4 Born to win: Addy 16 Cedarville legend Kirk Miller looks to continue Martin headed for impressive coaching hall of fame career at Cedarville 17 Serving others: The 6 Paradox or hidden truth: Cedarville fire department The enigma of Christian in action motifs in secular film 18 One bistro: Making a 8 Trusting the process space for neighbors to eat 10 Dr. and Mrs. Anderson 20 Plunge into pickle ball impact students through their faithful 22 Professor pastimes service at Cedarville University 24 Student side-hustles 12 Crossroad Ministries 26 More than a boss: Donna Fifer creates a strong brings hope to residents community of student of Xenia nursing home workers on campus 14 What 'Barbie' and female 27 Young people have not representation means for given up on politics us
Ben Konuch, Assistant Editor for A&E Ben Konuch 1s a Junior Strategic Communication studem and an A&E wnter for Cedars He en}Oys genmg sucked mto good stones pla ng Video games ana hanging out th crazy MuKappa tnenos Josephine Schmidtray r, Multimedia Editor Maggie Fipps, Editor-in-Chief Maggie Rpps is a junior Journahsm student. She en1oys playing the piano and lhnftmg, and you may spot her around campus sporting Packers gear head to toe Janie Walenda, Arts and Entertainment Jame Wa/enda ,s a Junior Global Business ma1or and the A&E editor for Cedars She Is passionate about musicals, animation and cold brew Angela Delano, Head Designer Julia Swain, Assistant Editor for Campus News Julia Swam is a sophomore JOumalism student She likes listening to Taylor Swift, watching sports and playing sand volleyball m her free time Avon/ea Brown, Campus News Editor Avon/ea Brown is a junior Journalism major and Campus News Editor for Cedars. She en1oys h1kmg. reading and domg chores while listening to music Logan Howard, D1g1tal and Photo Editor Alan Brads, Sports Editor Alan Brads Is a senior Journalism student and sports editor for Cedars. He en1oy~ play,ng the drums. speaking Spanish and watching Buckeye footbal' hke his ,re depends on 11 Esther Fultz, Off-Campus News Editor
Born to win: Addy Miller looks to continue impressive basketball coaching career at Cedarville By Julia Swain Before Addy Miller was an assistant coach for one of the top Division II teams in the country, before she went 90-30 in four seasons on the coaching staff at Pittsburg State, before she was named the Missouri Class 2 player of the year, and before she was the state's all-time leader in 3-pointers made (319), Miller was just a girl who loved basketball. It just so happened that the game loved her back. "I grew up playing, my parents coached me, and my sister played and my grandpa was a college coach," Miller said. "So I was around it whether I wanted to be or not." Miller took her talents to the high school level, where her natural talent and affinity for the sport led her to not only a state championship and the school record for career points (2,392), but also to multiple Division II scholarship offers. "We won state when I was a junior, so I kept on that path," Miller said. "I luckily had scholarships to play in college and that was always my goal. I didn't want my parents to have to pay for college, so that was a big thing for me, going somewhere that I could get a free education." Miller began her collegiate career at Wayne State, finishing her sophomore year with a 28-5 record and a trip to the second round of the NCAA Division II tournament. She then transferred to Drury, going 52-9 there, including two Grand Lake Valley Conference West division crowns, the 2015 GLVC title, and two more trips to the NCAA tournament. Following graduation, Miller moved on to assistant coaching at Pittsburg State University, where she finished with a 90-30 record, including two trips to the NCAA Tournament. Miller then headed back to Drury, this time as an assistant coach, where she finished 87-9. Following her final season at Drury, Miller looked into the possibility of coaching elsewhere, and with Cedarville's former head coach Jason Smith stepping down in March, the perfect opportunity arose. "We started a nationwide search in which we actively recruited people to come, and Coach Miller was one of those people that we identified early as someone we were interested in learning more about," said 4 CED.RS Photograph provided b Addy Miller gathers her players in a huddle during practice. This is Miller's first head coaching job ::ifter seven seasons as an assistant coach. Chns Cross, vice president of athletics. A large part of Miller's mIssIon as a coach is to not only win, but to build relationships with her players. "I think why I love basketball so much is the relationships," Miller said. "[Teammates] are your best friends. They're like your sisters. Now being a coach, I get to lead these girls and my staff and love on them and build relationships. Yes. I'm hard on them, yes, we're going to expect hard work and discipline. but 1f you love on them then they're going to have fun." Miller attributes her success to essentially anyone but herself, the coaches she's worked with, her family, and most importantly, God. This humility has served her well, and was one of the main reasons that Cross decided to hire her. At her introductory press conference. Cross commented. "Throughout the search process [Miller] has demonstrated an impressive balance of faith, humility, passion and confidence along with a desire to be a part of what God is doing at Cedarville. "Pointing our young ladies, our student athletes to a close walk and relationship with Jesus is a thing she's really embraced and is really doing a good job [with]," Cross said. "But we're in the business of athletics and so we want to win some games. Coach Miller has really brought an energy and a passion and an attention to detail, a work ethic, that we haven't seen in awhile." Miller's faith is a large part of her identity. and she points back every bit of her success to the Lord.
"I've always been able to see the joy and love that the mix between God and basketball had," Miller said. "And then when I began coaching, same thing." Miller made it a priority to start a team Bible study in her varying coaching positions. "I think it was just a way for them to learn and grow and express what they were going through in a different way than other people can," Miller said. "It allows relationships to be built and grown in a different way." Cross shared his sentiments on the importance that Miller places on her faith. "She loves Jesus, and that was evident," Cross said. "As we got to know Addy better, she talked about the mission trips that she took to Thailand that really put her on a great trajectory towards serving the Lord and growing in her faith. So, that was the first and foremost aspect that really intensified our interest in bringing her to Cedarville." Being a former athlete herself, Miller also finds ease in connecting with her players through shared experiences. "I think experiences [connect us], whether I'm conditioning them, or we're in the weight room or we're in practice, I've done it all," Miller said. "They can't act like it's too hard because I've already done it all. I told them mental toughness is a real thing, especially in college athletics and I feel like your body can take so much more than you can ever imagine, but it's your mind that stops you." According to Cross, Miller lacks few attributes they look for in coaches. ''Her enthusiasm, her passion for basketball, her knowledge of the game, it was a complete package," Cross said. "We couldn't have asked for a better fit at this point than Coach Miller." Miller has won, and won big, at every level she's been at. She does not intend to change that anytime soon. "My goal is to win, that's never changing," Miller said. "It's all I know how to do. That's what my goal is, to bring Cedarville to wins. Ideally that happens right away. Do I think it will happen in game one? I hope so. We're going o do everything we can to prepare for that and be as successful as we can. My goal is to one day win a national championship and that's never going to change." Prior to Miller's hiring former head coach Jason Smith failed replicate the success of coaches before him, such as ari Hoffman and Kirk Martin Smith finished his two-year career 24-31. In contrast, Hoffman finished her coaching career in 2021 with a 106-38 overall record, while Martin finis d his career in 2016 with a 380-108 overall record. Last season, the team's record sat at 7-19, the program's lowest since the 2000-01 season. Miller, along with Cross, hopes to bring this year's team bac to th powerhouse program it once was. "I'm e cit d to s Coach Miller grow the program back into th tatur that it was a few y ars ago," Cross said. ant to m cont ntion for G-MAC championships, nd ma mg national ct1amp1onshIp app aranc s, and see 1 t t11 ord for us aft r that " d Addy Miller watches intensely as her team practices. Miller 1s fresh off a 31-2 season at Drury last year. Julia Swain is a sophomore journalism student and the co on-campus news editor for Cedars. She enJoys listening to Taylor Swift, watching any Cleveland sports team, and hanging out with friends in her free time Graph, s b
Paradox or hidden truth: The enigma of Christian motifs in secular film By Ben Konuch Film and television are a medium uniquely suited for effectively telling stories that move us with a fusion of underlying themes with emotional weight through visual performance. We feel the weight of Tony Stark's sacrifice in "Avengers: Endgame" because of the multiple movies that we spent watching this character come to life. The high-quality writing and an outstanding performance instilled an emotional attachment and connection with us. When films or television use that connection to tie into a belief or a theme instead of a particular character, such as how the 2014 horror film "The Babadook" instills a message about grief and letting go of the past through its use of fear and horror imagery, the message resonates with us far more than in other mediums. The motifs and imagery ha tt,es film u mean something, and are utilized for a pacific effect. So what does it mean when film and television from filmmakers with secula( worldviews rep atedly feature Christian motifs and imagery? Throughout the history of film, movie and t levis on alike repeatedly showcased Christian {Tlotlfs, imagery allegory and element drawn straight from the Bible. You may think that it only makes sense due to older Hollywood productions when Christianity was more positively viewed in America, but motifs of Christianity still appear in films and television today. Films as recent as 2023's "The Creator" or Zack Snyder's interpretation of Superman in the DCEU feature the use of a narrative "Christ-figure," which is a character whose life and actions primarily follow the pattern of the gospel account of Christ's life. The "Christ-figure" is very much not a picture or representation of Christ, but rather is a character who follows a similar narrative path in their journey as Jesus's own life, death and resurrection. One of the best examples of Christian motifs and a "Christ-figure" in modern cinema comes from 201 B's "A Quiet Place." Many of the presuppositions of the film actually fit very well with a Christian worldview, such as the importance of the family, the sacredness of human life and the value of sacrificial love. Its use of the "Chri t-figure" is abundantly evident in the fath~r•s life and his relations Ip with his eldest daughter. She goes throughout the film thinkin~ her father hates her rebelliousn ss, only to learn that hes loved her by witnessing the greatest act of love: sacrific ng his life to save his children. his film howcases a picture of redemptive sacrifice that very strongly ec:hoes the theme of Christ's sacrifice for us, despite the fact that writer, director and lead actor John Krasinski does not 6 CED.RS believe in Christianity. Dan Clark, who serves as a professor of English at Cedarville University and teaches a class on Christian motifs in film, explained why this may be. "The tropes that we see in many films, especially action films, reiterate the familiar element that at some level rings true to us: that we are weak and that we are in need of a hero or a savior because we can't save ourselves " Clark said. "This is why you'll often have a hero go int~ a community to bring them a calling to a different kind of life, and whether that be in films such as 'The Matrix' or even most modern superhero films, there's something in that that I think we as an audience recognize at a basic level. "We daydr •am about bet more s rious level rear e o own fra " M ch of our W tern sto by f based v ues. Altha shifttfilg away fro i once did th c cultures n e still remain strong. While our culture may no longer recognize the significance of these values. audiences still resonate with many of the themes and principles in our Western storytelling from our Biblical foundations. Many of these themes and values still evoke a response in us and stand as a testament to God's truth that can shine through from even the most unlikely of places. Perhaps It is due to the secular nature of Hollywood or the often anti-Biblical messaging, but it seems these heavily used motifs and their importance get overlooked. Many Christian films are notonous for having their obnoxiously shoved in the face of the v· like "A Quiet Place" actually proa:tlif!tf sanctity of human life e better way than ny "As Chrlstf ' abundantt obvious t op nty hostile to Chris ~ '"!'•-~ ~Ill'! gnize it," Clar id. "Yet wh -• -~~a ,Im that has those underlyi world • can parallel Christianity we may not notic the n ces, but instead recognize them as truth without really even noticing them." tn the end, how do we make sense of these Christian motifs that appear in stories that may even be antithetical to the Christian faith? For one, we can acknowledge there is something within the story of Christ, within the idea of a redeemer, a savior or Graphics by Angela Delano Fall 2023
a hero saving us that appeals to us even when our culture so readily tells us that we are to save ourselves. It stands as a testament to the eternal significance of Christ's story that even when it's used unintentionally, its truth in a way still shines through. In addition, this concept also serves as a charge for Christians to use the God-given gifts of writing, acting and filmmaking to create meaningful stories through film that convey these themes and motifs of Christianity in a way that resonates with audiences. What makes a good sermon often does not make a good film, and a Christian film doesn't have to preach to an audience to get them to recognize the truth as the truth. As an audience member, I should not have to turn to "A Quiet Place" to see a better representation of sacrificial love than in "God's Not Dead." We should take heed of the ways Hollywood uses these motifs in their works and do so in a way that is intentional yet tasteful to convey gospel truth that resonates emotionally while also telling a great story. Christian films should reflect the greatest story ever told, not distract from its impact due to our inability to properly tell a story while conveying a message. a and L A ott Im g ourt s of Par mount P1 ur s II O Photograph by Logan Howard Ben Konuch is a junior Strategic Communication student and an A&E writer for Cedars. He enjoys getting sucked into good stories, playing video games and swing dancing in the rain. Gf ph1c. b Ang I D I no 7
Trusting the Process Students share their stories of switching majors and finding their true calling By Marielle Payton Big Plans What if, after choosing a path and studying for a year or so, you discover it's not for you? What next? How do you recalibrate? Choosing a college is a big decision, one that can often feel scary and overwhelming. There's a lot of pressure to choose the right major. After all, your degree often sets you on a career path that you may stay on for the rest of your life. Three different students shared their experiences: Ella Pound, from Newark, Ohio, Adrianna McFadden, from Indianapolis, Indiana, and Grace Gregory, from Chicago, Illinois. All three are at different places in their degree progress and have diverse stories to share. Each changed their major and struggled to feel like they fit in. They don't have life figured out completely; who does? But they've learned a lot along the way. Maybe their stones can be relatable to you, too. Ella's story Ella Pound made the decision to go to a Christian school early in her college search. When a close friend from high school decided to attend Cedarville, Pound realized she had to give the college a closer look. Visiting the campus officially confirmed her choice. "I left with the biggest smile on my face," Pound said. "I knew this was where I was supposed to be." Pound knew she could do so many things with her life but didn't know what she was specifically called to do. A deep love for people led her to choose Business Management for her major. One of her first business classes, creative problem solving, was an absolute blast for her. "I loved using soft skills and thinking outside the box," Pound said. "It was so much fun. I never even imagined I could love a major like this." Then she went home for break, and Pound's confidence began to melt into uncertainty. As she worked on planning out her four-year schedule, she began to have doubts. Was this really what she wanted to be doing? Once back on campus, Pound was hired as a tour guide for admissions and found herself working with people more than she ever had before. That's when she began to consider switching degrees. After praying about it and talking to her parents, Pound 8 CED.llS Ella Pound • Log n Howard sat down with her speech professor, Or. Daniel Fultz. and together they created a plan. She officially switched to Communication. keeping Business Administration as a minor and adding a Women's Ministry minor. "I have so much peace now that this is exactly where the Lord wants me," Pound said. "In the future, I want to do public relations and women's ministry, and communication is the perfect fit." If there's one thing she wants others to know, it's the importance of seeking wise counsel. College students often come into their freshman year with just an idea of what they like, so sometimes it takes the insight of others to figure out what the right choice is. "Being in the right major is more important than being on the quickest path," she added. Adrianna's story Adrianna McFadden decided to do two years of community college before coming to Cedarville in order to Fall 2023
save money and graduate debt-free. Her family are alumni of Cedarville and she always dreamed of attending as well, carrying on the tradition. While at community college taking general science and math education classes to fulfill the requirements of her Elementary Educa ion degree, she fell in love with Geology. "Science is the one subject I've always loved," McFadden said. "I actually considered doing Science and Math Education once I reached Cedarville, but I just didn't like the dea of teaching the same subject every day." McFadden remembers staying up late nights into early mornings just doing geology homework, not because she was behind but because she genuinely found it fascinating. During the last week of her class, McFadden's professor asked her if she'd ever considered science, encouraging her to add it as a minor. But to McFadden, this was the final confirmation she needed. "That was when I really decided to look into Cedarville again because if I wanted to make geology my degree, I wanted to get it from a Christian perspective," McFadden said. "I'd heard so many great things about the geology program here, and especially Dr. Whitmore's Earth Science class. So I decided to give it a shot." Since coming to Cedarville, McFadden has fallen in love with her major and doesn't feel any lingering regret. She hopes others won't be scared or afraid if their plan changes. McFadden's a planner to her core, but she realized it's okay to change directions and make new decisions. Gr S1m1l r to ory first h ard out 111 U school f • nd. During 1ld o , ring ac rs mad er to ta an int rt,St in th II 0 Grace Gregory -Julia Mumford education field. As a freshman in college, she felt drawn to study Early Childhood Education, hoping to emulate the example of her heroes. "I really loved helping the kids grow and see that light bulb moment where you can tell they really learned something," Gregory said. "I love that about teaching." But the challenging qualifying tests stopped Gregory from continuing in her program. Discouraged, she decided to take on a Graphic Design minor while working to improve her test scores. The unexpected happened when the ex erience piqued her interest in Graphic Design, and her eyes were opened to a whole new world of creativity. "I loved how different and artistic it was," Gregory said. "And how you get to express yourself through your work while also helping others." She decided to switch her major to Visual Communication Design with a focus in Graphic Design. Though education is something she'll always have a passion for, Gregory felt God closed that door for a reason, and that she's learning to fully trust through the process. Even though Early Childhood and Visual Communication Design are very di r nt, she's learned a lot and has really enjoyed her new focus so far Instead of comparing herself to others, Grego 1s intentional out rejoicing in the good she sees both in others and in herself and focusing on learning and growing "If ou ha e your degree. never feel like it's been a waste of time, Gregory said. "You'll always use education ,,----~--Ji no matt r what you choose to go into. Trust Gods will You may not alw ys und rst nd th plan now, but I believe it'll all ma s ns I t ,r." M nel n i a 1umor Pro Ional Writin Design major,1ourna/1 t, nd pu elation wfl Vlfgtma. e ' not ::.tudym u c n tmd curr nt n polltl s or bmg ac hmg B Graph ng I D I n C
Dr. and Mrs. Anderson Impact Students Through Their Faithful Service at Cedarville University By Esther Fultz Good professors create a warm, welcoming environment for students to learn while simultaneously challenging them to grow and improve. They are passionate about students' academic success but ultimately prioritize students' spiritual health and service to others. Senior Professor of Music and Director of the Concert Chorale, Dr. Lyle Anderson, and Assistant Professor of Piano Pedagogy and Director of the Keyboard Pedagogy Program, Mrs. Connie Anderson, fit this description well. Both Cedarville graduates, Dr. and Mrs. Anderson have worked at the university for 54 and 52 years respectively, enriching the lives of many students while witnessing many advancements in the Music and Worship Department during their time here. "I love the students," Mrs. Anderson said. "Lyle drops me off every morning, and as I walk from our car into the DMC where I teach, I pray for my students and their classes and I thank the Lord for this opportunity. I love keeping track of the students after they graduate, begin their careers and build their marriages. Some of our Fit to Be Tied couples are keyboard pedagogy majors and just watching them walk through life with the Lord brings me great joy." While music was a passion for both of the Andersons from an early age, neither of them initially desired to pursue a career in music. Dr. Anderson grew up wanting to be a pediatrician and Mrs. Anderson wanted to be a nurse well into her high school years. "My passion for music started when I began teaching piano at the age of 13," Mrs. Anderson said. "My teacher was very gracious and gave me some of his students to teach, but throughout high school, I decided I wanted to be a nurse, so the musical part dwindled a bit. But I ended up getting a music scholarship and Ceda1ville was really the only school that could provide what I needed tor that scholarship, so I came here." Mrs. Anderson had only planned to stay at Cedarville for two years and then transfer elsewhere to complete her nursing degree, but that quickly changed. "I ended up accompanying Lyle tor his voice lessons," Mrs. Anderson said. "I think all that accompanying really created a love tor making music together and showed me that I really love music and I thoroughly enjoy being a part of it." For Dr. Anderson, his passion for music stemmed from his local church. Singing was very much prevelant in every service, including Wednesday nights and youth group activities. "I began piano lessons at age 1 O and in elementary school, drums were an interest," Dr. Anderson said. "Neither of my parents nor Connie's were musical but they saw the value of involving us in music, and we both found that we loved it and God had given us an affinity for it." Dr. Anderson continued to participate in musical activities throughout high school. He participated in the choirs, played tuba in the band, was drum major in the marching band, played piano in a jazz ensemble and performed in the school musical, all of which led to his desire to be a high school music teacher. This was his goal until his sophomore year at Cedarville when Dr. Warren Webber, chair of the Music Department. asked him it he would be interested in returning to Cedarville one day to teach music theory. "I said, 'Wow, that is something I could really picture myself doing!"' Dr. Anderson said. "Two weeks after graduating from Cedarville. I was on the faculty. This prompted my graduate study at The Ohio State University." Mrs. Anderson taught piano lessons during her days as a Cedarville student and was hired as an adjunct piano professor after graduating, teaching a large studio of Cedarville students from the Andersons' home. Her teaching role expanded after their two children graduated from Cedarville. Dr. Chuck Clevenger, chair of the music department at that time, encouraged her to get her master's degree in Keyboard Pedagogy for the new program Cedarville hoped to create. "Keyboard Pedagogy programs were brand new, but it was very interesting," Mrs. Anderson said. "I attended a couple of conferences and then decided to pursue graduate studies in this field. I just knew that was where the Lord wanted me, so little by little teaching as an adjunct moved into a Graphics by Angela Delano Fall 2023
full-time position." The creation of the Keyboard Pedagogy program was one of many significant advancements that the Andersons wi nessed during their Ime a Cedarville. Other notable changes have included the addition of worship, composition and multiple B.A. programs When the Andersons were s udents, there were 700 students and five full-time music faculty. Now the facul y number 14, with a host of II o adjunct professors teaching a wide variety of instruments. For both Andersons, the students are what keeps them at Cedarville. Working in a Christian environment and being able to disciple students are always the highlights. "It's humbling to see our students become professional teachers themselves," Dr. Anderson said. "It is so gratifying to know they're going to use what they learned here. The fact that this is a Christ-centered university typically indicates that the students have a strong work ethic and they understand biblical stewardship of their abilities. They know why they are here so that makes our jobs very fu lfillin g." Cedarville's music students use their talents in a wide variety of ways ranging from visiting the homes of elderly people and sharing music with them to singing in praise teams and choirs and accompanying worship in local churches. Many students participate in music-focused Global Outreach programs. "We have been privileged to lead the Concert Chorale and smaller teams on 13 international tours which have been ministry-orienteo," Dr. Anderson said. "All of our music is chosen with a Gospel emphasis and our students frequently remark that these tours have been a turning point for them, not only in their musical lives but as experiences that have alerted them to the many facets of missions ministry." Keyboard Pedagogy students also consider the private lessons they teach as ministry opportunities. "We talk a lot about the impact they have upon private students," said Mrs. Anderson. "Even though we do not offer a music therapy program, I teach some private students that are nursing majors and they're excellent pianists. but they're doing it as a kind of therapeutic outlet and some of our pedagogy majors are teaching their roommates for the same reason " Wherever they are and however they serve. Dr and Mrs. Anderson can witness the d1vinel designed impact music has on both partIcIp nts and audiences "Music Is one of those special tools that allow us to appl God-given emotion to our th olog and it is wonderful to celebr te that be utitul union " s 1d Dr And rson "It's re II sp cI I to se how music f cts p opl . God er t t to po ver ull touch II e tor H1 glor •."
Crossroad Ministries brings hope to residents of Xenia nursing home By Avon/ea Brown and hand out devotionals, the previous ••• week's crafts or other materials before heading inside. The group meets Crossroad group in front of Xenia Health and Rehab The white halls of Xenia Health and Rehab are silent. Several nurses sit at the information desk and the echos of a TV channel trail from an open door at the end of the hall. Outside, a white van parks, and a group of 13 Cedarville University students unloads into the parking lot. They pray and divide into teams of three before quickly filing into the lobby, then head down the three hallways of the facility and begin visiting with the residents. "Hello, Tomi I came back to see you!" "I'm glad I get to see you today, Marilyn!" "Hi, Christiani Got any jokes for us today?" Their clear voices break through the gloomy atmosphere, and the halls are filled with conversation, singing and laughter. The recently renamed Crossroad Ministries is one of two ministries at Cedarville focused on reaching out to the elderly and sharing the gospel. Abby Albrecht, Julia Malander and Grace Cowell lead the three branches of the ministry which are prayer, crafts and visits. Every Monday at 5 p.m. the group meets at Chuck's for dinner before leaving promptly at 6 for Xenia. They meet briefly in the parking lot to pray two more times during the week on campus, once on Wednesdays at 4 p.m. for prayer and another time on Thursdays from 7 to 8 p.m. for crafts. Their goal is to pray through the residents' prayer requests and create decorations for the rooms. Often the only decorations in a resident's room are from past projects of the craft team. "Our goal is to brighten up the room a little bit," Albrecht said "One of the first things I noticed was how bare the white walls are. like a hospitaltype feeling. And so we try to create something nice that we can give them when we go In, just to show that we're thinking of them, we're praying for them" Albrecht and Malander joined at the end of their freshman year when Albrecht heard about the ministry from a friend while looking tor opportunities to get involved in local outreach. They were immediately put into leadership posItIons the next semester and began the efforts to resurrect the ministry on campus. "When we both Joined the ministry. it was kind of dying out," Malander said. "It was after COVI0 and they were not able to go inside during COVID just for health reasons And so there were really only a few people that were still part of the ministry, and most of them were graduating seniors." In the fall of 2022, the doors to the nursing home reopened and the students could begin visiting again and creating relationships with the residents. Cowell joined that fall semester after hearing from Albrecht about the ministry. The three students quickly began recruiting friends, classmates and curious passersby at the Involvement Fair to visit the nursing home and spend time with the quiet residents of Xenia Health and Rehab. Xenia Health and Rehab houses different types of residents, those who need long-term care and those who are recovering from injuries and cannot live alone. "I remember getting in the van to leave the first day I visited and just crying," Julia said. "It was just such a desolate place." After their first visit to the nursing home, Malander and Albrecht decided to take on the ministry and expand it. Crafts and prayer started last year as an effort to provide more care for the residents and give the students more time to meet with each other. The ministry seeks to have consistent members so that the students and residents can form genuine relationships and foster them every week. This ministry Is not just an opportunity for evangelism, it is about giving love and care to those that need it. Crossroad is centered around James 1 :27 which reads; "Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their misfortune and to keep oneself unstained by the world." "Going in, I had never been in a nursing home before," Albrecht said. "And I'm like, 'What am I doing?' And it Praying with a resident Fall 2023
was kind of awkward at first, but then this semester coming back it's like, 'Oh my gosh, the residents remember us. They remember the Cedarville students, and they're so excited.'" Indeed, the impact of each student who visits Xenia Health and Rehab is evident in the joy written across the faces of the residents. "I keep coming back to some of the times when you get to know their personalities or also when they admit that you've influenced them and there's been a couple of those," Malander said. "There's a particular resident in my hall and she is a very sweet old lady, but she struggles with depression a little bit. She is a believer, but her memory just isn't too good. "And so we started making her posters for her wall with just one or two verses in really big font and then we would hang it up on her walls. And now almost every time we go in, she always says to us, 'You have no clue how many times a day I read those posters. I just sit here and I read them.' "And I think that's probably a impactful for me because that's kind of one of her main sources of scripture. It came from us. She does have a Bible, but her limbs don't always cooper so she is able to read th ures] pn the wall. I • really cool hing tha was able to do." The students not only share the gospel, but they also spend time every week intentionally encouraging the residents to pursue God. This could be in the form of the students providing devotional books to the residents, Fatl 2023 nl Bro n talking them through passages of the Bible, singing hymns and praying before leaving every week. "Some residents who we've determined aren't necessarily believ or following the Lord we se the gospel with the " Al "We will pray w· '-'-"'-"--- er re, talk about Seri pen,dg on the residen found honestly that most of t are very alking with us, even if they The team the gospel the residents else to tak "But I thi I really stu obviously, them ca into th those aban M t o they're relation dillll_, s as well. , or the "As a nursing student, I can't take the time to sit and listen and get to know my patients as I can do in this ministry," said Rebekah Neilsen, a junior nursing major and returning member of Crossroad. "It's as much of a blessing for us as it is for them." "I think [this ministry) really brings a lot of perspective," Albrecht said. "Especially in the Cedarville bubble you always talk about ow there are a lot of hurting and su ing people out there, and just to and to see how happy they are see you and how much of _..i;;1a111111·..,-, ence an hour can make to hear heir wisdom and hear their life stories. To me, that is not a one-sided minis I feel like I've been so changed • the residents there as well." Occasionally, the st swill also strike up convers • or bring small gifts to the nur who work there such as bring the ookies or thank you notes. The rses of Xenia Health and Rehab alw s welcome the students when th come to visit, sometimes ,ming in when the students are singi or talking with the residents. Al recht, Malander and Cowell ed hard to recruit members first year, making sure they had ugh people every week to visit ch resident. Now, Crossroad inistries has grown from 3 to over 12 members in a year. "It's just been such a blessing and really an encouragement especially to both of us," Albrecht said. "Because we both love this ministry so much and just being able to see God is using that and it's growing so much that we can have a craft night and the prayer ministry that we can actually feasibly have because we have enough interest to do so and that impacts the residents in that way." The growth has encouraged the three leaders and reassured them that when they graduate, the ministry will continue to care for the residents of Xenia Health and Rehab. "It's kind of sweet to be able to take care of them," Malander said. "To pay them back almost for the lives that they lived that no one probably really remembers all that much now, but just to show that we want to remember that and respect them." A vonlea Brown is a junior Broadcasting, • Digital Media, and Journalism major from from Cro sroad a small town in Maine She is the co-e • or of Campus News tor Cedars Stude News and currently working tow, r,~r;foilta abroad to study intern, tion:1I1ou,--,,..., She likes re ding, tr; vel, and le things. Gr phi s b Ang la D Ian CID. 1
What 'Barbie' and female representation means for us By Janie Walenda It's odd when the most successful film of the year is the most controversial. However, "Barbie" has earned close to $1.5 billion, sparkling in glittery pink and sparking waves of outrage. Christians could easily dismiss the "Barbie" film immediately. At first glance, it seems to embrace every idea about gender that stands opposite to Christian values. These fears are not necessarily unfounded. The film embraces every feminist buzzword and plot trope it possibly can. And in a world with many conflicting ideologies, we have to be cautious about what we allow to affect our worldview. We never want any film or piece of media to be the lens through which we see the world. But sometimes media can be a window into the lives of other people, giving us new perspectives. Film can express emotions and experiences in a way that's hard for us to put into words. The "Barbie" film put in words and on-screen many of the experiences and emotions that I have had as I grew up, and also gave me a perspective on the experiences the young men around me have faced. More importantly, it has opened up several conversations about these experiences. The film highlights the problems of viewing either gender only through the lens of their relationship with one other. Erin Shaw, assistant professor of Women's Ministry, appreciated the 14 CED.RS Photographs by Avonlea Brown insights of the film in this area. "[It] did a good job of portraying some of the ills of matriarchy and patriarchy, when truly we're meant to be complementary." A more underrated element of the film is its subtle celebration of motherhood. "Barbie" portrays motherdaughter relationships as something beautiful and valuable, even in the messiness. Hollywood's representation of motherhood is often rocky, and Shaw highlighted several Hollywood tropes she views with caution: "Anytime where we see women demeaning husbands or demeaning motherhood or reJectIng their responsibilities to find themselves." But of course, Hollywood is a secular institution, expecting it to completely conform to Christian values is foolish. That's a nugget of wisdom from my dad that I've held onto, and something that Shaw reiterated. "It's hard for Hollywood to get Biblical womanhood right because they're coming from a different worldview," Shaw said. While "Barbie" may illustrate and celebrate some truths about womanhood, the solution portrayed in the film ultimately falls flat for Christians. "Their solution is selfdefinition apart from your maker [which] doesn't work because we have been made by a Creator God," Shaw said. So if we know that Hollywood films like "Barbie" will never have a Biblical portrayal of womanhood, why should we care? What should a Christian's relationship with representation in the film be? Do we join the crowd that rolls their eyes at every attempt to push representation on the big screen or those who cling to it as a lifeline? As is often true in the Christian life, we are called to respond differently. In my experience with media, there are two different kinds of female representation. Films like "Barbie" and
"Captain Marvel," are centered on a woman's experience and celebrate womanhood. It is also important to create films where women are represented, but their characters and storylines aren't about being women. "Black Panther" and "Ahsoka" are wonderful examples of stories that have many complex, well-rounded female characters without their gender being a talking point. Personally, I like having more female characters. I like feeling represented in media. I was excited for "Encanto" because Mirabel wore glasses like me and wasn't portrayed as a nerdy or ugly character. Even in films like "Captain Marvel" where the blatant feminism gets annoying, I still root for Carol Danvers and get excited when she's onscreen. To this day I will defend "Turning Red" with my life because it is so precious to me to have a teenage character who grows and matures while still being silly and contident. But I'm also tired of defending "Turning Red." I'm tired of JU t1fymg the existence of every female-led film 11k Barbie." Film I n't only a window; it is also a mirror. Media can reflect how we feel and act in a way that gives us clarity in our lives, in both an affirming and convicting way. When I point to a character or a film and say that it feels like my experience, I'm giving other people a glimpse into how I feel and think. And if people dismiss it, or refuse to give it a chance, it feels like they're dismissing me. That's not to say that just because I have a personal connection to a film, no one is allowed to criticize it ever. Every film has its problems, and I like analyzing films critically. But as representation has become more prominent, it's easy to dismiss films we see as not for us, without considering what it means for other people, and our relationship with them. These films can be a special look into the experiences of those closest to us, and that is an opportunity to cherish. Janie Walenda is a Junior Global Business major and the A&E editor for Cedars. She is passionate about musicals, animation and cold brew. When she isn't obsessing over her own nerdy interests, she's usually absorbing her friends' nerdy interests.
Cedarville legend Kirk Martin headed for Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame By Alan Brads Kirk Martin, former head coach of Cedarville's women's basketball team, earned a nomination as an inductee to the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame. He will officailly join legendary Cedarville figures like Don Callan and Maryalyce Jeremiah as members of the Buckeye state's hall of fame in April. Martin led the Lady Jackets from 2001-2016, but he had already made a name for himself at Southeastern High School, just 11 miles northeast of Cedarville. As a head coach, Martin really only did one thing: win. He stacked up 380 career wins at Cedarville and took the team to two NAIA division II championship games. He averaged 25 wins per season, a mark no other Cedarville women's coach has attained in even a single season. Perhaps most impressively, he led Southeastern to a 162-game conference winning streak, and Cedarville to a 72-game conference winning streak. "It indicated a commitment by my players to the idea that we are gonna do things right every night," Martin said. How did he sustain such success at two schools? "We kept it simple," Martin said. "We're gonna outwork you, we're gonna run, we're gonna run, we're gonna take quality shots and we're gonna rebound the basketball." Martin coached old-school ball, developing post players that practiced carefully rehearsed back-to the basket post moves. He laughs about his refusal to change with the times, but it wasn't broke, so he didn't fix it. Kirk Martin and eventual head coach Kari Hoffman pray with players. Simple but ettective philosophies like that win basketball games at any program, but only if the players buy what the coach is selling Some would say that's out of the coach's hands, but Martin found a way. "I believe every player knew I cared about them," Martin said. "And therefore they trusted that what I was asking them to do would get us to our end point." Building that trust in college proved far more difficult a task than it ever was in his small-town high school career. "There's a little more trust in a high school team," Martin said. "There's more trust from a player who grew up down the street from me than a young woman who never met me until she was a college student." But no matter how challenging it was to start late, Martin had to build those relationships if his players were going to buy into him and his system. "I felt like in four years' time I'd developed relationships with my Cedarville players that matched the relationships I had with high school kids," Martin said. After building effective bonds with his players he still had to convince them to buy into his philosophy. He chose to do so with an all or nothing approach. He determined Cedarville women's basketball players would behave as a team because they belonged to the team. Every detail mattered to him, from what his players wore on the bus to how they stood for the national anthem. "I had expectations of silly things for them to follow because it teaches team, and teaches that we're in this together," Martin said. He did everything he could to get his players to buy in, but still takes as little credit for it as possible. "Lots of coaches can ask for that stuff," Martin said. "If you don't have players that want to buy in it's not gonna work. God gave us kids that wanted to buy in." Graphic by Angela Delano Fall 2023 I
Kirk Martin spurs his team during a timeout with his typical fervor. His players point some credit back to him. "He had a really impressive way of making the young women on the team want to run through a wall for him," said Kari (Flunker) Hoffman, who played under him for four years and assistant coached on his staff for another six years. "He had high expectations for us," Hoffman said. "You will be in chapel every day and you won't be in the back row. You will go to church on Sundays." Like any other sport, the best coaches develop coaching trees, a network of assistant coaches that have success long after their legendary predecessors retire. Martin and Hoffman have that relationship. Hoffman took over as head coach when Martin hung up the whistle, and did so well in her five years coaching Cedarville that she moved on to coach Division I Wright State. Martin always believed in Hoffman. He believed in her enough to fly to northern Wisconsin for a recruiting visit on a dinky plane sketchy enough to make him so sick he threw up in her front yard. He believed in her enough to ask her to join his coaching staff the year after she graduated. And he believed in her enough to hand her the keys of the program he gave a legendary status. "I didn't really have a choice," Hoffman said with a laugh. "He primed me for that and talked in that direction for a couple years before he retired. He convinced me that I was the person for the job." Hoffman learned from Martin. It would be impossible to spend 10 years with a hall of fame coach and not learn. One thing she learned was when to push her players to their limits and when to keep things fun. Just when Martin's players expected a tough conditioning practice, he would declare they could forego basketball in favor of whiffle ball and ice cream, a tradition that lives on through Hoffman's teams. "He had a way of relating to us, it was just easy to get behind him," Hoffman said. "There's not too many male coaches who have that ability to relate to college age women and then get them to play hard for them. He had a really good balance of caring about us, keeping boundaries, but also pushing us to great lengths to get the best out of us." When he made the jump to the college level some things remained as constant as ever. Martin ran many of the same plays under the same names he ran at Southeastern, perfectly recognizable for Southeastern fans in the stands watching their old coach. "I loved my time at Cedarville trying to figure out what my limits were as far as a coach and how good I was or wasn't." As it turned out, his high school wins were more than a product of a program led by another hall of tamer, Gary Bradds. Martin was just that good. "I came to Cedarville and had no desire to go anywhere else," Martin said. Given his love for daily chapel and Locust Hills golf course, he could never find a reason compelling enough to leave. But when the time came, he didn't hesitate to leave the office and never come back. "Kari was ready," Martin said. "And I have a golf course that needs me." Alan Brads is a senior journalism student and sports editor for Cedars. He enjoys playing the drums, speaking Spanish and watching Buckeye football like his life depends on it. Serving others: The Cedarville fire department in action By Josephine Schmidt-Kroyer When you ask a kid what they want to b when they grow up, many will say a firefighter. The blaring sirens, the bright flashing lights, and a truck speeding past on th road. A child looks at firefighters with fa cmation and wonder, dreaming about one day b coming like them. Th p ople at the Cedarville Volunteer Fir D partm nt, have turned this dream into r hty for themselves. Their h roIsm and cour g mpower them to r scue and assist others in their gr t t tIm of n ed. Th d p rtm nt not onl stnv s to erve but acti ely Fall O 3 ott Hu ■ I!] embodies the selflessness required of its members. With just two full-time staff members, their operational success relies heavily on volunteers Many of these volunteers are students from Cedarville University, contributing their time and effort to keep the fire department functioning seamlessly. In return, they gain valuable EMT training and other essential skills, all while making an impact on the community they serve. Behind the scenes, these local firef and volunteers are committed ands lfless. ke cl&~E~ look at their stones by scanning the QR cod belo watch tile film. l7
One Bistro: Making a space for neighbors to eat By Avon/ea Brown Outside, cars whoosh by and people bustle back and forth in front of the windows, leaves strewn on the sidewalk. Inside, the sounds of laughter and silverware on plates fill the little cafe. Booths and tables are filled with family, friends and strangers. In one booth a group of three girls share breakfast, in the next booth a group of old women eat and share conversation. Sitting at the community table in the middle of the room is a family of four with two children playing with toys while they wait for food. Another table by the kitchen hosts an old man who smiles at all the volunteers that pass by. One Bistro is a community cafe on East Main Street in Xenia, Ohio, that is open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. The inviting green exterior brings many curious guests to the non-profit, and the food and friendly atmosphere make them stay. "At One Bistro, our mission is to provide a place where our neighbors eat and come together as one community," said Denise Davis, board president of One Bistro. "When we say there is a seat at the table for everyone, we really mean there's a seat at the table for everyone regardless of what you look like, who you love, where you come from, how educated you are, what color your skin Is It does not matter to us." "Biznistry" defines One Bistro's model. They are simultaneously a non-profit business and a ministry Prayer is a huge part of One Bistro's ministry By the register, a string of white cards is pinned to the wall The cards read "Pray it Forward," customers are welcome to take a card and write their prayer request, and volunteers and fellow customers can then take that card and pray for that request. 18 CID.llS "Every morning in the cafe, our team prays together with the volunteers that are in there before we open the doors for service," Davis said. Currently, One Bistro pays two cooks and one manager. The rest of the duties are done by a host of volunteers that the community cafe relies on to remain open. "I love working here for the people," said Karen, who began volunteering back in 2016 after hearing about it through her church newsletter. "I like the opportunity to serve and feel like I am doing something productive with some eternal value." Volunteers are encouraged to sign up online using the One Bistro website, but drop-ins are always welcome. "I try to volunteer whenever I can," said Randy, another regular volunteer who found out about One Bistro during one of his frequent visits to Coffee Hub, the coffee shop next door. "Sometimes I'll get a text from [the front of house manager] and it'll ask if I can come in last minute to fill a spot for the day, and I always say yes." The volunteers can fill multiple slots: dishwasher, server, greeter or some qualified volunteers can help in the kitchen. Every position Is important to the cafe, but the volunteers contribute the most to the mission of One Bistro when they walk around and talk with the guests. Volunteers at One Bistro come in all forms, just like their customers. There are volunteers who have the time and want to give back to their community; there are volunteers who have busy schedules but still donate their time whenever they can; there are volunteers who come to fulfill a community service requirement from court or school; there are volunteers who work for a meal because that is the only way they can afford to eat. Photography by Logan Howard Fall 2023
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