Issra Omer – The Stanford Daily https://stanforddaily.com Breaking news from the Farm since 1892 Mon, 21 May 2012 06:16:29 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://stanforddaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/cropped-DailyIcon-CardinalRed.png?w=32 Issra Omer – The Stanford Daily https://stanforddaily.com 32 32 204779320 Schemes, bribes and terminators https://stanforddaily.com/2012/05/21/1066939/ https://stanforddaily.com/2012/05/21/1066939/#respond Mon, 21 May 2012 09:03:37 +0000 https://stanforddaily.com/?p=1066939 For an intense and fearful few days during spring quarter, paranoia and deception are the norm in most dorms. The game is called Assassins and no one is safe. The rules are simple--a player is assigned a victim to eliminate using a water gun. Once “assassinated,” the assassin will inherit the victim’s target. The last one standing is the victor.

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Vanessa Bastidas ’14 opens her door quietly, sticks her head out and glances suspiciously down the hallway. The coast is clear. She grips her water gun and sprints to the bathroom, where she is safe once again–at least temporarily.

For an intense and fearful few days during spring quarter, paranoia and deception are the norm in most dorms. The game is called Assassins and no one is safe. The rules are simple–a player is assigned a victim to eliminate using a water gun. Once “assassinated,” the assassin will inherit the victim’s target. The last one standing is the victor.

Schemes, bribes and terminators
(AUBRIE LEE/ The Stanford Daily)

“It gets really intense,” Bastidas said. “People try to avoid common areas and carry their guns wherever they go.”

The Assassins experience for Peter Wang ’15 differed.

“I didn’t take the game too seriously, but some people in my dorm definitely did,” Wang said. “Some people came up with all these strategies to avoid the dorm as much as possible.”

Assassins is a long-standing Stanford tradition played in many dorms across campus. Although widely considered a freshman experience, many upper-class dorms and students choose to participate as well. Crothers, an upper-class dorm, takes the game very seriously.

This year, each hall in Crothers had its own preliminary round of the game, The last two people “alive” in each hall were allowed to go to the finals. This final showdown was held on the front lawn of Crothers in front of the entire dorm.

The winner this year was Ilya Gaidarov ’14, who believes his success was due to a combination of luck and talent.

“It’s all about brains over brawn,” Gaidarov said.

However, as for most other players, his experience was a stressful one.

“It was the worst,” Gaidarov said jokingly. “I was so paranoid. At first, I wasn’t even that invested in the game. I just didn’t want to get shot.”

Gaidarov’s initial plans to not take the game seriously were almost immediately changed.

“During the day, I tried to be in a place where people couldn’t kill me, so I basically sat in my room during the day,” he said. “Then at night I would go out to kill my target.”

To achieve victory, Gaidarov formed a partnership with another resident on his hall, Youssef Hedroug ’13, after Hedroug’s roommate tried to assassinate Gaidarov.

“Because Youssef was honest, we were in a partnership,” Gaidarov said. “There were others who I knew I couldn’t trust.”

“It was a bit hectic. I felt like I was always looking behind my back,” Hedroug said.

“I didn’t leave my room, and I always had a friend with me as a witness so no one could assassinate me,” he said.

For Gaidarov, part of the drive to win came from missing the experience during his freshman year.

“I didn’t get to play freshman year, so I’m glad that we did Assassins,” he said. “I would have preferred doing it at the beginning of the year because I’ve gotten to know people better since playing.”

Bastidas recalled assassination attempts when playing the game last year.

“I had killed my person and thought I was safe,” she said. “But then I got out of the shower without my gun, and my assassin was waiting right outside the door and shot me.”

“Last year I got really into it,” she added. “Even when I got out and wasn’t in the game, I was still so invested. This year I knew I wanted to do better.”

Every year, dorm staff put in a great amount of effort to make the game a worthwhile and memorable event. Sometimes, they also participate as “terminators” who have the power to shoot residents who do not “kill” their target within 24 hours.

“I think the staff put in the time because honestly, Assassins is a really fun game,” Wang said. “It’s a good break from regular activities.”

“The terminators this year were intense. They had huge water guns, and I was actually scared,” Bastidas said. “They were bribing my roommate with donuts [to co-operate with them].”

In spite of the occasional drama, paranoia and scheming terminators, the ultimate purpose of Assassins is to bring residents together.

“Assassins is great because it gets everyone involved, even for people who don’t normally participate in a lot of dorm events,” Bastidas said. “It’s something fun– something you can laugh about later.”

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Talking tech & development with Krista Donaldson https://stanforddaily.com/2012/05/18/talking-tech-development-with-krista-donaldson/ https://stanforddaily.com/2012/05/18/talking-tech-development-with-krista-donaldson/#respond Fri, 18 May 2012 07:39:47 +0000 https://stanforddaily.com/?p=1066729 Amid bright green rubber and metal mechanisms, a prosthetic leg leaning on a table and muffled noises from the back room, Krista Donaldson, CEO of D-Rev, a nonprofit that develops products to help the health and income of the impoverished on a global level, is busy at work.

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Amid bright green rubber and metal mechanisms, a prosthetic leg leaning on a table and muffled noises from the back room, Krista Donaldson M.S. ’98 Ph.D. ’04, CEO of D-Rev, a nonprofit that develops products to help the health and income of the impoverished on a global level, is busy at work.

 

For Donaldson, who will be a speaker at Stanford’s first-ever TEDx conference this Saturday, working at D-Rev is exactly what she wanted to do. Donaldson, who also currently serves as a lecturer and researcher at the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (“the d.school”), knew from the start that she wanted to be involved in the intersection of technology and development.

 

“It’s funny — you usually hear about people making a big discovery about what they want to do, but, for me, I’ve always been interested in engineering for social good,” Donaldson said.

 

“It really started when I was at Vanderbilt and led an alternative spring break trip that got me thinking about how to involve public interest in engineering,” she added. Donaldson’s enthusiasm led her on a journey in design, both in the United States and abroad.

 

After becoming the first intern at KickStart International, an organization aimed at using product development and design to eradicate poverty, Donaldson spent four years working in Kenya. The lessons she learned in Kenya have influenced her philosophy on design and engineering for change.

 

“My time in Kenya made me take a more systematic approach to design, from the input to the output,” she said. “It made me see the critical questions, such as who is selling the product, who is going to be paying for it, how do we know that the product will be used correctly — if at all?

 

“For social innovation, you have to get at the core; you have to use product design and development with a renewed look at the social sector,” she added.

 

Through her innovative ideas and passion, Donaldson was awarded a fellowship with the American Association for the Advancement of Science to use her unique perspective on design and engineering in Iraq. Her time abroad also gave her insight to making a meaningful impact through design.

 

“It really is where rubber meets the road,” Donaldson said with a laugh. “The products need to be manufacturable.”

 

“You need to bear in mind that you are designing products in emerging markets and for populations that haven’t used that product,” she said.

 

Donaldson’s experiences have led to a change in D-Rev’s philosophy. Though D-Rev once had a strong emphasis on advocacy, it has changed to producing more physical products.

 

“Unlike just donating money or items, the key difference in development is designing products that have value,” she said.

 

D-Rev’s design process focuses on creating value from human needs. From using medical devices to address jaundice in infants to rubber knee joints for amputees, D-Rev’s approach is to constantly try to improve its products and the way they are integrated in the life of the user. For Donaldson, understanding for whom one is designing is critical. To gain this understanding, Donaldson goes straight to the source.

 

“When we went to India, we asked a young man about his thoughts on the knee joint, and he said that he didn’t like the clicking sound that the knee joints made since it made it hard for him to blend in,” Donaldson said. “We took what he said and designed a new version that doesn’t make any noise, and now the prosthetic leg blends in better.”

 

This philosophy on the intersection between engineering and international development is one that Donaldson is excited to share at Stanford’s TEDx conference.

 

“I am honored to be asked to speak at the conference,” Donaldson said. “I think it’s going to be a really good dialogue that is going to push us to think about the role of technology and ingenuity in society.”

 

Donaldson said she believes that engineering and design are powerful tools that can bring about social change and make a true impact.

 

“It’s really inspiring because everyday, everywhere you look, you see something that has been developed on some level by an engineer,” she said.

 

Using engineering and design in an affordable, effective way for social good is what Donaldson and D-Rev continue to explore.

 

“Enabling people to help themselves is what it’s really about,” Donaldson said.

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Co-ops now require Tier 2 for pre-assignment https://stanforddaily.com/2012/04/06/co-ops/ https://stanforddaily.com/2012/04/06/co-ops/#comments Fri, 06 Apr 2012 10:04:23 +0000 https://stanforddaily.com/?p=1062472 With tonight's deadline for pre-assignment fast approaching, a new housing policy will require students who wish to pre-assign into a cooperative house for the 2012-13 academic year to use their Tier 2 housing preference.

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With tonight’s deadline for pre-assignment fast approaching, a new housing policy will require students who wish to pre-assign into a cooperative house for the 2012-13 academic year to use their Tier 2 housing preference.

 

While in the past students had been able to draw into co-ops such as Kairos and Enchanted Broccoli Forrest (EBF) with their Tier 3 housing preference, now all co-ops require the use of a Tier 2 preference.

 

This change means that for students who have already used their Tier 2 housing, choosing to pre-assign to a co-op will require that they use their Tier 1 housing preference.

 

Anthony So ’14 was planning to use his Tier 3 housing choice to pre-assign into a co-op during his junior year. “But now I can’t,” he said, suggesting that he doesn’t want to use his Tier 1 preference to land in a co-op.

 

“I like the idea of pre-assigning,” So added. “Living in a co-op is a great way to meet people and have a sense of community.”

 

“It seems like this policy really limits the amount that you can diversify your Stanford experience through housing,” So said. “Basically, you have to live in a dorm for the majority of the time.”

 

Gabriella Durango ’12 said she also believes that the new policy is restricting to individuals who are looking to live in a co-op. She predicted that the change would be met with negative feedback.

 

“It seems like housing is getting homogenized,” Durango said.

 

“I personally don’t like it,” she added. “Not only does it limit people’s choices, but it could destroy a community that people really treasure.”

 

According to Durango, the community atmosphere of co-ops appeals strongly to individuals who feel much more comfortable living in a co-op rather than a dorm.

 

“Co-ops are getting more and more popular, but it seems like this policy is just another way to facilitate the homogenization of housing at Stanford,” she said.

 

A ResEd assistant dean did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication.

 

Some students, however, said they believe that the change of policy might offer more enthusiasm and interest in the co-ops themselves.

 

“Maybe people will have a better chance of drawing into the co-op that they want because they are using their Tier 2,” said Maddy Sides ’15, a Daily photo editor. “That way, everyone who would pre-assign to the co-op would be really enthusiastic about it since it would be their top choice.”

 

Part of the appeal of the co-ops at Stanford is that they offer an alternative style of living, with a strong sense of community and ownership. This is often a major factor influencing students who choose to pre-assign into co-ops, according to Sides.

 

“Living in an all-freshman dorm has been a cool part of the year, and it’s because of the sense of community,” Sides said of her current living environment. “The idea of drawing into a big sophomore dorm doesn’t really appeal to me. I really want to continue to live in a community.”

 

Sides said she believes she can find this sense of a close-knit community in a co-op.

 

“I’ve heard from some of my upperclassmen friends about co-ops,” she added. “They have told me about their positive experiences, and I wanted to look into them.”

 

Peter Johnston ’14, a Synergy resident, described his co-op is “a big, loving, affectionate family.”

 

“Coming home to Synergy is like coming to your actual home,” he said. “There is so much freedom and independence living at Synergy.”

 

“With co-ops it’s all about the community,” Durango said. “You really invest yourself into the housing community, cleaning and cooking. Everyone feels responsible and has a greater respect for others, since there is a sense of communal ownership.”

 

Though the effects of the policy have yet to be seen, Johnston doesn’t believe that the changes will affect the atmosphere at Synergy or other co-ops.

 

“This year we had lots of freshmen come and visit Synergy, and there were tons who pre-assigned,” Johnston said. “I think this [policy] will just reduce the number of people who pre-assign.”

 

“Ultimately, it seems like most of the people who would use Tier 3 to draw into co-ops would also use their Tier 2 as well,” he added.

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New food for thought https://stanforddaily.com/2011/10/11/new-food-for-thought/ https://stanforddaily.com/2011/10/11/new-food-for-thought/#comments Tue, 11 Oct 2011 10:02:53 +0000 https://stanforddaily.com/?p=1050589 The Arrillaga Family Dining Commons is a collaboration between Stanford Dining, Stanford Athletics, the Stanford School of Medicine, and the Culinary Institute of America to bring healthy, balanced meals to Stanford students.

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New food for thought
The Arrillaga Family Dining Commons caters to the needs of hungry Stanford students Monday. Its grand opening was Sept. 30. (LUIS AGUILAR/The Stanford Daily)

“Whoa.”

“Oh my God! Look at that!”

“Dude. This dining hall is legit.”

One after the other, students climbed hurriedly up the stairs. Looking all around, with eyes wide open, the hungry hordes made their way to the second floor of the Arrillaga Family Dining Commons.

The entire floor was buzzing with excitement, as people eagerly took their plates to the different food stations. As sunshine permeated through the large glass windows, students took their seats and chatted with friends inside or ventured to the outdoor seating on the terrace overlooking palm trees and the setting sun.

One thing is clear: Arrillaga Family Dining Commons is anything but the average college dining hall.

A collaborative effort between Stanford Dining, Stanford Athletics, the School of Medicine and the Culinary Institute of America, Arrillaga Dining Commons seeks to meet the various needs of students and change the way people view their meals.

“It’s truly a multi-purpose environment, with a place for cooking, exercising and learning,” said Shirley Everett, senior associate vice provost of residential and dining enterprises. “We really listened to the students, and we want this to be a place that students are proud of.”

Rebecca Amato ‘14 and a group of her friends were among the first to enter the Arrillaga Family Dining Commons.

“We had been anticipating the grand opening, so we waited outside beforehand because we wanted to beat the crowd,” Amato said.

“It was really cool walking into the first level,” she added. “There were welcoming couches and pillows, which you don’t normally see in a dining hall. It felt more like a resort.”

This enthusiasm is exactly what Everett had hoped for.

“It’s great to see the looks of students who are in awe of the dining hall,” she said. “All they can say is, ‘Wow,’ and when Stanford students are happy, I’m happy.”

The dining commons incorporates the educational aspect of food and health with its Performance Dining Initiative, part of Stanford Dining’s Eat Well program, and joins together technology, sustainability and nutritional themes. Unlike most other dining halls, Arrillaga Dining Commons seeks to educate students about the nutritional value of the food they eat.

The dining hall focuses on six different health and nutritional categories, each of which students will have the opportunity to learn about through different wellness apps on the iPads scattered across the dining hall.

According to Stanford Dining’s estimates, the roughly 4000 students on meal plans will consume in total about 200 million meals over their lifetimes.

“Our goal is to get students learning about how the healthy choices they make can influence their lifestyles,” said Stanford Dining Executive Director Eric Montell.

Anna Nti Asare ’14 said she believes healthier options are a definite advantage of the new dining commons.

“The pre-made salads are really good,” Nti Asare said, who is a vegetarian.

She also appreciates how the dining commons accommodates the needs of students.

“Class schedules don’t really fit nicely with the dining hall hours, so you end up having to buy food,” Nti Asare said. “But with Arrillaga, you can still eat in the dining hall.”

And that’s how it was planned.

“This is a result of a great partnership with students,” Montell said. “The extended hours make it so that students don’t have to compromise, skipping meals because of their classes or other commitments.”

Daniel Bui ’12 said that the Arrillaga Dining Commons is unlike any dining hall he has been to before.

“I regret that the Arrillaga dining hall wasn’t an option when I was a sophomore,” Bui said.

Other nontraditional features can be found in the kitchen and the basement.

“We have a kitchen that is separated with a wall of glass so students can see the preparation of their food,” Montell said. “If you go downstairs, there is a multipurpose room, and there will be cooking and exercise classes held there.”

In addition, the dining commons will be the new host of The Dish, the late-night dining option that used to be at Stern. It is expected to open Oct. 13.

With all of its new features and educational initiatives as food for thought, the Arrillaga Family Dining Commons has the potential to change the way people view dining at Stanford.

CORRECTION: In a previous version of this story, The Daily quoted Stanford Dining Executive Director Eric Montell saying that an average person consumes 200 million meals in their lifespan. It is in fact the number of meals Stanford Dining expects its roughly 4000 students on meal plans in total will consume over their lifetimes.

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Putting the ‘intense’ in Arts Intensive https://stanforddaily.com/2011/09/20/putting-the-%e2%80%98intense%e2%80%99-in-arts-intensive/ https://stanforddaily.com/2011/09/20/putting-the-%e2%80%98intense%e2%80%99-in-arts-intensive/#respond Tue, 20 Sep 2011 11:03:38 +0000 https://stanforddaily.com/?p=1049966 For many Stanford students, the month of September signifies the last few carefree weeks of summer vacation to be spent without worrying about the start of classes looming in the not-so-distant future. However, during this time, many other students are already on campus hard at work at the Sophomore College (SoCo) and Arts Intensive programs.

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For many Stanford students, the month of September signifies the last few carefree weeks of summer vacation to be spent without worrying about the start of classes looming in the not-so-distant future. However, during this time, many other students are already on campus hard at work at the Sophomore College (SoCo) and Arts Intensive programs.

As part of the larger September Studies program, SoCo and Arts Intensive may sound like sacrificing summer in order to start school early. But with trips to the White House, filmmaking, dancing to professionally choreographed routines and more, the two programs consist of anything but typical schoolwork.

Students who participate in SoCo, a three-week residential program, enjoy the best of what Stanford has to offer. In a seminar setting, classes of 12-14 students become completely immersed in the focus of the course. Led by faculty and experts in the field, students are exposed not only to the topic of the seminar, but also to a new perspective on learning.

“I applied for SoCo not just out of interest in the topic but because I wanted the chance to learn from and work with esteemed faculty and insightful students from different backgrounds who shared a common interest,” Veronica Polin ’14 wrote in an email to The Daily.

To fully understand and explore the topic, Polin’s SoCo, “The Face of Battle,” traveled to Washington, D.C.

“‘The Face of Battle’ was an in-depth study of warfare focusing on Gettysburg, the Battle of Little Bighorn and Afghanistan,” Polin said. “We applied this knowledge to contemporary issues of national security. By visiting the places in which these critical decisions are made, we got a first-hand look at decisions that affect our entire country.”

Unlike many typical classes, the September Studies classes allow participants to learn the material in a hands-on manner.

For Savannah Kopp ’14, who took an Arts Intensive course on documentary filmmaking, the class was a way to broaden her perspective and knowledge on a subject she already studies.

“I’m really interested in writing, but more specifically, I am interested in screen-writing,” Kopp said. “I wanted to take this course to further explore different sides of the process.”

Kopp and others taking the course spent days filming and directing their own documentaries. Totally immersed in their roles, participants in the class were able to draw conclusions about their own interests.

“Arts Intensive is really fast paced–before one assignment or project is finished, you are assigned another one,” Kopp said. “It is a crash course in filmmaking. They really put the ‘intensive’ in Arts Intensive.”

Makiko Fujimoto ’14, a participant in the ballet Arts Intensive, echoed Kopp’s sentiment. “It’s intense,” Fujimoto said, chuckling.

For Fujimoto, a classically trained ballet dancer practicing since she was four years old, Arts Intensive was something she needed to reset her focus.

“Arts Intensive really rekindled my love of ballet,” Fujimoto said. “I learned so much more about technique and style, which pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me realize there’s so much I know I want to explore in the future.”

Unlike Fujimoto, Kopp’s interests didn’t directly change as a result of Arts Intensive; however, her insight and understanding did.

“Filmmaking is a lot harder and more technical than I thought,” she said. “I definitely earned a lot of respect for the process. Even though I’m more interested in the screen-writing aspect, it’s good that I had the chance to see this side of it.”

Frederik Groce ’14 also came out with valuable insights from SoCo.

“We really were able to delve deeply into the subject since it was what we dedicated all of our time to,” Groce said of his course on American conservatism. “The fact that the class was in an intimate seminar setting and that everyone did the reading made the discussions so much richer.”

Like others, Groce’s SoCo course inspired him to branch out to explore other academic fields.

“It has really motivated me to learn more about public policy, and it also reinforced my idea of going into the social sciences,” he said.

While it is clear that SoCo and Arts Intensive courses usually positively influence their participants, past students add that these benefits only increase with time.

“SoCo was such a valuable experience, and it was how education should be,” said Denise Johnson ’12, who took a course about smallpox and infectious disease. Every day I was so happy and excited to go to class. It made me want to take it upon myself to ask questions and learn the material well.”

In addition to fostering self-motivation and a new approach to learning, SoCo also allowed her to make important connections and friendships, Johnson said.

“After SoCo, I’ve made so much more of an effort to go to office hours and to get to know the professors,” she said. “I still talk to my SoCo professor, and he has helped me with everything from courses to major advising. The experience made me want to take advantage of all Stanford has to offer.”

Nabila Abdallah ’13, a past participant of the graphic design Arts Intensive, considers her experience to be a formative and memorable one.

“For me, Arts Intensive was a way for me to continue my interest in the arts,” Abdallah said. “I was very artistic in high school, but I didn’t really get the chance to explore the arts at Stanford or get creatively involved. Through Arts Intensive, I was allowed to go on a trip to New York with 15 other students to see the art scene up close. We went to Broadway, the MOMA and all these other places that really allowed me to see what American arts culture is all about.”

The verdict from most September Studies participants is clear.

“Think about it, you could be doing nothing at home for three weeks or you could be having the most amazing experience instead,” Johnson said. “Your choice.”

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Beyond the barbershop: Stanford’s diverse a capella scene https://stanforddaily.com/2011/08/11/beyond-the-barbershop-a-capella-at-stanford/ https://stanforddaily.com/2011/08/11/beyond-the-barbershop-a-capella-at-stanford/#respond Thu, 11 Aug 2011 10:03:21 +0000 https://stanforddaily.com/?p=1049789 From the silly to the soulful, a cappella groups are a vital and visible part of life at Stanford from one’s first days on the Farm–surely, most students can recall hiking over to Frost Amphitheater with their new ProFro friends, taking in the diverse musical talents of the various troupes at the annual a capella show during Admit Weekend.

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Beyond the barbershop: Stanford's diverse a capella scene
SERENITY NGUYEN/The Stanford Daily

From the silly to the soulful, a cappella groups are a vivacious and visible part of life at Stanford from one’s first days on the Farm–surely, most students can recall hiking over to Frost Amphitheater with their new ProFro friends, taking in the diverse musical talents of the various troupes at the annual a capella show during Admit Weekend. While a cappella is far from unique to Stanford, the array of musical styles explored by the groups on campus is varied, including classic rock ’n’ roll, Bollywood and jazz, to name a few.

Stanford currently boasts nine a capella groups. Founded in 1963, the Stanford Mendicants is the oldest group on campus, an all-male crew known for its red sport coats, khakis and swoon-worthy hits like “Brown Eyed Girl” and “Pretty Woman.” Mixed Company and Counterpoint are the oldest coed and all-female groups, respectively, and both sing contemporary radio tunes.

Then there are the thematic troupes: Everyday People explores R&B and hip-hop, and Talisman sings African and African American folk songs and spirituals. Testimony performs Christian music, and the Harmonics is a coed rock ensemble. Fleet Street’s tunes like “Everyone Pees in the Shower” speak for the all-male group’s goofy personality. And founded in 2002, Raagapella is the newest member of the bunch, featuring Southeast Asian sounds.

This mixed nature of the groups appeals to the similarly diverse Stanford community.

“I think [the a capella groups] are a great asset to our college community, because they represent the Stanford community as a whole,” said Rebecca Amato ‘14. “There is such a diversity of groups that students can relate to. The combination of groups makes for a good concert because the different songs and styles all mix well together.”

For the singers, a capella is a serious extracurricular undertaking, entailing a tryout in the fall followed by a year of hard work and dedication.

Talisman, a group that has traveled across the globe to perform, has regular practices that can add up to 10 hours per week. This does not include the occasional gig and extra sectionals. However, its toil does not go unnoticed–Talisman receives far more students auditioning each fall than spots available, and the group enjoys great popularity among the Stanford community.

“We sing music that tells stories of people with real experiences of struggle and oppression,” said Sterling Camden ‘06, the 2010-11 manager of Talisman. “We try to portray it as accurately as we can and to tell where it came from and show how the individuals felt.”

“Many of the songs originated in South Africa, which we’ve visited five times, and the story travels through the music,” he added. “We never want to just sing the songs–we want the audience to engage and to talk about the song.”

Beyond the barbershop: Stanford's diverse a capella scene
Founded in 2002, Raagapella is the newest of Stanford’s nine a capella groups. The all-male troupe performs South Asian music. (Stanford Daily File Photo)

While trying to engage the audience and reach out to them through music is important, perhaps the most appealing aspect of a cappella groups to their members is the sheer joy that comes as a result of making music.

Natalie Cheng ’14, a member of Counterpoint, the second oldest and only all-female a cappella group on campus, says that the group chooses to sing songs that they simply love to listen to and sing along with.

Cheng knew before coming to campus that she wanted to join an a cappella group due to her “love for music and singing.”

“I remember seeing a visiting a cappella group come to my high school,” she said. “It was just really inspiring to see how much fun they were having and how much fun it was to watch.”

“A cappella is a community where you get to do what you love,” Cheng added. “It is a fun activity rather than just another commitment. There is such a sense of enjoyment from singing, which I think really adds color to the University.”

Though Cheng knew that she hoped to pursue a capella in college, this is not the case for all eventual singers, many of whom never sang formally before coming to Stanford.

Luke Knepper ’14, a member of the rock-focused Harmonics, is one such student. With no prior experience in the world of a capella, he was inspired to join after seeing the group’s energetic performance during his Admit Weekend visit and has not regretted the decision.

“I am so glad I joined Harmonics,” Knepper said. “It’s great to be in a group of people and just make music. We’ve also had such cool opportunities, such as being able to perform at four different UC campuses and for the mayor of San Francisco.”

Knepper also appreciates the opportunity to perform for his peers, the same types of performances that originally attracted him to the craft.

“The performances for people during [New Student Orientation] or Admit Weekend are some of my favorites,” he said. “It’s so fun and exciting to welcome them to campus.”

But in addition to providing a venue for fellow students to enjoy live, raw musical performances put on by their friends and classmates, a cappella is quintessentially Stanford–visibly passionate students collaborating in a creative atmosphere, producing an original end product that the entire community can benefit from.

“A lot of the ideas behind our songs come from the interactions between the group,” said Andrew Forsyth ’14, a member of Fleet Street. “It’s a group of friends that gets together to sing. We joke around, we sing and we have fun.”

 

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“Throwback” is Full of Jazz and Soul https://stanforddaily.com/2011/05/13/throwback-is-full-of-jazz-and-soul/ https://stanforddaily.com/2011/05/13/throwback-is-full-of-jazz-and-soul/#respond Fri, 13 May 2011 07:50:39 +0000 https://stanforddaily.com/?p=1048465 Throwback in Black was a true glimpse into what Everyday People is all about -- passion, creativity and true love of music.

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On Saturday, May 7, Everyday People went back to the basics with their spring show, Throwback in Black. True to its name, the show paid tribute to Everyday People traditions, performing pieces that were arranged and sung by former members of the group.

The show consisted of a fantastic mix of the classics and more modern pieces — but with a twist. The entire group incorporated a jazzy and soulful spin on traditional pieces like Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me” and Alicia Keys’s “It’s a Man’s Man’s World/Fallin’.” In addition to showcasing the group’s harmonious sound, the spring show gave members the opportunity to display their individual talent through solos.

These individual acts included riveting covers of Coldplay’s “The Scientist” and Adele’s “Hometown Glory.” The two-hour long performance ranged from soul to R&B to hip-hop, and it was evident that a lot of time and effort went into the show.

“It took us all year to put this together. The Everyday People spring show showcases a diverse group of people with a diverse group of voices,” said Shawnee Baughman ’12. “This coming together creates a soulful sound that can reach any audience.”

The group’s chemistry comes from the people, who, as stated by the emcees of the show, love what they do.
“Everyday People is full of people with a passion for music and singing,” said Emily Mann ’13. “The spring show lets us share that passion with others.”

Though Everyday People’s spring show represents the culmination of a successful year, the show also was meant to celebrate the soon-to-be graduating seniors in the group. After presenting them with bouquets of flowers, the entire group joined together with Everyday People alumni to perform an upbeat rendition of Sly & the Family Stone’s “Everyday People.”

Throwback in Black was a true glimpse into what Everyday People is all about — passion, creativity and true love of music.

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