Professor Gwen Hersha had the opportunity to take her storytelling class on a tour of Jackson’s historic abandoned prison. Students had the opportunity to learn about different aspects of the prison and what life was like for the inmates. Students could ask questions and got a first-hand idea of how the prisoners lived.

Two students that went on the field trip, Emily Selby and Sarah Williams, share their experiences:

Emily: This field trip was a fascinating experience for me. I enjoyed the trip and got to learn things that I had not known before. The tour guide seemed very knowledgeable and was able to tell us a lot about what the prison was like back when it was functioning. It was interesting to be in the same areas where actual prisoners lived.

Sarah: I went to Jackson’s prison with my Storytelling class and learned so much. I didn’t know anything about Jackson’s prison before we went. I am shocked that the prison was so corrupted in its time. Prisoners were put in terrible conditions. Prison cells were small and the room holding the cells was known for smelling so bad guards would vomit! Then there were factories. The prison exploited the prisoners by forcing them to work in dangerous factories that were similar to death row. My favorite part of the tour was when we went down to the basement and saw the tunnels. They were so creepy. The tour guide said people saw ghosts down there! I had a great time!

By: Sarah Williams

The senior art exhibition is April 9th from 4-6pm in the Ganton Art Gallery. Attending opening night to showcase their works will be Melayna Stuckey, Emma Hale (previously known as Emma Devries), and Marnie Lillo.

Marnie Lillo’s Welcome To My Mind

Lillo is an art major with a concentration in digital art. She plans on becoming an Elementary Art Teacher after graduation. Her exhibition will include pieces she has been working on since Freshman year.

The message she wants the audience to take away is “there is beauty in oddities”. Her theme is imagination. Her art is inspired by stories she has read and cool phases she has heard.

A few weeks before the show, she knew it was time to sit down and create the poster. The sun art ended up being her favorite piece. Sketching the piece took 5 to 6 hours and finalizing took 7 to 8 hours.

Not all her work took roughly 14 hours, however. She is also presenting 3 pieces of skulls that she created in just black ink so the sketching took 2 hours and finalizing took 3 to 4 hours.

Lillo said she is emotionally attached to the original artwork and plans on storing them afterward. However, she will have a binder full of prints of her art to sell at the art exhibition.

Emma Hale’s Our Nature

Hale is majoring in art with a double concentration in illustration and graphic design. She plans on going into a career as a graphic designer and/or an illustrator. She has used her skills from her concentrations in making her poster and artwork. She wants her art to show what her time at SAU has produced.

Hale’s theme is nature. She includes nature in the physical environment and human nature. Nature is also her biggest inspiration, along with God’s creations.

“I hope my art spreads a positive message of beauty, joy, and comfort. I hope it is uplifting and inspirational.”

Hale

Hale’s favorite piece is her oil painting of Lake Superior. She started out brainstorming and going through several messy sketches. After catching a good idea, she made a refined sketch and began painting. She added layers and slowly built up the art till she was satisfied. Depending on the size and medium of her artwork, most of her art can take 10 to 50 hours to make.

The Lake Superior painting and other art may be available to buy in prints on opening night.

Melayna Stuckey’s Finding a Home

Stuckey is majoring in art with a double concentration in painting and drawing. Her goal is to use the exhibition to show what she has been working on for the past 4 years. She doesn’t have a specific theme or message for her exhibition, but she noted there was a tone.

“I came to realize this year that the majority of my art has a very familiar, personal, “home-y” tone.”

Stuckey

She drew her inspiration from significant people in her life and she made a lot of her art for these people. Depending on the size, her art can take 15 to 30 hours to make.

Her favorite work is a piece that depicts the view from outside the feed room of her grandparent’s barn. First, she started off by taking pictures. Next, she decided whether to paint or draw. She then choose to work in colored-pencil.

She plans to give away some of her art to the people she made them for. Others she is willing to sell to those who express interest. The art that does not sell will be shipped home.

Come out and support these talented artists on April 9th!

We have made it to the end of the semester! Well, sort of. We have the last hurdle of making it through finals week. With most students scrambling to finish essays and studying for exams, we are at the most stressful part of the semester. Here are seven tips to help you survive finals week and prioritize your mental health:

1. Have a Self-Care Plan

A big part of self-care is being proactive. Make a plan of what steps you can take when you begin to feel overwhelmed with your workload. This can include having your favorite study playlist ready for when you need help focusing, prepping snacks you can eat when you need a study break, and setting aside a specific time to visit with friends or do something you enjoy.

2. Treat Yourself with Kindness

During the stress of finals week, it is easy to fall into patterns of negative self-talk. Those negative thoughts are valid, and it is okay to acknowledge them, but it is important to remember that those doubts are not an accurate representation of you or your strengths. When negative thoughts start to creep in, take the time to consciously validate yourself and your abilities.

3. Take Care of Yourself Physically

With the stress of exams, it is easy to develop tunnel vision and neglect the essential care that keeps us healthy. It is important to remember to set aside time for proper meals, adequate hydration, the recommended 30 minutes of exercise, and the proper amount of sleep. Maintaining these healthy habits can help keep you feel energized and ready to tackle the stringent workload.

4. Set Aside a Specific Study Space

Make sure you have a space set aside solely for studying. This area should be separate from where you will take your breaks and should be organized with all of the items you might need to be productive in your studying and essay writing. This includes textbooks, writing utensils, your laptop, a water bottle, and snack. Plus, this helps set a clear boundary between when you need to be in an academic mindset and when you are relaxing.

5. Take Breaks

Studying all day, every day would be stressful and tire you out. Instead, make sure to take a 30-minute break every 90 minutes to allow yourself time to decompress, clear your mind, and re-energize yourself for your next study session. These breaks should be a time for you to do something you truly enjoy or find relaxing.

6. Celebrate and Reward Yourself for your Achievements

When you complete an essay, study session, or exam, make sure to take the time to acknowledge your hard work. Watch an episode of your favorite show, eat some ice cream, host a small dance party with your roommate, or plan a small hangout with your friends. Regardless of what you decide to do, make sure that it is something you enjoy so that you can have a moment of reprieve before getting back to work.

7. Remind Yourself of These Truths

Even though exam week is stressful, it is important to remember that this is temporary, you are strong and capable enough to get through this, and that you are not alone. It is okay to ask your friends, peers, and professors for help — they all want to see you succeed.

Remember to work hard, do your best, and take time to practice self-care. Good luck with your exams!

By: Merry Castle

It has been an honor for all of us at the Pulse to bring you campus news content. We are excited for a break during the summer, but will no doubt miss seeing everyone around campus. We wanted to put together a small summary of what we loved most about working on the Pulse in case you might be interested in joining our team next fall!

Emily – Managing Editor and Writer

I have loved being able to write and edit for the Pulse this year. As a transfer student, it was a great way for me to be able to feel involved in different aspects of campus life that I otherwise might have missed. I had the amazing opportunity to practice leadership and writing skills which I am very passionate about. Though our team got a little smaller for spring semester, it was truly a joy to be able to work with other writers and develop our skills together. Working with other writers and establishing goals together was one of my favorite aspects of working on the Pulse team. If you have any interest in writing, interviewing, or editing, this is a great opportunity to get your foot in the door. I cannot wait until next fall to get started again. I have big plans for the Pulse next year.

Sarah – Copy Editor and Writer

My favorite part of being in the Pulse is the writing experience. Every 2 week I got the opportunity to write a story for the college to read and copy edit all of the other stories. Working with the Pulse has boosted my confidence in writing and sharing what I wrote. Besides learning about writing techniques, I learned more about the school and other people. I didn’t know much about SAU sports before, but now I am rooting for our university’s teams. Also, every time I interviewed someone for a story, I felt I was becoming more professional. I am thankful to be a part of the Pulse and I look forward to being a part of it next semester.  

Merry – Writer

Writing for the Pulse has been a tremendous honor and privilege for me as I have been blessed with the opportunity to share the stories of my fellow students, faculty, and staff. I have grown more confident in my writing abilities and learned what works and what does not work for me as a writer. This has also been a fantastic opportunity for me to work with a team of like-minded individuals who challenge me to work harder, write better, and think outside the box. Most importantly, this opportunity has helped me realize that I can use my voice and writing to uplift others and discuss topics I am passionate about. That, by far, has been my favorite part of writing for the Pulse — I am so blessed to speak with, learn about, and share the stories of so many different people. It has been an opportunity for me to step outside of my own limited perspective and to focus on the diverse perspectives of others. 

PorchFest 2021 is quickly approaching. This longstanding campus tradition, the comic event formerly organized by the late Ormston Hall, will be hosted by Andrews Hall on Wednesday, May 5, from 7-9 pm on the plaza.

PorchFest is a unique amalgamation of humor, emotion, and randomness that highlights the comedic abilities of our students and community. Typically, PorchFest includes comical skits, couches, and hotdogs.

This year, PorchFest will look a little different. This time around, auditions for hosts and comedy sketches have been opened to the women of Lowell and Gainey.

David Breyette, the Andrews Resident Director, opened up about this change. “PorchFest has traditionally been headlined and stacked with Andrews guys,” said Breyette, the Andrews Resident Director. “We believe the show will be improved with more students and areas represented.”

This shift allows a male-dominated event to be more inclusive. “I would love to see students from across campus represented throughout the show,” said Breyette. “This is your time to shine, or at least have a good time.” 

PorchFest is happening Wednesday, May 5, from 7-9 pm on the plaza. Since the event is outside, students will need to bring their own seating. Students should keep an eye on the SAU app for updates and signups as the event draws closer.

By: Merry Castle