The Woods

By Allison Foster
Staff Writer

With a win on Jan. 8 against IU-Southeast the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods basketball record increased to 9-7.
Freshmen, Chelsea Weaver hit a 25-foot 3-pointer just in time before the end of the first half taking the lead.
“The clock was running out and she only had one option, and that was to shoot immediately,” said head coach Deanna Bradley.  “Everyone was excited when she hit it because it gave us a four point lead.”
The lead changed several times throughout the second half, with neither team gaining more than a six point lead.
“All we can do as a team is prepare our best in practice. Our goal going into every game is to play our best,” Bradley said.
The Pomeroys were victorious and won the game against IU-Southeast with a final score of 77-74.
SMWC dropped a game to Lake Land College on Jan. 5 with the final score of 60-89 .
The Pomeroys have not been able to win all of their games, but Bradley knows exactly what they need to do to finish strong and move onto nationals; be more aggressive and consistent.
On Dec. 30, 2010, the Pomeroys took on Wheaton College in the Taylor Classic Tournament.
This was a challenging game for SMWC and Wheaton came out victorious, 59-93
On the second day of the Taylor Classic, SMWC played Trinity International University.
The Pomerory’s displayed more energy but were unable to pull through.  By 16 points, they were defeated by Trinity International with a final score of 80-96.
SMWC traveled to play the St. Joseph Lady Bears Dec. 28, 2010.
The Pomeroy’s, who were anked sixth in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) coaches poll the week before, took an early lead of 25-14.
Both teams shot over 60 percent from the field in the first half.  The Pomeroys were on a roll, shooting 80 percent (20 for 25) from the free throw line, and 57 percent from the field. The final score for this game was 93-79.
On Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010, the Pomeroys then traveled to Notre Dame to play the Saints of Holy Cross College.
The Pomeroys were down by 26 halfway through the second half but managed to cut the lead to 10 with three minutes to go during the second half.
But unfortunately the Pomeroys didn’t do enough to pull through for the win. The final score was in favor of Holy Cross, 74 and SMWC 63.
Dec. 17, 2010, SMWC traveled to Fort Wayne to play the Indiana Tech Warriors. Several lead changes happened throughout the first half.
Well into the second, Indiana Tech took a massive 24-2 run, and the Pomeroys were defeated with a 62-83 final score.
Dec. 14, 2010, marked the eighteenth time SMWC and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology have played each other for the Clabber Girl trophy.
The game started off slow on both sides.
“We weren’t as intense as I would have liked for us to have been, but then again, you have to go with what you’ve got and I felt  the team did a good job of making the most of what they had,” Bradley said.
During the second half of the game, it was a back and forth change of points.
As the second half came to an end, senior Brooke Brown stole the ball, got fouled and hit one of two free throws with three seconds remaining.
The final score for the game was 56-54.

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By Allison Foster
Staff Writer

The Pomeroys were unable to bounce back against the College of Mount St. Joseph in a weekend tourney game Nov. 19 and 20. The final score was 55-74.
On the weekend of Nov. 19 and 20 Saint Mary-of-the-Woods basketball took on the host team, College of Mount St. Joseph. The Pomeroys took a three-hour ride to Cincinnati, Ohio for this game.
“It was an easy trip down to Cincinnati,” said Head Coach  Deanna Bradley.
There were about 100 people in attendance for the game.
“After coaching for more than 20 years, I rarely get nervous before games,” Bradley said.  “If we prepare well in practice, the team should perform well in games and that is our goal.”
Once halftime came around on during the Nov. 19 game, the Pomeroys found themselves down by 10 points, but there was still time.
One important factor about the SMWC team is that they never give up and that is what helps them win their games Bradley explained.
Luckily after halftime the team played a very good second half and they were able to get the victory for the game within the last 36 seconds by three points.
“Mount St. Joseph has a good team, and the players are very aggressive. We were evenly matched,” Bradley said of the MSJ team players.
On Saturday Nov. 20 at 5 p.m., the Pomeroys went up against United States Corporate Athletic Association (USCAA) opponent Spalding University from Louisville for the championship game. SMWC is a long-standing rival of Spalding’s women’s basketball team. At halftime, the Pomeroys were behind by 13 points.
“This early in the season, teams are figuring out what they can do,” Bradley said.  “We still have a long way to perform at the pace level we would like for the entire game.”
Chelsey Barron, junior, and Jordan Barton, freshman were named to the All-Tournament team at the end of the game.
“It’s always nice to have players awarded for their performances, yet everyone on this team knows, those two would give up the award to have won the game,” Bradley explained.  “That’s what I really like about this group, they are so unselfish.”

Popularity: 31% [?]

By Allison Foster and Margy Fraizer
Staff Writers

For the five days Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College students have away from our campus, they’re free to do pretty much whatever they please. But their plans don’t vary too much from one to another.
Our Woodsies come from all over the world. We have women from as close as Terre Haute to as far away as Japan and China. Even though home is far away for some students, others still plan on spending the holiday with their family.
Ashtyn Dowden and Lacey Henderson, freshmen, are both headed home for Thanksgiving. They say they plan on relaxing and enjoying their time away from school.
“It’s a big part of our family’s traditions,” says Dowden.
“We’ve done it for as long as I can remember.” Henderson agrees, “Everyone comes home, and we sit down to the meal. It’s something that happens every year.”
In somewhat the same fashion as Dowden and Henderson, junior Gabrielle Hasler will also go to her parent’s for the Thanksgiving holiday. “But we’re not having boring turkey,” Hasler says. “We’re going to eat exotic birds at my dad’s family’s house.”
This isn’t something they’ve done every year, Hasler explains. “We just decided to try something new.”
Seniors Jennifer Cassidy and Jessica Dugger will be headed to Chesterton to spend time with their significant others.
“We may head to Chicago,” Cassidy said of her boyfriend and herself.
“Yeah, I’ll be doing a lot of research,” said Dugger. “The school season never ends for me.”
Chinese students Cindy and Doris aren’t sure yet what they’ll be doing for Thanksgiving. “We want to go to Texas,” Cindy said. “But we still aren’t sure if we can. If we do not go to Texas, we will stay on campus.”
And plans extend after Thanksgiving Day, too.
“I’m definitely going shopping on black friday,” said senior Megan Johnson. “I don’t know what I’m going to buy, because I haven’t seen the ads yet. But I’m going to go.”
For those who aren’t eating exotic birds over Thanksgiving, most will be enjoying the traditional Thanksgiving turkey. But what is it about this bird that makes us all so sleepy after eating?
Without turkey at Thanksgiving it would not even feel right. Filling your plate with as much as it can hold and not even hesitating for seconds is something a lot of people do on Thanksgiving.
Turkey can be baked, deep-fried, cooked rotisserie style, and even barbecued. But no matter how it is cooked, turkey can still leave you feeling sleepy or even tired enough to nap.
There are numerous theories as to why turkey leaves people feeling drowsy. One theory is tryptophan.
Turkey contains tryptophan, an amino acid with a documented sleep inducing effect.
Tryptophan can also be metabolized into serotonin and melatonin: two chemical neurotransmitters that exert a calming effect and help regulate sleep.
In order for tryptophan to work, it needs to be taken on an empty stomach to make someone drowsy.  Some people say that turkey makes you sleepy because it is a comfort food.
Comfort food can bring a measure of comfort or satisfaction when consumed. Desserts such as pie, cookies, and cakes can be comfort food as well.
Other foods that contain tryptophan are chicken, fish, cheese, peanut butter, and pork. Pork is another popular dish for Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. For those who don’t eat turkey or meat at all, vegan turkey does not contain tryptophan.
Every year on Nov. 25 an estimated 38.5 million people travel near and far to be with family and friends for Thanksgiving.

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By Allison Foster
Staff Writer

On Wednesday, Oct. 27 the Pomeroys took on Lincoln Trail College in a scrimmage game to open the 2010-2011 season. There were about 40 people in attendance at the Community Recreation Trail Center where SMWC holds their games.
With only five healthy players available for the scrimmage, the team and coaches had a little concern.
“Having only five and a half players and the other team with 10 players is a small disadvantage for us tonight,” said Head Coach Deanna Bradley.
SMWC started the first half with a solid foundation and a good pace.
Freshman Jordan Barton scored the first points of the game for the Pomeroys.
“One important thing for the team to win tonight’s game was to rebound,” said Bradley.
About seven minutes into the first half the score was 32-13 with the Pomeroys keeping a strong lead. The end of the first half ended, putting SMWC on top with a 20 point lead and a score of 43-23.
Once the second half started, Lincoln Trail began to catch up quickly. The score rose quickly to 50-37. While they attempted to close the gap, they couldn’t quite outscore the Pomeroys.
Lincoln Trail’s sideline bench of players started to make lots of commotion to distract the Pomeroys. It took them by surprise, but it did not stop them from staying focused for the game.
With three minutes left in the game the score was 69-60 putting SMWC in the lead, but with a much smaller cushion.
In the end the Pomeroys were victorious with a 74-63 win over Lincoln Trail.
Senior Brooke Brown was a big help on and off the court with her scoring and the helpful cheering on of teammates. The chemistry the team shares is something that a lot of teams struggle with, but the Pomeroys seem to have no problem with.
“Having a few players puts more responsibility on the girls,” Bradley said.  “They know that they must play well if they want to win, but I’m not worried.”

Popularity: 28% [?]

By Allison Foster
Staff Writer

One of the most significant days of the year at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods marks one of the most epic days for the Sisters of Providence. Foundation Day – celebrated every Oct. 22 – commemorated Mother Theodore Guerin’s arrival with her six companions to what is now Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. This year SMWC celebrates its 170th anniversary.
This year’s Foundation Day was a beautiful sunny day with cool temperatures and high spirits following Sister Rosemary Nudd for a tour through campus, following in the footsteps of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin.
Every year Nudd, associate professor of English and a Sister of Providence, offers a tour to anyone wanting to learn the story of how SMWC came to be.
“If no one told you, no one would know about how important the story of Mother Theodore is,” said Nudd.
This year a group of 10, which included students and faculty of the Woods, toured key places including Arrival Rock, the stream at the bottom of the ravine, the site of the Log Chapel, and the bronze statue of Mother Theodore Guerin.
Upon reaching the plaque that marks where Mother Theodore and her companions first stepped on the soil of SMWC, Nudd asked for a moment of reflection.
The founding group had traveled from France, spending 40 days at sea to come to Indiana to open an academy for women.
Nudd wanted the group to imagine how it felt for Saint Mother Theodore stepping into a forest not knowing what to expect.
“It must’ve felt like taking off their skins,” Nudd said.
Saint Mother Theodore was born in in 1789 and was 41 years-old when she left France to take the journey.
“She was very brave to be a woman and do the thing that she did,” Nudd said. “That journey was the foundation of this place we call home. … I marvel at it.”
Nudd led a moment of reflection at the site of the Log Chapel, where the first Mass was conducted.
“Listening to the sounds of the birds, the bees, and the trees…what a blessing it is to be here,” she said.
Sherry Bube, a freshman student at the Woods, came for the tour, which was recommended to her by music Assistant Professor Michael Boswell.
“Getting the history of the college and the sisters is important,” Bube said.
Nudd said she loves giving the tour, sometimes even cancelling classes to show students the sites. To her, it represents a larger calling.
“Service to God’s people is important to me,” said Nudd, who has been a Sister of Providence for 46 years. “That is one reason I became a sister.”

Popularity: 40% [?]

By Allison Foster
Staff Writer

Most students at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College knew Matt Hooper, 18,  as the Sodexo guy that swiped their ID cards at dinner or that one guy in Urinetown the Musical that was put on by SMWC last spring.  “If that is all you know of Matt Hooper then you are missing out on the story of an incredible young man who I am proud to have called my friend,” said sophomore Grace Dubrowski, member of the Theater and Drama department at SMWC.  On Sunday, Sept. 26 a car driven by Mitchell Weir with Hooper, Doug Lenges, and James Darby as passengers failed to yield the right-of-way when turning onto Indiana 63 from westbound Bolton Road in West Terre Haute. A semi collided with the passenger side of the car, ejecting Weir and Hooper. Both Hooper and Darby were pronounced dead at the scene. Lenges was airlifted to Carle Hospital in Champaign, Ill., and Weir was taken to Union Hospital and then proceeded to be airlifted to an Indianapolis Hospital.  Matthew Lee Hooper was born Apr. 8, 1992, in Terre Haute. His parents are Jay and Joni Thomas Hooper. He graduated from West Vigo High School in 2010 and was active in many different clubs. He was a freshman at Indiana State University this fall.  Hooper was a member of West Vigo’s swim team, the school band, and soccer team. He played the bass guitar and trombone. Hooper was well known for being involved in musicals and plays and was a member of the Performing Arts Workshop.
The Performing Arts Workshop (PAW) that began in 1990 gives actors, musicians, and artists a one of a kind opportunity in the summer to work theatrical repertory. PAW has performed plays such as Annie and Beauty and the Beast, where Hooper received the role as the beast his senior year in high school. Hooper was known for having lead roles in the PAW.
The most recent role Hooper played was last spring at SMWC’s production of Urinetown the Musical, where he played Senator Fipp, the greedy and somewhat cowardly politician.
“When we worked together he was just so professional that it was hard to remember at times that he was still in high school,” said senior Danielle O’Conner, who played Little Sally. “Looking at him as an actor he took direction very well, especially for his age. We [the Music and Theater Department] all felt the loss.”
Hooper was a freshman at Indiana State University. He is survived by his parents and two sisters, Samantha and Julie Hooper.
“He was always smiling, and that simple gesture could make the worst day seem a little better,” Dubrowski said.
The wake was held on Wednesday, and the funeral procession was on Thursday. Hooper was laid to rest at Bethesda Memorial Park.

Popularity: 41% [?]

By Allison Foster
Staff Writer

(Appeared in the Sept. 7 print edition of The Woods)
Coming to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College as a young woman, I did not know what to expect. The fact that it is an all-women’s school made me skeptical about almost everything. I was afraid that it would be lame and boring, and nothing would ever happen here. After going through orientation, I realized that it’s a lot better than I thought it was going to be.

From the resident and commuter check-in to the picnic with faculty and staff at Deming Park, I think that many freshmen will agree that Playfair was the best event of the entire freshman orientation. Playfair has been around for years, considering the fact that it is was around when my sister was in college in Ohio about 10 years ago.

Freshmen and new students attempt to sit on each other’s knees in a giant circle during on one of the many Playfair activities during orientation. / Photo by Danya Long

Playfair is a social event that allows a group of people to introduce themselves to others, specifically students to other students. Students played games which helped everyone realize that it was alright to be more open and social with people.

Playfair definitly opened up my attitude about SMWC. I was afraid no one would talk to me and people would think I looked weird. It really opened up my eyes. My orientation leader, Cathleen Flynn, was a sweetheart. She and the upperclassmen made me think that I could really get to know people in my class.

One of the activities was pretending to be big name celebrities such as Oprah, Donald Trump, or Martha Stewart and tell people within your group to do whatever you say. So, if you wanted a person in your group to do jumping jacks, then they had no choice but to do it.

Dancing was very popular during Playfair. We danced to introduce ourselves and danced back to back literally, to “Low” by rapper Flo Rida. Upbeat music played during activities to encourage active involvement as well.

Playfair itself was a good experience for me overall. I think that it should be done every year for all incoming freshmen. A lot of the time freshmen are a little apprehensive about coming to college and wonder if they will make new friends and meet new people. Some students are just normally shy when it comes to meeting other people. And some people are just anti-social, not wanting to meet anyone or make new friends at all. But when you come into new situations such as this, you have to be open and ready to step out. Luckily for us at SMWC, we received that opportunity during Playfair that helped us meet a lot of new people in a short amount of time.

Overall, I enjoyed my Playfair experience with everyone who was involved. The experience has allowed not only me to be more open with the students around, but it also has made me feel more comfortable with my decision to come to SMWC.

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