Girls across the globe are pleasing crowds with one of the world’s most dangerous sports: cheerleading. Behind the glitz of the uniform and the neatly tied bow in their pony tails, cheerleaders are at risk for serious injuries.
Although many would say that cheerleading is simply jumping up and down, yelling, or pointlessly throwing people into the air, many disagree. After doing online research, I found that seven randomly pulled websites about the most dangerous sports ranked cheerleading in the top ten among street luging, motorcycle racing, cave diving, rugby, bull riding, rock climbing, horseback riding, big wave surfing, and base jumping.
Livescience.com lists cheerleading at the most dangerous female sport. With the number of injuries due to cheerleading increasing, the question of how dangerous cheerleading truly is, continues to rise. From injuries as small as a sprained knee, to injuries as serious as a broken neck resulting in paralysis, cheerleading is not something that participants take lightly.
Cheerleading has recently been reviewed in order to determine whether or not it’s a contact sport. According to Lindsy DeFilippo, a former cheerleader, “when you have cheerleaders who stunt and tumble, that takes a lot of strength, practice, and endurance like other sports.” According to an article on MSNBC.MSN.com, cheerleading has reported more injuries in the past year than football, basketball, and soccer, making cheerleading one of the most injury prone sports in the world.
After talking to Hannah Popelka, a freshman cheerleader at Wittenberg, she explained the campus’s outlook on cheerleaders. “Well I haven’t been on campus that long but no one really cares or gives us much respect (like during crowd cheers and stuff). But as people, they’re like ‘Oh you’re a cheerleader? Cool!’ and move on. It doesn’t seem to matter very much in a good way or a bad way.”
On a college campus, the priorities of a student don’t typically include paying attention to what their cheerleaders are like or what they do at games. More concerned with homework, classes, their own sports teams, Greek life, or other extra-curricular activities, college students seem to be less likely to notice what the girls in the uniforms on the sidelines are doing.
According to DeFilippo, cheerleaders are viewed as “preps”. Popelka believes that the girls are viewed as “ditzy or slutty. We’re definitely not seen as strong or athletic at all. In movies cheerleaders are the popular ones but I don’t know how that holds up in real life.” Stereotyping of cheerleaders has been going on since day one and I think that can be attributed to the media.
When movies and television shows portray cheerleaders as the blonde air-head who gets all of the guys, that’s how our world is going to perceive them as well. When asked about why she thought cheerleading was a sport, DeFilippo said, “we memorize cheers like other sports memorize plays, we practice several times a week and condition just like other sports.”
In terms of respect, the girls feel like it is lacking. “No one ever responds to our crowd cheers. When we turn directly to the crowd and ask them to join in and they just look at us like we’re crazy, it’s a little disappointing” said Popelka. “Cheerleaders definitely don’t get the respect that they deserve” DeFilippo explained “the stereotyping and teasing really gets old.”
Noticeably, it is believed that there is more to cheering than jumping up and down yelling. Behind the fancy uniform and the grosgrain ribbon, lies a girl longing for respect.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Chief Loney: rough draft
Aside from can collectors coming in students' houses, making sandwiches, and using cell phones, Chief Carl Loney has few complaints. In just one hour, Chief of Police and Security at Wittenberg University, Carl Loney, opened my eyes to a world of unknown.
Loney has spent 30 years with the Sheriff's department, beginning at age 18. He has been with Wittenberg for the past eight years and claims he would not trade it for anything. "Being a police officer is just me" said Loney. Contrary to popular belief, the Wittenberg police are not out to get students, they are truly more concerned about students' safety.
"Streaking the Hollow has been going on since day one!" said Loney. "It ain't like robbin' a bank in my book!" Loney said that streaking is not destructive, and he's trying to explain to his younger officers that it is a situation that they can (and maybe should) be a little more lenient on.
Loney talked about his tolerance level in comparison to the Springfield police department's. "I think that we are very much a part of the campus life now" Loney explained. He said that being on a college campus, they know what is going on. "We want you to have a good experience here" Loney said. It's not the students versus the police department, in actuality, they're "looking for the element that doesn't belong".
One of those key elements being liquor law violations. The crime log (accessible on Wittenberg's website) shows a significant decrease in liquor referrals since 2006. Although Loney said that alcohol infractions are the biggest crime problem on campus, he also believes that students seem to be taking more responsibility for their actions.
On a comedic note, Loney spoke of one his craziest encounters here at Wittenberg. He was called to Myers hall when a young man discovered he was not alone while using the men's restroom. Straight out of a small hole in the bathroom wall came a snake, looked the student right in the eyes and slithered back in. He chuckled as he told this old story.
The thirteen Wittenberg Police officers (plus Chief Loney) are out for students' safety. The officers are there for students through thick and thin. Loney said, "Just don't vomit in out cars!"
Loney has spent 30 years with the Sheriff's department, beginning at age 18. He has been with Wittenberg for the past eight years and claims he would not trade it for anything. "Being a police officer is just me" said Loney. Contrary to popular belief, the Wittenberg police are not out to get students, they are truly more concerned about students' safety.
"Streaking the Hollow has been going on since day one!" said Loney. "It ain't like robbin' a bank in my book!" Loney said that streaking is not destructive, and he's trying to explain to his younger officers that it is a situation that they can (and maybe should) be a little more lenient on.
Loney talked about his tolerance level in comparison to the Springfield police department's. "I think that we are very much a part of the campus life now" Loney explained. He said that being on a college campus, they know what is going on. "We want you to have a good experience here" Loney said. It's not the students versus the police department, in actuality, they're "looking for the element that doesn't belong".
One of those key elements being liquor law violations. The crime log (accessible on Wittenberg's website) shows a significant decrease in liquor referrals since 2006. Although Loney said that alcohol infractions are the biggest crime problem on campus, he also believes that students seem to be taking more responsibility for their actions.
On a comedic note, Loney spoke of one his craziest encounters here at Wittenberg. He was called to Myers hall when a young man discovered he was not alone while using the men's restroom. Straight out of a small hole in the bathroom wall came a snake, looked the student right in the eyes and slithered back in. He chuckled as he told this old story.
The thirteen Wittenberg Police officers (plus Chief Loney) are out for students' safety. The officers are there for students through thick and thin. Loney said, "Just don't vomit in out cars!"
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Final: Elizabeth Alexander: Where is the love?
Where is the love? By: Brynne Mayne
Like one of the most influential people in Elizabeth Alexander’s life (Martin Luther King Jr.), she too has a dream. Alexander has a dream the King’s legacy will live on for years to come, and it is through love that this is possible. “I’m talking about the kind of love that takes work, but leads us to where we’re trying to get today” Alexander says.
On Monday, Elizabeth Alexander, inauguration poet, and chair of African American studies at Yale University, gave a moving speech at the Martin Luther King Convocation at Wittenberg University.
Alexander spoke to a diverse audience with personal stories as well as relatable events. “I was at the march on Washington” Alexander explains. “I was also in a baby carriage!” She explained that her parents described the infamous “I Have a Dream” speech an event that they “had to go to.”
Alexander told the audience of a candy dish that sat in her house while she was growing up. The dish was full of political buttons. She said that she vividly remembered King’s button. “It was a black hand shaking a white hand” she describes. Her father wore that same button to Obama’s inauguration.
It was that button and the memories of her past that reminded her of the importance of equality. “Once people had that [equality] so much more would take care of itself.”
“It is love that says we will do better” Alexander says. She explained that love is not only a deep emotion, but a component in the pieces that make the world go round.
While quoting June Jordan, Alexander was tugged in the direction of her specialty: poetry. Poetry is something that Alexander and Jordan have in common. “Poetry is sacred speech that makes the sacred in our lives” Alexander states.
“What if the mightiest word is love?” Alexander asks in her poem “Praise Song for the Day.” Alexander concluded reading this poem, receiving a standing ovation.
Like one of the most influential people in Elizabeth Alexander’s life (Martin Luther King Jr.), she too has a dream. Alexander has a dream the King’s legacy will live on for years to come, and it is through love that this is possible. “I’m talking about the kind of love that takes work, but leads us to where we’re trying to get today” Alexander says.
On Monday, Elizabeth Alexander, inauguration poet, and chair of African American studies at Yale University, gave a moving speech at the Martin Luther King Convocation at Wittenberg University.
Alexander spoke to a diverse audience with personal stories as well as relatable events. “I was at the march on Washington” Alexander explains. “I was also in a baby carriage!” She explained that her parents described the infamous “I Have a Dream” speech an event that they “had to go to.”
Alexander told the audience of a candy dish that sat in her house while she was growing up. The dish was full of political buttons. She said that she vividly remembered King’s button. “It was a black hand shaking a white hand” she describes. Her father wore that same button to Obama’s inauguration.
It was that button and the memories of her past that reminded her of the importance of equality. “Once people had that [equality] so much more would take care of itself.”
“It is love that says we will do better” Alexander says. She explained that love is not only a deep emotion, but a component in the pieces that make the world go round.
While quoting June Jordan, Alexander was tugged in the direction of her specialty: poetry. Poetry is something that Alexander and Jordan have in common. “Poetry is sacred speech that makes the sacred in our lives” Alexander states.
“What if the mightiest word is love?” Alexander asks in her poem “Praise Song for the Day.” Alexander concluded reading this poem, receiving a standing ovation.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Where is the love?
Where is the love? By: Brynne Mayne
“I’m talking about the kind of love that takes work, but leads us to where we’re trying to get today.” Like one of the most influential people in Elizabeth Alexander’s life (Martin Luther King Jr.), she too has a dream. Alexander has a dream the King’s legacy will live on for years to come, and it is through love that this is possible.
On January 18, 2010 Elizabeth Alexander, inauguration poet, and chair of African American studies at Yale, gave a moving speech at the Martin Luther King Convocation at Wittenberg University.
Alexander captivated her diverse audience with personal stories as well as relatable events. “I was at the march in Washington” Alexander explains. “I was also in a baby carriage!” Alexander proceeded with memories of that point in time. She explained that her parents described the infamous “I Have a Dream” speech an event that they “had to go to.”
Also reflecting on the past, Alexander told the audience of a candy dish that sat in her house while she was growing up. The dish was full of political buttons. She said that she vividly remembered King’s button. “It was a black hand shaking a white hand” she describes. Her father wore that same button to Obama’s inauguration.
It was that button and the memories of her past that reminded her of the importance of equality. “Once people had that [equality] so much more would take care of itself.” As Alexander continued reflecting on the past, her theme of love became more and more apparent.
“It is love that says we will do better” Alexander says. She explained that love is not only a deep emotion, but a component in the pieces that make the world go round. Alexander passionately explained the importance of love in today’s society through several quotes of one of her favorite writers, June Jordan.
The importance of this topic was incredibly obvious judging by the look of passion on Alexander’s face. While quoting June Jordan, Alexander was tugged in the direction of her specialty: poetry. Poetry is something that Alexander and Jordan have in common. “Poetry is sacred speech that makes the sacred in our lives” Alexander states.
Alexander concluded with a poem of her own, “Praise Song for the Day.” “What if the mightiest word is love?” Alexander spoke these words with great zeal. Receiving a warm, standing ovation, Alexander made a grave impact on her audience. I know she left me thinking… “What if the mightiest word is love?”
“I’m talking about the kind of love that takes work, but leads us to where we’re trying to get today.” Like one of the most influential people in Elizabeth Alexander’s life (Martin Luther King Jr.), she too has a dream. Alexander has a dream the King’s legacy will live on for years to come, and it is through love that this is possible.
On January 18, 2010 Elizabeth Alexander, inauguration poet, and chair of African American studies at Yale, gave a moving speech at the Martin Luther King Convocation at Wittenberg University.
Alexander captivated her diverse audience with personal stories as well as relatable events. “I was at the march in Washington” Alexander explains. “I was also in a baby carriage!” Alexander proceeded with memories of that point in time. She explained that her parents described the infamous “I Have a Dream” speech an event that they “had to go to.”
Also reflecting on the past, Alexander told the audience of a candy dish that sat in her house while she was growing up. The dish was full of political buttons. She said that she vividly remembered King’s button. “It was a black hand shaking a white hand” she describes. Her father wore that same button to Obama’s inauguration.
It was that button and the memories of her past that reminded her of the importance of equality. “Once people had that [equality] so much more would take care of itself.” As Alexander continued reflecting on the past, her theme of love became more and more apparent.
“It is love that says we will do better” Alexander says. She explained that love is not only a deep emotion, but a component in the pieces that make the world go round. Alexander passionately explained the importance of love in today’s society through several quotes of one of her favorite writers, June Jordan.
The importance of this topic was incredibly obvious judging by the look of passion on Alexander’s face. While quoting June Jordan, Alexander was tugged in the direction of her specialty: poetry. Poetry is something that Alexander and Jordan have in common. “Poetry is sacred speech that makes the sacred in our lives” Alexander states.
Alexander concluded with a poem of her own, “Praise Song for the Day.” “What if the mightiest word is love?” Alexander spoke these words with great zeal. Receiving a warm, standing ovation, Alexander made a grave impact on her audience. I know she left me thinking… “What if the mightiest word is love?”
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
"I'd be Kate Hudson because her husband is hot."
After receiving an answer to the first question I asked Courtney Ransdell, I knew the interview would only get more interesting. When I asked Miss Ransdell how old she was, she replied with “Well, I’m going to be nineteen on Friday so can’t you just put that?” I chuckled and scratched onto my note pad that Courtney would be nineteen on Friday. Courtney is a soft spoken, blonde hair, blue eyed sweet heart born in Texas.
Living in Ohio since Kindergarten, Courtney has developed some life-sized dreams. She’s not exactly sure what she wants to do in the future, but she has come up with a few options. “When I was little, I wanted to be a lawyer, but now it’s a little more complicated. Some days I want to be an artist, I’d love to write reviews on food and travel the world. Other days I have my heart set on being a motivational speaker or therapist”.
Courtney’s witty personality was quick to catch my attention. Before I knew it we were laughing and carrying on a great conversation. When I asked if she could be any character in a movie, who would she be? She answered: “I’d be Kate Hudson in Bride Wars because her husband was hot. And you better write that down.” Once again I snickered and wrote down exactly what she said while she leaned forward to check that I was truly writing her quote down.
Courtney lives by some important values she has developed throughout her eighteen, almost nineteen, years of life. I asked if she had any regrets, she said “I have no regrets, I’ve only learned from experiences”. Courtney wants to be remembered as someone who was helpful and “the girl that was always able to cheer me up”. She believes her biggest accomplishment is that she made it to where she is today.
The more Courtney and I talked, the more intriguing of a person she became. When asked if she could meet one dead person who would it be? When she replied with “Hitler”, I was a little taken back. I looked at her for a second and waited for some sort of explanation. After cracking a smile, she said “He wouldn’t kill me, I have blonde hair and blue eyes”.
Courtney Ransdell: The almost nineteen year-old who loves fall, being on the beach, chicken alfredo, and banana splits. It was great getting an insight on such a great girl.
Living in Ohio since Kindergarten, Courtney has developed some life-sized dreams. She’s not exactly sure what she wants to do in the future, but she has come up with a few options. “When I was little, I wanted to be a lawyer, but now it’s a little more complicated. Some days I want to be an artist, I’d love to write reviews on food and travel the world. Other days I have my heart set on being a motivational speaker or therapist”.
Courtney’s witty personality was quick to catch my attention. Before I knew it we were laughing and carrying on a great conversation. When I asked if she could be any character in a movie, who would she be? She answered: “I’d be Kate Hudson in Bride Wars because her husband was hot. And you better write that down.” Once again I snickered and wrote down exactly what she said while she leaned forward to check that I was truly writing her quote down.
Courtney lives by some important values she has developed throughout her eighteen, almost nineteen, years of life. I asked if she had any regrets, she said “I have no regrets, I’ve only learned from experiences”. Courtney wants to be remembered as someone who was helpful and “the girl that was always able to cheer me up”. She believes her biggest accomplishment is that she made it to where she is today.
The more Courtney and I talked, the more intriguing of a person she became. When asked if she could meet one dead person who would it be? When she replied with “Hitler”, I was a little taken back. I looked at her for a second and waited for some sort of explanation. After cracking a smile, she said “He wouldn’t kill me, I have blonde hair and blue eyes”.
Courtney Ransdell: The almost nineteen year-old who loves fall, being on the beach, chicken alfredo, and banana splits. It was great getting an insight on such a great girl.
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