THE HONORABLE MENTION April 15, 2015 2014-15 Vol. VII Honors Council meets Wednesdays in Laurel Hall 201 Dates to Remember 4/17 - The War on Poverty Dodd Center, Konover Auditorium 1:30-5:00 4/20 - Spring Fling 11-2 on Fairfield Way 4/21 - Honors Forum 4/23 - Dinner and a show for A Midsummer Night’s Dream 4/25 - Fresh Check Day A photo from the Survivor’s Lap Relay For Life Comes to UCONN By Ellie Lauri, HM Editor The Honors Relay For Life team turned out in force last Friday, April 10th to support the fight against cancer. In conjunction with another 39 teams, the event raised over 25,000 dollars for the American Cancer Society. Honors had one of the largest teams at the event, and contributed over $1200 to the cause. Relay For Life began in 1985 with an individual participant, Dr. Gordy Klatt. Since then it has grown into an international movement, with participants in dozens of countries throughout the globe. Since it’s inception, Relay has raised almost 5 billion dollars to aid in the fight against one of the most prevalent and varied diseases we face today. groups, dance-themed organizations, and Rock Ensemble. Later on in the evening was the LumiIn accordance with tradition, this naria Ceremony, in which cusyears Relay For Life started out tomized bags are illuminated with a moving opening ceremo- around the event to honor all ny that included stories from sur- those who have been affected by vivors. The event then kicked off cancer. with a Survivor’s Lap, in which survivors and virtual survivors The weather for the event was standing in for those who could not the best, but we are very not make it, were cheered on as proud of all of the participants they took a lap to celebrate their who braved the mud and the rain personal struggles. Then the in order to give back to a cause Caregivers were asked to take a that affects all of us in some lap to honor those who have ded- way. An honorable mention goes icated so much of themselves to out to our entire team, and espehelp others. Finally all the partic- cially Lauren Biernacki who ipants joined in in order to begin served as the Community Serthe marathon walking that is the vice Chairperson this year, and hallmark of a Relay event. made sure Honors Council was both dedicated and tenacious in Throughout the evening there giving back to the community. were games and musical performances, from various a capella The Warnings of the Lorax Colby Buehler, HM Staff Writer On Saturday, April 11th, the Environmental Committee held a Lorax movie night in the Shippee Pequot room. The purpose of the event was to get people thinking about how the movie can be applied to our lives. Originally written as a children’s book by Dr. Seuss, The Lorax explores the problem of corporate interest in our environment. In the movie, O’Hare, the villain, sells bottled air to the citizens of Thneedville. After the destruction of the local environment due to heavy production of a wonderful all-in-one product called a thneed the air quality deteriorated as no more trees were left to purify the air. Without natural processes to filter air, O’Hare Industries was able to profit on the need for clean air and ended up controlling the town. The Lorax standing up for nature. Dr. Seuss considered The Lorax as his “personal favorite” according to Lisa Lebduska’s article, "Rethinking Human Need: Seuss's The Lorax". For someone who was largely known for entertaining children novels, he also made an impact educating the youth about environmental issues. When asked about The Lorax he said that he “was out to attack what [he thought] are evil things and let the chips fall where they might” . As seen in the movie, as soon as the wall of the town falls the people can truly see the importance of nature and are disgusted by what they see. In his 1971 novel, Dr. Seuss set out to try to break down the wall inside a whole generation of children and get them interested in environmental conservation. In the discussion about the movie on Saturday several topics were covered. One topic of discussion was about what was arguably the most influential quote of the movie and the book: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It's not.” ― Dr. Seuss, The Lorax When asked about how we can bring action to this quote, answers included being a knowledgeable consumer, recycling, and doing the little things in our lives that will add up to a lifetime of conservation. Discussion continued about things in the movie that are analogous to modern society. The movie is very upfront in the references to the bottled water and the food industry. The bottled air is wasteful and unnecessary for Thneedville yet the town is completely run by the corporation selling it, getting the viewer to question whether bottled water is really needed as much as we think. A cereal brand named “Empty-O’s” pokes at the poor quality of food that is marketed to kids from corporations as well. To end, I’ll leave with my favorite quote of the movie. “A tree falls the way it leans. Be careful which way you lean.” ― Dr. Seuss, The Lorax
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