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Show CAMPUS 13 Nun speaks on death penalty controversy EMILY REEDER STAFF REPORTER .'n 'X I J s N. f f J' t K 1 & 2 a On March 24, Sister Helen Prejean spoke to the community in the Behnken Field House. She spoke about her ministry against the death penalty and capital punishment in the United States. Originally from Louisiana, Prejean became a nun at the age of 18. She has written three books, one of which was made into a major motion picture, Dead Man Walking. She held a book signing after the event where audience members were able to purchase a book and converse with her about the talk she gave. There was a large turnout at the event. The crowd was built up of some students, teachers and community members ranging in age from 40 to 70. Most students interviewed noted they were attending the event for class credit or they were referred by one of their teachers to attend. Students said before attending the event, they had little general knowledge on the death penalty and, overall, hadnt looked too far into the topic. I have not seen the film, so I knew next to nothing about this, said Mariah McCoy, first-yeundeclared major. I simply ar kj Existential crisis, quarter-lif- e crisis. crisis, Whatever its called, students are freaking out. Last fall, Westminster College held a depression and anxiety screening for students. Its results showed that a majority of the students screened were recommended to follow up with mid-colle- ge a professional counselor for symptoms of depression and anxiety. I feel worried, said Joel Meza, senior business administration major. Im not sure who to turn to about it, really. According to a recent study by the American Psychological Association, young adults experience higher stress levels than any other age group. The study showed young adults between ages 3 are experiencing increased levels of stress, while the rest of the population has seen a decrease. 18-3- percent said in the increased their stress has past year, and many report being told by a healthcare provider that Thirty-nin- e they have either depression or an anxiety disorder. Why so much stress? Many of these people are at a crucial point in their lives, according to Lisa Jones, PhD., head of Westminsters counseling center. College-age- d students have likely just come to the realization that school is almost over and the comfortable gray space between childhood and adulthood is about to disappear. All of this, on top of the heavy load of school itself, can cause immense stress for students. Students in college and at Westminster report feeling worried and anxious after experiencing a significant light bulb moment when this transition dawns on them. However, while these students have the same realization, they react differently. Christy Peterson, senior music major, experienced her crisis while she was singing with an opera in Italy. I was suddenly knew that there was a nun coming to address the issue of the death penalty and death row in the United States. My state, Alaska, does not have the death penalty, McCoy said. I have not heard a lot of controversy about it growing up and I figured it would be interesting to come and see what people were talking about. Prejean spoke on how she was originally introduced to prison ministry by writing letters to inmates on death row. She began in 1981 in New Orleans, where she dedicated her life to helping the poor. She has witnessed five executions of people she has guided. She began by writing letters to inmates, personally connecting with them and becoming a spiritual counselor. Hey, hes a son of God, too, said Prejean on the topic of her first inmate. Im going to write him. To overcome the adversity of helping these people who are viewed so negatively in society, students said they felt that Prejean explained her reasons in a very personal way. I think just the way she explained it really touched me, unmotivated and didnt think I could sing and get back into everything the way I had been before, Peterson said. Additionally, she said she felt some regret at not having a real college experience, and that her crisis caused her to refocus this year on having fun. Petersons reaction was similar to many, and while crises can be scary, it marks a turning point in students individual growth. I feel like I grew up in college, said Zayne Vacheresse, senior sociology major. It was when I grew up that I started thinking about adulthood. Realizing its almost the end was a kick in the ass to just have fun. While many students feel the need to squeeze the last bit of fun out of their college years, some become more focused on mid-colle- ge their education. Carlie Young, junior theater major, reported being suddenly motivated to start researching and preparing for graduate school. While Young is tackling the and I started thinking about the death penalty a little different--especialwhen she said that we all have our name on it, said Teresa Bagdasavova, first-yepsychology major. We think we dont have a say and we think we have no influence. It definitely is an Students said that hearing about such a controversial topic was refreshing and necessary in our society. For me, its difficult because when people do commit horrendous crimes, I dont sympathize with them a lot, said Mariah McCoy, first-yea- r. I also can see how a system like this is completely flawed and doesnt actually work to serve any sort of justice. It just attacks marginalized groups more. Some students had similar reactions after the event on a few points that Prejean brought up. There were a couple different points that she made that I didnt notice before, McCoy said. Just little things that you dont know unless youve done your research. One point explained this situation. Say two people who committed the crime together ly ar eye-open- er. problem on her own, others are thinking about using the college for help. After expressing his worry, Joel Meza said, It is making me want to try and take advantage of some of the resources here at the school like the career center. Not all students experience this sudden realization. Some express only anticipation. Ive been looking forward to college ending since freshman year, said Alex Blankers, senior nursing major and part of the Navy ROTC program. Im always excited when I think of graduation. Even so, all of the students quoted said they experienced feeling symptoms of depression and anxiety. Lisa Jones, PhD., said all of these feelings are completely normal and expected. During college, a lot is going on developmentally, and there are a lot of pressures students are facing, Jones said. People feel afraid to say I dont know and feel abnormal for not having everything all figured out and handled. . are on death row and there are no other eyewitnesses. One of them points to the other one and says, he did it. One of them will be sentenced to life, and one of them will be sentenced to death. Giancarlo Panagia, justice studies professor, had his students attend the event for extra credit. Panagia said he believes when one is in the field of justice, it becomes a mission not only to participate, but to expose students to this kind of issue. I really hope for students and for the audience that she planted the seed and then eventually that seed really starts flourishing, Panagia said. It is time to reconsider that stance we took in 1976 with the Greg v. U.S. case that brought back the death penalty in this country. Prejeans talk resonated with her audience and left them with the question of if the death penalty should still exist within the United States. Be a part of the change, Prejean said. Things change when people change. Justice is just-u- s. To learn more on the death penalty in Utah visit UTADP.org According to Jones, and nearly every student interviewed, this realization is merely a part of growing up its unavoidable. Whats important is to have faith and trust the process, Jones said. Rely on the support your school offers. After accepting the initial - wave of panic, many students express feeling grateful for it, and more focused as a result. Carlie Young, who is currently enjoying her last few years at Westminster, said, Even though I get stressed out sometimes, at the end of the day, Im still really grateful for my education. For most students, this sort of clarity is the result of going through their crises. After Christy Peterson got back from Italy, talked to her faculty advisor, and decided to take a year off after she graduates, she said her fife felt a lot more focused. To students currently in the midst of their crises, Peterson has one piece of advice: Embrace the freak out. |
