Sophia Nitsche, News Editor, Flora Milford, Opinions Editor
Beloit College campus, this spring semester, has been bumping. From jujitsu, parties, studying, and a Gaga Ball injury, Beloiters have had a mixed bag of emotions about this first week. Some arose after this amalgamation of experiences, stating “I woke up on the right side of the bed,” while others blew a raspberry at it.
Frank Sharp Hooton’26 and Cory S. Harrison’24 were loitering in the Powerhouse gym when they started to spin a yarn. Hooton, a professional Gaga Ball player (a game consisting of hitting a ball with your hands at the under-knee portion of the body) injured himself during a tournament at the Powerhouse Takeover. An event marking the beginning of the semester, they had all sorts of activities, including Hooton’s weakness: Gaga Ball. Predictably, he went straight for the ball, and started a hyper-competitive round, ending with him and one other person. Legend says it was one of the most intense things to have ever occurred in the Powerhouse. Sweat could be smelled in a ten-foot radius of the pit.
As the duo smashed the ball in an attempt to hit the other’s foot, war cries could be heard from Commons. Hooton, a quick-witted guy, came up with a plan to end this once and for all. He was going to acquire the ball, go behind his opponent, and hit it off the wall, winning the game. When he went to execute his plan and got behind his target, all of a sudden, he got hit by an arm in his face. “Dazed” is how Hooton described the feeling as the crowd went silent, and blood started gushing from his nose. Checking in with himself, it was very clear at that moment that he had broken something in his nose. The game, his livelihood, the love, and light drained from the room, but Hooton, in his ultimate wisdom, thought “No.” When explaining this story to the Round Table in the Powerhouse gym, he said, “In my mind, I am thinking, ‘I broke my nose for this and I am not losing.’” Then he took the ball and shot it at his very distracted opponent’s foot, taking the win and earning his nickname: Awesome Guy.
Beloit College senior Deveroh Grey’24 was one of the few students to blow a raspberry when initially asked about their first week back. Upon further reflection, however, he stated “It’s just been long. The first week back has felt like three weeks. I don’t know if it’s getting back to a normal schedule but half of my professors have had to have Zoom classes or skip classes altogether so I haven’t fallen into that schedule yet that’s supposed to help. But my classes are fun! I’m sure I’ll get there.” Although not all sunshine and roses, Grey has a writ determination that seems to underlie many students’ thoughts for this semester.
Brothers in fraternity, as well as real life, Caedyn Wells’25, and Cameron Harper’27 expressed more overall excitement. Wells smiled jauntily before stating “Classes have been going really well! Break was refreshing and I feel re-energized. It’s been a struggle getting back into the life-school-work balance, but other than that, my professors seem happy to be back and I’m happy to be back as well!” Harper backpacked off of this excitement, stating “I love getting to meet new people and put myself out there again. I’m actually very excited for this semester, I have high hopes for it!”
While the attitudes of Beloiters are mixed, most students, regardless of the occasional adversary, seem to share a collective eagerness surrounding this semester. We hope this semester is wonderful for students, faculty, staff, and beloved President Eric Boynton alike!
Featured Image Credit: Beloit College
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