Category Archives: Student Life

Bonds of Sisterhood

Wendy Darling (Amanda Rowley) reading a story to the Lost Boys. Photo by Judson College.

by Sarah Combs

Pageant night is more than just a play put on by the Junior/Soph. class for their big sisters, it’s more like a bond of sisterhood and a place where classes can come together, have fun and get to know each other. I was told that the best memories I would have would be of staying up until midnight every night rehearsing for pageant—and the person who told me that was right. I became better friends with people that I wasn’t close to, and I’m happier than ever—but don’t just take my word for it, see what others told me about what pageant means to them.

Marissa McNamara, a third-year senior, was the Shadow in Peter Pan, the 2017 Pageant. “Pageant was an awesome experience that helped create a bond between our class that we would not have had without it. The good and bad times were able to bring us closer because of the time period we had to do it, it required our full attention,” she said. “I don’t know what life would have been like if we didn’t have the moments pageant brought for us. I know that my part was unable to talk, but that made practice all the more fun. I felt that I could help others through my playfulness so that they didn’t have to focus on stress, or help out where I could since I didn’t have as much to do with others. It provided an opportunity to create memories and stronger personal bonds that living with someone, or just hanging out in class, or another situation couldn’t provide.”

Next, I spoke to Morgan Rittenhouse, who was one of the Lost Boys in Peter Pan. She said, “I was a Lost Boy and I loved Pageant. It’s the only time that everyone in our class got together and bonded. I miss it so much. You might think it sucks now, practicing constantly and it being a major inconvenience, but you will miss it when it’s over. If I could go back and do it over again I would. It was so fun getting to hang out with everyone that I had never hung out with before. I liked working really hard for it and then it being successful in the end. I felt really accomplished but sad when it was over. It feels great to do stuff for your big sis as well, especially since they do so much for us.”

Cassidy Harrison played Smee, who served as the right-hand man to Captain Hook. “Pageant, to me, was an opportunity to develop friendships with people in my class that I previously had not talked to. It gave me the chance to come out of my shell more because I had never acted in a play outside of my youth group back home. It gave me the chance to grow closer with my fellow sisters in my class.”

Chelsea Leachman, who was the maid in Peter Pan, said, “Pageant was so important to me because I felt like by being a part of traditions, I was giving back to my sister and her class. It was a funny way of saying ‘thank you’ for being the best! I was only in two scenes so that’s about it, but I loved making the audience laugh.”

Lastly, I spoke to graduating senior Megan Matthews, who was a part of the chorus in the 2016 Pageant, Alice in Wonderland. She said, “Pageant was a good time for my class, so we could bond. We were able to come together and get to know each other. Without pageant it never would have happened.”

The women at Judson College take pageant very seriously, and having fun and working hard to put on a good show is what we strive for. We don’t lose sleep for nothing. Having this bond of sisterhood is what makes and molds this school. Being a big sister is exciting, because we can watch our littles perform, and we also get to see the bonds that they have formed with each other over the course of their rehearsals.

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Student Life•The Triangle

New Faces in Familiar Places

As students and faculty members of Judson College bid farewell to the familiar faces of faculty that have long served on our campus, we also welcome new staff members into the Judson family. During their daily routines, students may notice new faces in several different departments, such as music, art, education, and religion.

One new face in particular belongs to Assistant Professor of Education, Dr. Allison Newton. Dr. Newton received her undergraduate degree in Communications at the University of Alabama before pursuing her Master’s as a Reading Specialist and her PhD in Early Childhood Education at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Prior to her employment at Judson, Dr. Newton taught secondary English and literature in the Pell City school system for thirteen years, as well as teaching as an adjunct instructor of grads and undergrads at UAB.

“[My experience at Judson] has been both a similar and different experience than what I’ve had before,” Dr. Newton began eagerly. “I’ve taught undergrads and graduates at UAB, but in much larger settings. What I love about Judson are the relationships that you build right away. I teach mainly junior- and senior-level courses—so as a teacher you feel a profound sense of responsibility at this level, knowing that your students are going out and becoming teachers. It’s very exciting.”

An immediate characteristic that is apparent upon first conversation with Dr. Newton is her sincere love for teaching and her genuine care for the impact that she makes on her students. “Having an impact on 125 students a day was hard to walk away from,” she said, “[but] I thought, ‘Wow, I might not have an impact on 125 a day, but I could impact way more than that in the future by being able to impact young women [. . .] who will then impact their students.’”

Similarly, another prominent feature of her character is her enthusiasm for literature and engaging young minds in the world of reading. “My passion is literacy. My mission is to really engage in the local schools here—we’ve really started re-igniting the reading mentor program, and we’re doing it through the school’s literacy courses now. I could not be prouder of anything than what [the program is] doing right now. There’s no greater gift than to empower a child with the love of reading and the ability to do so.”

Dr. Newton notes that although the transition from teaching at a co-ed school has had surprisingly little effect on her teaching compared to what she expected, she has noticed that there is a “greater comfort” for the young women in her classes than what she saw in her high school classroom. “It’s wonderful that women don’t have to compete with men to get the attention that they deserve. The research is there that in the public-school system, the males get called on more in the classroom than the females, and it’s pretty fabulous to be able to honor women in that way.” Her face lit up as she began to laugh over her following statement, “Especially since I am one!”

A particularly exciting Judson experience that Dr. Newton mentioned is none other than Judson’s unique traditions, such as Pageant and Hockey Day. “I really did not understand what Pageant was going to be at all,” she expounded. “Everyone just told me ‘just go’—and when I got there, all I could think was… what is happening?! And then I went to Hockey Day, and I wasn’t sure of what to expect of that either—and then [the players] came out, and they had rolled the goal lines, and everyone was wearing tutus! I have really loved [experiencing traditions]. It’s all been brand new because I had no idea! It’s more surprising. No one has told me ‘oh, this is what’s gonna happen’—I’m glad my colleagues have let me have the surprise without telling me. It makes the whole experience really special!”

Anna Mag Reynolds, a freshman who took her Judson 101: Foundations for Success course under Dr. Newton, spoke highly of how Dr. Newton’s openness helped her to adjust to her college life. “Dr. Newton was a very fun teacher while also keeping the class productive,” she stated. “I really appreciated how caring and open she was as a professor.”

“Dr. Newton has been a wonderful addition to the education department and to the Judson community,” said Dr. Lesley Sheek, Head of the Department of Education. “She has especially impacted our teacher candidates’ involvement with the students in local schools. In addition to taking students each week to read with elementary learners, Dr. Newton has organized our candidates to lead high school students in college-planning/mentoring through a federally funded program focused on supporting students in Alabama’s Black Belt. Her previous high school teaching experiences have enriched her college classes and are supporting our teacher candidates’ preparation to work with preschool through 12th-grade students.”

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Community•Student Life

Letting “This Little Light” Shine: Young Captures the Spirit of Prominent Civil Rights Activist

Dr. Billie Jean Young performs her one-woman show, Fannie Lou Hamer: This Little Light.

Silence filled the air of the Ramsay-McCrummen Chapel on the night of March 2, 2018 as Dr. Billie Jean Young’s voice sang the concluding line of her one-woman show, “Fannie Lou Hamer: This Little Light.” The final note echoed across each individual in the chapel, eliciting a moment of awe from the audience, before those in their seats burst into applause and rose from their chairs as Young took a final bow.

“Fannie Lou Hamer: This Little Light” is a two-act drama both written and performed by Judson’s very own Artist-in-Residence, Dr. Billie Jean Young. The show, which first premiered in 1983, has been performed over a staggering eight hundred times on four different continents, as well as in nearly all of the fifty states. “This Little Light” reveals the story of Fannie Lou Hamer, a Mississippi-born sharecropper whose desire for equal voting rights and equality as a whole for all American people played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement. Hamer’s stirring valor and bold courage inspired a generation of Southern civil rights activists to step up and join the fight for equality. Her message still has great impact on millions of American citizens today.

Mrs. Fannie Lou Hamer was born in Montgomery County, Mississippi on October 6, 1917. At a young age, Hamer began working in the fields, eventually dropping out of school at age 12 in order to work full-time and help support her family. In 1944, she was married to Perry “Pap” Hamer; afterwards, the couple worked on a cotton plantation near Ruleville, Mississippi.

However, in the summer of 1962, Hamer’s life would be forever changed by her decision to attend a meeting held by the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, where she, along with a group of other African Americans, were encouraged to register to vote. In the following August, she and seventeen others set out for the county courthouse in Indianola to do just so—but during their journey, the group endured intense opposition from both local and state law enforcement.

Ultimately, only two individuals from the group were allowed to fill out a voter’s application form—one of whom was Fannie Lou Hamer

Hamer’s brave actions did not follow through without a price, however; as a result of her courage, she lost both her job and the home that she and her husband had shared for nearly two decades. Rather than cease and desist, these events only strengthened Hamer’s robust determination to aid in the battle for the right of the African-American vote.

Fannie Lou Hamer speaking at the 1964 Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City, NJ

Young’s show observes Hamer’s journey on the path to finding equality in a society where oppression ruled, following Hamer’s life from the early days of movement to the times of injustice that Hamer and her fellow civil rights activists suffered, as well as Hamer’s passionate testimony at the nationally-televised 1964 Democratic National Convention. It was at this convention that Hamer’s most famous declaration was made: “I am sick and tired of being sick and tired!”

Victoria Smith, a freshman who attended the drama, gives her own account of her experience at the show. “Fannie Lou Hamer was an amazing woman. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t heard about all of her accomplishments before,” she exclaimed. “The play was amazing, and it helped me understand more of what was really going on during the Civil Rights Movement. I never really understood how great a struggle it was for black women during that time, but the play helped me get a new perspective, one that I can share with other young women who may not realize all that happened during the Civil Rights era.”

“The Judson community is so fortunate to have Dr. Billie Jean Young as our Artist in Residence and Associate Professor of Fine and Performing Arts,” proclaimed Ms. Angela Dennison. “Because she walks with us on a daily basis, we may not all realize what an amazing actress, playwright, director, and author we have here. Her one-woman show, “Fannie Lou Hamer: This Little Light” is truly remarkable and is world-renowned. Once you see it, you will know what a force for good Mrs. Hamer was and what a talent Dr. Young is. Everyone at Judson should avail themselves of the opportunity to see this show at least once, though once is really not enough. It is so very powerful.”

Young’s internationally-acclaimed drama depicting Hamer’s story is one that brings light to the struggles, hardships, and dangers that Hamer endured to gain the rights she was due, but wrongfully denied for so long. By tapping into Hamer’s spirit, Young’s performance not only reminds her audience of the life of Mrs. Fannie Lou Hamer; it also reminisces life of a woman whose fearlessness and determination made a significant impact on the betterment both of the world around her and the world that was yet to come.

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Community•Student Life

Fruit Flies on the Brain

This is what Owens and Brown did their whole research projects on. — This fruit fly is what Owens and Brown did their research projects on.

Fruit flies–not a very interesting subject to most people, but for the students participating in the Judson College Honors Program, they are all the students are buzzing about. Now, for all of you who do not have a clue what the Honors Program is, Dr. Kristopher McConnell, a member of the Honors Program committee and faculty sponsor to Katie Owens and Erin Brown said that “The Honors Program provides students the opportunity to perform in-depth research under the direction of a faculty mentor. Students have a wide variety of topics they can investigate, based on their academic field. The important characteristic of an Honors project that distinguishes it from a standard classroom exercise is novelty. The project should advance the academic field in a new and different way. For example, in a science laboratory course, students are typically expected to perform lab exercises that have an expected result. However, for an Honors project in the sciences, students perform experiments in the lab that have never been done before. They do not know what the result will be there, therefore they can push the field in new directions.”

This year Katie Owens and Erin Brown presented their honors project to the school on Friday, April 6.They both chose to do their projects on fruit flies, but two very different aspects of the fly. When asked what made her decide to do her Honors Project on fruit flies, Owens said, “We currently have two types of undergraduate research projects going on in the Biology Department: Cahaba River water testing and Drosophila oogenesis (the production of female fruit fly sex cells). One of my favorite processes to discuss in biology classes is female reproduction, making Drosophila oogenesis a very exciting project, in my opinion. For my research, I am investigating defects in Drosophila oogenesis by heat shock and Ga14.”

Katie Owens looking at her project to see if it is all good to go.

On the other hand, Erin Brown is studying to get her Pathology Degree, with plans to attend medical school through a branch of the military. When asked if she feels that her project can help advance other scientific pursuits, her response was, “With my research, I have obtained useful data about DNA replication that is very relevant to cancer research. Errors in DNA replication are a key factor in the production of cancerous cells, and my research has helped to define a developmental transition involving DNA replication in the fruit flies.”

Erin Brown, giving a round through of her presentation to the audience at J-Day. — Erin Brown, giving a run-through of her presentation to the audience at J-Day.

Dr. Lesley Sheek, an education professor at Judson College and Associate Dean for Assessment and Teaching Effectiveness, serves as the chair of the Honors Program committee. She is not only an excellent teacher to many students, she is also a great leader to head this committee. When asked what she likes about the Honors Program, she said,“The Judson College Honors Program serves as a platform for accomplished students to conduct independent research with the support of faculty mentors. The program benefits participants by helping them gain valuable skills and experiences that they can translate into graduate research. The Honors Program Committee oversees the process and the products to ensure that students earn the degree with distinction because of excellence in their work. Students who desire a challenge, students who wish to have the opportunity to work closely with faculty mentors, and students who have genuine questions they seek to answer should apply to participate in the program.” She continued by saying, “As the chair of the committee, I have enjoyed working with colleagues from several disciplines of the college. Our committee has a unique experience in learning about topics of interest to our scholars — from investigating Italian banking practices in the 15th century, to developing students’ positive attitudes toward aging, to analyzing themes in literature, to researching genetics for cures to cancer, Judson students research fascinating and important topics. The committee members are beneficiaries of meaningful learning, and we serve as guides and supports in the process. It is truly rewarding work for faculty and students alike. We are most proud on graduation day when the program participants march first across the stage and receive their diplomas to indicate recognition for their accomplishment.”

Dr. McConnell, who helped these girls every step of the way to come up with amazing projects, spoke highly of Owens and Brown, saying how proud he was of them. “Katie and Erin have done a fantastic job in their Honors projects. Both students were capable of producing the type of work that you would expect from a first-year or even second-year graduate student. They were able to work independently and expanded our understanding of basic cellular processes.”

It will be great to see what honors projects the next school year brings.

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Student Life

Basketball, Skits and Pie, Oh My! Parent’s Day at Judson

Dr. Bullard gets a pie thrown in his face during Parent's Day — Dr. Bullard gets a pie thrown in his face during Parent’s Day

On March 3, Judson students and their parents gathered in the Riddle Gymnasium for the annual Parent’s Day Basketball Tournament. Every spring semester Judson’s campus becomes host to the parents of students who travel from various regions to visit their daughters. The day is filled with activities, including a basketball tournament, skit presentations, and a pie-in-the-face fundraiser. Each year Parent’s Day focuses on a specific theme. This year’s theme was for each team to represent a country in the Olympics. The chosen country could be real or made-up. Therefore, the different skits and team throughout the day based themselves off a specific country.

The basketball tournament, one of the most popular events of Parent’s Day, consisted of three different teams: the Madagascar We Movin’ Up representing WMU, the Barron Bolivian Bowl Cuts representing Barron, and The Kirtley Islands representing Kirtley. Each team consisted of members from their respective dorms; the girls got together to practice weeks in advance to prepare for the tournament. The best part? No experience needed! The Parent’s Day Basketball Tournament is almost as popular as Hockey Day due to the fact that Judson girls do not have to have prior experience playing basketball to be a part of the team. While it is competitive, the main goal of the tournament is to have fun and help form bonds between Judson sisters while their parents spectate and cheer. Both Kirtley and Barron contested bravely, but WMU came away with the Parent’s Day championship.

After the championship game between the student dorms, an All-Star team was selected. The All-Star team is composed of some of the best students from each team, and they are chosen to play against the faculty team. Despite the best efforts of the All-Star team, the Faculty and Staff team walked away victorious.

After the completion of the games, each dorm presents a themed skit. The Kirtley Islands presented a skit about being islanders and performed to the song “Lip Gloss.” The Barron Bolivian Bowl Cuts performed a fantastic dance number, and WMU composed a skit that included characters from the movie “Madagascar.”

Perhaps one of the most anticipated events of Parent’s Day is the Pie-In-The-Face contest. Students, teachers, and various other members of the faculty volunteer to be auctioned off to have a pie thrown in their face. The volunteer is called up, and students and faculty place bids to earn the right to throw the pie at them. The money raised during the auction goes to fund the Spring Break mission trips. The most popular member of the faculty to be auctioned was interim president Dr. Scott Bullard. Several students worked to out-bid Dean of Students Susan Jones in winning the rights to pie Dr. Bullard. Senior Katie Owens, when asked to recount the events, recalled that several students at first bid individually but were outbid by Dean Jones. In order to beat Dean Jones, Owens and approximately five other students pooled their money, which came out to $500, and won the right to pie Dr. Bullard. When it came time to throw the pie, the six students were forced to devise a way to split the pie six ways. This was only a temporary delay, however. “It was great,” said Owens. “We all just kind of grabbed a handful and threw it in his face!”

Micaylee Clayton

Student Life Editor

mclayton@judson..edu

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Student Life

Judson by Any Other Name Will Always be Judson

“In a word, Judson is enthusiasm. It is exemplified in everything she does and everything she stands for. We have more to learn from her example than a lifetime allows. If we would realize our aims, then we must create enthusiasm. Its power will work for us and we will gain the rewards.” These words, spoken by Mary Frances Morgan in her speech on Awards Night, were captured in an edition of the Triangle published sixty years ago in March of 1958. Morgan’s purpose was to describe Judson College with one word: enthusiasm. Morgan went on to detail in the article (pictured below) the power of enthusiasm and the role it has played in the continued development of the esteemed campus.

Over six decades later, students and faculty who were asked to describe Judson in one word displayed that same enthusiasm that makes Judson strong. Sarah Green, an education major soon to graduate, describes Judson as being “enriching,” as she reflects upon her time here as a student, actively participating in various traditions and clubs. “It’s been such an enriching, engaging experience,” Sarah says. “And I’ve learned so much along the way.”

Sierra Driver, a combination history and education major, quirkily described Judson as being “serene…if you ignore the cats!” Due to its small size and relatively remote location, Judson’s campus is rarely seen without the occasional stray cat or dog. While not allowed within the buildings, the animals stick around due to the amount of love and affection with which Judson students so enthusiastically impart to them.

Judson has a way of leaving a mark on the hearts of all who pass through its halls. While reminiscing about her time at Judson, former equine science student Kathleen Morgan deemed the college to be “unexpected,” for “there’s always a surprise around every corner!”

Judson touches not just the students, but those who work there as well. When asked to describe Judson in one word, Lesley Sheek – Associate Dean for Curriculum and Instruction and Head of the Education department – and husband Greg both captured the spirit of Judson. “Community,” was Mr. Sheek’s word. From Rose Sunday to Hockey Day, a large part of Judson’s pride comes from participation from not only current students, but alumnae as well. Students work together to encourage each other and form bonds of sisterhood that are not easily broken.

“I would say Judson is hopeful,” said Dr. Sheek. “Because I believe you guys are going to change the world!”

For over 150 years Judson has built a community of women who strive to further themselves through faith and fortitude. Judson’s enriching atmosphere provides a place for students to continue to grow not only in their academics, but in their relationship with Christ as well.

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Student Life•The Triangle

Not so Little Anymore

It is a night eagerly anticipated by Judson girls, a night where bonds of sisterhood are formed. Big/Little Night is perhaps one of the most beloved traditions on Judson’s campus.

This year the Big/Little ceremony and banquet were held Tuesday, January 24. Even though Big/Little Night is celebrated at the beginning of the spring semester, students spend all of fall semester preparing for the big event. Jr-Sophs and freshwomen spend time getting to know each other through the giving of signs and participation in serenades so that every student might find a sister to whom they feel particularly bonded.

Typically, Big/Little Night focuses mostly on the Jr-Sophs and freshwomen as they sign their names together to signify their bond. Freshwomen are welcomed in their respective families, and the night is filled with the sounds of new memories being created. Yet the night is not just celebrated by freshwomen and Jr-Sophs. Seniors are also in attendance as they proudly watch their little sisters become big sisters, and they themselves become “grandbigs.” For some seniors, Big/Little Night is a time of commemorative reflection as graduation looms ever closer.

Sarah Green – a graduating senior and matriarch of her family, the ducks – describes the night as being “bittersweet…knowing it’s my last year to participate in everything.” For Sarah, being both a little sister and a big sister has been an experience she wouldn’t trade for the world. “I definitely think that the Judson Big/Little tradition has played a large part in shaping who I am,” Sarah said.

Green will be moving to Colorado in July, taking her far away from the beloved traditions and special events that shaped her time at Judson. Yet Green rests easy knowing that she “has an amazing little who will be an even better matriarch than I ever was.”

Being the matriarch of a Judson family is an honor that is passed down from senior to senior. The matriarch is the glue that holds the family together: resolving arguments, providing encouragement and advice, organizing seal parties and events, etc. For Sarah, Big/Little Night was not only a night to welcome new members, but also a night for her to pass the matriarchy to a younger member.

Members of the Duck family from left to right: Kaley Mann, Cori Pitts, Lauren Neery, Sarah Green, Cynthia Mosborg, and Sierra Driver

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Student Life•The Triangle

Something Wicked This Way Comes: The Wicked Folly Tour Arrives at Judson

A hush fell over the Alumnae Auditorium as the first sounds of artificial thunder rolled across the audience. It was Monday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m., and the American Shakespeare Center’s production of Macbeth had just begun, instantly enchanting the students and faculty of Judson College and Marion Military Institute alike. “Fair is foul, and foul is fair. Hover through the fog and the filthy air….”

The American Shakespeare Center (ASC), stationed in Staunton, Virginia, is well-known for its use of Shakespeare’s original staging conditions (such as universal lighting, minimalistic sets, live music, lavish costumes, etc.) and traveling theater troupes. During their two-day visit to Judson’s campus, students were able to attend viewings of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth and a stage adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility.

“The most interesting thing about [using Shakespeare’s staging conditions] is being able to see students actually understand Shakespeare’s writings,” explains Thomas Coppola, stage manager for the ASC’s traveling troupe. “There’s this ‘Shakes-fear,’ as I like to call it, that is not intentional by any means; English teachers decided that Shakespeare should be studied like a poet. And the thing is, these plays [. . .] aren’t meant to be studied in the classrooms. They’re meant to be seen, interacted with. They have that approachability that’s only available when you come and see a live show. To me, it’s really cool seeing the audience get hyped about Shakespeare when they realize that they can understand it. There’s finally a connection.”

This connection is something that the ASC takes quite seriously. In Shakespeare’s time, plays were performed on a thrust stage—a type of stage that literally “thrusts” into the crowd—and actors had the ability to communicate directly with the audience members as they performed the play. This is a characteristic that the center brought to Judson; stage seating was provided for a small number of students for both performances. With the stage seating came actor-audience interaction, including a full conversation, a passing of the coat and a grabbing of the hand, and even dancing with the actors onstage.

Additionally, students had the opportunity to attend workshops that focused on deciphering Shakespeare’s verse and exploring the world of sound effects and musical underscores used to develop scenes onstage.

Hilary Caldwell and Ronald Roman-Melendez discuss the importance of music in setting the atmosphere for a scene.

Grace Terry, a freshman and music minor, attended the music workshop. “I was impressed by the several different ways you can make sound with random objects,” she observed. “My favorite part was when they showed us the water pipe that they used to make the supernatural sounds in Macbeth. It really opened my eyes to my view of music, especially when [the actors] talked about how we naturally fall into a steady rhythm. I used to think sound effects were just simple add-ons to the scene, but now I know that they construct an entire atmosphere and build the world in which the play is set.”

“I really enjoyed the rhetoric workshop that Thomas put on,” Jr-Soph Alexis Burt states. “I loved learning how actors can interpret Shakespeare however they see fit to really bring a performance to life. It’s interesting to see how we still use most of the language Shakespeare used today. The workshop really gave me insight on the language of the time and helped me better understand the plays.”

According to Dr. Laura Schrock, chair of the Concert/Lecture Committee, the ASC’s visit to Judson’s campus is a “once-in-a-lifetime” event for the college. “To be a Judson student and have this level of professionals to come here and do this much—it’s really staggering,” she says.

To the students of Judson, Schrock’s statement rings true. Not only did the ASC’s presence on campus bring a unique and intriguing new vigor to our tiny college campus—it brought a heightened sense of excitement and enthusiasm for performing arts that Judson students might have never gained otherwise. After the back-to-back-performance Monday and Tuesday night of two plays from the ASC’s repertoire, students were overheard on Wednesday in the cafeteria lamenting that there was “no play tonight”—a sure indication that the ASC’s presence left a lasting impression on the students of Judson College.

Freshman Natalie Pope poses with the cast of Sense and Sensibility, the ASC’s final performance at Judson College.

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Community•Student Life

But First, Coffee: Judson’s First Coffee House of the Semester

Lights twinkled, candles flickered, and voices murmured as students from both Judson and MMI mingled in the student center for the first Coffee House of the semester.

Coffee House is a much loved Judson tradition organized by the SGA Vice President of Activities, Liz Alsobrook. Students from both Judson and MMI (Marion Military Institute) gather in the student center – more commonly known as the “J” – to enjoy a variety of coffee and snacks. As well as being a time for students to relax and socialize, Coffee House is also a time when students are encouraged to share their talents with their peers. This can include singing a song, playing an instrument, reciting a poem, or even performing a magic or science trick. Popular performances from this semester’s Coffee House included a ukulele rendition of Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours,” performed by SGA president Katie Owens, Honor Council president Lillie Hobson, and Jordan Ross. Abigail Wood, along with Erin Brown, Kate Wright, Lauren Hurt, and Jyasmine Torres, regaled those in attendance with yet another beautifully coordinated selection from Veggie Tales’ “Silly Songs with Larry.”

Other memorable performances included a duet with two of the MMI cadets, in which one sang and the other rapped. Lauren Hurt performed twice, the first time playing a guitar while singing, and the second time choosing to offer a recitation of a section of Psalms. Holly Brock also performed twice, the second time receiving a Coffee House version of a standing ovation: students waving their lighted cell phones in tandem. The final performance of the night that stood out was Joyce Lavatai, who captured the attention of all in attendance with a beautiful traditional song from her homeland of Hawaii which required her to sing in both Hawaiian and English.

To anyone unfamiliar with Judson tradition, Coffee House would appear to be simply a time for students to hang out and drink coffee while people play an instrument or sing in the background; yet Coffee House is so much more. Coffee House is a time for students to gather and unwind from the stress of the semester, as well as to interact with friends from the community that they have not seen in a while. This event is also a time for students to showcase their talents in an atmosphere where they will be supported and respected by their friends and peers; anyone and everyone are welcome to perform, and people who are a little nervous taking the stage always receive words of encouragement from the audience. When the stress of college life threatens to drag you down, there are not many things more soothing than sitting in the warmth of the J sipping coffee by candlelight surrounded by friends.

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Student Life

Life is Better When We Stick Together: Hockey Week 2017

The Senior team shows off their tie-dyed uniforms

On November 4, 2017, Judson students and members of the Marion community congregated on the hockey field to participate in Judson’s annual Hockey Day. Also in attendance were various alumnae, returning to their alma mater to once again participate in a beloved Judson tradition.

Every year when the air first begins to cool with the crisp edge of fall, Judson students begin practicing field hockey in preparation for Hockey Day. Any and all students are welcome to participate, even students who have never played before. The game is fast-paced, exciting, and competitive. Judson girls work hard and play hard to hone their hockey skills so as to increase their chances of being selected to be on the All-Star team, a specially selected team of girls chosen to play against the returning Alumnae team.

The Junior Frosh team poses on the Hockey Field

The week leading to Hockey Day is known as Hockey Week, and Hockey Week always brings excitement to the Judson campus. Everyday leading up to Hockey Day, students are given a different theme to dress up as. To start off the week, Monday’s theme was Matchy Monday; students were encouraged to find a partner or a group of friends and dress the same. Tuesday’s theme was TeamJudson Tuesday, with students showing off their Judson spirit by wearing an array of Judson t-shirts, sweatshirts, or the Judson colors of red and black. Wacky Wednesday was perhaps everyone’s favorite day; students dressed in wacky colors that varied from bright neon colors, to mismatched socks. Following Wacky Wednesday was the more conservative theme of Thankful Thursday: students dressed in business casual attire and were encouraged to participate in a thankfulness activity during lunch. Hockey Week closed with students celebrating the holidays in their festive clothes for Festive Friday. Friday also marked another favorite tradition of Judson students: fight songs. Every year on the Friday before Hockey Day, each class sings a song composed by their class song leader cheering their team on for Hockey Day.

Hockey Day itself began at nine o’clock Saturday morning with a tailgate party. Opening ceremonies followed and the first game of the day, Seniors vs. Jr./Frosh (a combination of juniors, sophomores, and freshmen) was won by the senior class. After the game spectators were directed to the gymnasium where each class presented a skit that had been composed around the theme of Hockey Week: “Life is better when we stick together.” At 11 o’clock, the long-awaited game between the Alumnae team and the All-Star team went underway, with the All-Star team emerging as the victors.

Perhaps what makes Hockey Day one of the most well-loved traditions is its emphasis on sisterhood. It is a day for students both new and old; those who currently attend Judson, and those who once called Judson their home. It is a time to make new friends and rekindle old friendships; for the bondage of sisterhood is a bond not so easily broken.

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