Inspire, Summer 2005

Inspire 7 Audio Adrenaline and Toby Mac in Concert The Doden Field House pulsed with energy on April 2 as the Christian band Audio Adrenaline, singer Toby Mac, and bands Kutless and Hawk Nelson gave a dynamic concert. More than 3,000 came to hear the Dove Award-winners in this leg of The Diverse City Worldwide Tour. Audio Adrenaline performed favorites such as “Big House” and “Ocean Floor.” To further educate people on the sex trafficking topic, the Cedarville social work program presented the seminar “Innocence Lost: A Glimpse into the World of Child Sex Tourism” on April 19. The guest speaker was Rhoda Kershaw, who, at age 18, was drugged and kidnapped into the Japanese sex trade industry. Kershaw shared about her experience, her escape, and her passion to protect others from the nightmare conditions she endured. Almost 400 people heard Kershaw’s testimony as well as student presentations on sex trafficking and tourism by Elizabeth Reep ’05, Jennifer Tuttle ’05, and Emily Stokes ’05. The event raised more than $500 for the Salvation Army’s Initiative Against Sex Trafficking efforts in Ecuador. The Innocence Lost event came about after senior social work students, led by Rebecca Johnson ’05, did a major project on child sex tourism and became passionate about eradicating the problem. “We wanted those in attendance to learn that child sex tourism is not only a global problem but also a local issue affecting millions of children and teenagers,” explained Anna Mied ’05. “We also wanted to show the community that each individual can help make a change to combat this destructive lifestyle.” A group of Cedarville students has been inspired to organize a sex trafficking awareness group on campus, which will take root next fall. Social work faculty Christine Fulmer, Dr. Nelson Henning, and George Huff will continue to be a vital part of student social work endeavors. The Salvation Army’s Initiative Against Sexual Trafficking Web site (www.iast.net ) explains that the sexual trafficking of women and children is one of the most widespread and destructive kinds of slavery in the world today. Each year millions are lured or kidnapped into this $9 billion industry and forced into lives of prostitution or other sexual exploitation. “Children as young as eight and nine can be found in brothels around the world, including those within the United States,” says the site. In April, Cedarville University hosted two events in hopes of educating the public about the plight of those trapped in the sex tourism and trafficking industry. On April 14, Cedarville’s Women of Vision chapter welcomed domestic social policy expert Dr. Charmaine Yoest as guest speaker for their annual Soup for the Soul event. Following a soup smorgasbord provided by faculty and staff, Yoest revealed the realities of sex trafficking, challenges in fighting it, and practical ways for the average person to make a difference. She also discussed The Protect Act of 2003, which makes it illegal for Americans to participate in sex tourism activities abroad. Dr. Susan Warner, who coordinated the Soup for the Soul event with Dr. Deborah Bush Haffey ’68, explained that arresting those who patronize the industry is just one way to intervene. “Another way to handle this,” she shared, “is to alleviate poverty in Third World countries, since extreme poverty is one of the reasons why children are sold into this sexual slavery.”Women of Vision offered child sponsorship opportunities at the event as a way to take action. Innocence Lost family came to Elliv to meet the University family and thank them for their gift. “After all of the countless hours invested in the Elliv program to make it special for the student body, there was no greater joy than to watch Lizzie come out on stage and hear the roaring applause of Cedarville University,” shared junior Jessica Dodson, who played a major role in Elliv. “Lizzie is such a brave little girl, and to think that Elliv was able to make her wish come true is beyond priceless. Elliv was definitely taken a step further this year when SGA reached outside the student body and affected the life of a child in our community.” Wishing on a Star Each year, the Cedarville University Student Government Association (SGA) parodies the awards shows of Hollywood with its own extravaganza, called “Elliv” (’Ville spelled backwards). The program doles out “Best of ” awards to students while wowing them with music, technology, and “star” appeal. But at this year’s Elliv, students didn’t focus so much on an evening of “stardom” as they did on making a wish come true for six-year-old Lizzie. Lizzie was just two when she was diagnosed with a substantial brain tumor. Following surgery to remove the tumor, as well as a large part of her brain, Lizzie became cancer-free, but still struggled with numerous complications. Through the problems and the pain, the determined girl dreamed of going to Walt Disney World. To make Lizzie’s wish come true, SGA donated part of Elliv’s proceeds to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Lizzie and her Student Government Association Activities Director Jessica Dodson welcomed Make-A-Wish participant Lizzie to Elliv.