“He [Jeffries] doesn’t want larger people shopping in his store, he wants thin and beautiful people,” Lewis told Business Insider.  “He doesn’t want his core customers to see people who aren’t as hot as them wearing his clothing. People who wear his clothing should feel like they’re one of the cool kids.”

I decided it would be beneficial to check out the A&F experience at the store level to see if the strategy is, in fact, working. What’s an Abercrombie and Fitch experience like? After passing two nearly-naked live models and risking asphyxiation from perfume, you will find yourself standing in the middle of seductive and provocative images featuring exclusively “good-looking” people.  

It’s clear that the brand encourages sexual attraction and has a defined “look”: skinny, blonde and, in my opinion, malnourished.

Only individuals that fit A&F’s cookie-cutter mold of beauty can wear the brand; the size range makes sure of that. Abercrombie doesn’t carry sizes bigger than extra large for women and, per Robin Lewis of Business Insider, only does so in the men’s category to cater to strong athletes that have a larger muscular structure. The biggest jean size at Abercrombie is a size ten, while similar retailers such as H&M and Forever21 offer up to size 16 and American Eagle even offers up to 18. Since when does size constitute beauty?

Even more infuriating is that this sizing structure is not based on the fact that larger sizes don’t sell, but rather is a brand decision. Abercrombie doesn’t want certain people to be wearing their clothing and makes it impossible for them to do so.

Jeffries told Salon in a 2006 interview, “Looking good is almost everything. That’s why we hire good-looking people in our stores. Because good-looking people attract other good-looking people, and we want to market to cool, good-looking people. We don’t market to anyone other than that.”

However, Jeffries doesn’t stop there. When asked about his feelings toward excluding those that don’t fit his exact body-type ideal, he told Salon:

“In every school there are the cool and popular kids, and then there are the not-so-cool kids. We go after the attractive all-American kid with a great attitude and a lot of friends. A lot of people don’t belong [in our clothes], and they can’t belong. Are we exclusionary? Absolutely. Those companies that are in trouble are trying to target everybody: young, old, fat, skinny. But then you become totally vanilla. You don’t alienate anybody, but you don’t excite anybody, either.”

Los Angeles-based writer Greg Karber decided to protest against A&F’s discrimination by purchasing the brand’s clothing from a thrift store and handing it out to the homeless. It’s a trend that is catching on and even sparked a Twitter trend, with the phrase #fitchthehomeless. The Huffington post reported that Karber wants to make Abercrombie the “world’s number one brand of homeless apparel.”  

Although there are those that will speak against the cruel words and tactics of Abercrombie, others will continue to follow. Regrettably, along with sparking unrest among those that don’t fit his definition of beauty, Jeffries is forming a stronger brand loyalty with his current customer.

It’s human nature to have a desire to fit in and be wanted; to be part of the group. This marketing strategy, although malicious and hateful, constructs an “it” group that some people want to be part of.

That said, I plead that you consider this the next time you’re out shopping and pass an Abercrombie store. Throwing away all the A&F clothes you’ve ever bought is a bit extreme, but making the decision to not support these manipulative marketing strategies and not buy anymore in the future can really make a difference.

Nicole Soyka can be reached at soyk9466@stthomas.edu.

Time is a captivating thing. We can’t see it passing or hear it coming. We can’t feel it moving, yet we know it always is. Time has a way of making 365 long days into one short year. In retrospect, I wish I had more of it. I wish I could have managed it better, wasted less and saved more. Not because I’m unhappy with how it was spent, but because there’s a chapter of my life that’s coming to a close. And I wish I could do it one more time.

If I could turn back the college clock and sit on a dorm room futon with my younger self, there’s four things I’d tell her.

Say yes to everything  

There will be a common theme in your college career: the “I can’t do it” one. It never ceases to amaze me how long you will stare dumbfoundedly at a mountainous to-do list. You will convince yourself at least twice a year that you’re overworked, underpaid and undeserving of this complete hoax that they call education. Only in that moment, when you’ve bitten off more then you can chew, will you understand how capable you really are.

Say yes, try everything. On the days that you fully believe you can’t do it, you’ll do it anyway.

“It’s not about what you see, it’s about how you see it.” -Tim Scully, communication and journalism professor

What you may not realize now, but eventually will, is that every single course comes with a lens that’s meant to shift the way you view the world. You would be doing a disservice to yourself if you only ever argue what you already believe. Keep those lenses; take them with you.

You won’t get it right the first time around

College is like a puzzle. The first year is spent finding the corner pieces and putting together the edge, like a skeleton of human interests. You decide you kind of like speaking, writing and communication. And you kind of like the smoothies in the basement of Koch Commons.

The second year, you stare at the puzzle for a while before opting to put in a backpack and drag it to Plums. Lose a few pieces on the dance floor, trade a couple with friends, drop one in a red solo cup. Time well spent.  

The last two years you’ll arrange those pieces 100 different times. After attempting to squeeze an internship, four classes, one job and a few volunteer hours into one puzzle, you’ll throw the pieces on the floor. And then you’ll pick them up in the morning before your 8 a.m. and keep arranging until they fall into place. You won’t get it right the first time around, but you will get it right.

“Good writers don’t just write good sentences. You have to be a writer of sentences with a degree in architecture, alchemy, psychology, political science … oh, and English helps, too.” – Matthew Batt, English professor

One of the most brilliant parts of college is the fact that everything you learn will be worth learning, because real life is not divided by majors. It’s the culmination of street smarts, book smarts and above all else, a constant curiosity. Make a point to remember what seems insignificant because when college ends, there’s no such thing.

Carly Samuelson can be reached at samu5380@stthomas.edu.

You see, I am a homosexual and 110% proud to be, but who I am today is nothing like the miserable, self-deprecating person I was. My school, my peers, my community, and often even my parents led me to believe that because of my sexual orientation I was somehow less than everyone me. The worst was that they did it so nonchalantly and effortlessly that I assumed I was nothing short of sin personified. Every incorrect use of the word gay or fag pushed me deeper in a toxic darkness.

It was seventh grade that I made a covenant with myself to never allow my true sexuality to come to full fruition. I spent years hating who I was and lying to others. I had convinced myself that I would live a “normal” life and have “normal” children with my “normal” spouse. I lived in a constant state of fear that my secret would become public. Publicizing my secret meant nothing but disgrace and a required detachment from everyone I loved. I often would think about ways to escape my “condition”. These escape plans were dark and too much for a lone seventh grader to bounce around his still developing, naive mind. I distanced myself from others and was terrified to speak in public, fearing someone would detect the “fag” that I was. I continued spirally until one teacher emancipated me from my internal cell.

It was during a required semester of speech class she mustered out a tiny glimmer of my true self. From that she convinced me to join my school’s speech team. This is where my life took a turn away from the ever-looming darkness and toward the bright future I am now experiencing today. Speech gave me the voice I had denied myself for years and enabled me to make true friends for the first time in my life. It also enabled me to travel outside the realm of my tiny, conservative bubble. Life outside the bubble was completely different. There were all types of people in this new world: large, small, black, white, straight, gay, lesbian, or whatever. The best part was it didn’t matter. What mattered was how well our performance went. Despite my new voice and confidence, I still had years of an insecure, hopeless complex to overcome.

I carry this complex, a pebble of what it was, with me everyday as reminder to continue fighting for equality. This complex gave me the feeling of being less and that is why marriage equality is so important to myself. If I had grown up with more LGBTQA role models, or a president who openly supported same-sex marriage, or lived in a state that legalized marriage equality, or even lived in an area where the word gay was only used positively and never as an insult, I would have grown up with a completely different self-image.

Marriage equality does much more that provide legal benefits to same-sex married couples. It will provide a sense of security and acceptance to children and teens growing up completely confused and lost. It will give them hope that things do truly get better and that they can lead a happy, productive life.

No, same sex marriage will not stop bullying, but it will give these kids a greater sense of community and strength, especially on the days where they are made to feel completely isolated.

My heart was overwhelmed with joy when Minnesota said it did not want to limit the right to marry last November. I can only imagine what went through the minds of the many LGBTQA youth who also stayed up late into the night waiting to see if their state supported or rejected them at their most basic level or humanity. I believe we are coming upon a new period of acceptance in our culture, a more free and equal society. By showing that Minnesota supports the legalization of same-sex marriage, we are also showing that we do not support the alienating and hatred of someone because of something they have no control over. We are showing our raw humanity and that is something our youth do not receive enough.

With love and acceptance,

Ryan

Have a letter? Send it to TommieMedia at tommiemedia@stthomas.edu or reach out to us on our Facebook page by sending a direct message.

Kumar said it’s time to send girls a more refined, intelligent message. She cited Obama’s endorsement as approval for “thoughtless cultural currency,” later qualifying her letter as a means to “re-etch the self image and self worth of young girls who think that sexualizing themselves is necessary to be powerful or successful.”  

According to Kumar, in jeans and a T-shirt Beyoncé sounded like a “celestial being from a different dimension,” yet in a sheer bodysuit, she was “a glowing ball of soullessness.”

Tread lightly Kumar, you’re contradicting your own argument.

What really needs to be re-etched is the ideology that being a “refined woman” has a definition, that expression should look a certain way. That if we want to dance on stage in a glittered bodysuit, flipping our hair and shaking our hips, than all we’ll ever be is an object. And that ultimately, anything we have to say to the world will be either muted or received depending on the way that we look.

Girls, I don’t care if you’re wearing a ball gown, bodysuit or your God-given birthday suit; what you wear won’t define you.

It is our job to teach young girls that Beyoncé’s costumes are secondary to her craft, that she is a brilliant businesswoman who controls every inch of her career and its resounding impact. We have to give them the tools to differentiate entertainment from reality, Sasha Fierce from Beyoncé Knowles.

There are plenty of celebrities who have proven themselves to be poor examples for young girls. Britney Spears, Amanda Bynes and Lindsay Lohan went from Disney darlings to delirious disasters. Their agenda does not account for fans.

The same cannot be said for Mrs. Carter.  

At The United Nations General Assembly, Beyoncé sang “I Was Here” in front of 1,200 people for World Humanitarian Day. It’s as if she wrote it for Kumar, herself.

“I want to say I lived each day, until I died

And know that I meant something in, somebody’s life

The hearts I have touched, will be the proof that I leave

That I made a difference, and this world will see, I am here”

Is it really fair to judge Beyoncé as a role model based on what she wears?

The HBO documentary “Life is but a Dream” followed Beyoncé during one of her biggest years yet. The intimate biography captured her as a pop icon, an everyday woman, a wife and a mother. She spoke candidly about the stressors of living a life that is so often misunderstood.

“I’m learning how to drown out the constant noise that is such an inseparable part of my life,” Knowles said. “I don’t have to prove anything to anyone. I only have to follow my heart and concentrate on what I want to say to the world. I run my world.”

Those are not the words of a glowing ball of soullessness. Those are the words of a woman who’s contributed far more to the world than a few risque costumes. She attained success by working hard, believing in herself and refusing to be defined by the way that she looks. It’s our job to reinforce that in the minds of young girls. Take the words from Beyoncé herself.

“Your self-worth is determined by you. You don’t have to depend on someone telling you who you are.”

Carly Samuelson can be reached at samu5380@stthomas.edu.

When I put my Ray-Ban sunglasses on, I feel empowered and ready for anything that stands in my way. I’m not saying that we need brands to feel strong or determined, but I am supporting the company’s ability to inspire. Is it possible that “covering up” your face with sunglasses can encourage you to embrace who you really are? I think so.  

Introduced to the world 76 years ago, these iconic shades are the specs of choice regardless of age and status. Fashion icons, sports figures, teenagers or senior citizens, it doesn’t matter; all demographics and age groups wear them. But, the brand is about more than just eyewear sales. The Ray-Ban logo stands for courage, quality, individuality and freedom of expression. These are the values the label’s followers endorse.

Senior David Houserman said he has always worn Ray-Ban sunglasses and always will.

“They are extension of my personality,” he said. “A little different, but super cool.”

Ray-Ban began as a product of functionality. Founded in 1937 by Bausch & Lomb, the first Ray-Ban aviators were created for the U.S. Army Air Corp to shield pilot’s eyes during flight and, according to Urban Optiques, were the first ever to incorporate an anti-glare lens that filters out UV Rays.

The Wayfarer style hit the streets next and were the go-to shades in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Its oblong-shaped, sleekly designed frame graced the faces of icons like Bob Dylan and Marilyn Monroe. Ray-Ban became a symbol of American culture.

In 2007, the brand redeveloped the original Ray-Ban Wayfarer design with expanded, and a little funky, color options and patterns, as well as a new marketing campaign titled “Never Hide.”

Per Ray-Ban’s message to “never pretend, never be afraid, never give up, never hide,” the brand encourages its consumers to be authentic and have the confidence to express themselves.  

Ray-Ban’s press release highlighting the campaign reported, “In its every form, the Ray-Ban campaign portrays regular guys and girls living their day to day lives with authenticity, with the courage to express themselves and their unique individuality, which is the most precious thing we have, because the most fashionable thing to be is yourself.”

The Ray-Ban company stands behind this belief. It embodies courage, free and independent thinking, quality and function, individuality and authenticity. The brand continues to create genuine advertisements supporting social issues, including one last year that showed two men holding hands and really challenges society to never hide.

Ray-Ban sunglasses symbolize originality and a sincerness of character. Even if everyone had the same pair, they would express something completely different as the true identity of the wearer shines through. In a world where everyone is trying to fit in, Ray-Bans encourage you to stand out. What could be better than that? In the words of Ray-Ban himself, “Never Hide.”

Nicole Soyka can be reached at soyk9466@stthomas.edu.

Sexton is a student at the University of Arizona who spends his free time open-air preaching on campus lawns about things that so-called “lukewarm pastors” have yet to address. His concerns about modern culture include feminists, Islam, tattoos, Beyonce, fraternities and other “sins” that will surely condemn a person to hell.

Sexton, who refers to himself as Brother Dean, frequently incorporates vulgarities like “Muslims are always a peculiar pig” or “Feminists, fat lesbians and whores get raped, abused and mistreated” on his blog.

Last week, he preached to passing students, particularly women wearing shorts, about their lack of modesty. He also held a sign that read, “You deserve to be raped.” 

Law enforcement took Sexton aside to speak with him about the sign, but ultimately allowed him to stay because he was acting within his rights.

Huffington Post got wind of the incident and published a story about the students’ outrage, featuring video footage of the event. For obvious reasons, the outrage multiplied and eventually the University of Arizona offered a formal statement.

“The University of Arizona does not endorse or condone the message of the campus speaker,” spokeswoman Jennifer Fitzenberger wrote. “In fact, it considers it to be vile and repugnant. However, because universities in particular are bastions for free speech, even when it is offensive, the University of Arizona will uphold the right of this speaker and all others to engage is constitutionally protected.”

Sexton returned the favor by referring to his school as, “the University of Adultery.”

Clearly Brother Dean really enjoys his time in the limelight and feels a sense of entitlement when it comes to insulting the likes of almost everyone on campus. With the exception of “Sinless Sarah” who frequently appears in his videos and publicity stunts, lending her stamp approval to a variety of other very Christian signs covered in phrases like, “Frat Boys Are The Rapists” and “Sorority Girls Are Whores.”

The whole situation begs the question, at what point does the university have a responsibility to be a bastion of respect? I’d like to think that girls who choose to wear shorts in 90-degree weather deserve to cross campus without being chastised and ridiculed.

The University of Arizona’s Student Code of Conduct states 26 different things that are prohibited on campus including “engaging in harassment,” “engaging in discriminatory activities” and “interfering with or disrupting university or university-sponsored activities.”

I’ll go out on a limb and suggest that if “you deserve to be raped” isn’t already considered harassment, it’s time to address the handbook. 

Clearly Mr. Sexton is responsible for the words he speaks and the posters he holds, but if the school chooses not to intervene, it brings the university’s ethics into question, too. Administrators are allowing for him to impose his vulgar views on strangers and quite frankly, if it’s “vile and repugnant,” then put an end to it.

Ironically enough, we could all learn a thing or two from the pathetic individual who hides unmerited hatred behind a veil of faith.

“It never ceases to amaze me the hypocritical mind about judging of the sinner,” Sexton wrote. “They will accept any argument, any excuse to justify their own personal sin.”

Practice what you preach, Brother Dean. You too, University of Arizona.

Carly Samuelson can be reached at samu5380@stthomas.edu.

Infographic by Design Manager Jenna Cossette

What if I told you there are three-and-a-half Krispy Kreme glazed doughnuts in the smoothie you just guzzled? That’s 700 calories.

Many of us choose smoothies as healthy snack alternatives to satisfy our taste buds. I’ll be the first to admit that they are tasty. But, these drinks are just that: a treat. Believe it or not, a single serving of a seemingly-healthy blended beverage, can contain just as much sugar and calories as a doughnut or candy bar.

Sugary drinks, whether blended or in a can, contribute to weight gain. Barry Popkin, nutrition professor at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, said we consume about 412 calories a day just from beverages. Surprisingly, many of them are categorized as fruit juice.  

Weight gain from drinks containing fruit generally happens slowly, and comes as a shock to people because they assume they’re healthy. Even though fruit is natural, it’s still high in fructose and affects blood sugar levels. According to Harvard Health Publications, excess sugar the body doesn’t need is converted to fat. Basically, if you drink enough fruit smoothies, you may see them reappear on your waistline.

That said, it is possible to enjoy a refreshing smoothie in a nutritious way. The key is knowing what to look out for and to make substitutions when needed.

The go-to smoothie shop on the St. Thomas campus is The Loft, located in the Anderson Student Center. Although you can find some calorie-packed selections on the menu, such as the Chocolate PB Banana which includes milk, ice cream, chocolate syrup, peanut butter and bananas, the Loft also offers healthy alternatives. These substitutes are not always advertised, but don’t be afraid to ask because they are available.

Nix it

Beware when you see chocolate, whipped cream, syrups, ice cream, peanut butter or whole milk on the ingredient list. These caloric additives increase the sugar count to your beverage drastically. Would you eat an entire carton of ice cream? Probably not, so don’t drink one either.

The Loft has several menu items that include ice cream or sherbet, so beware. The Jet mix that the Loft uses? Skip it. Instead, go for Crystal Light and nonfat Greek yogurt as base options, which are both lower in sugar and calories than the Jet fruit mix that the drinks are normally made with. I bet you won’t even taste the difference and the scale will thank you.

Add it

Although it seems impossible to concoct a so-called “healthy” smoothie, it’s easier than it sounds. There are several fruit concentrate options that prove to be better than others. Some are both low-calorie and packed with vitamins. Ask your smoothie barista which brand they use and make the decision to opt in or out based on the nutrition facts.

Using frozen or fresh fruit instead of syrups will help increase the nutritional value of your smoothie. Any kind of berries and bananas will increase the vitamin and mineral value and keep you fuller longer due to the fiber in whole fruit versus a fruit juice.  

The Loft offers frozen blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, bananas, mango and pineapple for smoothie mixtures, and there’s no limit on how many you can add, so go crazy!

When it comes down to it, being informed is most important. Read the list of ingredients. Consider the options before consuming empty calories that have no nutritional value.

Personally, I go with the Wildberry Blast at The Loft. I ask for it to be made with plain Greek yogurt, strawberries, blueberries and raspberries to keep it healthier and, believe me, it’s delicious. Weighing in at around 230 calories, it’s a tasty treat that doesn’t compromise an entire day of eating.

Nicole Soyka can be reached at soyk9466@stthomas.edu.

TommieMedia reporter Zach Zumbusch was unaware of his profile on the Lulu app. Facts and figures were reported by TechCrunch.com. (Infographic by Carly Samuelson)

“He’s cute, but he has terrible ratings, Carly.”

For an instant, I felt like a 96-year-old woman attempting to conceptualize the difference between bird tweets and human tweets or liking a picture and “liking” a picture. Apparently the look on my face was enough to indicate that I was completely clueless.

“Haven’t you heard of Lulu?” she asked. “That app where girls can rate guys?”

Of course I’ve rated a guy. He works for Sprint, and he replaces my iPhone every time I crack the screen. It’s the least I can do for a customer service rating.

This is a different kind of rating.  

Lulu is a mobile app where girls can rate and review the guys they’ve met, dated, even passed on campus anonymously. It was designed by women, for women. According to its website, Lulu is a “smart girl’s app” so when a guy attempts to login, a message pops up on the screen: “Dude, you’re a dude!”

The app requires its users to log in with a Facebook account, subsequently granting Lulu access to all of your male friends on Facebook. In an instant, you’re presented with a database of men … and everyone’s opinion of them. According to TechCrunch.com, at the current trajectory, Lulu believes that it could be on track to have one in four female undergraduates in the United States be users of the app by the end of the year.

The catch? Most “dudes” don’t even know that they’ve been added to a database, let alone rated and reviewed like living, breathing beauty products. They have no idea that they were deemed a #trustfundbaby or given a 6.7 rating by an ex-girlfriend because of their #EpicSmile.

Guys, if it’s any consolation, the Lulu website states that if you don’t want to be included in the database, you can remove yourself (directions not included) from the app, leaving only a memory of your 10.0 rating or a tarnished reputation in the hands of a few thousand girls. Here’s to hoping they forget what you looked like, right?

Rest assured there’s another viable option, as presented by lawyer and Lulu founder Alexandra Chong.

“Should a guy not do well in a particular category, then they can change their behavior.”

Yes, boys. Be less #ObsessedWithMom and we’ll rate you a bit higher. And if a #DudeCantCook, why don’t you take a few culinary lessons while you’re at it?

Chong said the app was created because she and her girlfriends “needed it.” Like a woman “needs” a new bag or new shoes.  

Or maybe what we really need is a reality check.

This is an app that was designed to generalize each and every one of us. It suggests that we all view men through the same, superficial lens. Lulu gives users a list of “best” and “worst” traits to choose from, as if we all want the same qualities in a mate. I guess #spark and #chemistry didn’t make the cut.

Adding insult to injury, the app expects us to believe that “smart girls’” need to be told who has #GreatHair, #StrongHands and #SweetThreads. What does “sweet threads” even mean? There’s no way to know why a girl likes a guy’s threads; for all we know, he might walk around in a Halloween costume year round. Lulu would need a few million subcategories for each hashtag to even begin describing a person.

Let’s not forget that Lulu’s reviews are anonymous so there’s no guarantee that a catty ex, friend or little sister isn’t behind the ratings.

Needless to say, I won’t be incorporating a database into my personal life. Nor will I be hashtagging the guys that I meet. I’m sure ratings will lead to a lot of things, but certainly not dating.

To the guys, Lulu had a typo. Its message to you should read: “Dude, you’re so lucky to be a dude!”

Carly Samuelson can be reached at samu5380@stthomas.edu.

Soundset Festival

Canterbury Park, in Shakopee, Minn., will host the music marathon Soundset this year on Sunday, May 26. Gates open at 11 a.m. and 40 artists will perform until 8:30 p.m. when the sun sets over the Shakopee water tower. Headliners include Atmosphere, Snoop Dogg, Mac Miller and Brother Ali.  

Stages will be on the grass this year (good news for our butts), which will enhance the hippie-summer vibe. General admission is $49, which is rather inexpensive for an entire day of phenomenal music.

And, get this, set times for the shows will not be announced until the day of the concert. I know some people may find this aggravating and difficult when it comes to planning but for me, it’s a chance to listen to new artists that I may have never seen otherwise. Plus, the anticipation of waiting for Atmosphere to perform will keep you amped all day long.

Music in the Zoo

How could you overlook an event held at the best outdoor concert venue in the Twin Cities? Mpls. St. Paul Magazine named Weesner Family Amphitheater at the Minnesota Zoo the top concert locale of 2012. This year they’ll host a day of tunes unlike any other. Music and animals, what could be better?

The series will feature artists starting June 6 and finishing up on June 21. Each concert starts at 7:30 p.m., but the amphitheater will open at 7 p.m. for seating. If you arrive early, revel in some pre-show grub at Grizzly Coast Café or World Tacos.

Headliners spanning throughout the summer include: Eric Hutchinson, Los Lobos/Los Lonely Boys, The Wanted and Carly Rae Jepsen. If you’re heading out to any of these concerts in June, call me maybe?  

Basilica Block Party

What began as a fundraiser to support the structural restoration of The Basilica of Saint Mary has now become an annual celebration. This year marks the 19th anniversary of the two-day shindig at the church located in downtown Minneapolis.

Although I’ve never been, photo galleries showing off last year’s sets have convinced me that I cannot miss it again.

With a medley of local artists, it’s the perfect opportunity to check out the local talent and enjoy tasty food, good music and a fun-filled atmosphere. July 12 will feature Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Matt Nathanson, ZZ Ward and Mayer Hawthrone, to name a few. July 13 will showcase Matchbox Twenty, the Goo Goo Dolls, Walk the Moon and Cloud Cult.

WE Fest: “Livin’ the Dream in 2013”

Since it began in 1983, WE Fest has been a music extravaganza and one of the leading country music festivals in the nation. It’s a weekend of feel-good tunes set in an authentic outback environment. This back-country bash is held at the Soo Pass Ranch located in Detroit Lakes, Minn., Aug. 1-3. Ready, set, giddyup!

This year, big names will rock the ranch grounds: Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Eric Church and Darius Rucker to name a few. Bring your cowboy hat and boots-with-the-spurs and rock ‘n’ roll country-style for three-straight days.

Plan to camp out to get the full WE Fest experience, or just come for the music and a guaranteed good time. It’s time for a hoedown, Minnesota style.

Nicole Soyka can be reached at soyk9466@stthomas.edu.

So when a young kid from Faribault, Minn., plays AAA hockey all the way through elementary school and junior high, then high school at perennial power, hockey machine Shattuck-St. Mary’s, everyone expects this kid to play college hockey for the University of Minnesota.  

Imagine the surprise when one of them doesn’t. Especially when that guy is Zach Parise.

Parise was an immediate standout at Shattuck. He played on the U.S. National team at the Under-18 and junior levels, and was recruited by colleges across the Midwest.

Eventually, Parise reached NHL glory, and this year marked his first season with the Minnesota Wild. However, not before committing to the University of Minnesota’s most fiercely-hated rival, the University of North Dakota, where he played two years of college hockey.

I expected Minnesotans to feel bitter about his choice to leave, but from what I gathered, they weren’t. They weren’t rooting for North Dakota to win, but they certainly weren’t wishing for Parise to fail.

Honestly, I’m not a Wild fan. I’m not from Minnesota; I’m a North Dakota fan, and I don’t like the Gophers. But, I would get it if Parise supporters were angry that he left. It was a slap in the face to the city he was born in and ultimately he used their archrival as a stepping stone to NHL glory, something offensive to Minnesotans.

The Minnesota-North Dakota rivalry is one of the biggest rivalries in college hockey, if not in all of college sports. It’s the type of rivalry where you have to pick one side or the other. Once you’re labeled a supporter of North Dakota men’s hockey or the Gophers, there’s no going back. These are two teams whose fans and players really don’t like each other.

As an outsider to Minnesota sports, it appears hypocritical for Parise to be adored by Minnesotans, especially when they’re fans of both the Wild and the Gophers. Players like Kyle Okposo and Blake Wheeler were born and raised in Minnesota, play in the NHL and chose not to abandon their home state when playing hockey at the collegiate level. In my opinion, if anyone deserves to be adored, it’s them.

Fans have the freedom to support whomever they choose. I’m not saying Minnesotans should hate Zach Parise because he spent few years in Grand Forks, N.D. I mean, he did come back, but is that all it takes to redeem himself for leaving? After all, a nearly $100 million contract is probably enough to persuade just about anyone to go anywhere. I think Parise’s decision to come back had far less to do with a sense of loyalty to his original fan base than the check waiting for him on the table.

In an era where player loyalty can change quickly and contract details are easily accessible, I find it hard to trust any athlete’s intentions so quickly. I admire Zach Parise, and he’s a phenomenal hockey player, but he isn’t playing pond hockey anymore. He’s not playing for Shattuck or even North Dakota, he’s playing in the NHL. Professional hockey is a business, above all else. I’m not convinced he’s earned his place in the hearts of Wild fans yet; I just hope he doesn’t end up breaking them.

Jacob Sevening can be reached at seve8586@stthomas.edu.