French Spelling Bee celebrates French Week through friendly competition

The Department of Languages and Literatures joined forces with the French Culture Club to commemorate National French Week with an eight-round French Spelling Bee on Wednesday Nov. 9. As the third event of the 2016 celebration, the event was one that participants had arduously prepared for. Beginning 16 years ago, students and faculty have observed National French Week—an invention presented by the American Association of Teachers of French—by honoring the diverse aspects of French culture with specialized programming, as decided by a committee of the French Club.

“While some programs endure from year to year, we tailor the celebrations of National French Week to student interest,” professor of French and western humanities Beverly Evans said in her welcome speech.

The spelling bee began with a performance from Southside Boys, Geneseo’s only all-male a capella group. Pausing between the fourth and fifth levels for an intermission of violin music—including a tribute to “Les Miserables”—the event endured for nearly two hours of competition among the students.

To advance from the current round to the subsequent one, each competitor had to properly pronounce and spell the given vocabulary word, which—as per typical spelling bee conventions—they could ask the judges to repeat, define or use in a sentence.

As the number of competitors dwindled, the regulations governing each round increased: for a final champion to triumph, he or she had to not only spell correctly the word that his opponent missed, but an additional, more challenging word.

Ending the competition after advancing for eight rounds, physics and math double-major sophomore Duncan Ho, international relations major senior Rachel Dobjeleski and international relations major freshman Allie Tatusch ranked first, second and third, respectively. Upon winning the competition, the three champions received their medals and trophies and posed for a commemorative photo before joining their fellow students and French Club members for refreshments.

Celebrating its 17th anniversary this year, the American Association of Teachers of French’s National French Week celebration encourages educators to guide their students in an exploration of several major themes within the framework of French culture. The themes this year include cuisine, STEM advancements, popular careers utilizing the language, arts, leisurely and community events, sports and traditions, as well as music and dance.

By commemorating National French Week, teachers hope to extend their Francophone studies beyond the classroom and to demonstrate the value of learning French, a viable and valuable subject of study that distinguishes itself as one of the major world languages in the 21st century.

In addition to targeting students, the programming of National French Week also invites participation from parents, school administrators and local politicians, whose involvement only publicizes and amplifies the impact of the celebrations.

Fashion tips for chilly weather to kick off November

As we progress further into fall and closer to winter, the dropping temperatures make it tempting to bundle up in miscellaneous combinations of fleece and flannel every morning. Although sheer thickness can combat the cold, a winter wardrobe often distinguishes itself as less flattering than that of other seasons; yet, cute ways to dress warm do indeed exist.

By layering several thin clothing items, you can seal in heat more effectively and avoid the awkward bulkiness of heavy layers that comes with wearing oversized sweaters or sweatshirts. Beginning with a thermal T-shirt or tank top as a base layer, add a thin sweater, which will function primarily as the barrier between your skin and the cold air.

After assembling the proper layers of clothing, make the final addition of a stylish coat or jacket. This will act as a waterproof shield of protection during wet weather such as rain or snow. Additionally, a coat or jacket will serve as insulation from the cold fall or winter air.

To choose a functional but cute coat, steer away from bulk puffer coats or skiing jackets. Instead, seek out tailored coats that provide the same protection in addition to a more flattering style.

Since a considerable amount of body heat escapes through the head, always try to incorporate a hat or head warmer into your outfit when venturing outside during the colder months. When shopping for a hat, you will fortunately find a smorgasbord of trendy styles, all of which range from a classic solid-color beanie to a fleece bucket hat to a slouchy beret that covers your head.

In your quest to stay warm without resembling an ambiguous blob of heavy clothing, resist the temptation to dress exclusively in hoodies or bulky oversized sweaters. You can easily replace these with fitted cardigans to achieve an equally warm, but comparatively trendy look.

Furthermore, save yourself indecisive shoe trouble by committing to wearing only a few different pairs of boots in colder weather. Check out L.L. Bean or SOREL boots if you’re looking for inspiration.

Whether you ultimately decide on trendy ankle-height shoes or a more protective option, consider not only the stylistic appeal, but also the functionality. Geneseo is an area that receives heavy snowfall and accompanying ice, so it might be best to opt for boots with wide wedge heels that have enough traction to prevent constant slipping and falling.

While most winter wardrobe staples blend seamlessly from year to year and offer multiple seasons of use, certain trends do spike in their cyclic popularity. Elle predicts winter 2016 trends to include turtlenecks under dresses, patent trench coats and leggings.

German Club hosts Oktoberfest, celebrates authentic music, cuisine

Approximately one month after the Oktoberfest celebrations in Munich began, the Geneseo German Club held its own Oktoberfest festivities—which the moderator, associate professor of German Cynthia Klima, deems as their main event of the year—on Wednesday Oct. 19. Planned and executed by the German Club editorial board, Geneseo’s Oktoberfest showcased not only German culture—as was evident in the food and music—but also opportunities for further connections with the German community and department within the larger context of the school.

When Bavarian Crown Prince Louis married Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen in October of 1810, the Bavarian royalty invoked its citizens to celebrate the festivities on the fields outside of the city gates. Commemorating the crowned princess by designating these public fields Theresienwiese—“Therese’s fields,” simply called “Wies’n” by locals—the royal family closed the event with horse races, which is widely mimicked and adapted throughout Bavaria.

By deciding to hold similar festivities and horse races the following year, the Bavarian royals catalyzed the establishment of the annual Oktoberfest, which now can last up to about 16 days, beginning in September so that visitors and participants can enjoy the warmer weather.

Following the emergence of the closing horse races as an annual tradition, the reoccurring festivities—which evolved into the modern Oktoberfest—retained certain core properties. This includes the Agricultural Show, which is held every three years, as well as other modern advancements. In addition, they introduced carousels and swings, replaced beer stands with covered halls and employed electric lights in tents and booths.

The most revolutionary—and divisive—alteration to Oktoberfest came with a ruling in 2008, which charged the Bavarian celebration with a strict smoking ban. This proved difficult to enforce among the millions of visitors and ultimately came under revision, resulting in a relaxation of policy, which created designated areas for smokers.

Beginning with a parade of bands, landlords, festival workers and horse-drawn floats, the Opening Ceremony for Oktoberfest culminates at noon on the fairgrounds of the original celebration, where the mayor of Munich declares, “O’zapft is!”—which is English for “It’s tapped!”—and offers the Bavarian minister president the first official festival beer.

The Munich office of tourism estimated that, during the multiday celebration—which extends from late September to German Unity Day on Oct. 3—Oktoberfest revelries generate approximately $1.2 billion and provide seasonal employment for more than 10,000 workers.

To anyone familiar with the festival, a mention of Oktoberfest carries connotations of German cultural celebration, primarily encompassing alcohol with the extensive amount of beer tents on the fairgrounds, as well as local cuisine. Originating from six Munich breweries, beer at Oktoberfest comes from the beer tent proprietors who serve each drink in a “mass,” which is a one-liter glass.

Despite the intention of the beer tents to accommodate thousands of visitors, acquiring a table demands that visitors either arrive early in the morning or reserve their territory months in advance. Otherwise, they will have to stand, which offers the benefit of ordering drinks and Brez’n—the popular pretzel that accompanies the beer—directly from the window.

As a string, flute and accordion played traditional waltzes and folk music for Geneseo’s Oktoberfest, members of the editorial board set out customary food—including pretzels and pastries—while the language faculty discussed upcoming opportunities for Germanic studies.

The starkest contrast between Munich and Geneseo’s Oktoberfest celebrations laid in the lack of alcohol at a school-sponsored event, as it occurred on a weekday afternoon. Nevertheless, the cultural vibrancy expressed in the larger-scale celebration seamlessly carried over to our local festival.

On shifting circumcision trends, effects on sex

Throughout history, many religious and cultural traditions have dictated the necessity of male circumcision; over the past few decades, however, attitudes regarding circumcision in America have changed drastically. Although most men do not have a say in whether or not they keep their foreskin since doctors typically perform circumcision on newborns, the divisive procedure carries with it long-term implications for health and sex in adult life.

Since the 1960s, the rate of circumcision in the United States has dropped from 83 percent to approximately 77 percent in 2010. Reflecting a shift in opinion, the decline in circumcision rates indicates normalization of the belief that circumcision serves neither as a medical nor social function, and might amount to more of a disservice than a responsible parenting decision made at birth.

Examining the effects of circumcision on sexual activity reveals that circumcised men typically experience delayed orgasms, which some researchers attribute to decreased penile sensitivity. While there are many studies on the effects that circumcision have on the sex lives of males, only more recent studies have studied the effects on females’ sex lives.

Studies indicate increased documentation of sexual difficulty reported by women married to circumcised men—among the problems reported, achieving an orgasm presented itself as the forefront. Indeed, studies by the Danish research enterprise Statens Serum Institut’s Associate Professor Morten Frisch show that, when their male partner is not circumcised, women have reported they are twice as likely to experience an orgasm.

Combatting the increasingly popular opinion that circumcision fulfills no role in health, many medical doctors still maintain that circumcised men have a lesser chance of developing prostate and penile cancer, and the foreskin acts as an incubator for sexually transmitted diseases and inflammations. In giving such opinions, however, these doctors also commonly present alternatives to circumcision for cancer prevention such as wearing a condom and thoroughly washing after sex.

While employing condoms during sex can facilitate the prevention of contracting STDs for uncircumcised men, putting on and wearing a condom can present certain obstacles specific to uncircumcised men whose foreskin might ultimately push off the condom.

Despite circumcision serving neither a medical nor socially significant role, a stigma has developed against uncircumcised men, whom potential partners might perceive as lacking in personal hygiene or at a greater risk for contracting and spreading STDs.

While such stereotypes and misconceptions about men with foreskin can force them to feel more self-conscious than their circumcised counterparts during sex, these anachronistic stigmas have begun to slowly die away. If recent statistics bear any significance, then we can assume that the socially constructed assumption of circumcision’s necessity will soon decrease even further.

Circumcision is a procedure that has been motivated by both cultural and religious customs for hundreds of years. While some studies show that being uncircumcised can increase sexual pleasure, many are still under the impression that it is healthier to have a child circumcised. As the cultural implications around circumcision continue to change, we may soon find ourselves to be living in a country where uncircumcised penises are the norm.

FORCES conducts environmental outreach at Letchworth State Park for at-risk youth

Members of Geneseo’s Friends of Recreation, Conservation and Environmental Stewardship—better known as FORCES—teamed up with children from The Bridge Downtown Kid Central program for an afternoon in Letchworth State Park on Saturday Oct. 1. The Bridge is an after school program for at-risk youth in Mount Morris who—despite living minutes from the “Grand Canyon of the East”—have never previously visited the park. This outing had a two-fold significance: creating the opportunity for recreational fun and communicating the value of the outdoors to a new audience.

Although the initial itinerary intended for the FORCES volunteers to lead the children on a hike through the park, inclement weather encouraged a change in plans. The group instead attended an interpretive program at the Letchworth State Park Humphrey Nature Center.

The New York State Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation first introduced the FORCES program in 2008 to stimulate volunteerism within state parks. The mission includes “[engaging] New York State college students to simultaneously improve New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation resources and to enrich student academic, recreational and career opportunities.”

FORCES represents one of several programs across New York that connect colleges with state parks—in this case Letchworth—where members of Geneseo FORCES dedicate remarkable resources, including fundraising for the new Nature Center.

This outing drew upon the success of last semester’s similar event, when several of the same children from The Bridge accompanied Geneseo FORCES members on a trip to Letchworth State Park. FORCES volunteers chaperoned as the children from The Bridge buzzed around unexplored terrain, investigating through the sightseeing binoculars overlooking Genesee River.

After racing around the park, volunteers and students convened in the newly opened Humphrey Nature Center—funded in part by the Geneseo-Letchworth collaboration—where they attended an interactive exhibit highlighting the mammals located within the state park. Before returning home, the FORCES team and the children ended their afternoon together—and celebrated a break in the rain—by roasting marshmallows and making s’mores in the park’s picnic area.

The Bridge not only combats racial, socioeconomic and geographic barriers with its investment in advocacy for young children of impoverished and divided families, but also seeks to rescue at-risk youth from generational cycles of violence, drug use and financial stress. It does all this by offering a safe space for these children to socialize, work and play.

Although virtually all of the children attending The Bridge live in poverty—with many of them in single-parent homes or in the care of their grandparents—program director Jim Sutton offers stability, structure and support for the kids.

“Because of their environments, all of these kids have extraordinary survival skills—they have to,” Sutton said, “Whenever I have a confrontation with one of them, afterward, I make a point of reconciling.”

Indeed, simply witnessing the excitement and curiosity shown by the children at Letchworth confirms the value of Sutton and other volunteer’s work for those who are less fortunate.

Film studies class offers novel perspective on 70s era

When reflecting on his 300-level “Filming in the 70s” class, associate professor of English Ken Cooper characterizes the course as a study of culture with an interdisciplinary perspective aimed at encouraging students to look at literature in relation to other things. The lack of a lab or recitation due to the video streaming and renting services makes this twice-a-week class unlike other film studies courses. “Students balance some dimension of looking closely at films with reading either historical or theoretical works,” Cooper said.

Students enrolling in this class can expect to examine approximately 11 films from the 1970s. The chosen films each reveal some aspect of the transformation of American culture at that time.

“These transformations did not receive appreciation as such in their own decade,” Cooper said. “They demonstrate the origins of our current culture, specifically with regard to technological infrastructure.”

While the choice of films does encompass some of those deemed by critics’ “best of the decade” like Apocalypse Now and The Godfather Part II, others might appear strange because they lack quintessential Hollywood endings. Such films, however, reflect the repercussions felt in the 70s of problems from the preceding decade: war, gender dynamics, militarism, environmentalism and scarcity.

Combatting the widespread notion that the 70s exist merely as the cheesy aftermath of the 60s, Cooper approaches his class and its exploration of 70s culture within the framework of contemporary thinking. “[It’s] like looking back at a picture of yourself from junior high,” he said. “Reflecting on the 70s reveals indications of where modern technologies began, demonstrated by the popularity of CV radios, [which set] the stage for mobile cellular technologies meeting the demand for communication while in motion.”

Virtually every student comes to college having practiced analyzing poems and novels. Although most arrive having also heard of historically revered films, many have not necessarily seen them, and have almost certainly never learned to ‘read’ or interpret film as literature.

“By the end of this semester, the students are definitely way more attuned to other things going on in the film besides the plot,” Cooper said. “A lot of the world around us is not print anymore, and if we are going to talk about contemporary literature and the world around us, then we need a critical and thoughtful perspective.”

As with literature, reviewing and discussing a film necessitates attention to intricacies beyond plot—from mise en scène to the political and sociological relationships between the work and the reality in which it exists.

2016 Paralympics successful in Rio

English neurosurgeon Sir Ludwig Guttmann—who pioneered the implementation of recreational activity for rehabilitating spinal cord injuries—first conceived the idea for the Paralympic Games in 1948. Guttmann’s intention behind this was to enable athletic therapy for the wheelchair-bound. Coinciding with the 1948 Olympic Games in London, Guttmann’s International Wheelchair Games debuted in Aylesbury, England at the Stroke Mandeville Hospital. Only a few spinal cord patients participated, primarily with the goal of learning exercises to improve their day-to-day lives.

When wounded former Dutch soldiers seeking to compete with the British athletes came to England in 1952, the International Wheelchair Games evolved into the International Stroke Mandeville Games. Moving to Rome in 1960, the Paralympic Games—now established alongside the Olympics—swelled to 400 athletes, representing 23 countries.

The events included sports such as basketball, fencing, archery and swimming. In subsequent years, the Olympics and Paralympics have occurred in the same area as often as possible. Under the direction of the International Paralympic Committee, and with acknowledgement from the International Olympic Committee, the Paralympic Games have continued their pattern of growth. The selling of the television rights for the 1988 Seoul Paralympics engaged a worldwide audience, as it was televised for the first time.

The Rio Paralympic Games showcased approximately 4,350 athletes from Sept. 7-18—athletes who represented over 160 countries—competing in 22 different events for the opportunity to medal in 528 total events.

Since the 2012 London games, the number of female participants—around 1,650 partaking in 224 events—has increased nearly 10 percent. Furthermore, this number has more than doubled since the 1996 games in Atlanta.

Premiering at the Rio games, canoeing and the triathlon both held six medal events, which were split evenly among the men and women. This brought the total number of sports represented to over 20.

While Chicago, Tokyo and Madrid also vied for the honor of hosting the 2016 Paralympics, three rounds of voting by eligible Committee members manifested in a victory for Rio de Janeiro, which garnered 66 of the possible 98 votes.

In a statement on their webpage, the Organizing Committee for the 2016 Rio Paralympics established their intent to “deliver excellent Games, with memorable celebrations that will promote the global image of Brazil, underpinned by social and urban sustainable transformation through sport, contributing to the growth of the Olympic and Paralympic Movements.” Indeed, the 2016 games met this goal.

The Rio Paralympics held their closing ceremony on Sunday Sept. 18, featuring a tribute to Bahman Golbarnezhad, the Iranian cyclist who crashed on the mountainous terrain of the Grumari loop and later died in the hospital.

At the conclusion of the games, the total medal count for the top-five countries stood at China with 239 total, 107 gold, Great Britain with 147 total, 64 gold, Ukraine with 117 total, 41 gold, United States with 115 total, 40 gold and Australia with 81 total, 22 gold.

Quick cake in a cup

Equipped with only a microwave and a mini-fridge, you can still make a variation of the tasty—and photogenic—snacks that normally depend on high-level cooking artillery. Take advantage of a time when you can eat dessert before—or instead—of dinner by using the following recipe to bake yourself a miniature chocolate cake in under 10 minutes.

Microwave Chocolate Mug Cake

Ingredients:

1/4 cup of all-purpose flour

1/4 cup of white sugar

2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder

1/8 teaspoon of baking soda

1/8 teaspoon of salt

3 tablespoons of milk

2 tablespoons of canola oil

1 tablespoon water

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

Requiring approximately five minutes to prep and two minutes to cook, the entire recipe should take around seven minutes.

1. In a microwave-safe mug, mix the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.

2. Stir the milk, canola oil, water and vanilla extract into the mug.

3. Cook in the microwave for one and a half to two minutes—until the cake’s middle solidifies.

Enjoy!

Japanese exchange student hitchhikes to Yellowstone

Originally hailing from the countryside of Shiga, Japan, communication major junior Kenta Ogaki pursues the new semester at Geneseo with a plan: to help as many people as he can reach. While this aspiration resonates with many college students, Ogaki’s motivation originates from a unique personal journey. At 19 years old, Ogaki—having just finished his first semester exams—saw a photo of Yellowstone National Park and devised a plan to hitchhike across the country from his residence in Yonkers, NY.

“Most people don’t think Montana and Wyoming have many things, at least compared to New York and California,” Ogaki said. “But if you open your eyes to the culture, you’ll see really great things.”

Borrowing the idea to hitchhike from a similar trip that his father took through South America, Ogaki began his expedition in Vancouver, British Columbia. There he witnessed the extraordinary colors of the Northern Lights, all before heading toward his ultimate destination: Yellowstone National Park. Without a travel companion or his parent’s knowledge, Ogaki embarked on his journey with a 40-pound backpack containing four shirts, one coat, a pair of jeans, snow-boots, a hat and no more than $500.

“I couldn’t say, ‘Could you give me a ride?’ so I would get in the car and just say, ‘East,’” Ogaki said.

For food and drink, he stopped at gas stations to buy his typical meal—a Hershey’s chocolate bar—and relied on the goodwill of strangers during the Christmas season. Lacking enough money to stay in a motel every night, Ogaki often found himself sleeping on the streets. Here, he befriended the homeless, who advised him on survival techniques and even gave him cardboard to use as makeshift protection until the morning.

“If you travel and don’t have money, you get the chance to connect with the people around you,” Ogaki said.

After reaching Yellowstone, Ogaki planned to sleep in the park despite the frigid winter temperatures. He quickly had to devise a new plan, however, when a police officer informed him of the necessary camping fee before promptly escorting him to the gates.

Over his month-long travels, Ogaki estimated that he encountered more than 100 strangers, who, moved by kindness, offered him food, shelter and new cultural perspectives. Having grown up in Japan, Ogaki had not seen a gun before accepting an invitation into the home of a Montana man.

Reflecting on his experience, Ogaki revealed that of his five weeks spent traveling, his fondest memory manifested from what at first felt like the worst Christmas ever. With no stores open on Christmas, Ogaki hitchhiked 90 miles to the nearest McDonald’s, where he met a random woman standing outside. Insisting that even the next town over was too far away on Christmas, this Good Samaritan invited him into her home to partake in a traditional family party and he ultimately spent the night. To this day, Ogaki remains in contact with this woman, whom he credits with saving his life.

Before leaving for this trip, Ogaki hardly spoke English—he picked up his conversational and colloquial knowledge of the language from interacting with the strangers who reached out to him along the way.

Contemplating the personal transformation that he experienced during his expedition, Ogaki advises anyone with a similar sense of wanderlust to follow their impulses during the summer—a time when a person can sleep outside more comfortably—and to approach foreign cultures with an open mind and vulnerable perspective.