... 9 Cedar
4 Just Sayin': On valuing 17 Mom and Dad's is a the insignificant local favorite Student spotlights part 1 18 Mexico mission trip: 5 Snapshots from Mazatlan 6 But God: The testimony 20 Meet Denise Leslie: of Caleb Kanoy Cedarville University's 'resident grandma' 7 Student spot~ights part 2 22 Opinion: Why we should consider consuming stories 8 Deep Calls for Life: Dr. with a worldview focus Elliott's journey for a 24 Ethan Cunningham kidney donor tumbles his way onto 11 How should the military Cedarville cheer be represented in media? 26 The person behind the 12 Inmates and students screen ... isn't always who you think encourage each other through jail ministry 28 'The Cedarville Review' Freshman point guard promotes interdisciplinary 14 expression 'Ethan Sellars finds fulfillment off the court 30 Coach Matt Richter and the Jackets march together to a fresh start in 2023 Spring 2023/ Vol. 75 / Issue 1
Chris Karenbauer, Editor-in-Chief Chris Karenbauer is a senior Journalism ma1or and the Editor-in-Chief for Cedars She enJoys read,ng and wnt,ng, hanging out with friends and listening to music Maggie Fipps, Sports Editor Maggie Fipps is a sophomore Journalism student and the Sports Editor of Cedars She en1oys play,ng the piano and thnft,ng, and you may spot her around campus sporting Packers gear head to toe Josephine Schmidt-Krayer, Multimedia Editor Josephine Schmidt-Krayer 1s a sophomore Digital Media ma1or and the Multimedia Editor for Cedars. She en1oys spend,ng her free ti~e with fnends. play,ng piano and eating ice cream Chloe Smith, Digital Editor Chloe Smith 1s a senior Journalism ma1or and the On/,ne Editor for Cedars She likes hanging out with fnends. wnting flct1onal stories. readtng and overanalyz,ng film scores Janie Walenda, Arts and Entertainment Janie Walenda 1s a sophomore Global Business ma1or and the A&E editor for Cedars She 1s passionate about musicals. animation and cold brew Natalie Cherry, Head Designer Natalie Cherry 1s a Junior Visual Communications Design major and the Head Designer for Cedars. She loves playing video games. listen,ng to EDM music and having theological arguements Avonlea Brown, Campus News Editor Avon/ea Brown is a sophomore Journalism ma1or and Campus News Editor for Cedars. She en1oys h1kmg, reading and doing chores while listening to music Logan Howard, Photo Editor Logan Howard 1s a sophomore Broadcasting and Digital Media major focus,ng on Film and Video and the Photo Editor for Cedars. He en1oys longboa rding, sports photography and hang,ng out with fnends Cover photo of Denise Leslie by Logan Howard Esther Fultz, Off-Campus News Editor L Esther Fultz is a junior Social Wo rk major and the Off-Campus Editor for Cedars She en1oys thrlfttng, writing music. h1ktng and hanging out with fnends
On valuing the insignificant By Heidie (Raine) Senseman Everything in my life has felt so intense lately. This winter, I vowed myself in marriage (a wonderful and sobering commitment); and I sent graduate school applications to 11 univers ities (my future rests in these) ; and I completed an internship to see if I'd enjoy being a professor (spoiler : yes) ; and I began the process of changing my name (very emotional, if you were wonder ing) ; and I opened up a TD Ameritrade account (made me feel 45) ; and I'm realizing that the first quest ion people ask me after "what's your name?" is "what are you doing after graduation? " (answer : beats me) . With every life -altering decision and step toward graduation and beyond, I was feeling my shoulders tighten . When did my classes begin to feel secondary? When did professiona l networking and managing investments become my higher priorities? Life's intensity began to detract from my love of school. I wrote essays try ing to distingu ish between w ifely submission and oppression, and each English class rem inded me that my professorial dreams could die with a rejection letter. And it all left me frantic. Nothing was just a class anymore. It was mentorship. It was preparing me fo r the future . It was cr itical to my personal, spiritual and profess ional development. I began to feel l ike every project or paper I wrote had to carry the weight of my whole l ife as it unraveled into the unknown. To pick a top ic separate from my present concerns - marriage, grad school, creative writing , growing into a new identity - was to turn down an opportunity to refine myself that much more. And I couldn't take the pressure. So, when it came time to select the topic for my journalism capstone course, I picked something random. "Lake Michigan !" I chirped when asked what I'd be reporting on . For reference, my peers picked weighty topics : the ethics of environmental marketing, human trafficking in Ohio, the journey of a first-time head coach . And I chose Lake Michigan . I don't know how I conjured up that idea, but I latched on to it. I loved how uncharged and different it was from all the concerns floating around my mind. I loved the idea of studying something to discover what it was, not how it could contribute to my ongoing mental puzzle of becoming the best Christian-wife-essayist-student in the Western world . My first story on Lake Michigan is about how the lake symbolized resilience to Chicago after the great fire of 1871. My second story will be about zebra mussels - an invasive species that has ravaged the lake 's natural wildlife. For my third story, I want to interview a vocational 4 CED.RS Graphic by Nata lie Cherry fisherman . Some may say I'm wasting an opportunity to write about something big, something important, but I heartily disagree. Here's a few reasons why : If we only ever study the things that seem significant, we 'll miss a whole lot of magic that's only uncovered with curiosity, a face in a book and qual ity questions. Learning about the way Lake Michigan swallowed Chicago's rubble and woe after the fire, the way that Shedd aquarium educates the community about native species, the way that fishermen imagine the lake is an ocean - these pieces of information are soaked in wonder whether or not I can directly apply them to my life circumstance . All the "big, important" topics that I've been writing about are choking me like mustard gas - not because they're bad, but because they're so important that I'm preoccup ied w ith and, I confess, sometimes crippled by the moral, personal implications of the matter. And so, hear this charge: not everything has to be of eternal significance. Read the book on Lake Michigan or French botany or Ireland 's noteworthy stews . Maybe you'll find some rest. Maybe you'll find some awe. Hopefully both. Heidie (Raine) Senseman Heidie (Raine) Senseman is a senior English major with a concentration in creative and journalistic writing. When she isn't doing lit theory homework, she likes drinking La Croix and reading Brian Doyle essays. Spring 2023
Student spotlights part 1 Professional writing and informational design: De Man gets 'to exercise my creativity' By Ella Smith When Brianna De Man settled on Cedarville she wasn't sure yet what major to go into. That is when she learned about the Professional Writing and Informational Design major, otherwise known as PWID. The practical editing, writing and design skills you learn from the major as well as every class stress the importance of being usercentric. PWI D has opened up many opportunities to gain hands-on experience. She's been able to already complete several editing projects and join the workforce. Brianna De Man "What an editor does is they see something that could be problematic," De Man said . "They diagnose exactly what the problem is and they offer recommended solutions for that problem." De Man stressed how PWID combines creativity, problem-solving and collaboration. She said, "It's a way for me to exercise my creativity in a way that almost teaches people too." Environmental science: Gosselink loves 'learning everything about the earth' By Esther Fultz Abby Gosselink is a senior from Iowa majoring in Environmental Science. She started college as a nursing major but said the Lord made it clear to her early on that He had a different plan in mind for her. Abby Gossel ink "I love learning about the earth and about everything outside," Gosselink said. "That's truly what I'm most passionate about. There are hundreds of thousands of plants and animals and no two are the same. I think what I love most is seeing the Lord's creativity in the beauty around us." Although rewarding, Environmental Science is not an easy major. In addition to her studies at Cedarville, Gosselink works with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources back home, and said that enjoying being outdoors in less than ideal conditions is necessary for success in environmental science. Perseverance is also necessary for her difficult classes . Gosselink wants to use her future career and passion for the outdoors to point others towards Christ. "I want to show others my love for nature is not just because it's cool but ultimately because the Lord made it," Gosselink said . "I want to point it all back to a Creator and not a Big Bang." Spring 2023 Photographs of Carlo Vivenzio and Abby Gosselink by Logan Howard Photograph of Brianna De Man courtesy of Cedarville University's official website Preveterinary: Vivenzio enjoys learning Biblical view of animals By Ella Smith For the past eight years, Carlo Vivenzio has been showing horses in competitions in his home state of Massachusetts. When a horse he was showing colicked and died that he realized his interest in becoming a veterinarian . After that, he was able to go to a barn more often to work with the horses, as well as ride around with a veterinarian for a couple of days. This confirmed his belief that he wanted to become a veterinarian . There were a couple of major reasons Vivenzio picked Cedarville to do his pre-vet undergraduate. "In other schools, I would have to do 10 years of school instead of eight," Vivenzio said . Another reason was that Cedarville's pre-vet program centered around a Biblical view of animals and he wanted to have that view fueling his studies. When asked what his favorite thing about his major has been thus far Vivenzio said, "Being able to gain a better knowledge of how God created animals." Carlo Vivenzio /✓ c.~o-2-lnc.. ;; ~J More Student Spotlights on page 7... I I Graphic by Natalie Cherry ~ED.RS 5 I
Experience th testimony of a
Student spotlights part 2 Continued from Student Spotlights on page 5 Key pedagogy: Mauterer's students 'learn how to work at something' By Sarah Mummert Pedagogy. For many students, this is a foreign word, but for Olivia Mauterer it is her passion and future. Mauterer is a junior from Fort Knox, Kentucky, majoring in keyboard pedagogy, which means she is studying how to teach piano. This program equips students to teach people of all ages in individual or group sessions in a school, studio or student's home. As juniors, students are required to take on at least two piano students of their own. Mauterer loves spending one-onone time with her students. That's what led her to her major. Olivia Mauterer "You don't just teach them piano," Mauterer said. "They learn life skills . They learn how to work at something, to do something that is hard but also to have fun." After grad'uation, Mauterer intends to do private lessons. But first, she would like to gain experience in someone else's studio, working alongside other teachers . Geology: Henze finds home studying what she is 'really excited to talk about' By Esther Fultz Emma Henze, a junior from Springfield, Ohio, came to Cedarville undeclared right before classes started and was enrolled in a gen ed earth science class. "Of all the people I knew, I was the only person who kept going to the class and every day I was really excited to talk about it," said Henze. "I decided to try majoring in Geology for a semester and I've been in the program ever since." Henze said one of her favorite parts about the geology program is the field trips she gets to go on for classes that take her off campus. She recommends students interested in majoring in Geology learn to enjoy being outdoors and studying many different areas of science. Drawing skills are also a plus, as students sketch a lot of what they find in the field . Henze's long-term goal is to be a college professor. "Whether I end up teaching at Cedarville or a secular school, I want to preach the Gospel in the way that I care for my students as a professor and see them be able to grasp the knowledge they need to learn." Emma Henze Spring 2023 Photographs by Logan Howard and Roberto Moran Nursing and spanish: Reaoch considers working with Hispanic populations By Avon/ea Brown While nursing is not an uncommon major at Cedarville University, some students add unique minors that set them apart from their peers. Milaina Reaoch is a sophomore from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania with a Nursing major and Medical Spanish minor. She added the minor when she arrived at Cedarville since it combined two of her passions. Milaina Reaoch Tm not sure if I will do anything specific with my minor," Reaoch said. "I just love nursing and Spanish. I have thought about getting jobs where there is a larger Hispanic population, just so I could use my minor in a meaningful way." Her current plans are unsure, but Reaoch hopes to pursue her love of nursing and Spanish wherever she ends up.
8 Dr. Elliott's (right) wife Becky (left) has encouraged him during the hard times. Photograph provided by Chuck Elliot Spring 2023
Deep Calls for Life: Dr. Elliott's journey for a kidney donor by Chris Karenbauer In the fall of 2021, Senior Professor of Communication Dr. Chuck Elliott rece ived news that his kidneys were failing . His doctor immediately put Elliott on a waitlist for a new kidney. Twenty years earlier, Elliott lived in Hong Kong, China, with his wife and children as a communication professor at Hong Kong Baptist University. Because of the stress of living in Hong Kong, Elliott experienced health issues. His doctors realized too late that he had high blood pressure, which damaged his kidneys . Dr. Elliott taught in Hong Kong, China, for almost 20 years. The doctors put Elliott on a strict diet, hoping that it could improve his health . Elliott's blood pressure returned to normal, but his kidneys were still not functioning properly. "The strategy at that point was to try to maintain the kidney function at its level as long as possible," said Elliott. "Preventative types of things and diet change became part of my way of life." ' In 2003, after 20 years of living in Hong Kong, Elliott and his family moved back to the United States, hoping that Elliot's health would improve. During the 20 years after moving back from Hong Kong, Elliott became a communication professor at Cedarville University, where he teaches communication classes like lntercultural Communication and Communicat ion Theory. When Elliott received the news about his kidneys in 2021, the doctors asked him about being put on a waiting list for a kidney transplant. "To say I'm on the list is misleading because it's not really a list," said Elliott. "You're qual ified to get a kidney when it becomes ava ilable and if it matches you ." There are two ways Elliott can receive a kidney. The most common method is through someone who recently died, like in a car c rash . If the kidney matches him, Ell iott would receive a phone call from Ohio State University. Elliott would have four hours to get to OSU before the kidney loses its vitality to get the procedure done. The other method is finding somebody who would vo luntarily give Elliott their kidney. The live donor method is preferable because the kidney is in better condition and it starts working faster after the transplant. In the meantime, Elliott relies on a dialysis machine to keep his body healthy. Although his need for a kidney is urgent, Elliott ironically has trouble communicating with people to consider donating a kidney to him. "I felt confident that the doctors were taking care of the health situation, " said Elliott, "but what I couldn't do was the communication part. I did not have it in me to do that. " Professor Derrick Green, the Chair of the Communication Department, teaches a class called Virtual Communication that requires students to create a social media campaign . During the fall semester of 2022, senior Broadcasting and Digital Media major Haley Thompson and a group of students founded Deep Calls for Life to help Elliott find a kidney donor. Haley Thompson started De~p C~lls for _Life for a class project to help Dr. Elliott find a kidney donor. "It was just beyond my capabil ity to ask someone to donate their kidney to me, " said Ell iott. "The students became my advocate. They became my voice to put out the need and to make a case for stepp ing in and doing someth ing so sacrificial. That took a great burden off me because I knew it had to be done, and I knew I couldn 't do it. " Deep Calls for Life is inspired by Psalm 42 :7, "Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me. Thompson said that Elliott clings onto this Bible verse during hard times. "Deep needs need deep answers and deep responses, " said Elliott in response to Deep Calls for Life 's campaign . Thompson previously took lntercultural Communication and Communication Theory with Elliott, and he taught Thompson to love and respect people and their cultures. "I longed to help Dr. Elliott in some way to show him my appreciation for everything he had done for me," sa,id Thompson . "He loves his students so deeply, and it broke my heart to think about the fact that he may n9t be 1/ able to teach much longer due to Spring 2023 Photograph provided by Chuck Elli ot Photograph of Haley Thompson by Logan Howard I
his health ." In the meantime, Elliott relies on family and friends for spiritual healing . He sent out letters to extended family members and friends to ask them to pray for him. "There is an army of prayer warriors "On ly God could be the one to make a sma ll school assignment turn into a movement of people seeking to love and ca re for someone in need ." - Haley Thompson who are committed to raising my need to the Lord," said Elliott. "There are so many people involved in this and that's a tremendous encouragement to me." The faculty and students at Cedarville University have also committed themselves to encourage Elliott through this time. Mark Weinstein, the Executive Director of Public Relations, organized a time for Elliott to be interviewed on a TV health program. Additionally, Thompson continues to run the Deep Calls for Life lnstagram page to advocate for Elliott 's kidney. "It was such a blessing to see how many students, alumni and faculty who love Dr. Elliott and reached out asking how they could help him, " said Thompson . "Only God could be the one to make a small school assignment turn into a movement of people seeking to love and care for someone in need. " Dr. Elliott is thankful for his students for being his advocate. 10 CED.RS Photograph provided by Chuck Ell iot Elliott puts his faith in God's plan for his life. He said that it's not easy waiting for a kidney because he loses a part of his life relying on a machine to keep his body healthy. "I have a lot of time to think at night when I'm on the dia lysis machine," said Elliott. "I have been impressed by the idea that we are not meant to walk alone. Not only do we have that peace and presence of the Lord with us, but as we share our burdens with others, and they walk with us, they not only help us through the hard times, but they get to rejoice with us when God does something amazing . That's what I'm looking forward to ." View Deep Calls for Life's lnstagram page @deepcallsforlife Chris Karenbauer is a senior Journalism major and the Editor-in-Chief for Cedars She enjoys reading and writing, hanging out with friends and listening to music. Spring 2023
How should the military be represented in media? By Janie Walenda It is hard to find a more successful movie from last year than "Top Gun : Maverick." Rave reviews, a $1 billion box office and six Oscar nominations cemented this film as one of the best modern blockbusters . Another film from last year with notable success is "All Quiet on the Western Front," an adaptation of the iconic book by Erich Maria Remarque. The film is among the most awarded foreign language films in history, with four Oscar wins in major technical categories such as Best Cinematography and Best Original Score . The success of these two films not only displays the enduring popularity of military films but also illustrates the stark differences in this genre of film . Similar to "All Quiet on the Western Front," most military films focus on historical conflicts . For example, "Hacksaw Ridge" is directly based on a real person's story, albeit dramatized . More often, as in "Saving Private Ryan," the films are inspired by true war stories with fictional "When you portray the military as just jets and brotherhood, you take away the reality of war" - Madison Crago characters. As far as an accurate representation of what the military is like now, Colonel Gary Walenda referenced "American Sniper" as a strong picture of the military environment and 21st-century conflicts . Spring 2023 "While the premise is dramatized, the environment, the trappings, how it felt, I almost felt like I was back in Iraq again," he said . The question is: will modern military movies based on wars in Afghanistan and Iraq follow the pattern of previous, dramatic war films, or will the success of "Top Gun: Maverick" influence future films? After all, realism wasn't exactly what "Top Gun : Maverick" aimed for. While the filmmakers had an impressive dedication to creating realistic flying scenes, the film is far from an accurate depiction of the military or combat. "'Top Gun : Maverick' is an adventure movie that has the military as a backdrop," Walenda said, noting that a military movie doesn't need to be realistic for him to enjoy it. "If you watched a completely realistic movie, it would probably be boring, just like in any profession ." Madison Crago, an Army military kid, believes that movies like "Top Gun : Maverick" are in danger of romanticizing war. "When you portray the military as just jets and brotherhood, you take away the reality of war," she said. Both Walenda and Crago agree that there should be a stronger emphasis on military stories away from combat. "It's always good to reinforce the consequences of coming back from war, to see the mental and emotional consequences and consequences for the families," said Crago Families in military movies are infrequently seen, besides tearful departures, arrivals or tragic news. But in real life, between those moments are the relentless and tiring adjustment to change, within the family, in friends as well as the community. Additionally, Walenda wants to see more depictions of the U.S. military's overseas partnerships . Tm prejudiced because I'm Army Special Forces, but I think everywhere we've gone recently, with very few exceptions, involves working through a partner,'' he said . "I don't think that's been represented well, the complexities and powers of working not unilaterally as the U.S., but with a partner." Crago said she wants to see more about the experience of those who have to witness war. "We like to think of ourselves as the heroes and think of the others as the bad guys, but what about the people stuck in the middle7" she said . Regardless of the type of military movies made in the future, undoubtedly this genre of film will continue to flourish. These stories provide important context for the world we live in and powerfully display the best and worst of humanity. As Crago said, "The platform of war displays all human emotions." Janie Walenda is a sophomore Global Business major and the A&E editor for Cedars. She is passionate about musicals, animation and cold brew Graphic by Natalie Cherry CED.RS 11 I t._
Tuesday night jail ministry team lead by Marissa Lykins and Shaun Yun. Inmates and students encourage each other through jail ministry By Esther Fultz For many Christians, the incarcerated population is difficult or intimidating to minister to because the majority of those in prison have different life experiences from the average person . Many of them lack access to resources and opportunities Cedarville students take for granted . In Matthew 25:36, Jesus told his disciples, "I was in prison and you came to see me." When his disciples asked when they did this for him, he responded, "Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of my brothers, you did it to me." Cedarville University's Jail Ministry Org gives students the opportunity to share Christ with incarcerated people. Students in the Jail Ministry 12 CED.RS Org can join one of multiple teams that visit local jails on different days of the week . Every Sunday morning, a jail ministry team attends the Greene County Jail where they walk between cell blocks, distributing Bibles and facilitating Bible studies and Gospel conversations. In the past, jail ministry teams would go to the Clark County Jail on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings where they ministered to inmates through conversations over telephone . However, they have not gone this year because Cedarville no longer has a connection to the jail. The teams still meet on their respective days to pray for those in jail and are working to reestablish a connection with the jail and resume last semester's ministry in the future. Sophomore Biblical Studies major Marissa Lykins got connected with the Jail Ministry Org through the Involvement Fair during her freshman year at Cedarville. 'The Lord, in high school, laid ministry to inmates on my heart," Lykins said. "There weren't any opportunities at that time to get involved with something like that, so when I got to Cedarville, I was super excited about it." Lykins now leads the Tuesday night jail ministry team with her co-leader and fellow sophomore Biblical Studies major Shaun Yun. Another sophomore Biblical Studies major Spring 2023
Owen Dorrity leads the Monday night team, while senior Molecular Biology major Rachel Cox leads the team for Thursday nights. Like Lykins, Dorrity came into Cedarville with a desire to pursue jail ministry. "I didn't know exactly what that would look like, but I was trusting the Lord to direct my paths, and the first table I saw at the Involvement Fair was the jail ministry table," Dorrity said. Yun got connected to the Jail Ministry Org through Dorrity, who sat next to him in their Introduction to Philosophy class. "He was telling me about it, and I was like, That's cool for you,"' Yun said . "I didn't really do anything, and then the next semester rolled around, and I realized I had too much free time ." Yun reached out to Dorrity and asked if he was still involved with the jail ministry. Shortly after, he joined the team going to the Greene County jail on Sunday mornings. Cox wants to pursue dentistry and wants to use her degree to do missions full time while working . She joined the Jail Ministry Org because of her passion for sharing her faith and evangelizing . "My freshman year, I volunteered at a children 's hospital but later found out I wasn't able to share my faith or speak about God," Cox said . "I had a friend who was involved in jail ministry, and I was able to start going into the jails my sophomore year." One of the biggest surprises for Cox going into jail ministry was the differences in backgrounds she experienced, not just between herself and inmates, but from one inmate to another. "You'll casually be mentioning, Paul said this, or talking about something Jesus said in the Gospels, and they won't know which books the Gospels are. Or they;[l be like, 'Who's Paul?"' Cox said. "But then you'll be speaking with another inmate, and they have a Master's of Divinity. There's a lot of variety in who you get to talk to." One thing Cox has found helpful in ministering to inmates is knowing the Bible well, especially knowing chapter and verse references rather than just the book a quote is from. Freshman Social Work major Joanna Herrlin was also involved in the Jail Ministry Org fall semester of 2022 and agrees that articulating the Gospel to people from various backgrounds and meeting them in the middle is important. Sometimes, it looks like having long, in-depth conversations. Other times, it might look like giving practical steps for growing closer to Christ. as his greatest gift to him outside of salvation," Dorrity said . "That's how the Lord called him back, and he's excited to go to prison because of the opportunities he has to share the Gospel with other inmates.That's one of the most mind blowing things." Herrlin has also been encouraged by the testimonies of the inmates she worked with during her time in jail ministry. She has experienced a lot of Cedarville University's Jail Ministry org at the Involvement Fair. "One of the inmates I spoke to has memory problems from an incident she was in, so she would read chapters at a time and have no idea what she read, " Herrlin said . "I suggested she get a notebook and write down specific things after every few verses she reads so she can go back later and reread those points." Across jail ministry experiences, a common theme referenced was personal spiritual growth. Although students went in with the mentality of ministering to inmates, many were surprised with how beneficial these interactions were for their own lives. "Especially at the beginning, I'd be nervous because I was going to offer encouragement to them, and I wanted to make sure I had the right words to say," Dorrity said . "But so often, I'll go and just be so encouraged by the faith of the person I'm talking to and where the Lord leads the conversation. It's so evident that it's in the Lord's hands ." Dorrity and Yun have been ministering to one of the inmates since the beginning of their time in jail ministry. "Recently, he got sentenced to 10 years in jail, but he sees his time in jail growth, particularly in her desire and ability to share the Gospel. "I'm a pastor's kid, so I've shared my testimony in front of the church . But before joining jail ministry, I hadn 't gone out into the community and explicitly shared the Gospel," Herrlin said . "As you keep doing it, it becomes easier, and I'm thankful for the experience jail ministry has given me, and I can appreciate the Lord so much more for how he transforms lives after hearing testimonies." Both inmates and students develop long-lasting connections that help them grow in their faith. "It kind of gets to the point where you actually consider them your friend," Lykins said . "You really look forward to going and talking to them and getting to know their story more. Sometimes, you just talk about the simplest things, but it just means so much for them to have someone to talk to, and it's nice just to have a friend too that has different life experiences." Esther Fultz is a junior Social Work major and the Off-Campus Editor for Cedars. She enjoys thrifting, writing music, hiking and hanging out with friends Spring 2023 Photographs provided by Owen Dorrity and Marissa Lykins I L-. / I
--- --- --- - -- - - ET HAN SELL A RS 14 CED.RS Photographs by Julia Mumford and Logan Howard Artwork by Claire Xu I I I
Freshman point guard Ethan Sellars finds fulfillment off the basketball court By Alan Brads There is an unwritten rule in college athletics. It transcends schools, conferences and even divisions. Scholarship athletes belong to certain majors - Business, Communication, Finance, Political Science among others . Call it a cliche or trite, but the data is there, and speaking in general terms, the stereotypes are true . Ethan Sellars learned not to bel ieve in unwritten rules . In the summer of 2022 Sellars was accepted to Cedarville 's school of Business, and he received an athletic scholarship as a point guard on the men's basketball team. His teammates would be in the same major as him, it was simply the thing to do. Until Sellars asked h imself a simple quest ion : Why? That one word question flipped his career path and college life upside down, and he enrolled in Cedarville 's Special Educat ion program . It would mean late nights doing homework wh ile his friends played video games, and staying an hour after basketball practice ended putt ing up shots because class kept him out of the first hour of practice. But for Sellars, a life of helping disabled children would make the extra hours worth it. Sellars' 6'0" 175 pound stature and red hair don't scream "basketball player," and many of his classmates don 't even know he's an athlete. But he prefers it that way. He is a student athlete, and for him, it goes in that order. Student, then athlete. "I like ble r;i ding in in class," Sellars said . "I just want to focus on academics, I don't want to talk about last night's game . I just want to do my thing ." Without hes itation, Sellars said that if he had to give up basketball or special education, he'd quit basketball in a heartbeat. "Sometimes I'd come back from Spring 2023 class, and my friends and teammates are playing video games or shooting basketballs and I'm like, 'I should've just stayed in business,"' Sellars said . "There is that thought, but when I think about why I'm actually doing special education, it redirects me." That elusive "why" began to form in third grade, when Sellars' first close experience serving people with disabilities came in the form of a school program called the Ashland special olympics. He paired with a student two years younger than himself named Chrisshawn who is affected by cerebral palsy, and participated in races alongside him. The two clicked and became instant friends . Year after year Sellars would request that his dad, who taught in the special education program and helped oversee the special olympics in the special education program, pair him with Chrisshaw. There is no hierarchy to their friendship, a bond that lasts to t hi s day. They are just two fr iends. The two bonded over the ir interest in athletics, frequently bantering about their favorite football teams . Despite graduating, Sellars hasn 't forgotten about his friend from Ashland high school. "I've learned so much from Chrisshawn," Sellars said . "He's so confident in who he is and doesn 't let anyone else determine his identity." Chrisshawn has a passion for shoes, and refuses to wear braces that would aid his ability to walk, because they prevent him from wearing his favorite Jordans. "Whenever they see each other now it's like they were never apart," Sellars' father, Jamey, said . Jamey Sellars worked the past 17 years in Ashland, Kentucky_ as a special education teacher, helping kids like Chrisshawn succeed in school. The father and son's backgrounds are notably similar, Casey Sellars having coached varsity athletics, and worked in special education . Though Ethan Sellars takes after his father in many ways, Jamey Sellars emphasizes that they never held his son to that expectat ion. "We just wanted him to do his own thing," he said. "People would ask me why he wasn 't constantly hitting tennis balls since I was a tennis coach. He didn't want to hit tennis balls . If he wanted to play basketball we 'd do that , if he wanted to try soccer then we'd try that." Sellars ' last minute change of majors would naturally surprise many, including teammates, but not his parents . "But when Coach Estepp taught me how to glorify God through basketball, everything changed." - Ethan Sellars "I th ink we saw it coming before he did, " Jamey Sellars said. His son 's future came into focus on the varsity basketball team . Sellars competed at a high level, and contributed on one of the best teams in Kentucky. Sellars 'high school, Ashland Blazer, finished the 2020 basketball season undefeated, as one of the favorites to win the state championship, but the tournament was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Despite his team 's success on the court, Jamey Sellars saw more than basketball in his son 's future. Sellars drew close to Ashland Blazers· basketball team manager, Luke Mays, who has Down syndrome. Mays is more than a manager to I
Ethan Sellars shoots during a Cedarville University home game against Hillsdale. Sellars. He, like Chrisshawn, is a friend . "He was just as much a part of our team and our friend group as everyone else, " Ethan Sellars said . And he made good on his word . "Coming out of the locker room, Ethan could've been hanging out, cutting it up with his teammates, but usually he'd come out with his arm around Mays," Jamey Sellars said. "Luke just wanted to feel like part of the team, and Ethan made sure it happened ." Ethan Sellars spent countless hours in his father 's classroom growing up, befriending other kids with special needs, and his father saw the culrY)ination of that love in his friendship with Mays. He knew Ethan could make a career out of it. When Sellars arrived at Cedarville, he focused so intensely on school that he lost some of the passion for the sport he once loved . His favorite hobby turned into a financial means to an end . While prioritizing school is commendable, feeling miserable 16 CED.RS Photograph by Logan Howard for four year of varsity basketball is a bleak prospect. All that changed when Coach Pat Estepp gave him a new perspect ive . "At first, I just wanted my school paid for," Sellars said . "But when Coach Estepp taught me how to glorify God through basketball, everything changed ." For Sellars, glorifying God through basketball means giving it all he has every time he's on the court. While Sellars regained his love for basketball, it's still just a passion, not a purpose. He feels his purpose is still teaching . 'There's nothing that could make me quit special education," Sellars said . "I don't think there 's anything I'd rather be doing than this . Build ing relationships like I have Chrisshawn and Luke, I would nev give that up for anything ." Alan Brads is a sophomore journalism student and frequent contributor for Cedars. He enjoys playing the drums and speaking Spanish, and watches Buckeye football like his life depends on it. / Artwork by Nata lie Cherry Spring 2023
Mom and Dad's is a local favorite By Anna Harman Only a handful of restaurants exist in the small town of Cedarville, and among them is Mom and Dad's Dairy Bar and Grill. This local spot is right across the street from Cedarville University, making it a popular hangout for students . In the late 1950s, the Irvine family built the Dairy Isle, which is now recognized as the location for Mom and Dad 's. Numerous families have owned the business over the years . In 1990, the Holmes family bought the business and turned it into what is now Mom and Dad's . "My parents were missionaries in Australia prior to buying the business," said owner Deborah Holmes. "My dad, Bruce Holmes, developed medical issues and had to retire, so the family agreed to purchase the dairy bar to meet their financial needs." Initially, members of the Holmes family were the only ones who worked at Mom and Dad's, but over time more people were hired to help out. Holmes is a 1985 graduate of Cedarville University who taught for 35 years in the Xenia Community School system . For 30 years, she worked two full-time jobs - teaching during the day and working at the Deborah Holmes, the cur rent owner of Mom and Dad 's. Spring 2023 Photog raph by Julia Mumford dairy bar at night. In 2014, she took over the Dairy Bar after her mom died. The motivation behind this business was to provide the village of Cedarville with quality food at reasonable prices . They have something to accommodate every price range. Residents of Cedarville don 't need to drive very far if they're hungry. "My favorite part of owning Mom and Dad's is getting to know employees - their interests, goals, and ambitions," Holmes said . She also enjoys meeting and getting to know customers . "People have interesting stories when you get time to hear them," said Holmes. "Sometimes people need help or just an ear to listen. All of this keeps life interesting." Many Cedarville students go to Mom and Dad's throughout the school year to get ice cream or a quick late-night snack. It's a popular spot that's both inexpensive and convenient in location. Christina Kotsatos, a junior Early Childhood Education major, enjoys the convenience of Mom and Dad's. "They are right across the street so you don't have to travel far for decent ice cream," she said . "Plus, it's a good alternative to the campus food options ." She also enjoys that they are one of the only places in Cedarville that deliver. One of her favorite things to get there is the birthday cake ice cream. Jewell Strock, junior International Studies major, said, "I love that Mom and Dad's is conveniently located to the campus and open late. It's easier to walk there with friends, particularly when you don't own a vehicle, at any time of the day, but especially when you get some late-night cravings. Some of my quality memories have been made either ordering Mom and Dad's or walking there with friends . "A lot of times I'll order a cherry slushy, and if I'm in the mood for something sweet, I'll get their funnel cake fries, which are quite delicious," Strock said. "But if I'm in the mood for something salty, I'll get either some fries and ketchup, although the ranch is also good, or sometimes a soft pretzel with cheese ." As the years go on, menu items are added, equipment is updated, and Mom and Dad's continues to serve the community well with quality food at reasonable prices . Mom and Dad 's will continue to be a favorite for Cedarville students and locals for many more years to come. Holmes wants to say: 'Thank you to all who have and do support Mom and Dad's. We value all customers . If you are new to Cedarville, be sure to stop in and experience Mom and Dad's." Anna Harman is a junior Biblical Studies major and also a reporter for Cedars. She appreciates writing, peppermint tea, flowers, and going to concerts. Graphic by Ange la Delano CED.RS 17
Mexico mission trip: Snapshots from a week in Mazatlan By Esther Fultz Cedarville University's Global Outreach program provides students with opportunities to serve and evangelize both locally and globally. The GO staff works hard all year to locate service opportunities, recruit trip part icipants, and equip students and faculty to serve and witness to otners. GO organizes mission trips during spring break and over the summer. \ Saturday, March 4, 12:30 pm; Phoenix, Arizona r Hey! Just wanted to let you know I won 't have access to my hone until March 11 because I'll be in Mexico for a week. See you after spring br ak! I glance up from sending my final text to a client from my internship and breathe a sigh of relieff. My team ' s◄. fl ight to Mazatlan, Mexico is preparing for takeoff, and th is tr ip has c::ome at the perfect time . Between classes, an internsh ip and working over 20 hours a week, these past few weeks have left me stressed and burnt out. I've tried to make time for my friends and my relationship w ith the Lord, but lately even these blessings have felt like just another task on my plate. I know this mission trip will challenge me, but I'm eager for the opportun ities it will bring . Opportun ities to reset, to focus on what truly matters through serving the Lord and others . Opportunities to reevaluate, to view my own lifestyle and beliefs through a new perspective. As the mountains of Phoenix grow smaller beneath me, my mind wanders to the people I will be serving in Mazatlan - the staff, children and families involved with Back2Back Ministries. Back2Back is an international Christian nonprofit founded to care for orphans and vulnerable children . Currently, it has nine locations across the globe, including four in Mexico. As a social work major, I appreciate Back2Back's passion for holistic ministry and trauma-informed care . Although the cost of the trip initially intimidated me, I decided to stay on the team and was pleasantly surprised when the Lord provided more than enough resources through generous family members and friends . Reflecting on the Lord 's provision, I feel a sense of comfort. In many ways, I s~ill feel inadequate to go on this trip, considering my limited ability to speak Spanish and my minimal knowledge of Hispanic culture. I've tried to educate myself leading up to the tr ip, but I worry I will say or do something offensive. More than that, I worry about being useless in ministry .1 I want to learn and gr?w and I know the Lord can use me, b t I want to be able to truly ser\1e others in Mazatl~n - not just walk away changed . Finally, unhindered by the chaos of school, I pull out my prayer journal and write down my thoughts, then turn to my teammate Katie to practice the few words of Spanish I remember. Sunday, March 5, 5:00 pm; Back2Back Ministries; Mazatlan, Mexico "Hola!" I smile at Maria, a participant in Back2Back's Strong Families Program . Today, she 's teaching our team how to make torti llas and tamales. It's only been 24 hours since we landed in Mexico, and the greeting already feels more natural on my tongue. According to Matt, the staff member supervising our group today, Maria was anxious about leading these classes when she started just six months ago. Today, she smiles confidently as she demonstrates how to assemble a tamale and press tortillas, even joking with our team despite the language barrier. When I think of ministry, this isn 't what I usually think of - receiving when I came to give. A small part of me is uncomfortable with it. But looking at the pride on Maria's face, I know this experience is more empowering to her than anything I could give. Too often, short-term missions are focused on the incoming team, driven by a desire to satisfy participants ' egos and c reate a sense of selfimportance. I've been on these trips and have also been guilty of t hink ing this way, but learning from Maria, I remember Acts 20 :35 - "I t is more blessed to give than to receive." What if, instead of viewing ministry as doing grand, showy things for the Lord, we view it as simply coming alongside people, working to understand them and allowing ou rselves to be given to in ways that would truly bless them7 Monday, March 6, 3:00 pm; Salvation Army, Mazatlan, Mexico "Vamos! " The little girl I've been playing with for the past half hour-§-rin-s up at me and points towards a row of bicycles leaned up against the side of a building . Without(waiting for ~ response, she starts running, and 'I remember That vamos means "l~t's go" in English. I This is our third day in Mexico, but the first I have interacted with the children without a staff member in earshot. Earlier this morning, I had been concerned about how the children would respond to my limited Spanish vocabulary. Even now, I think of children I know from the United States mocking second language English speakers . But so far the children I have spoken to here have been surprisingly welcoming. "Como se dice este?" I grab the bicycle and point to it, and the little girl smiles . It feels like the hundredth time I've asked this question, yet she's patient and doesn't seem annoyed . "Bicicleta," she responds, grabbing her own bicycle. "Vamos!" She takes off down the gravel road, Spring 2023
Senior social work major Jordan Parsons works on a facilities improvement project. Sophomore Communication major Ashlyn Helm and senior Social Work major McKenna Kaneversky help with painting for a facilities improvement project at Dace Piedres. Fultz 's team went to Mazatlan, Mexico, for a week-long mission trip . looking back at me and laughing because I haven't gotten on the bicycle yet. "Muy rapido!" I exclaim, pedaling faster to catch up with the little girl on my one-speed bicycle. As she continues to giggle and pedal harder to remain ahead of me, I close my eyes momentarily and take a deep breath, wanting to remember everything about this moment - the gentle breeze, the warm sun, the shade from trees far ahead, the sound of laughter as children play nearby. I think about God's faithfulness and redemption in mending what has been broken. I think about the Spring 2023 true cause of joy - not material possessions but renewed life in Him. Compared with American children I know, these children have nothing. They can't live at home with their families and have most likely experienced abuse, neglect and trauma. Before coming here, they have not had much of a future to look forward to and even afterward, their lives will be harder than most Americans. Yet they are smiling, they greet visitors without judgment, they don't constantly whine and complain like American children I know, they are present and focused on the moment, and they have shown me and my team true and genuine love. "Change me," I pray as I catch up with the little girl on the bicycle. "And show me your will, God ." Before this trip, I never thought about leaving the United States as a possibility. The thought never even crossed my mind . But today I can see it. My future is still wide open . I don't know where the Lord will call me. But today, I realize that I could see myself here forever. Esther Fultz is a junior Social Work major and the Off-Campus Editor for Cedars She enjoys thrifting, writing music, hiking and hanging out with friends. Photographs by Esther Fultz I ()
Meet Denise Leslie: Cedarville University's 'resident grandma' By Avonlea Brown The food-service workers on campus are familiar, but often overlooked, faces . Many of them are fellow students and others are staff who have spent enough time at Cedarville University to call it a second home. One of those familiar faces is Denise Leslie, or as most of the student body has come to know her, the Stinger's Lady. Though they may not remember her by name, any regular customer of Stinger's can recall interacting with a smiling older woman in a grey t-shirt with short, white hair tucked under a black baseball cap . Leslie may not stand out to every student on campus, but her personality impacts those around her and makes her memorable. Unlike many of the campus faculty and staff, Leslie is not a Cedarville alumnus. She grew up in the town of Cedarville and attended the local high school, but chose to begin working rather than pursue higher education. Leslie got married shortly after she graduated and moved with her husband to Jamestown, which is . ~ ~..- . ~ " . ' .. . ~J. Denise Leslie recommends Stingers to students of Cedarville University. Photograph by Logan Howard the farthest she ever went from Cedarville. She took a pause from work to be a stay-at-home mom to two kids, who now have kids of their own. After watching her children grow up and leave home, Leslie worked a couple of retail jobs before retiring . Two and a half years ago, Leslie got a call from an old high school friend about the opening at Cedarville University. Even though she was skeptical about her chances of success, Leslie applied because of her passion for service and her desire to contribute to others' lives. "I didn't think they were going to hire me because I was so old, past the age of retirement," Leslie said . "But I got a call a little after the interview that said I had the job and here I am." Once she settled in, Leslie developed relationships and establishing herself as someone the student body could feel comfortable with . She wanted her young customers to feel at ease when they approach her at the register. "I don't want to pry into students' lives, but getting to know them is great," Leslie said . "And to be friendly to them and give them someone to talk to if they need it. They might feel like they can talk to us when they don't want to talk to another student." While this is the case for some students, others are just happy to see a smiling face. "I love that she is so personal," said Emily Cone, a sophomore Professional Writing and Information Design major. "Every time I go to order she asks me what I have planned for the weekend and I think that's so nice." Part of what makes Leslie stand out to her students is her seemingly unending joyfulness. "I go to Stinger's often when they are first opening in the morning and I always see her when they open the gate to the register," said Ellie Norman, a sophomore Marketing major. "She is always smiling and says something nice to me, and I think 'Wow, she could choose to be really grumpy this early in the morning, but she isn't."' "I have kids who are your parents' ages. So I'm basically a grandmother to all of you." - Denise Leslie Leslie also has the ability to remember the faces and names of her regular student customers. Even if she doesn't recognize the student, they still receive a "Howdy Ma'am" or "What can I do for ya, Sir" upon approaching to order. Her favorite pastime is "giving the students a hard time," joking around with anyone that will play along. Outside of her job, Leslie makes every effort to support the student body by attending campus events. "I can't possibly learn every student's name," Leslie said . "But I try to find out if they are in a sport, theater group, or other activity on campus. I go to the sports games and theater productions and try to support them in that way." She can often be seen in the bleachers during a basketball game or hidden in one of the rows of the Devries Theatre. Without her black cap, Leslie is nearly indistinguishable from the dozens of supportive grandparents and family members who attend such events. "I have kids who are your parents' ages," Leslie said . "So I'm basically a grandmother to all of you ." Leslie is not only loved by her Spring 2023
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