Moisturize. Applying cream or ointment to the tattoo will keep it moisturized. Common kinds that are recommended include Eucerin, A&D and Aquaphor. 3. Wash and repeat. Other instructions you will receive include washing your tattoo twice a day with antimicrobial and non-scented soap such as Dial, 4. Environmental Control. Keep your new tattoo out of direct sunlight and dont completely submerge it in water. 5. Dont itch. Part of the healing process includes the tattoo scabbing over. This can be itchy and uncomfortable, especially if the tattoo is large, but it is important not to pick at the scabs. Number 5 is important for senior Womens Studies and Studio Art major, Anna Garski. They are gross but they are the protective layer that keeps the beautiful ink that is healing under your skin from going anywhere. If you want a vivid, clear tattoo you will leave those scabs where they are until they naturally fall off, Garski said. Infected tattoos are fairly rare. As long as the products that come in contact with your tattoo are unscented and you clean it regularly the healing process should not be hindered. There are, however, some risks. According to the Mayo Clinic website, risks include allergic reactions to the dyes, skin infections that can cause pus-like drainage and blood-borne diseases caused by the use of contaminated needles. On a reassuring note, as long as you are going to a reputable tattoo parlor you shouldnt have to worry about contaminated needles. Aftercare tends to last longer for piercings because they can take, on average, six months to a year to completely heal. 1. Soak in saltwater. Once you get pierced, your piercer will instruct you to do a saltwater soak about three times a day. It is important to keep up with this regimen because the salt helps move along the healing process. 2. Wash and repeat. Clean your piercing with the same soap youd use for a tattoo about twice a day. Unlike the scabs from tattoos, it is important to remove buildup from your piercing because it can get into the fresh hole and create irritation and an infection.
Ask Katie!
The Ask Katie! peer health advisers answer your health-related questions
Compiled by Sarah Kiczula
What are some effective techniques to decrease muscle soreness? Whether you are hitting it hard at the gym, helping a friend move or dancing the night away, chances are that you will feel it later. Muscle soreness can be annoying when you want to get on with your day. Muscle soreness is caused by micro-damage in the muscle fibers and connective tissues, according to WebMD. Here are some helpful tips to try to prevent and help heal muscle soreness: First, apply heat. Applying heat increases the blood flow to your muscles, helping the small muscle tears that are causing you pain to heal faster. There are many ways of applying heat including taking a hot bubble bath, hot shower or sitting in a steam or sauna room.
When you are engaging in intense physical activity you should always stretch before and after your workout. This not only may help with later soreness but to avoid any injuries. (Be careful not to overstretch your muscles.) Need an excuse to pamper yourself with a massage? Massages help relieve tension and pain. Visit our Health and Wellness Center on campus and see the masseuse for $30 for 30 minutes or $50 for 60 minutes. Or if you like a do it yourself technique on a college student budget, take a tennis ball and roll it along the sore areas. This may be slightly painful at first but itll help in the long run. Ever wonder why so many athletes jump into post-workout ice baths? Heres why: the frigid temperature constricts your blood vessels, reducing any swelling. When you exit the cold bath your body works to warm you up quickly, improving your circulation. This ultimately helps the healing process along. If youre not a huge fan of sitting in an ice bath, cold showers have been known to be just as effective. If none of these tips work to relieve the
soreness, a last resort is ibuprofen. This only takes the edge of the soreness off for a while; it wont cure your soreness. Soreness does not go away instantly with these tips. Give your body some time to recover. If you are still in excessive pain, give it a few days before you hit the gym again. You need to keep moving to help your muscles heal. While healing, avoid strenuous activity. Please note that the Ask Katie! advisers are not trained medical professionals; contact your health care provider with immediate questions or concerns. AskKatie! should not be used in place of professional consultation. If you still have unanswered questions, dont forget to go to the Ask Katie! stall in your residence hall and write on the anonymous notepad. If you live off campus, email questions to healthwellness@stkate.edu.
Date changed:
College Health & Wellness with Debra Sheats Monday, March 26th St. Marys Lounge 5-6 p.m.
8 | The Wheel
SPORTS
Seasonal handoff
javelin throw and discus throw. Since the outdoor season coincides with the end of winter sports, players from other sports, like basketball, join for the outdoor portion of the track season. However there are challenges to competing outdoors, mostly due to weather conditions. Every other school in the conference, if the weather is crappy they just go use their indoor facility and have practice. We have to scramble and Javelin throwing, for obvious reasons, is a purely outdoor event, one added to the track and field see if anybody will let us repertoire in the spring. Callie Teigen (above) and former track and field participant Pilar Becerra in somewhere, or we have (below) practice the event early in the outdoor season. Photos by Sarah Kiczula. to try and make do and send the [athletes] outside if its crappy out, Henderson said. Last year was brutal. We had lots of meets cancelled, we had one meet with the windchill made it 10 degrees, which makes it rough. Most of the time, meets are not cancelled regardless the weather. On the rare occassion a meet is cancelled, the team may still be expected to run. I believe we were going to St. Olaf, and then we didnt end up going to that meet because there was so much snow. But [Henderson] still wanted us to run, so we went to Concordia St. Paul, and it was 35 degrees, and it was snow, freezing rain, and it was miserable, Coughlin said. We were hiding in the gym until the absolute moment we had to go outside. Its a gamble of what its going to be like...once we go out[doors], were kind of stuck. To help avoid the weather and guarantee practice opportunities, the track and field team will be making their way to Rhodes College in Memphis for a meet during spring break. The meet is just to shake the cobwebs and get that first meet out of the way before we start getting to work for our MIAC meet at Concordia Moorhead, Levercom said. The team is anticipating a great season group this young, and still learning, and to I think thatll be a fun experience for us from the transition, especially since they finish where we were last year is pretty great, to all be away from school, and to just have ended strong in the indoor season. so were going to keep building on that. fun as a team. Its fun for us to get into a new Hopefully it means that all the things that environment and to explore a new place....It we did good in indoor, we do as well or even Becky can be reached at spices things up a little bit, Coughlin said. better outdoor, Henderson said. To have a rjdoucette@stkate.edu.
Left to right: Makayla Skluzacek, Samantha McClondon, and Jessica Hoffman practicing the shot put. Photos by Sarah Kiczula.