Tattoos have been controversial for quite some time, but more and more people are allowing permanent ink to tell stories on their skin. Tattoos enable an individual to express their emotions and thoughts through this unique type of art. Sometimes, the pain of the tattoo is not as bad as the stories behind it.

Below are just a few unique tattoos that students on campus have.  Each tells a story – a story that they now have painted on their skin for life. Tattoos are memories that will never disappear.

Kaye Field ’14

”I picked the daisy missing a petal because of the quote ‘Imperfection is Beauty’ because even though the daisy is missing a petal and isn’t perfect, it is still beautiful. I absolutely love this quote because it is so true and I believe that everyone should love all of their imperfections because it just makes them more beautiful.” 

Renee’ Saraceni ’12

“I got this tattoo after a difficult time in my life. I was going through a lot personally and realized that no body was going to pick me up off the floor – I had to do it myself. ‘Stay Strong’ was something I told myself every single day to make it through.”

Josh Eiffe ’11

“The dragon represents strength and the Koi fish is good luck and represents overcoming struggle.”

“These are Oni masks and they represent good and evil.”

Chrissy Dunn ’12

“My tattoo stands for my relationship with my grandmother. She was my best friend growing up and meant the world to me, that is what the ‘love’ is for. I included the Breast Cancer ribbon because that is what I lost her to, but throughout her illness, she always stayed strong and never gave up.”

Jennifer Graham ’12

“The lavender ribbon stands for general cancer awareness.  This tattoo represents all of the people I have known throughout my life who have struggled through any type of cancer – including my brother and myself. Having this tattoo makes me realize that life could be much more difficult and everyday is a miracle.”

If you have a unique tattoo that has a story connected to it, feel free to attach a photo and story into the comment box. Everyone should have be able to express their thoughts connected to tattoos – now, it’s your turn.

This year was quite a triumph for the Keuka College Dance Team.  Coaches, Ashleen Betts and Caroline Menaguale, along with their active captain, Chrissy Dunn, have brought the team to new heights.  During the spring semester, the group has attended two competitions - one in Rochester and one in Buffalo.  Both of these experiences allowed the young women to express their passion in front of a new, fresh crowd as well as explore the world of college level competitions.

“The Keuka College Dance Team is a hard working team that has been improving tremendously over the years and is full of great girls,” states Menaguale, sophomore coach. The end of the year showcase was performed on April 15 and 19, giving the Keuka community a chance to view and enjoy the dances that the women have worked hard on over the year. Dance genres ranged from contemporary and lyrical to hip-hop and jazz.

Even with Betts, senior coach, graduating Keuka, the team will courageously carry on the team title. The group hopes to continue to compete in the upcoming year as well as proceed with a successful end of the year showcase as well as performances at sports games. No matter what the circumstance may be, the Keuka College Dance Team will continue to push forward, showing their passion for dance throughout the year.

Keuka College has SmartBoards, new flat-screen televisions to project lessons on, Macs in Lightner Library, an Occupational Therapy lab and apartment and technology that is readily available to students and faculty on campus. The use of iPads has become even more successful during the past year and student’s have seen them being actively used during their Field Periods or at work.  The applications that iPads have, give students and business workers the ability to express their knowledge in new, diverse ways. It has even been stated that soon, text books will be online or on Nooks and/or Kindles to bring students into a new realm of learning and understanding. Is the idea of eBooks still controversial or are people willing to explore beyond comfortable boundaries?

Even though all of this technology is helpful, is it abolustely needed? Do students need to be overloaded with abrupt, new technology when they can comfortably flip through a text book as it sits on their lap? Should students take the time to attend sessions on how iPads and SmartBoards can be used to inform society about new ways to introduce knowledge? This technological boom is exciting, but is it become too much to handle?

It truly is up to the individual themself to decide whether or not they are willing to take the technological plunge.  If an iPad will help their future career and they are willing to explore the unique applications, the adventure is waiting with welcoming arms. If individuals would rather stick to text books and projector screens, it is their decision and they will do their best to be the best.

In this day and age, members of society are free to choose what they wish.  However, it is just a matter of time until technology begins to take over without a voice being able to interfere.  Until then, the decision is ours.

As students return after their week off from classes, there is more than enough to look forward to.  Some of the activities worth the wait are as follows:

FRISBEE AND KAN-JAM ON THE CHAPEL LAWN. Who doesn’t like playing a game on the lawn as the sun shines down?  When you have a break between classes, find a frisbee, football or KanJam and take an hour to relax and destress.

VOLLEYBALL ON THE COURT NEAR SPACE HALL. Indoor sports and activities are great, but being outside on the sand volleyball court brings on a different kind of thrill.

KEUKA COLLEGE DANCE TEAM AND STEP TEAM PERFORMANCES. During April, KCDT and Step Team will be performing for family, friends and students.  Take the time to support your fellow peers!

WALKING DOWN TO POINT NEAMO. It’s always relaxing to walk down to the lake, feel the water on your toes and the sun on your shoulders.  Bring some homework and sit by the lake and when your focus starts to wear, take a walk to clear your head.

STUDYING ON A TOWEL WHILE SUNBATHING. While students play frisbee or KanJam, lay down and enjoy the weather by being a good student as well.

“SPRING WEEKEND” AND “MAYDAY WEEKEND.” Everyone in the Keuka knows that ‘Spring Weekend’ and ‘Mayday Weekend’ are two crazy, exciting weekends for students and faculty.  Get all of your homework done beforehand and take a weekend to enjoy your friends and the activities on the Chapel Lawn.

GRADUATION. For all of those antsy seniors, this is the day they have been waiting anxiously for.  After four or more years in college, it is time to enter a new realm of reality.

OPTIMISM MONTH. Even when the overwhelming amount of schoolwork is holding you down, find time to lift your chin up and think positive.  For many, this is easier said than done, but it is worth the effort.  We are all at Keuka for a reason and that reason is to receive an education worth our time.

ACT HAPPY  WEEK (MARCH 21-27). During your spring break, take the time to spend your vacation the way you want to.  Meet up with old friends or plan a few nights out on the town.  Do something that will make you happy because a break from school means a break to do what you want to do.

FIRST DAY OF SPRING (MARCH 20). Hopefully by now, the snow has melted, the sun is peeking through the clouds and students are playing Frisbee and lacrosse on the Chapel lawn. When not studying or sitting through a lecture, go outside and breathe in a new change of pace.  Spring is the beginning of a new part of the year and it is worth the time spent in the new, warmer weather. It will help relieve stress and take your mind off of the hardships of college.

INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION (MARCH 21). We all know that society still struggles with race and gender discrimination, even though we have been trying for years to eliminate these thoughts.  Visit the Office of Multicultural Affairs to discover some interesting facts about students or talk to the international students about their lives before Keuka.  You never know what information could make your day.

Over the winter months, Keuka College has been working diligently to find new and exciting meal ideas for the year.  Angela Brooks, manager, is pleased with how the new ideas and experiments have been turning out and on top of that – so have the students.

Below is a short question and answer session with Angela Brooks, discussing the new and improved atmosphere, meal choices and ideas surrounding The Geiser:
1) What inspired you and your staff to change things up? We wanted to offer the students and faculty new culinary ideas, showcase food trends, and to experiment with new recipes to add to upcoming menus.

2) Why “New Inspirations”?  When Chef Steve and I talked about how we cook, we kept talking about the different things that inspire our food and cooking philosophies.  We knew that the new platform was going to be inspiration based, and realized “New Inspirations” would convey all of our thoughts, feelings and goals.

3) What are some of your favorite changes and why?  I LOVE the new wall color in the servery, it was time for a change.  Another change I am really happy with is the new cooking area we added in the servery.  I think it nice to see your food cooked right in front of you.

4) Are there any plans for new changes to come? YES!  We are planning more events and special stations like the International Coffee bar in March and the Candy Station in April and Chef Steve and friends will be going head to head for our Battle of the Chefs during dinner on March 22nd , just to name a few. 

5) Is there a personal favorite dish you have?  We have not had it yet, but I can’t wait for our Dr. Seuss’ Birthday lunch special on March 2nd of Green Eggs and Ham!  (What else would we serve?!)

Peer Counselors are students on campus who are trained through the Health and Counseling Services. These students meet weekly and are in the residence halls with you – willing to listen to your story, complaint or rant.  These students have signs on their room doors as well as signs in the residence hall they live in, stating where you can find them.

Peer Counselors keep every word you say confidential.  They have been trained to do just that and would never want anyone to feel uncomfortable or uneasy. They are available whenever they are not busy with class or work and will find a place to go with you so you do not feel as if people may overhear the conversation.

Whether it be relationship issues, schoolwork or family problems, Peer Counselors are on campus to help.  Just because you want to talk about your issues does not make you crazy or weird – it makes you feel better. Take the time to seek out the Peer Counselor who lives in your building.  You will not regret it.

Of course, there are other activities that go one during this exciting night, but one that is always noted is the ‘ringing of the bell.’ At midnight, when seniors return from their night of festivities, they all line up to ring the bell one-hundred times.  This represents the days left until the students say good-bye to Keuka College and hello to the real world or the beginning of their journey towards their Masters Degree.

Below are a few statements from seniors at Keuka College discussing their thoughts on “100 Days”:

Adam McCarthy 2011

“It means after all the world we have done, there is only 100 days left until it’s over.”

Jenna Wilkinson 2011

“It is the start of a celebration of our senior year as it comes to an end of one step of our life.”

Ashleen Betts 2011

“’100 Days’ is a way to celebrate all of the seniors who have worked to get to where we are – it’s a chance to let go and have fun.”

I may not truly be an official senior yet, but it is my fifth year of college thus far.  I will be celebrating “100 Days” because many of my friends are graduating this year and I would not be able to celebrate this day with them next year.  I am celebrating the work I have put forth during the past five years that has helped me get where I am now.

CREATIVE ROMANCE MONTH: Now that Valentine’s Day has come to a close, you can take all of your bottled up romantic energy (or lack there of) and put it into a creative poem, story, song or piece of artwork. Even thought the “Day of Love” is over, you can still think up a creative idea or gift to give to someone to show you care.  You shouldn’t show someone you care about them all in one day – you should continue to show that emotion everyday for the rest of your life.

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP WEEK (2/14 – 2/19): Push aside all of the issues and drama you have with your roommates or close friends.  Take the time to appreciate those around you for everything they do.  Whether it be taking them out to dinner, watching a movie with them or simply making them laugh, it’s time to show your friends how appreciative you are of them.

Go sledding, snowboarding or skiing. Even if you have already experienced the delight that moving quickly down an icy slope brings, why not experience that emotion with a group of friends or peers? Get a whole group together, set a date, find a place and take a few hours to relax and be active while being social.

Bake holiday treats. Whether you are with friends or family, who doesn’t like to devour a plate of holiday cookies? Baking holiday cookies or building a Gingerbread House could be seen as an enjoyable, simple date even. Click on some of the holiday music and set the mood – it will turn any frantic moment into a content one.

Watch Elf and The Grinch.  These two movies are films that never get old.  Even during the summer, these movies can make you laugh until your stomach hurts. Grab a group of friends, make some hot-chocolate and sit back and enjoy two wonderful movies that will make anybody’s day.

Good old-fashioned snowball fight. Even though we are seen as adults these days, we can still jump into our childhood, build a fort and attack friends with snowballs. Grab a sibling, neighbor or friend and create a plan of attack.  Get your winter jacket on, gloves and some boots and prepare the neighborhood for an attack – college student style.

Relaxing with a good book. Okay, so many students do not want to even get near a piece of literature over the winter break. However, many individuals love the time that winter break gives because it allows them to sit back, sip calmly at a cup of coffee and dive into a mindless, entertaining novel. Find a nearby Starbucks, Barnes and Noble or Wegmans, bring a new book and take a couple hours alone to engage yourself in a new story.