Why should you consider joining the Pulse? Staff writer, Sarah Williams, gives a few reasons why.
Image of me!
You should join the Pulse for all the wonderful opportunities it provides! The Pulse can give students experience in writing, editing, photography, and more. Since the club is student led, members can experience leadership and responsibility and know that all the club’s accomplishments are because of their hard work. This makes the Pulse look great on a resume. Students don’t need to join with previous experience, the other members help teach newcomers and provide a fun environment during meetings.
Fellow member’s voices are very important to the Pulse. Everyone is encouraged to give their opinions, ideas, or ask for help. When I joined, I was a bit anti-social and quiet. I was encouraged to give my thoughts during meetings. After so many interviews with sources, I grew confident in using my voice. I know I can do stories on topics I feel are important. The Pulse helped me to feel like I was being heard.
The Pulse has offered me opportunities that I might not have had otherwise. I have always been interested in writing fiction, but I fell in love with writing non-fiction pieces after joining the Pulse. The experience of being a campus news reporter has made me consider the career of a journalist after graduating. The Pulse is always finding new ways to surprise me!
Spring Arbor University’s women basketball team’s head coach received his 100th victory on February 8th when the Cougars defeated Grace Christian University
Spring Arbor University’s women basketball team’s head coach received his 100th victory on February 8th when the Cougars defeated Grace Christian University.
Photo of Grace Shoobridge was provided by saucougars.com
Photo of Gracie Cabana was provided by saucougars.com
According to an article by SAU official spot website, saucaugars.com, Ryan Frost’s victory count made him the third SAU head coach to reach that mark. The coach with the number of highest wins is Tom Britsch with 289 wins. Second is Darrell Dunckel with 207 wins.
SAU Women’s basketball team won 70-52 at the McDonald Athletic Center, Spring Arbor.
Game highlights include Gracie Cabana hitting three shots from behind the arc. The Cougars scored 20-12 in the first quarter.
Photo of Cierra Lipps was provided by saucougars.com
Photo of Anne Wright was provided by saucougars.com
In second quarter, Grace Shoobridge scored 10 points, helping the Cougars take a 20 point lead into halftime at 43-23.
In third quarter, Cierra Lipps scored eight points consecutively in a one-minute span. The quarter ended with 58-31.
In forth quarter, Shoobridge and Lipps scored 14 points a piece. Anne Wright scored 10 points. Teona Feldpausch scored eight points and 13 rebounds.
Photo of Teona Feldpausch was provided by saucougars.com
SAU women’s basketball team faced Saint Francis University last Saturday, February 13. They will face Grace College at Winona Lake, Indianapolis Wednesday, February 17. Their schedule is available on saucougars.com.
The contest was meant to last till Valentine’s day, but the cookies were too amazing.
All 10 golden tickets for the Cougar Den Sweetheart Ticket contest had been found sooner than expected. The contest had started at the beginning of spring semester and lasted to the start of February.
Image of Cougar Den’s hardworking manager: Barbie
Cougar Den manager, Barbie, said she thought the contest would last until Valentine’s day. She had named it “Sweetheart Tickets” because of that. The supplies of cookies and cupcakes sold out. After all the tickets were found and the cinnamon rolls were left, she gave the rolls out as extras for the meal exchanges in the Cougar Den.
She was asked to do a couple of specials by their directors. Barbie created the contest after being inspired by Willy Wonka’s golden ticket. In containers of cookies, cinnamon rolls, or cupcakes, there was a ticket. Either it said “Sorry, try again” or it was a winner.
Barbie said the winners had to bring her their tickets and she gave them a $10 gift card to Sacred Grounds.
This photo of Bray Austin was supplied by Bray Austin for this amazing story.
One of the winners was Bray Austin who won on his second try. Austin had been hanging out in his favorite spot, the Cougar Den, around dinner. He wanted some snacks and Barbie told him about the contest. He bought a cinnamon roll. When he didn’t win, he thought “those cookies look pretty good.” He bought one and opened it up to find a ticket stating ‘congratulations’.
Austin said it felt very rewarding to win because he goes to the Sacred Grounds often. He had already spent half of the prize on a Caramel Macchiato with extra caramel. He is waiting for the right time to spend the rest.
Out of all the desserts, Austin said his favorite was the sugar cookies.
“I know Barbie makes all her deserts homemade, so it made me feel at home, which is nice. The sugar cookies and the cookies in general were just amazing,” Austin said.
John Kappler won multiple times. He had given his extra ticket to one of his friends. Rachel Penning found a winning ticket in a cinnamon roll.
Barbie doesn’t know if the contest will be done next year. It will depend on who her director is.
Cougar Den Manager Barbie is busy baking deserts on Thursdays and planning new events for students.
Besides the deserts offered on the Thursdays of February, more special events might be offered to the Cougar Den in the future.
Barbie, during one of her breaks from planning ways to make students happy.
Cougar Den manager, Barbie, said she missed being a baker. She chose to offer deserts as extras on Thursdays because she had room on her line on that day.
She said had made Apple Crisp on February 4th and felt they went “so and so”. Last Thursday, she made Brownie Hot Lava Cakes.
“…I did 6 large pans, and everybody loved it,” Barbie said.
She chose the deserts by what she knew how to make, how simple it was, and what was not being offered in the cafeteria.
On February 18th, she will make Hot Fruit of the Forest. The Hot Fruit will be gluten free. On February 25th, she will make Red Jell-O Poke Cake.
Barbie is also planning a Care Package Raffle for March and April. She is still working on the plans but wants to award 5 care packages for exam week. When a student spends cougar cash in the Cougar Den, they will get a raffle ticket. Barbie will draw a certain number of tickets during March and then April.
“I just thought it would be really cool to give care packages. I am working on making my own cocoa bombs so I will be making… some cocoa bombs for that,” Barbie said.
Barbie is going to ask around and Google other things to include in the packages.
Along with planning the raffle, she is working on her own deep-fried Mac n Cheese. She’s planning on adding this as an appetizer for Cougar Cash.
Comment below with what you think should be in a care package.
An SAU senior has found a way to turn her love of thrift shopping into a source of income.
Sarah Williams
SAU senior communications major Elizabeth Pruitt’s love of thrift shopping made her 2020 less boring when she opened her own thrift store on the app Depop.
Photo of Elizabeth Pruitt via Eliabeth Pruitt.
Pruitt’s store is named that’s hot thrift. The name was inspired by Paris Hilton’s catchphrase ‘that’s hot’. Pruitt said she wanted the name to have an early 2000’s feel since she sells mainly vintage and early 2000’s clothing. She has sold hair accessories, purses, and shoes, but mainly clothing.
Her items come from her own closet, garage sales, her friends, and thrift stores. She then lists the items on her Depop and adds a description that covers the basics, like size and condition. Pruitt also uses her Instagram account to boost her sales. She posts pictures of the clothing on her account and Instagram Stories to tease what she will list later. She offers any of her Instagram followers 10 percent off any item in her store.
Logo made by @vagabond_voyages_ on Instagram, Pruitt’s brother’s girlfriend Tiara. Picture and description provided by Elizabeth.
She was inspired to open her thrift store after a friend told her own experiences selling on Depop. The friend did not make a business out of it and supported Pruitt when she did. Another friend models the clothes for Pruitt’s pictures. She also gets support from her brother who reposts her Instagram posts. Her brother’s girlfriend, an artist, drew a logo for the shop. Pruitt hopes to make stickers out of the logo one day to either sell or include in orders as a source of advertising.
As a communication major seeking employment in social media marketing, the thrift store has given Pruitt much practice in that field. It has also taught her about the fashion industry.
“Some of the items I list I think, ‘this will never sell’ and it sells right away. Other things I think, ‘this is going to sell immediately’ and they either still haven’t sold yet or took a long time to sell. It has been interesting to see what people want in the fashion industry,” said Pruitt.
Pruitt has received many positive reviews due to her shipping and customer service. She said she tries to get the items shipped the day they sell to give her customers an easier experience. She also tries to be upfront and honest about the conditions of the item and people have appreciated that.
When shipping, she tries to use packaging that is made out of recycled materials and can be reused or recycled. She believes thrift stores are a great alternative to fast fashion.
“…It’s just a way to help the environment because the clothing industry wreaks a lot of havoc on the environment, so I am just trying to do my part,” said Pruitt. “I am pretty environmentally friendly.”
The vintage Calvin Klein leather coat that was sold. Picture was provided by Elizabeth.
The price of the items depends on the brand. The price range is around $10 to $20. She usually sells the stuff cheaply because they are secondhand goods, but occasionally there is an exception. One of her sales involved a vintage Calvin Klein 100% leather jacket. Since the brand, style, and materials were in style, it was one of her most expensive items.
Since Pruitt sources her items quite cheaply, she makes enough money to turn a profit. She has made around $500.
When asked if she recommend others opening a thrift store, Pruitt responded:
“Oh, yeah. I would recommend this to anyone, especially college students. Not only is it a good way to sell your own old clothes…it is a fun way to make extra money and I know us college kids are always looking for that so I do recommend it.”
Cougar Den Manager Barbie sent out an email listing the 3 winners of the Pumpkin Decoration contest.
By: Sarah Williams
On November 10, Cougar Den Manager, Barbie, sent out an email announcing the three winners of the Pumpkin Decorating contest.
First Place Winner
Photo of Bloom and his pumpkin, provided by Barbie.
Ryan Bloom won first place with his Pumpkin Spice Latte pumpkin. Bloom said his job at the Sacred Grounds inspired him. His friends and fiancé helped plan the decoration out.
Bloom won fifty dollars to the SAU bookstore.
“…I shared the winnings with the friends who helped make the project,” Bloom said.
Second Place Winner
Photo of Tuckerman and his pumpkin, provided by Barbie.
Hunter Tuckerman won second place with his dinosaur pumpkin. Tukerman said he saw the dinosaur at the store and the idea hit him. It took him two hours to make.
Tuckerman won twenty dollars of cougar cash.
“When I found out that I won I was pretty happy, because my work paid off, literally,” Tukerman said.
Third Place Winner
Photo of June and his pumpkin, taken by Sarah Williams.
Noah June won third place with his hollowed out pumpkin. He said it took him a couple of days to finish it. He broke the pumpkin in half on accident and the idea came to him.
“I thought, ‘Hey, a party inside the pumpkin would actually be pretty funny’,” June said.
YouTube makeup tutorial channel JadaKaay is run by Spring Arbor University Senior Jada Kyle.
By: Sarah Williams
SAU Senior, Jada Kyle, runs the YouTube channel JadaKaay. She does makeup tutorial videos. Kyle’s most recent video was a Halloween Bat Wing Look.
Video provided by JadaKaay. Posted on November 13th, the video already has 47 views.
Kyle said she mainly gets requests to do simple makeup looks, but occasionally does dramatic styles as well. She hopes her audience learns some makeup skills and how to be creative.
She started the channel as something fun to do in quarantine this past summer and as a way to showcase her looks. Her friends encouraged her to start a channel so other people could see her makeup skills.
Kyle struggled with starting the YouTube channel at first.
Photo provided by Jada Kyle.
“I had a little bit of nervousness for some reason,” Kyle said. “I knew that I always wanted to do it. But I was like, I don’t even know if people were going to watch me…but a way that I overcame that was just saying if people were going to support me, they are going to support me. And I will just do it for the people who are watching me.”
She learned to be creative and consistent. The consistency helps motivate Kyle to post more videos.
In the future, Kyle hopes the channel could become a side job. She wants to branch out to hair, lifestyle, and travel videos. She is currently applying the makeup onto herself, but in the future, she would like to do other peoples’ makeup and hair.
“I just hope that it can grow enough that I can be able to see myself as I see other YouTubers now,” Kyle said.
Kyle’s next video may be about her Guatemala trip she took last semester. She will showcase what she did there in a vlog style.
She learned about makeup from watching her mother when she was younger. During her freshman year of high school, she started to get into YouTube videos and trending makeup styles.
“Watching my mom and aunt really inspired me to really get into it. I wanted to be creative and be able to enhance my looks like that,” Kyle said.
Watching other YouTube videos helped Kyle with her own videos. They gave her the basic steps of how to start her channel.
When Kyle gets an idea of a makeup look, she records the tutorial using her iPhone and a ring light. She considers this the easy part. She does the editing on her iPhone or laptop. The editing takes a long time and a lot of planning. She struggled with finding uncopyrighted music. It takes Kyle hours to apply her makeup, but the video will only end up being around 10 minutes. After uploading the video, she promotes it on her Instagram and Facebook.
Kyle uses makeup from both Sephora and Ulta, but her favorite is Ulta because it is more affordable and inclusive.
To anyone who wants to start a YouTube channel, Kyle says:
“The biggest thing I would say is to believe in yourself no matter who supports you because if it something that you really want to do, whoever really wants to support you will support you. And just be confident in yourself and just be consistent is really major. Be consistent and confident in yourself and everything else will follow.”
The jazz band, choir, and concert band are classes that rely on blowing or singing and they are experiencing many changes.
By: Sarah Williams
The jazz band, choir, and concert band are classes that rely on singing and blowing air. Similar to other schools in the same position, these classes have been forced to be outside. Outdoor classes are not the only differences these classes are dealing with.
A Famous Jazz Composer Zooms in
Jazz band practicing while Professor Douglass accompanies on keyboard. Photo taken by Sarah Williams on October 5th.
Associate Professor of Music, Mark Douglass said, “The jazz band’s music was composed by an Andrew Neu. Neu is a Jazz composer who recently started working for Hallmark.”
Neu listens to the band over Zoom on Wednesdays. He comments on how they are playing and teaches them to play his music better.
“He is well respected throughout the industry for his work as a saxophonist, woodwind player, arranger, composer, educator and recording artist,” states andrewneu.com.
Douglass said the jazz band is going through a “huge change”. They are not performance driven because they are not even sure if the events they have planned will happen. The band is only playing for their love of music.
While they are playing in the tents, the band has gotten good response from people passing by. People have even personally called Douglass to say it was good to hear the music.
When it gets colder, the jazz band plays in the White Auditorium in sectionals or the band room .
Douglass said COVID-19 had caused the class to be half the size of last year. Now, there are 12-13 students. They practice outside on Monday and Wednesday from 12:20 pm to 1:20 pm.
Masks Challenges the Choir
Choir warming up to practice their music. Photo taken by Sarah Williams on October 8th.
Professor of music, Brian Walrath, is the director of choirs. He prefers practicing outside because they don’t have to wear masks.
Walrath said, “You have to be able to see what shapes the students’ lips and tongues are making and how they are forming words and breathing. You just cannot do that with a mask on.”
He said the choir has been singing a variety of worship music from ancient and contemporary age music. They are singing “Breath of Heaven”, “The Lord is My Shepherd”, “Creation Sings”, and more.
There will be no fall concerts. Instead, the choir is recording a Christmas song. It will be released next week as part of President Ellis’ Christmas Card greeting.
The choir moves into the White Auditorium and makes sure to social distance when the weather worsens. Walrath said the choir practice on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays outside from 4 pm to 5 pm.
Restriction Shrinks the Concert Band
Concert band practicing while social distancing. Photo taken by Sarah Williams on October 7th.
In past years, community members would play with the band. Concert band director, Dr. Cynthia Duda, said the concert band is not allowing community members in the band due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“It is disappointing,” Duda said. “We definitely miss having them here.”
The band is playing a variety of music, including Sousa marches, a Disney piece, and some music from last semester that were not performed due to COVID-19. They are also playing music composed by Handel and Frescobaldi.
The concert band doesn’t have approval to have concerts. However, there is a possibility of a recording or a live zoom performance.
Duda said there isn’t a plan on where to go when it gets colder. She is looking into practicing in the White Auditorium while social distancing measures and helpful improvements are produced for the tent, like a heater or tent flaps.
The concert band practices on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:40 pm to 3:40 pm.
Gainey and Lowell students will dress up in theme related outfits for Spirit Week this Oct 25 to Oct 31.
By: Sarah Williams
This picture was taken by Sarah Williams.
Gainey and Lowell students will dress up in theme related outfits for Spirit Week this Oct 25 to Oct 31.
Spirit Week was Gainey R.A., Anika Eenigenburg’s, idea. Her inspiration was her high school spirit week. She thought it would be fun and easy to do because students can participate individually.
“I always felt that it somehow brought the whole community of our high school together for that week …,” said Eenigenburg. “And I thought why not try this for Gainey and see if it unites Gainey as a community more.”
According to Lowell R.A., Kaitlyn Van Kampen, Spirit Week was decided a month ago at a R.A. meeting. Each day has its own events.
At the meeting, each R.A. wrote down possible events and then they voted for their favorites. Each hall would wear different outfits based on their Decades day on Wednesday and Color Wars day on Thursday. They can get their colors from their R.A.
Lowell’s Spirit Week
Monday
Flannel
Tuesday
Twin
Wednesday
Decades Day
Thursday
Color Wars
Friday
Halloween Costumes
Gainey’s Spirit Week
Monday
Mix Match Day
Tuesday
Twin With Roommate
Wednesday
Decades Day
Thursday
Color Wars
Friday
SAU Colors Day
Saturday
Halloween Costumes
There have been changes to the schedule, due to the rise of COVID and students quarantined on campus.
According the Eenigenburg, Gainey isn’t sure what they will do instead. She will attend a meeting this week where it will be decided. Halloween costumes will still be worn on Saturday for Gainey.
She also said there was a tie dye shirt event on Tuesday that was switched to twin day. Some students who went home due to COVID, had already bought shirts. Eenigenburg wanted to do tie dying later to give them time to join.
Kampen said they had planned for students to wear costumes on Saturday and go “Trunk or Treating”. The students would trick or treat at cars between Gainey and Lowell.
Students in Lowell will now wear their costumes on Friday. R.A.s will go to each room and pass out candy.
“The people I talked to seemed excited,” Kampen said.
Campus Vote Project stated the new generation has a lower voting rate because they miss the deadline or lack information.
By: Sarah Williams
Australia Smith went to the Secretary of State after turning 18. She intended to get her State ID, but she was also given donor forms and an application for voting registration. She said the application had basic questions and she filled it out quickly. She was registered to vote after 10 minutes. She had to wait hours for her ID.
Smith is now 21 and a junior at Spring Arbor University. She plans on voting next Election Day, November 3, 2020.
What are the deadlines?
According to Michigan Voter Information Center, the deadlines are:
Register to vote
Person: November 3
Online/Mail: October 19
Request for Absentee Ballot
Online/Mail/Person: 5pm Friday, October 30
Send in Absentee Ballot
Online/Mail/Person: 5pm Friday, October 30
How do you register to vote?
SAU sophomore student Makiya Owens registered to vote last summer. She said she registered online and plans on voting.
Michigan.gov stated to register to vote a person needed to be:
• A resident of Michigan
• A resident of the city or township for 30 days when they vote
• A United States citizen
• At least 18 years old
• Not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison
People can register in person, online, or mail.
If applying by online or mail, voters need to complete the application. Then, mail it to their city or township clerk, which can be found on MVICs page.
Registering by mail requires entering their driver’s license number on the form or sending in a photocopy of their driver’s license, personal ID, or paycheck stub, utility bill, bank document or government document with both your name and address.
If applying in person, voters would need documents to prove where they live.
Where do you go to vote?
People can vote at the polls or with Absentee ballots. After registering on MVIC, a page will show the voter’s poll and clerk location. Those already registered can locate their poll location again on the MVIC’s page.
What will be on the ballot?
People can see sample ballots on the MVIC’s page. MVIC stated the ballot is made up of many sections and proposals and they vary depending on place of register. A sample ballot from a precinct in Jackson County has a partisan section which has the presidential options. There is the congressional section with the senator options. There are also sections for legislative, state board, regent of the university of Michigan, trustee of Michigan state university, governor of Wayne state university, county, sheriff, and more.
There are also two proposals. The proposals state their purpose, what the constitutional amendment would do, and asks, “Should this proposal be adopted?”.
How do you register for an absentee ballot?
Smith said she plans on voting by Absentee ballot but has yet to register.
SAU student junior Ryan Northup registered to vote in Ohio. He plans on voting by Absentee Ballot by mailing out the ballot before the election.
Voters who can’t make it to the polls can vote by mail through Absentee ballots.
MVIC stated all registered Michigan voters can use an absentee ballot before Election Day. They don’t need an excuse or reason. They can apply online, mail, or in person.
The completed ballot must be received by the city or township clerk before 8 pm on Election Day. It is advised to mail in Absentee ballots as soon as possible.
All registered voters can track their ballots on MVIC’s page.
How many college students vote?
National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE) did a report on college and student voting in 2017. NSLVE created a database of 9,511,711 and 9,784,931 students enrolled at the time of the 2012 and 2016 election. These students attended higher education institutions across the U.S. They used this database to yield data on students’ turnout. The results resemble the approximately 20 million college students in U.S.
NSLVE’s students voted about three percent more at 2016 than 2012. In 2012, 45.1% of the nearly 10 million students voted. In 2016, 48.3% voted. This means half of the college students population voted.
Campus Vote Project stated the new generation has a lower voting rate because they move frequently, are less likely to have a driver’s license, are less likely to be contacted directly by political campaigns then older age groups, missed a deadline, or lacking other information.
In a poll done at SAU, out of 40 participating students, 37 are registered to vote. There are 39 students planning on voting and 28 students planning on voting with Absentee ballot.
Why should college students vote?
“I want to take responsibility for America,” said Owens.
“I think it is a really important election for a lot of reasons,” Northup said, “so I wanted to be able to put my vote in because I think it will really matter,”.
“We are in a climate right now where a lot of things are happening” Smith said, “so if you want change to progress you have to go and vote”.
