https://thecatalystnews.com/category/issues/20231012/

The Catalyst, Colorado Springs, CO (2025)

05/12/2025

OPINION: Lessons CC Has Taught Us

We will cherish the dorm life. Our fondest nights are often spent 10 feet apart, alone in our beds, yapping through the darkness, about meaningless things we would only discuss together. Our most decadent meals are cheffed up in an air fryer on the bottom shelf of Rachel’s desk. We fill up each other’s water bottles like clockwork, and when the frequently broken water fountain is fixed, we return, jumping with joy. We have the same favorite shower stall, taking turns in the bathroom despite the array of open showers. Make the little things big.

Among the developing traditions, we enjoy Monday night trivia with our girlfriends and hosting ritualistic pregames squished in our tiny room. Most of our friends are just a text and a staircase away, always prepared for a cocktail and a clothing swap. As the weather warms, the quad hates to see us coming with some snacks and a spike ball net. We often drag heaps of sand back into our room from the volleyball court after impromptu games and tanning sessions on the lawn. Enjoy the perks of our bustling campus and the close-knit community the Block Plan allows for.

These are the quirks you only get to revel in while enjoying college. We try to make the most of our short time here, even if that is something as mundane as a shower or an IM sports game. Amidst the internship applications and rejections, and existentialist onslaught of real-world adult issues approaching, we take time to exist as we are: college kids. Take the effort to find your people and create your own traditions. Don’t get lost in the expectations. Getting older has taught us to make the days in between special, because those are the ones that’ll stick. Maturity doesn’t mean the death of fun, but rather how you do it. Go out. Stay in. C’est la vie.

📲 Link in bio for full story.
✍️ Story by Lily Ljiljanich and Rachel Weissman
🎨 By Nora Johnson

05/12/2025

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT: One Flavor to Rule Them All: A Breakdown of Josh and John’s New Llamapalooza Flavor

So when I heard Josh & John’s was creating a custom flavor for Llamapalooza — Colorado College’s end-of-year music festival — I was intrigued, and mildly suspicious. The reason for my suspicions was that they already have a CC-inspired flavor called Tiger Stripes (which, rumor has it, is just Yellow Cake with a sprinkle of school spirit), so I wondered how they’d top that.

Before trying the new flavor, I was told it was developed in collaboration with CC students and would include their taro base, plus brownie chunks and strawberries. My first thought? “Ah, so it’s Purple Mountain Majesty’s cousin.” Still, the brownies might add a richer element, and the strawberries could bring some tartness to balance things out.

Upon the first bite, all I got was the familiar taro base. Good, yes. Groundbreaking? Not quite. But as I dug deeper into the scoop, I finally unearthed some strawberry bits and brownie chunks. The strawberries were a refreshing pop, but the brownie chunks were playing an intense game of hide-and-seek. To be fair, I didn’t finish the whole pint, so maybe they were lurking at the bottom. As someone who loves chocolate in all forms, I felt slightly betrayed — but I’ll admit it: Llamapalooza Llama Spit (the flavor’s official name) is a different beast than Purple Mountain Majesty. The former leans fruity and light; the latter, darker and richer.

If you’re a taro lover, this flavor was practically made for you. The base is creamy, flavorful, and front-and-center in every bite. And as your scoop inevitably melts under the Llamapalooza sun, you might just discover those elusive frozen strawberry chunks — or even the rarer, more coveted brownie chunks.

📲 Link in bio for full story.
✍️ Story by By Maddy Boneck
🎨 By Maddy Boneck

05/12/2025

FEATURES: Explaining The Block Plan to my Extended Family

1. “So you go to CU Boulder?”

I had to lead with a classic. If you’re a CC student and haven’t heard this one, sorry, you don’t actually go here. I don’t make the rules. To add to the frustration of this one on a personal level, my best friend of 20 years does in fact go to CU Boulder. So we spent the summer before we left for college on combined family vacations, sitting at dinner tables with 10+ elderly southern people, clarifying on an every two-minute basis that we are in fact not going to school together. “No, we will not be roommates. Yes, both schools are in Colorado. Yes, it is a little confusing. Colorado College. Yes, that’s the name of it. It’s about an hour and a half south,” and at this point, they’re not listening. But if you ask them – still, as we approach our junior year – they’ll tell you that they’re excited to attend our graduation and see us both walk the stage together. It’s a lost cause. You know what, Cousin Linda, I’m excited too.

2. “So you’re a part-time student. You’re just taking one class.”

This one took a while to get used to. Because honestly, it’s valid. I get it. There’s some sort of phenomenon that happens where no matter how often I say “one class for three weeks,” any person I’m speaking to hears “one class all year.” It’s close enough. I’ve gotten good at this one. I have a scripted response. “Nope, I still take eight credits a year. I’m a full time student.” At this point I’ve thrown too many numbers in (three weeks, eight credits) so they usually just give

📲 Link in bio for full story.
✍️ Story by Sydney McGarr
🎨 By The Catalyst Archives

05/12/2025

SPORTS: Tiger’s Women’s Lacrosse Coach and Program Pioneer to Retire after 31 Years of Greatness

This year, the team is ranked No. 15 in DIII, with an 18-3 record and wins over many ranked teams.

“This year, I think our motivation definitely comes from Stuey and just wanting to get one step closer to the national title that we were really close to last year,” said Bean.

Bean, Johnson and Stuey herself pointed to the 17-13 win against the No. 11 College of New Jersey as a highlight of the season. Before this game, Stuey had never beaten the school as either a player or a coach.

“A lot of the passion came from knowing this was her last shot,” said Bean. “There was really nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

The team wasn’t supposed to know how important this game could be for their long-tenured coach.

“She didn’t want to tell the team, but I ended up telling the team at breakfast when she wasn’t present,” said assistant coach Ashley “AJ” Johnson. “I was like, we got to do this for Stuey.”

Right after the game, “Someone coming off said ‘we did it for you, and we love you,’” according to AJ.

After she retires after this season, Stuey says she will still be back at Washburn Field to watch the team. The rest of the time, she will do all of the things that are hard to do while coaching a team. CC to the end, she’ll be able to camp, mountain bike, dirtbike and explore Colorado.

When asked to describe her 31 years in three words, Stuey said: “Can I say four? It’s been a blast.”

📲 Link in bio for full story.
✍️ Story by Thomas Nielson
🎨 By Nora Johnson

05/12/2025

NEWS: Manya Whitaker Reflects on First Year as Interim President

Whitaker mentioned that a major priority of her presidency has been helping the administration shift from isolated decision-making to working cross-functionally. “CC has a history of being very siloed in their operations, so it’s a big shift for people to start communicating [and] making strategic plans that take into account cascading implications across the campus.”

Whitaker’s Operational Governance Structure was first introduced to bring more people into decisions concerning CC-related issues. Conversations surrounding things like parking, commencement and Llamapalooza are now deliberated by entire teams, instead of individuals.

“[Leadership at CC] has been isolated decision making, and what that causes is a lot of confusion about who made the decision, how was this made and then it causes problems because we didn’t think through things” she said.

One of Whitaker’s biggest challenges during her first year of her presidency was dealing with competing priorities. Using time, money and other resources strategically was constantly on her mind. “It’s always difficult to make sure that all of the constituents’ needs are met because everyone has different needs and wants.” Specifically, Whitaker emphasized how she worked to meet the needs of community members without sacrificing other groups in the process.

Politically, the world of higher education has been shaken. With international student visas under attack, federal funding cuts and a Harvard lawsuit against the Trump administration, there has been no shortage of chaos for colleges and universities. From a CC perspective, threats to international students and federal funding and grants continue to concern Whitaker. “The continued changes and cuts to research funding […] are concerning because we think there’s going to be even more,” she said. “I know how much work and [how many] years go into even applying for a grant, so then to get a grant taken back is catastrophic.”

📲Link in bio for full story.
✍️ Story by Tessa Frantz
🎨 By The Catalyst Archives

05/08/2025

A look back on this semester!

The Catalyst wrapped up the 2024-25 SY yesterday with issue Volume 55, No. 24! We are so grateful for our incredible team and contributors who make our publication possible.

Pick up The Catalyst END OF YEAR SPECIAL EDITION tomorrow at distribution spots! We’re so excited to share what makes our college so special.

Staff, we are hosting our final STAFF SOCIAL tomorrow! Lilly and Tessa will send details to the GroupMe later today.

05/06/2025

As we close out Block 8, The Catalyst’s social media team would like to celebrate our graduating seniors and their contributions to our student publication.

Esa started working for The Catalyst during her freshman fall, and has since served as A&E Editor, Features Copy Editor, and now Features Editor! Esa was also the Vice President of Cutler for this academic year. Her presence will be greatly missed in the Pub House.

Thank you for everything, Esa! We will miss you!

05/02/2025

OPINION: The Search for Meaning: White America’s Obsession with Genealogy

The obsession with identity in our modern, individualist world has led millions of Americans to search for the past to make their present seem significant. Enter genealogy, the one-stop shop to cure all our existential woes.

Genealogy is no longer simply the domain of the elite – technological innovation and the emergence of a for-profit industry have put the tools of discovery into the hands of millions of – mostly white – middle-class Americans. While this technology has also undoubtedly proved useful in locating genetic medical conditions, as well as tracing family origins for Black, Jewish and Indigenous communities whose histories have been erased by violence, I argue that its meaning for white Americans may be indicative of a larger sense of alienation.

White Americans, unlike our European obsession with global hegemony and a two-car garage? Americans define ourselves by how we consume and what we own. This is partially a natural outgrowth of the unfettered, hyper-individualistic capitalism we know so well, but it also stems from our lack of a unifying national history.

Documenting genealogy in the United States has its roots in the Mormon church, which established a genealogical society in 1894 that continues to operate today. The two founders of Ancestry, one of the leaders of the genealogy movement, were graduates of Brigham Young University. Over time, family mapping has become a multi-billion-dollar industry, with the advent of genetic testing only increasing profit potential. In 2018, for instance, 23andMe secured a $300 million deal with the major pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline. Millions of Americans have sent DNA to these companies, which then sell it to universities and beauty brands – police departments have even used it to solve crimes.

📲 Link in bio for full story.
✍️ Story by Olivia Link
🎨 By Rowan Kempen

05/02/2025

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT: Movie Review: ‘Lady Bird’

Although I did not personally identify with all aspects of Lady Bird’s life, the emotion coursing through every scene in this movie never failed to hit home. It was such an apt depiction of what it is like to be a teenager. Lady Bird is standing on the precipice of the rest of her life and is divided between focusing on the future and living the life she is in now. This created a lot of angst and fear that felt all too familiar. “Lady Bird” was a perfect representation of what it means to be a teenager and how all the things that feel so big in high school slowly fade in the distance as you grow up.

The cinematography is another aspect that makes “Lady Bird” such a stunning movie. There are scenes with beautiful rolling hills of Sacramento, wooded neighborhoods and the bustling streets of New York City. There is also a mix of more intense scenes with yelling and fast-paced cuts, along with calmer moments and shots, focusing on the beauty of everyday life.

Not enough can be said about the acting in this movie. Ronan portrays Lady Bird in such an intense way that I could not imagine anyone else playing the part. She is aloof and moody and deeply misunderstood in a way that was so real; I couldn’t help but shed a tear. Timothée Chalamet, who plays one of Lady Bird’s love interests, Kyle, is cool, distant and the epitome of a “dirtbag.” Ronan and Chalamet had such intense chemistry which perfectly encapsulated the ups and downs of young infatuation.

📲 Link in bio for full story.
✍️ Story by Magaret Freeman
🎨 By Melissa Torres

05/02/2025

FEATURES: Inside Focus on the Family: Colorado Springs’ Largest Evangelical Parachurch

Originally founded as a conservative lobbying organization in Northern California in 1977, Focus’ founder, James Dobson, sought to promote conservative public policy through political activism.

“Dr. Dobson could go on the radio and say: tell your congressman to support or oppose this legislation. He could shut down the Capitol switchboard,” said Gary Schneeberger, assistant to the president of media relations.

After Dobson retired, Jim Daly assumed power in 2005. During Daly’s reign, the organization shifted its focus from policy to an educational, values-based model. The organization is placing more attention on podcasts and a new social media strategy to educate the public on their values of family and worship, which instruct children to be heterosexual and occupy traditional gender roles.

To advance their policy goals, Focus created various statewide lobbying organizations under the umbrella of the Family Policy Alliance (FPA).

When asked about the FPA, Schneeberger replied, “It’s a whole separate organization.”

The FPA is housed in the same building as the main offices of Focus. It has a 501(c)(4) tax status, meaning it does not face the same lobbying restrictions as Focus does. Due to the multiple organizations housed under the FPA, exact revenue numbers are difficult to determine.

“FPA was founded by Focus on the Family and maintains a positive relationship with the founding organization. FPA became a separate organization after Focus on the Family sought to focus more on its original family ministry efforts instead of political involvement,” wrote Dillon Burroughs, marketing specialist for the FPA, in an emailed statement.

📲 Link in bio for full story.
✍️ Story by Lorelei Smillie
🎨 By Callie Dickman

05/02/2025

SPORTS: Six Tiger Hockey Players Enter the Transfer Portal

In the months after the Colorado College Tigers concluded their final game against the University of Denver with a 2-9 loss, six rostered players entered the NCAA transfer portal. The portal is open from March 30 to May 13, and players commit to schools before and after the portal closes.

“I think the challenge that the transfer portal brings is that it’s hard to get to know somebody on that level in a couple of weeks, and sometimes a couple of days… the sport of college athletics in general is becoming more transactional,” said Kris Mayotte, head coach of the CC Tigers. “But those aren’t our values. That’s not the program we’re trying to build. You know, we want players who are coming here thinking about getting a CC degree, and if you’re not getting a CC degree, hopefully you’re leaving to sign a pro contract. You know, we don’t want to be very conscious that we’re not bringing in a transactional mindset.”

He added that recruiting incoming freshmen remained a priority, especially finding recruits that are interested in the Block Plan and academics at CC.

The Tigers have lost many players this offseason. Noah Laba ‘26 and Gleb Veremyev ‘26 have entered their entry-level contracts with pro teams, and six other team members have entered the transfer portal and signed with other colleges. With an additional six graduating, 14 rostered players – more than half of the team – will not return for next season.

📲 Link in bio for full story.
✍️ Story by Celeste Hammer
🎨 By Lilly Asano

05/02/2025

NEWS: Can Colorado College Survive a Trump Attack?

As far as Colorado College’s next steps in navigating the higher education political climate, Whitaker has made it clear that despite Trump’s attack on DEI policies, many policies that CC actively supports, the college will not be making concessions. When asked if CC has altered any of its programs or changed the wording on any of its DEI website tabs in hopes of flying under the radar of the Trump administration, Whitaker gave a resounding “no.”

“All we’re going to end up doing is wasting resources, time, energy, money, all of it,” said Whitaker. “On top of that, we’re not going to undo our values.”

Whitaker emphasized the wishy-washiness of the Trump administration, pointing out how recently it has already walked back many of its student visa restrictions. Whitaker also recently signed on to a letter which emphasized the importance of academic freedom in America. When CC first signed on to the letter, approximately 150 institutions had as well. Now that number is well above 500.

With minimal federal funding on the line whilst in the company of many other universities, Colorado College may avoid a significant funding decrease that would come from a targeted Trump attack. But as many institutions are putting up a stronger front against the Trump administration, CC is confronting what it can do in the battle against higher education.

📲Link in bio for full story.
✍️ Story by Seth Jahraus
🎨 By Callie Dickman

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