Bemidji Band Enjoys What They Do

Minnesota Music Scene is Growing
By Taylor Klinke
Word Count: 750

Garrett Alvarado grabs a microphone and yells, “Are you ready, Bemidji?” before he starts to scream the lyrics with other vocalist Greg Anderson. The crowd responds by head banging, forming a mosh pit, or hardcore dancing. Guitarist Anthony Lamb throws his guitar behind his back while bassist Chris Compeau lies on the floor and plays the bass lines for the song Thus It Ends.

It can seem a little scary if you’ve never been to a hardcore concert – but before you know it you start bobbing your head along with the music – and shortly after you’re head banging and running into the middle of mosh pits.

A Day of Plague is a six-piece deathcore/metal band hailing from Bemidji and Mahnomen, Minnesota. A mix of solid metal riffs mixed with death metal vocals and brutal drums is the essential ingredients to A Day of Plague. One of their main goals as a band is to revive the metal scene and introduce the music to new ears. They blend metalcore breakdowns, brutal lyrics, and all around hardcore metal to satisfy any metal fan.

They originally started out as a joke in the fall of 2008, under the name Sic Semper Tyrannus. But soon after they became serious as a death metal outfit and began to write real songs over spring and began playing shows in the summer of 2009. The band includes Garrett Alvarado (lead vocals), Greg Anderson (vocals), Anthony Lamb (guitar), Austin Schmitz (guitar), Aaron Thiebert (bass), and Ben Dickinson (drums). They’ve played shows in numerous locations around Minnesota and North Dakota – including Bemidji, Thief River Falls, Hinckley, Burnsville, St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Moorhead.

When asked what he enjoyed most about his band, leading vocalist Garrett Alvarado responded, “Screaming my butt off on stage and seeing the crowd get nuts. I also really enjoy meeting new people.” When you see the guys in these bands – they may look a little intimidating – but they are really down to earth and talk to anyone who wants to talk to them. “I love walking around at shows and meeting new people,” said guitarist Anthony Lamb, “I try to talk to as many people as I can.”

Garrett Alvarado is known to be a nice, caring guy but he writes most of the brutal lyrics for the band. “He just goes into his dark place and bangs out the words,” said Anthony Lamb, “He’s the one who got most of us into this genre of music.” Second vocalist Greg Anderson used to only listen to pop and rap music that’s on popular radio stations like Y94 in Fargo. But when he met Garrett, he was introduced to a new kind of music.

Last winter the guys headed out Fargo to work with Greg Lindholm, owner and producer of The Track Shack. They recorded a five song EP that was released this past summer. Greg Lindholm is a member in a very successful band from Fargo, ND called The Suit. The Suit just won the Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands Showcase in Hollywood, CA on December 3.

“The Suit is definitely my favorite band to play with,” said Anthony Lamb. And most bands who have played with The Suit agree with that statement. They are all down to earth, caring guys who have worked their way up the music scene ladder and are willing to help out smaller bands who are in a place they once were.

A Day of Plague has also hosted a couple of metal concerts at Bemidji State University. The first was last March in the Beaux Arts Ballroom and more recently they put together a show that was in Memorial 100 on November 4.  Other bands from surrounding areas also played including The Valiant Nomads, Forgiving December, Alistair Hennessey, and headliners My My Misfire. The first band started playing around 5:00 P.M. with My My Misfire closed the show around 10 P.M.

If you’ve never been to a metal concert before, check out the local scene because it’s something you’ll really enjoy. At first the screaming and hardcore dancing can seem a little overwhelming but you get used to it after a while. A Day of Plague is always playing shows in Bemidji and surrounding areas so keep a look out for posters around campus and interviews on FM90.

www.myspace.com/adayofplague

A Day of Plague guitarist Anthony Lamb playing at a show

in Memorial 100 at BSU on November 4th.



 Second vocalist Greg Anderson waiting for his turn

to scream some lyrics during a show on November 4th

Leading vocalist Garrett Alvardo belting out some lyrics

during a show at Bemidji State on November 4th.

The Life of a Resident Assistant

Throughout campus, RA’s continue to support and assist residents

By Caley Jorgensen

Story #8

December 13, 2010

Word Count: 891

                It’s 11 p.m. on a Thursday night. Muffled chatter of students can be heard echoing through the hallways in Oak Hall. The smells of late night snacks fill the air, including Raamen Noodles, popcorn right out of the microwave, and a frozen pizza in the community kitchen’s oven. Resident assistants walk through the halls and make sure everything is under control. Since it is the start of quiet hours, the RA’s reach in the residents’ rooms and quietly shut the door saying, “Goodnight guys.” In other words, this means, “It’s quiet hours.”

            Closing doors of resident’s dorm rooms at 11 p.m. on weekday nights and 1 a.m. on weekend nights is one of the responsibilities of a resident assistant on duty on campus. “A resident assistant is here to instill the safety and comfort of the residents to make it feel like home,” said Charlie Falk, Oak Hall’s resident assistant on 4A.



Charlie Falk works on the computer in the office for
Oak Hall staff members.



 A resident assistant has many different jobs as they look after their assigned floor, as well as the rest of the hall. They coordinate events and gatherings for residents so they can get to know each other. They also monitor floor behavior and respond appropriately to any prohibited activities. “We have to make sure they’re not doing certain recreational things, like hall sports or drinking,” said Melody Fellman, resident assistant on third floor in Tamarack Hall.

Not only do they play an authority figure, but RA’s are there for their residents as a supporting friend to come and talk to about any problems or issues. “Being able to put the residents’ problems before ours is important,” Falk said. “If I’m working on homework and a resident needs to talk about something or needs help, I stop what I’m doing to be there for them.”

            Some other responsibilities the resident assistants have to attain include checking students in and out of the dorm life. When they arrive to the dorms at the beginning of the year, RA’s are scattered throughout the crowd, making sure everyone has everything and assist getting students settled. Students will leave for long breaks and resident assistants check rooms to ensure safety, such as checking closed windows and protect against bursting steam pipes.

            Another responsibility that RA’s have is to be on duty. Resident assistants are assigned a night once or twice a month along with another RA to be on call for any help needed by students or other assistants. They carry an on duty phone to ensure they can be reached wherever they are in the dormitory hall. Walking through the halls to make sure everything is going smoothly and closing doors after quiet hours are the tasks they have to do.



Nick Ross stands with Anna Connelly,
a former resident on 4C in Oak Hall.



            To become a resident assistant, every February the Carousel Interview process begins to find students who would qualify as a good resident assistant. “It is a great experience to learn and grow,” said Nick Ross, a former staff member of Oak Hall. “You meet some amazing people, some people who could be in your life forever, and make a huge impact.”

            Benefits that come with being a resident assistant include free room and board, which includes a free university meal plan. RA’s also receive $1000 for the year in stipend. They also get the benefits of living on campus, such as being the proximity to academic buildings.

            Resident assistants get ten nights off a semester. If they will be out past 2 a.m., they need to sign out at the front desk. As long as half the staff is present in the building, RA’s are allowed to stay out past 11 p.m. and be back by 2 a.m. “That’s probably a disadvantage,” Falk said. “I have to ask for nights off and I don’t get to hang out with my friends as much.”



Charlie Falk, center, took the night off
and found time to hang out with friends.



            “I’m such a free bird,” Fellman said. “My friends call me up and say ‘Hey! Let’s go out!’ and I don’t always get the opportunity to leave.” It is Fellman’s first year as a resident assistant and she thinks the experience outweighs the disadvantages. “I love people and I love to help them, because it brings me joy,” she said. “It is good skill building and it has helped me realize what I can handle.”

            Resident assistants get the opportunity to spend time with their residents by making floor activities. “Some of the activities that we have done in the past include spaghetti nights, chili feeds, cookouts, playing football, or even just going to Wally’s together,” Falk said. He said programming, or setting up activities, is important “to unify and create a bond on the floor.”

            When February comes around the corner, students have the opportunity to be interviewed and be considered to become a resident assistant. “I would suggest becoming a resident life staff member to someone,” Ross said. “It’s a great idea and they will grow from it.” Fellman also recommends becoming an RA. “I have learned so much about myself and it has helped me grow,” she said. It will be Falk’s third year being a resident assistant if he becomes one in the 2010-11 year. “I’m definitely considering becoming one again,” he said. “It has been a great experience.”

Students Begin Buckling Down for Finals

Taking Time to Share Tips on How They Stay Sane

By Casey Dainsberg (Story #8)

The Lower Hobson Union was a little more busy than usual on Tuesday afternoon. A certain anxiety and excitement filled the air as students rushed around the Union. Some were visiting friends they wouldn’t see until next semester, others were trying to use the last of their Beaver Bucks, and still more were hurrying to finish up last minute assignments. It is the last day of classes before finals start and students reflect the excitement associated with the end of the semester. Nevertheless, there is a certain level of stress that always finds its way into the end of the semester, and many a student is familiar with its presence.

Finals week affects each student differently. BSU Junior Nate Erickson said so far this year finals week seems to be shaping up to be fairly normal when compared to past years. “It’s pretty typical of the past,” he said, “some stress here and there, I have to read for a lot of subjects, but in all fairness it’s not too stressful for me.”

The clatter of plates and the excited conversations of students discussing their upcoming break and final tests in the Hobson Union food court didn’t faze Erickson. He continued on, casually explaining why he likes Finals Week. “What I really like about Finals Week is you don’t have class, so you do have time to study for these things, even though you do have to study a lot for them.”  Erickson also noted that another component of Finals Week he liked, was the fact that once everyone is studied out, “You can really just hang out with people…you’re all in the same boat, all working through the same stress.”

Sitting at the same table, quiet and thoughtful BSU Junior Nick Lorenson, picked up his fork and began eating the taco bowl he had obtained from the food court just moments before. As a transfer student in his first year at BSU, Lorenson fell on the opposite side of the spectrum as Erickson when it came to the stresses associated with finals. He joked that on a stress scale between one and ten he was at “Thirteen,” having been up for the previous forty hours without sleep working on final assignments. Sleep deprived but his sense of humor still intact, Lorenson continued with a laugh and said, “I’m learning that my body is able to go on less sleep than I ever thought possible.”

Matthew Weeks said that playing with the animals
helps him to de-stree during finals.
(Photo by Casey Dainsberg)



Lorenson was not the only student experiencing the physical tolls of stress. Matthew Weeks, a design technology major in his fourth year at BSU said, “I was so stressed out last night trying to finish a project that I had a migraine and I was nauseous.” For students dealing with the stress of finals, Hobson Memorial Union and the Lifestyle Educators Organization hosted a De-Stress Yourself event. They provided a place for students to stop in and de-stress in the Crying Wolf Room, in the Lower Hobson Union. Pets were there from the Beltrami County Humane society for students to play with and cuddle. They also provided massages, and the Club Mud (ceramics club) was selling hot chocolate and ceramic mugs.





BSU Junior Reid Nichols holds one of the kittens at

the De-Stress Yourself with Pets event in the Hobson Union.

(Photo by Casey Dainsberg)



BSU junior Reid Nichols, said that he, “Came to hang out with the cats,” because it reminded him about his cats at home. The pets were probably the biggest hit of the event, most students waiting patiently to spend some time playing with the frisky, loving animals. There were three dogs that were about six months old, and two kittens. The kittens climbed in and out of the arms of students, curiously exploring tables and chairs, and sometimes curling into a soft, fluffy ball of contentment in the arms of students for a quick rest. The three puppies relished the pats and scratches they received from adoring students, but often would wander off, sniffing and exploring the room until called back with an enticing treat or toy. Weeks said that playing with animals, “is really relaxing to me.”




 


Students gathered around and waited their turn to play with the friendly
pets at BSU's De-stress yourself event in the Crying Wolf Room.
(Photo by Casey Dainsberg)

 

Students have learned how to deal with the stress of finals differently. “I’m usually not a good one to ask about Finals Week,” laughed Erickson, “because I actually like Finals Week; I’ve learned to take the stress off.” Erickson explained how he does that, amid humorous quips from his friends, saying that over the years he has, “Learned to accept whatever grade I get, and whatever grade I’ve earned… I’m not going to kill myself to put in that extra effort to get an A, when I’ve got a C in the class.” Erickson said he also puts a lot of emphasis on other things, not just academics.

Lorenson also talked about how he deals with the stress of finals, taking a bit different approach than Erickson. “Lots of caffeine!” he laughed, and then continued more seriously saying, “Just taking it one step at a time.” Lorenson also said he finds it important to take time to just laugh, “Yesterday I went on Youtube and I looked up the funny moments of Home Alone…I couldn’t have done anything more to refresh myself better.” With that, Lorenson also said he keeps in mind the fact that the end of semester is near, and break is coming up.

 



For seniors, the stress can be even more rampant. Senior Brittany Story, a Social Work major graduating this semester, said that compared to past years, this semester was most stressful for her. “There was a lot riding on the finals,” she said, “it’s my last chance to get a good GPA.” Story explained that many of her tests were an accumulation of everything she’s learned over the years, and as a result much more difficult and stressful. “I had a lot of finals that were take-home, so there was a lot of stress all at once,” she said, however after working on them over the weekend, she said she, “actually got ahead, so I’m not as stressed as I would have been if I had waited.”

As a senior, Story has had her fair share of finals. She said that the best advice she would recommend to students is, “Don’t procrastinate, make a schedule and stick to it. Work on stuff progressively as you go, instead of waiting ‘til last minute because that creates a lot of stress.” She also encouraged students to live a healthy lifestyle, and take a break once in awhile, “Make sure to take breaks, and do something fun, exercise, eat right, and make sure you’re sleeping well.” Lorenson had similar advice to offer students, saying, “You can never start something too early, so just remember as you’re looking down space things out…take things one step at a time.”

WORD COUNT: 1,138

BSU stays silent

But helps with finals

By: Luke Landgraf

Word count: 820

(story 8)

If you were to walk into a dorm in the past week , you wouldn’t see or hear much of anything. Across BSU, dorms stay quiet for grand silence for students to study for their finals.  BSU helped with their students by providing them with study breaks with the comedian Jay Black and midnight breakfast at Walnut along with couple of other things.

The grand silence started Tuesday Dec. 7 at 11pm and went through Dec.. 15 at 4 pm.  For some students this grand silence was very beneficial but for some who didn’t really have finals it was a burden. “ I didn’t have any finals I just had couple of papers that I had to write and I got them done like a week ago,” said Emily Gieser a BSU freshman “this grand silence thing was kind of boring.  But in respect of my neighbors the whole idea of grand silence is a good idea because im pretty sure that I will be stuck with couple of finals next semester.”

The grand silence means that the quiet hours take place during the day as they would at night.  There was a time during the day where students could open there doors for a little hallway social time with their peers, during dinner time and that was from 4:30-6:30.  But other than this time students are not allowed to have their doors open and the noise that comes from their room has to be minimal. During this time students could do things they could do on any normal day. For example vacuums were available to students at this time but when respect hours started up again there were no longer. 

Jay Black was here at BSU on Dec. 8 and his act was from 9-11 pm in HA 100.  “He was kind of funny, it was way better than sitting in my dorm room and studying that’s forsure,” said Nick Barratto a Sophomore at BSU “ he had a lot of different jokes, he was nothing like the guys on TV but it was good to get away from the stress of finals for a bit.”

That same night BSU put on a midnight breakfast for their students at walnut from 10-12. There was roughly about 700 students that attended the midnight study break.  “ The food there was really good, the eggs were kind of weird but its way better  than the normal food they server at walnut,” said Alyson Lehman who is a freshman at BSU “as good as it was it was a long wait to get your food cause there was so many kids there but it was totally worth the wait.”

Along with those things that BSU provided there was still more.  In crying wolf on Dec. 7^th there was “De-Stress With Pets.”  This was where students could go play with multiple types of pets that are in the early stages of their life and distress themselves.  Most of the animals that were there at Crying wolf were puppies that were brought from the human society.  The event was sponsored by Living Well,  Lifestyle Educators, and the Human society.  Along with animals available to be played with to relieve stress the animals are also up for adoption to a good home.

One of the final events that BSU put on for their students was Mediation Moment.  This event is to help students with anxiety relief.  They accomplished this by playing a tape filled with relaxing sounds to clear the mind and allowed students to forget about the stress and the mental punishment that finals could have.

Grand silence is not only a bad thing for a student who doesn’t have finals but it’s also bad for the Residential Assistance (RAs). “ I have had to write up more students for being loud in the last week then I have written up all year,” said Will Joerger an RA in Oak Hal “It sucks for me because I don’t like to be a  mean person but I do have to do my job, and you’re not supposed to be loud during grand silence and the residents know that. They also know that they cant have their doors open during the silent time and I have to keep walking around to shut their door and that gets really old, but it will all be ok. Soon all the residences will be done with finals and they will be on their way home.”

These were the signs that were found in the dorms across BSU that informed the residence of when grand silence started, ended, and what the expectations were.

Walnut is the location where the midnight breakfast took place.  Many students took time out of their studying schedule to come and eat a midnight snack with their peers and get away from studying.

BSU Prepares for Finals

Students Should Expect a Change in Schedule

By Andrew Pooch and Nick Jelacie

            A semester that began in the ninety-degree heat of August will come to its close this week in the sub-zero temperatures of December.  Students will find themselves adjusting to a different schedule than what they were used to during the semester.  Many will also begin their finals rituals that help them through this busy time of year.

            The change in schedule comes from within the records office at BSU.  Dave Carlson is a registrar responsible for some key scheduling decisions. He became registrar in 1993 when BSU was still on the quarter system.  He inherited a protocol for the system, but in the fall of 1998, BSU went to semesters.  They needed a new scheduling parameter.

“I was responsible for setting it up, printing it out and getting it approved by the faculty senate,” said Carlson.  BSU has used the same system to organize finals week since the fall of 1998. 

            The way Carlson designed the format was to spread out the most popular classes on different days.  This would create the best probability for students to have their finals distributed throughout finals week. Each class that is two credits or higher is assigned a two-hour time slot during finals week.  One-credit and night classes have their finals during the last meeting time for the class.

            “There is constant discussion about the two-hour time slots,” said Carlson.  “Faculty Senate brings it up every year during our schedule meetings.”

            This two-hour time slot gives professors the opportunity to lengthen their finals, which some students can find overwhelming.  Not all professors craft their final to fill two-hours, but the ones that do, pressure their students to study more.

            Students around campus have mixed feelings about the class schedule.   Some prefer the different time slots, others find it tough adjusting to change.  BSU provides students with a reading day where no classes or finals are held to ease the transition into finals week.

            Sophomore Matt Ellinghuysen said, “I used the reading day to tie up loose ends with my class work and study any material I needed to work on.“ He also felt that finals week was just another week of school, but is too drawn out.  He thought the two-hour time slot was too long.

            Other students see it as more free time to enjoy their hobbies. 

“I have one final at the end of finals week,” said sophomore Riley Hirsh.  “I basically just sit around and play video games, but might go to the library just to get out of my house.”

            The finals schedule forces many students to change their habits.  Some form rituals for every finals week and others find time to manage the newly acquired free time. 

            Junior Kevin Plzak enjoys balancing his studying time for finals with his gaming schedule.  “I don’t need any extra time for studying; it’s just another week of school for me.”

            Others may find it more difficult to take on the task of finals.  Some students like senior Nick Zemke find themselves stuck in the library during finals week. 

            “I have trouble concentrating at home, so I spend a lot of time in the library,” said Zemke.  “I have finals in all of my major classes which require a lot of studying.”

            For students that needed a break before finals, the Hobson Union Programming Board organized de-stressing activities that students could participate in prior to the busy finals week.  There were puppies and kittens for students to play with in the Crying Wolf Room, a massage area near Java City and free stress ball handout at the Hobson Union desk. The Campus Activities Board arranged for Comedian Jay Black to entertain students during the reading day.

            As far as changes to come in the finals schedule, Carlson doesn’t see any significant changes happening anytime soon.  Ellinghuysen and Hirsch would like to see shorter finals slots and fewer days in the schedule.

            Carlson said, “If anyone has a suggestion, they can bring it to me, faculty, faculty senate, representatives of the faculty or the academic vice president.  We are always looking for ways to improve the schedule.”

Junior Kevin Plzak takes a break from studying to play Call of Duty.  Photo taken by Andrew Pooch.

Registrar Dave Carlson (not pictured) works in the records office to make a streamlined finals schedule for BSU.  Photo taken by Andrew Pooch.

Sophomore Matt Ellinghuysen takes a break from finishing an assignment on D2L.  Photo taken by Nick Jelacie.

BSU students deal with Christmas fever differently

December is a month of
crowded stores

By
Jake Kelly and Zuzka Tomcikova

The smell of fresh trees, the little sparkling lights, and the decorations all around the house bring us a very calm and happy atmosphere. The smell of Christmas cookies, delicious food and the sound of laughter and cheerful music makes Christmas a favorite amongst holidays. Family is most important during this holiday. Presents have become a crucial part in the tradition of christmas and in light of that family members are always searching for the best gifts to give their loved ones.

Buying gifts is a hassle and as December rolls around, the stores change into  jungles. People are walking around malls, in a hurry and with a determined look on their face. The sound of a cash register comes from every store, the  christmas sale signs are put up almost everywhere, Christmas music is playing in the background.

The holiday season is coming around and everybody wants to get the best presents for their family and friends. They don’t want to miss any great gift ideas that the stores provide. Cost and originality is key in the purchasing decision of consumers. In Bemidji the store selection is very limited; the Paul Bunyan mall has a lot of shoppers rushing through. Brittany DeBoer, a worker at J. C. Penney hustles through the store, folding and organizing items in the store. “It gets really busy before Christmas,” DeBoer says. “But I don’t mind; the time passes by much faster at work, and the people are in a good mood when they find something they like, and that puts me in a good mood also.”

Some people think ahead and start the shopping earlier so they don’t feel rushed once it comes close to the holidays, because the shopping rush before Christmas might be stressful. Erika Wheelhouse, a BSU sophomore tries to handle the stress level by starting her Christmas list in November. “I start a list in mid-November, and I work through it as the days roll,” said Wheelhouse. “I try to get some presents early, so I don’t feel that pressured when there is only a week left till Christmas and the stores are full of people.”

There are many ways to brainstorm for Christmas gifts and many retail stores make sure that their deals are stuck in the shoppers head. Advertising signs are everywhere, and the televsion and radios are full of Christmas ads. The stores promote everything you can imagine, from electronics, clothing, jewelry, up to house hold appliances. “We are trying to give good deals to bring shoppers into our store,” said DeBoer. “Even if they come looking for a particular thing, most people purchase more and that’s what we like to see.”

The Internet has made a huge impact on the way shopping is done. It is an easy and comfortable way to purchase gifts with the luxury of being at home. Squeezing through other people to get the gifts you are looking for in the store is out of the picture. All Internet shopping requires is a credit card, and a computer connected to the Internet. Jeff Marin is one of the people who prefer to shop online. “I just turn the computer on and order stuff I want,” said Marin. “Most of the time it’s even cheaper than going to the store, and everything I order comes to me.”

Although shopping online is comfortable and in many cases more affordable, most people still prefer to get their gifts in the stores.  “Christmas shopping has a different atmosphere, the snow is on the ground, the lights are twinkling, and it just feels like you’re in a fairytale,” said BSU junior Alana McElhinney. Some people ignore the stress factor and simply enjoy the fact that they are trying to purchase something that will make their friends and family happy. Walking around stores is also a way to brainstorm. “Sometimes I just go shopping without a clue,” said McElhinney. “I find stuff just walking around, and that makes it more fun.”

No matter if people look for gifts online or in the store, the main idea behind the gifts is to make the loved ones happy with the presents. The smile on the face of the loved ones is always brought by the look under the Christmas tree. Especially children have a sparkle in their eyes running down the stairs Christmas day, seeing that Santa has brought gifts. Seeing the joy of children ripping the wrapping paper, and hearing the excitement makes up for all the hours spend searching for the gift. “Even though I hate Christmas shopping, seeing my little cousins open the presents makes up for it immediately,” said BSU junior, Jeffrey Johnson.