I’m not going to miss anything about SDSU.

The crowded parking lots, cheap-looking freshman, know-it-all seniors. Professors who are only here for research, not the students, and lunch ladies who aren’t all too thrilled to be there. And finals.

Who am I kidding? That is what makes SDSU the greatest! I am going to miss this school like crazy. Playing chicken in the parking lots, seeing who can slide in first. Being able to point out all the freshmen on the first day of class because they are all dressed up, (freshmen, you’ll understand next year), and dealing with seniors who look an awful lot like adults.

I will also miss those professors who make it seem like a chore to teach their class. I am laughing at the fact they do not realize they are impacting everyone they come in contact with. And that they could do so much more with their three hours a week. And the lunch staff, who do make each meal enjoyable even if they don’t always have smiles on their faces.

All the nuisance of every day life becomes something I will miss. After choosing the four-and-a-half year plan, I have learned a few things here at State:

1. Always visit professors in their offices. If they won’t help raise your grade, they will at least help you learn your material better.

2. No matter how good Monday’s 50 cent taps sound, homework is more important.

3. If possible to get through college without working, don’t. Live every moment you can with your friends. These are the best years of your life.

4. When parking, always put on your blinker for your spot, to warn the other drivers that that spot is yours.

5. Don’t do 99 at 9 at 9. It will just ruin the rest of your evening by giving you a jump start. It’s better off to get there at 10 and take it slow.

6. Cherish your friends, and every moment you get with them. When you move away, you will no longer be “Kristin in Journalism,” you’ll be “Kristin, TV anchor for Fox News.”

7. In the winter, you won’t look stupid if you wear a hat, gloves, boots, scarf, thick jacket and maybe even a few pairs of jeans, because everyone else will be doing the same.

8. Don’t be afraid to take chances. It’s college. You get a do-over in the real world. But be smart with your chances … achieve dreams.

9. Stick through with promises. If you say you will call someone, do it. If you say you will hang out with someone, do it. This world is becoming so full of promise breakers, it’s time for us to start a new trend.

10. And finally, be yourself. Life is too short to pretend to be someone else.

Thank you to all those who inspired me, to those who pushed me, to those who questioned my motives. Without you, I would not be where I’m at today. Thank you kindergarten teacher for not holding me back, to the friend who broke my heart in fifth grade, the math teacher that refused to give up on me and my family – for paying some bills. Oh, and for being there. Without all of you, I would not graduate this weekend. So thank you. Be real … be safe … just be!

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With holidays coming up only one thing weighs on my mind. Insane family. I’m not talking the kind that need medication (however it may help). I’m talking about the ones with the quirky personalities that you are more than thankful to only see on holidays.

It usually starts with the overexcited parents when you pull up in the driveway.

“Oh I haven’t seen you forever, sweety, I missed you so much!!” (kiss, kiss, kiss)

Then, the father who pretends to not have missed you, but you see that tiny lip quiver as he pats you on the back. Once you get passed the “sane” portion of the family, you meet the extended rellies.

The uncles that fall asleep as soon as lunch is over. The aunts that laugh so loud you can hear them on the next level of the house. The little grandkids that think the more people there are in the house, the more rambunctious they can be. And the grandfather, who falls asleep during the meal, during the prayer, and as soon as lunch is done. Without all this you don’t have a true family celebration.

“Love is what makes this house a home.” Corny as that sounds, it is so true. Now that most of you have left home and come to college, going back doesn’t feel quite the same. Your room feels a little stale, your parents have changed something minor, but to you, it’s the biggest deal in the world, and you start referring to home as back at school. But all that makes the homecoming that much more important. Because you have the insane rellies to welcome you back.

However, it begs me to wonder, if all my relatives are insane … how am I? I’m not insane. I’m perfect, it’s the rest of my family that is crazy. Except there was that one time I soaked my cousin with a hose right before lunch and hid him so my aunt wouldn’t yell at me. And that other time all of us grandkids fed chocolate to the dogs and then got told it could kill them. We hid really well that day (and away from the dogs). All in all, no matter how insane you think the holiday will be, just remember, you’re one of them.

Be thankful for what you have, and the fact that you aren’t on medication yet.

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Are Americans as dumb as they look? Yup, sure are. Our culture knows where the best pizza is, how to weasel a buddy out of money during poker and where to hit the best bars. But that’s where the buck stops.

The average citizen doesn’t know a thing about other countries. What was that? You know about the war in Iraq? No, you don’t. Who are we fighting now? What is our sole purpose there right now? What is the major killer of humans in Africa? AIDS? Wrong, malaria.

America, compared to other countries, is as dense as it comes when dealing with international knowledge. Even our international Web sites focus on America.

Former president Bill Clinton recently spoke about American ignorance. I think he ought to be listened to for once. Taking my last semester of classes, I have found how much I really need to learn out there, as well as the other 10 people in my classes. And if we are ‘well rounded journalists,’ I would hate to see what the rest of society is like.

We were asked in international media class to name five countries we know the most news about. Each person came up with about two. And that was only because we felt we knew Princess Diana and about the war going on in Iraq.

Well there’s more to the world than that. So I beg you to crawl out of your little boxes and see what there really is out there. People from Kenya don’t live in little huts, not all Australians are as adventurous as Steve Irwin and definitely not everyone likes the U.S.

We took land and conquered and then we shut the door behind us. Well, let us open that door because we are perceived as a country whose citizens are stuck on themselves, rude and incompetent. How does that make you feel?

That kind of pisses me off if you ask me. I thought I was very well-rounded; however, I’m finding out it’s completely different. Our society may be a leader in certain things, but intelligence of other countries isn’t one of them.

So grab a newspaper or go online. Pick a country and find out something about that country that intrigues you. And follow it. So next time you are sitting at a table with an international student, you know what they are talking about.

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Sixteen credits, three jobs, and now required by a class to volunteer 12 hours? Where do I fit that in? I guess I’ll pass up sleep. After all, this is college and that’s what students do.

Getting into the routine of 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. days, I figured out how to wiggle in 12 hours. A few hours every Tuesday and Thursday should be good.

So far it’s worked. Every Tuesday and Thursday from 1-3, I visit the United Retirement Center in Brookings. Right now, my duty entails painting the nails of female residents. My dream job. Literally. I paint my nails at least two times a day.

Who knew that forcing myself to spend time with these ladies would turn out to be so therapeutic? Something viewed as a chore, forced homework and painful meaningless chit-chat, turned into something so much more.

Talking with these ladies, I found some were never married and have never had children. One sits in the lobby or her room all day, and her fulfillment comes from getting her nails done every other day. Another has children and grand-children who come every day. She gets her nails done to look wonderful for her children.

Why is it that someone else’s hardship finally makes me think about my life? I want to have children so I don’t sit in a nursing home alone. I want to be married so I have someone who will visit me. Or, if it was switched around, so my husband had someone to visit him.

Painting these ladies’ nails, I realized, was the best way to relate to them. It’s pretty awkward if you have to sit in a chair facing someone in a wheelchair and figure out something to say. It’s a lot easier to ask one of the ladies to pick out a color, argue with them about why bright red would be even better and then go on painting. It draws an extra closeness between the two of us. And after 15 ladies, you begin to get to know them all really well.

What’s my point? I’m glad I was forced to volunteer. One of my classes required I volunteer 12 hours. No ifs, ands or buts about it. I graduate in December and I need this class. I think this is one of the best ideas a teacher has ever had, getting students involved in the community. Students could volunteer anywhere they wanted to. Some did church youth groups, others the Boys and Girls Club. I can’t think of a better way to get SDSU students involved with the community. Yeah, folks at the retirement center may be over 80, but they know Brookings. They know where to go or what there is to do. Most of the ideas are bingo or sporting events on campus, but all ideas are welcomed.

These ladies have inspired me though. To look within myself, to want to do something with my life. To want to make a difference in someone else’s life. Making a friendship with these ladies is just a bonus.

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There’s more to the world than the United States.

Rural South Dakota isn’t what comes to mind when one talks about what changes one’s life. But I’m going in an opposite direction. I’ve learned more in four years in South Dakota than in 18 years back home in Minnesota.

Minnesota is the best state ever, don’t get me wrong. It just amazes me how sheltered I was in a world I thought wouldn’t stop growing around me. I never considered myself to be a racist. I support all ethnic groups and all genres of life. But I never really talked to a Native American or African American. Is that racism?

I think so. It only took me four years to get a friend from Kenya. Was I too scared to talk to someone from a different country? I don’t think so. I can talk to anyone.

Did I feel threatened or worried being around someone of a different race? No, I don’t even see color. I see personalities, backgrounds and lifestyles. So what was it?

I personally think it was opportunity. Most students that come from other countries or ethnic backgrounds live in generally the same area. They’re not dispersed throughout all the dorms. There’s a room for anyone to hang out in, at the TRIO center, but unless you have homework or need help, most people don’t usually go in there.

I met my friend online. We began chatting and getting to know each other. Which made it easier to meet for the first time in person – just because one can talk and spell easily online doesn’t mean it’s that way in person. After a few language barrier problems and the noise of the bars, I found my friend. My friend is someone who I can talk to about anything. Someone who doesn’t mind if I ask a dumb question about their country, because they can do it about my country.

My only regret is that it took me four years to find a friend like this. Someone who can give me more than the United States. Someone who can expand my mind and show me what is really out there. Someone who can call me a friend … in two languages.

SDSU helped me expand my horizons. Has it expanded yours? Don’t let your first year at school be boxed in a shell of “getting to know SDSU.” Because that is how you will stay for four years. And don’t leave school without expanding your mind. It’s hard to make a judgment about something or someone if you have never experienced it.

So expand your minds, your life and your hearts. You might be surprised by what you find.

I was.

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Harvey Dunn touched many hearts at SDSU. One in particular was Ada Caldwell. She began as his art teacher, not knowing she would inspire a man who would become a nationally recognized painter.

Now, history lives on as Dunn continues to inspire those of a new generation.

College and high-school students, as well as a few adults, make up the 20 dancers who will perform a dance, put to music, inspired by the Dunn paintings. The performances will take place Sept. 21, 23 and 24 at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center.

After two years of preparing, Lindsie Page, a junior journalism major, is one of the dancers who plans to show SDSU the real Harvey Dunn.

She and her fellow performers have put a lot of time and effort into the dances. The idea for the show came from Melissa Hauschild-Mork, dance specialist for the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department at SDSU. However, the entire group choreographed the show.

“It’s been a learning and growing experience. A lot of trial and error,” Page said.

The show will feature 10 to 15 dances that represent Dunn’s talent.

The dances will be accompanied by poems by author Darla Bielfeldt, which depict Dunn’s paintings.

“Some of the dances will have poems read before the dance, and other dances have the poems incorporated,” said Page.

Page was intrigued to try something new, and cannot wait to perform.

“I think students should know there is more to dance than entertainment; there is expression,” she said.

If all goes well, the dancers hope to perform the show in Sioux Falls.

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Last year, there was a Collegian article that talkied about standing behind our soldiers as just being a fad. That idea had been on my mind long before that article was written.

During the first two years of the war, you could walk down a street and see yellow ribbons everywhere. Signs said, “Support our troops.” If a home didn’t have a ribbon or sign, people thought, “How inconsiderate.”

But now, four years after the war has started, the ribbons and signs have dwindled. The support no longer exists at every home. Now, when you look down a street and see a ribbon or sign, you think of how weird it looks. If in a whole row of homes only one home has a yellow ribbon on the tree, that home is the exception.

Why aren’t we supporting our troops now? Why is it that when a son, daughter, friend, neighbor, boyfriend or wife comes home, we just see them as being gone on a vacation or extended stay? These troops are war vets. War vets! Those two words remind me of my grandfather and his generation. Who ever thought that this would be in our generation? Well, it is. Although it may be scary, it’s a part of our life. And it seems like no one is backing the soldiers anymore. They receive medals, Purple Hearts, lose limbs and a lot even die.

I’m not saying that I support the war or don’t support the war. I am merely wondering where all our support for troops has gone. Kids as young as 18 are going overseas and being forced to become adults. Generations of men and women are holding each other in their arms as they die. Where is the support for those troops who come back?

A yellow ribbon is so little and minor, but makes such a large statement in the world. A piece of ribbon one foot long can make you a bystander or part of the action. Don’t tie the ribbon up because someone yelled at you or wrote a letter that made you think. Do it because a soldier fights for your right to read this newspaper, to go to the polls and to vote and drive home on these safe streets to your family without the fear of a mortar attack.

I don’t want this to be a “donate to the troops” lecture. I just want people to understand how lost some of the troops feel when they come back. We supported the first group of troops who went over to fight, and now they feel like they are alone over there.

I thought wearing a yellow ribbon on my car showed I cared enough. But it didn’t. They needed to hear from me that I’m glad they are back, that I understand why they had to go overseas and that they are heroes to me.

Does your soldier know you still support him/her?

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This issue ends my reign as editor-in-chief. After the sadness kicks in, relief does as well. No more 4 a.m. Monday nights. No more pointless questions at midnight. No more yelling at staff for not getting their pages done. With all of that, I’m going to miss it though!

After “falling” into this position, I was scared out of my mind. “Control a college paper? That is impossible,” I told myself. I’m not ready for this. I’m not ready to take on the world. I was told you had to have a thick skin if you run the Collegian (or any paper for that matter.) So when I came into the job, I thought I had a thick skin, but the paper proved me wrong. My skin has defiantly gotten thicker, but isn’t thick enough. It has definitely prepared me for the real world though.

I have SDSU to thank for that. What a great opportunity. Being president of the journalism club for two years, editor-in-chief of the Collegian, and building a resume’ tape for my future … SDSU has allowed me to do so much.

A special thanks to President Miller for helping me out with a lot of things. This institution is going to be losing a great president next year. I’d also like to thank Sherry Fuller Bordewyk, who is our advisor. After a few weeks of stepping on toes and fighting for power, we finally figured it out. She is a great asset to the Collegian. Jeremy Fugelberg and Heather Mangan (along with alumni) are the ones to thank for that.

To Lucy: all I have to say is we know when to stop talking to each other, especially at 2 a.m. I also want to thank my staff. I could not have done this without you. The harsh words and midnight beatings were with love and for motivation. Everyone on the staff this year will go so far in life and I can’t wait to watch you get there.

The Collegian staff is made up of students just like you. They have full course loads, most of them also have a job besides the Collegian. Then, they spend Monday night down at the Collegian working all night to make everything perfect. Things get jumbled and mixed around sometimes, but we are students, this is a learning process. So thank you, readers, for being there during this year. You (the readers) are what keeps us going at 2 a.m. when we want to quit. We think of you, and how we need to get the information out there. To everyone else who I haven’t named, mostly roommates, family and friends, thank you for dealing with me this year. Even though it took a few of you a year to realize, “I’m not free Monday nights,” it’s been a journey. So thank you for being there for me during all of it.

I am going to miss the Collegian. It is officially now my baby, however, it is time to pass it on. Jeremy Fugelberg will be taking over now. You are in good hands, SDSU.

Former SDSU custodian April Nordbye has been indicted on federal charges of theft of mail matter and obstructing correspondence in connection with mail theft at SDSU.

In the indictment filed April 19 with the U.S. District Court in Sioux Falls, Nordbye was charged with one count of theft of mail matter and one count of obstructing correspondence. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. A court date for Nordbye to appear on the charges has not yet been set.

Nordbye, 25, is currently being held in the Women’s Prison in Pierre, for violating her probation on unrelated charges.

The charges are the result of an investigation by the University Police Department. The investigation began in December when students in Binnewies and Young residence halls complained about missing mail. The investigation, led by UPD Detective Brett Spencer and U.S. Postal Inspector Joe Schneiders, uncovered more than 100 victims. Students’ letters, gift cards and money were stolen.

“I think it was really low to steal money from kids who got money from their mom and dad,” said Anthony Abeln, a Binnewies resident, who was a victim of the crime.

When asked if he was relieved to see Nordbye charged, Chief Tim Heaton of UPD said, “I don’t put emotions behind it. I got a job to do and we do it. It’s all part of doing our job.”

In the March 21 Collegian, Michael Kervin, director of Residential Life, said changes had been made to prevent student’s mail from being stolen in the future. “We are currently changing the way our system works,” said Kervin.

“We are having two people work the mailroom at the same time, all the time. They are the only ones with keys and the only ones allowed in the room.”

Nordbye was charged previously with passing a check against insufficient funds, in the first degree,” a class 6 felony. Part of Nordbye’s probation was to not gamble, not be present where illegal activity occurs and not be present where gambling or video lottery machines were present, including bars and casinos.

Since Nordbye did not tell her probation officer she had been investigated by the UPD, she was in violation of probation, hence serving time in Pierre.

As a senior, I should be planning my May graduation, telling my new employer when I can start and signing that lease on the new apartment I just rented. But I’m not, I still have one more semester to go. That’s not my problem. My problem is I’m terrified.

Where do I go from here?

SDSU has given me so many great experiences that I can take with me, into the “real world.” But when and where does the real world start? Some say it starts here in college. Everything that we as students have to go through is pretty much what happens in the “real world.” Is it possible to be terrified of the real world? My friends in my major already have jobs in their future. I have nothing, I’m working on getting my internship under my belt. They are planning where to spend the next five years of their lives, while I contemplate how to get to Sioux Falls and back each day with an unpaid internship.

I am not envious of them at all. That is going to be me in one more semester. I lay awake at night hoping I can find a job one day or that I will be able to pay the rent. Don’t even mention trying to get married. That is a whole other avenue I’m terrified to go down. Expecting someone to deal with me the rest of their life ? Poor them!

I’m glad I came to SDSU. I know I don’t have another school to compare it to, but think of all the experiences you get here. There’s classes ranging from Native American Studies to Arabic to chemistry. More majors are being added to the curriculum every day. Being the editor-in-chief of the Collegian has also helped tremendously. It’s taught me patience, standing by your word, editing (though some beg to differ) and, last but not least, a “real world” frame of mind. By all calculations, I should be ready. Shouldn’t I?

Is every student terrified of starting their life? When do you know you are ready? Is there some sign? “Hey, you made it, Kristin.” Or a call from a professor? “Hey Kristin, hear you made it.”

I know things will work out fine. With a four-year degree under me, I’m pretty much guaranteed not to wind up under a bridge, living in some box. But what if? Life is so full of what ifs I get sick of asking them myself. But what if?

What if I didn’t work as the editor-in-chief? What if I studied abroad? What if I actually tried my freshman year and started off with a higher GPA?

What if, I just follow my heart?