Mount Pleasant senior Meghan Borland started collecting leaves in November for her installation in the upcoming BFA thesis exhibition in April. (Kaitlin Thoresen/Assistant Photo Editor)

Mount Pleasant senior Meghan Borland says the modern, cookie-cutter lifestyle filled with Facebook, Twitter and microwavable meals leads people too far from what is actually important.

“There’s this beauty in imperfection,” Borland said. “To see it is refreshing.”

Borland has been spending 12-hour days working on pieces for her next big show. April 21, her BFA thesis exhibition will be held in the Central Michigan University Art Gallery’s main gallery. She said she hopes people will come see it and bring their thinking caps.

Her gallery will feature ceramic recreations of clay in nature. Viewers will get to see thousands of intricate ceramic leaves, faux trees that smell like honey and a hydroponic garden to support her living exhibit. She said some who have seen her recreations have called them man-made fossils.

She said reading a description of her work couldn’t do it justice, and hopes readers will come out to see it.

“If you read it for face value, you’re missing out,” she said.

Though she is about to graduate from CMU with an art degree, Borland said she never wanted to be an artist.

She has spent most of her life searching for a path to take. She stumbled upon and found hope in an introductory ceramics course. Borland found out quickly that traditional ceramics, with a pottery wheel, was not her cup of tea. Clay was comfortable for her though, because it can be manipulated more than most mediums.

Associate Professor of Art and Design Margaret Ware has seen Borland’s work created first hand. She said she thinks Borland uses clay to communicate her ideas because it is inherently natural.

“Meghan’s current body of work focuses on the need for direct experience in the natural world,” Ware said. “She questions our assumptions regarding nature and our ability to ‘see’ the interconnections within complex systems.”

Borland said it’s important for people to be aware of what’s around them. She wants people to experience things they would normally take for granted.

She has never been much of a science buff, so she said her most recent work has been a bit like sailing without a compass. She said this has only made her more committed to the task, with trial and error as one of her best methods.

Borland steps on a ceramic leaf she has made for her installation . "I want people to step on the leaves," Borland said, "People don't think about stepping on leaves outside, but I hope when they're inside people will focus in on them." (Kaitlin Thoresen/Assistant Photo Editor)

“It’s exciting not knowing what you’re doing,” she said. “A good artist has to be willing to try new things.”

Tawas City senior Eric Thornton has known Borland for four years and has taken several classes with her.

“All of Meghan’s projects are very ambitious,” Thornton said. “She continuously works on refining her ideas and her ability to visualize them.”

Looking back on all the work she has done, Borland said she finds it hard to think of where she would be or what she would be doing if she had given up on art, which is where her message to new artists comes from.

“Stick with it,” she said. “Sometimes you don’t know what you’re doing, but that’s alright.”

Mount Pleasant resident and Tai Ji teacher, Pat McGann-Zionts, gives Isa Henry, 3, a costume to reenact the Chinese new year dragon Sunday afternoon at Crystal Mountain Lotus Moon, 206 S. Main St. McGann-Zionts teaches Tai Ji to children at the shop, she incorporates the Chinese new year into crafts and activiites. (Tanya Moutzalias/Staff Photographer)

A parade of dragons celebrated the new year Sunday afternoon at Crystal Mountain Lotus Moon.

Pat McGann-Zionts stood by, encouraging those in attendance at her Chinese-inspired movement class to breathe fire, celebrating the Chinese New Year, which will begin Monday.

Each week McGann-Zionts shares her 30-year love of Tai Ji, a soft form of kung fu, with the community in an activity room at Crystal Mountain Lotus Moon, 206 S. Main St.

“Tai Ji is based on Daoism — the whole premise is if you keep to the way, the right way, then life will be good,” McGann-Zionts said.

During 'Pat's Tai Ji Fun' Mount Pleasant residents Justin Henry, Nikki Henry, Andrea Devenne and Evan Devenne reenact the Chinese new year dragon, Sunday afternoon at Crystal Mountain Lotus Moon, 206 S. Main St. Pat McGann-Zionts teaches Tai Ji to children at the shop, she incorporates the Chinese new year into crafts and activiites. (Tanya Moutzlias/Staff Photographer)

Niki Henry, mother of Isa, 3, and Reau, seven months, said she saw the announcement through Crystal Mountain Lotus Moon.

“Sometimes not enough kids show up, so we have to cancel it,” Henry said.

She said Isa most enjoyed the dragon costume she wore while in the parade.

Justin Henry led the dragon parade, followed by his wife, children and friends Andrea and Evan Devenney.

It was similar to what we’d be doing at home, Niki said. McGann-Zionts tailored the class to the Henry children.

McGann-Zionts read from a children’s book explaining the Chinese New Year and spoke of how it brought good luck.

“No more frozen car doors, we’ll have the heat of the fire dragon,” McGann-Zionts said, while the children listened.

McGann-Zionts, who wore a shawl with a Chinese dragon pattern, has studied Tai Ji for 30 years and now teaches it to seniors.

“I believe in the ying and the yang, within you, you have the power in your breath to tune into your body and thus you have anger management,” McGann-Zionts said.

The Tai Ji class is held on Sunday afternoons, including dancing Tai Ji movements, an opportunity to create artistic dragons through utilizing colored pencils, markets, paints, paper and cardboard.

McGann-Zionts said she is hopeful that teachers will take notice of her class to help as her aides.

“I have a chronic spine disease, but Tai Ji is part of my theraphy,” McGann-Zionts said.

In her class, she focuses on active listening and teaching moving meditation also known as Chinese yoga.

McGann-Zionts worked as a peace educator and prevention educator.

The children role-played the Chinese zodiac through the parade.

“Props and role-playing help the teachings sink in,” McGann-Zionts said.

The Chinese dragon is assertive, proud and protective and non-violent, she said.

Donations were accepted for the class, benefitting Crystal Mountain Lotus Moon.

McGann-Zionts’ love of Tai Ji started at Central Michigan University when a psychology professor wanted to learn its disciplines.

“It’s a fun thing to do on a Sunday afternoon,” Niki said.

After releasing, his album "Escape" last summer, Saginaw junior Ben Schuller contemplated his future sound, "I feel like I was taking myself way too seriously. Who am I kidding, I'm a college kid living the dream and I want my music to reflect that," Schuller said. (Tanya Moutzalias/ Staff Photographer)

Junior Ben Schuller still finds time for his passion for music, despite his stacked schedule.

The Saginaw native is now focusing on promoting himself as an artist on campus after branching out from his band, Aurorealis.

Since releasing his debut album ‘Escape’ in the summer, Schuller has played about 15 shows in Michigan.

“It’s not the type of thing where I’m trying to get lucky,” he said. “I’m in the mindset of working my way up and not relying on luck for anything.”

Creating music is all about connecting with others and trying to relate to his audience, Schuller said.

As a Centralis Scholar, he said balancing his honors classes with his music schedule is sometimes a struggle. Schuller is also president of Central Harmony and a competitive power lifter.

“There have been times I had to choose between going to a show and going to my Friday classes,” he said. “But I guess I keep my goals as my first priorities.”

Breaking stereotypes

University Honors Program Director Phame Camarena said he appreciates how Schuller helps break some of the stereotypes about who honors students are.

“Although he is intellectually curious and very bright, part of what makes him special is his creative talent and drive,” he said.

As a final project for his class trip to Beaver Island, Camarena said Schuller co-created a music video.

“The fact that he and his partner filmed, wrote, performed and edited the video within a short window of time with limited tools on the island made the work all the more impressive,” he said.

Schuller said he will play anywhere and will never deny a show.

Ohio junior Brock Thatcher booked Schuller to play at a fundraiser for Phi Kappa Tau last semester.

“Ben was a good friend and I knew his music was mellow and great for a big crowd of people to listen to, but also not overpowering to the point where people can’t still talk,” Thatcher said.

Thatcher, a public relations major, said he hopes one day he will get the chance to promote Schuller on the big stage.

“I’ve heard a lot of concerts in my life and listen to all kinds of music and one of these days I swear (to) you will hear of Ben Schuller somewhere famous,” he said.

Until then, Schuller said he does not care to make money off of his music.

“At all of the shows I play, I burn about 20 to 30 CDs to hand out to just get my name out there,” he said. “I just want as many people to hear it as possible.”

His next album is set to debut next winter.

“I want this to be the kind of album you jam to with your friends in the car, or rock out to in your dorm room before you head out on a Friday night,” Schuller said. “Who am I kidding; I’m a college kid living the dream. I’m having a blast and I want my music to reflect that.”

But in November 2011, after just eight months of service, Beaumont was one of the 117 Peace Corps volunteers evacuated after the abrupt suspension of the Kazakhstan program.

The Peace Corps has sent volunteers to the Central Asia country for 18 years, but because of rising terrorist activity, American resentment and a high rate of assault on volunteers, the program will withdraw.

Beaumont, a Troy native, said one of the main reasons for the evacuation include anti-American sentiment that remain since Kazakhstan’s days as a Soviet republic. As terrorist activity increased over the past year in Kazakhstan, Beaumont said many volunteers were often questioned by government officials and some volunteers believed they were being followed.

“My oblast (state/province) was fairly unaffected by all of this, but there were many volunteers in other parts of the country who faced much more hostility,” Beaumont said in an email. “There was an article published by one local newspaper that strongly implied that all Peace Corps volunteers were spies, and suggested that specific volunteers (by name) were working for terrorist organizations.”

Beaumont said physical and sexual assault were also problematic for Peace Corps volunteers in Kazakhstan because of alcoholism and sexism problems seen in that area of the world. Beaumont said the most common case of assaults were male volunteers being struck by intoxicated locals at bars or restaurants.

“Sexism is also a major problem here, which leaves most women in a more oppressed and marginalized role than we are accustomed to in the states,” Beaumont said. “Many of the women here, both local and foreign, are subjected to sexual harassment on a fairly regular basis. Men aren’t held accountable for such actions in this culture, simply being dismissed as ‘acting like men.’”

Kristina Edmunson, the Deputy Communications Director for the Peace Corps, said serious consideration went in to the decision to withdraw from Kazakhstan. Edmunson said the volunteers evacuated will be given “close of service” status unless they choose to volunteer elsewhere.

“We re-assessed everything in terms of safety and security to make this decision to suspend the program,” Edmunson said. “We care about the safety of all of our 9,000 plus volunteers in 75 countries.”

Beaumont said his departure from the country is bittersweet and that he finally began seeing progress with his work before the evacuation.

“After months and months of slow, painstaking progress, I felt like I had finally turned a corner in my Peace Corps service,” Beaumont said. “I felt accepted in my village, I was finding my voice as an English teacher, kids were finally starting to show up to my after-school clubs, and my Russian was finally becoming passable.”

Beaumont said he ended up volunteering in Kazakhstan after choosing Asia as his preferred continent. He said he knew little about the country at first, but soon grew fond of it after research and his arrival.

“When I was told that I had been placed in Kazakhstan, I had the same reaction that most people would have had: ‘That Borat country?’ So I immediately hit the Internet and did all the research I could,” Beaumont said. “I quickly discovered that Kazakhstan was an incredibly diverse, culturally rich and rapidly developing nation. Fascinated by what I read, I immediately accepted the job offer and began to pack for my adventure. I haven’t regretted it for a moment since.”

Despite the evacuation, Beaumont said he still remains positive about Kazakhstan and said he hopes the Peace Corps will one day return to assist the young democracy.

“I would like to remain adamant in saying that Kazakhstan is a wonderful, wonderful country. This place is full of kind, caring people who took me in and treated me like I was part of their family from the day I got off the plane,” Beaumont said. “Yes, there are some major problems here, but Kazakhstan is a very young country that is still new to democracy. That was why Peace Corps was here: to assist them in their transition from a socialist state to a rising capitalist nation.”

Ten chairs face two sleek, black pianos amid surrounding bookshelves where her students come for lessons from the woman who has released three albums featuring the work of Brazilian composer Francisco Mignone.

No one would guess less than a year ago, she had emergency brain surgery to close an aneurysm.

“I can say that my experience was nothing short of a miracle,” Mascolo-David said. “I am a very lucky person for having survived this experience and for having had another chance at life.”

Last fall, while promoting her latest album, she began having severe headaches. She told her husband she had a premonition of a health-related problem. She decided to make a call to her doctor, Aditya Pandey, of the University of Michigan Health System.

Two days after the release of her album, she was diagnosed with the aneurysm.

Less than a month passed between diagnosis and the aftermath of 60 to 65 staples in her head following the surgery.

After she had recovered from surgery, her surgeon said her aneurysm had another smaller aneurysm on top of it. If she had not had immediate surgery, the second aneurysm would have burst within a week, Mascolo-David said.

“The fact that I escaped death by a few days changed my life forever. Priorities have shifted,” Mascolo-David said. “Life is simply about love and the connections you forge with fellow human beings.”

“True happiness does not result from achieving a successful career, from owning lots of money or from living on a fantastically beautiful spot on earth. Happiness comes from the ability to be content wherever you are, doing whatever you do. It comes from living in the present and from appreciating every moment.”

Reactions and support

Robert Fanning, professor of English language and literature, has known Mascolo-David for several years.

“The day I heard the news from her via email, I put in her CD and listened to it,” Fanning said. “I was deeply worried for her, but what amazed me was how utterly calm and composed she was before her surgery, even making jokes about it.”

Fanning said seeing her since her surgery, one would never know all that has happened.

“I will think of her grace and poise if I’m ever faced with such a challenge,” Fanning said. “Alexandra is a terrific model of calm and courage. The music in her is too strong to be silenced.”

Randi L’Hommedieu, school of music department chairman, said Mascolo-David’s biggest concern was her students.

“Alexandra’s colleagues were eager to help cover her absence and we did a bit of reassigning for the semester,” L’Hommedieu said in an email. “Dr. Mary Jo Cox, a marvelous pianist who often teaches and accompanies for the school of music, took over Alexandra’s applied piano studio and did a great job for us.”

L’Hommedieu said he was shocked when he realized the gravity of the situation.

“I’ve ceased to be surprised by what Alexandra can accomplish when she sets her mind to something,” L’Hommedieu said. “Her recovery following surgery was difficult and took longer than anticipated, but she returned this fall in full vigor. She’s a remarkably strong, resilient person.”

One of the reasons Rothbury junior Annamarie Schmidt came to Central Michigan University was to study with Mascolo-David.

“The thought of losing such a special, loving and outright fabulous teacher was horrifying to me,” Schmidt said. “Yet, while I was scared, Dr. David, through her words and actions, showed me another way to look at life. She conveyed that even when faced with death, one can still be courageous, strong, determined, loving, patient and have a positive outlook on life.”

Salma Ghanem, dean of the College of Communications and Fine Arts, was worried when she heard about the diagnosis.

“I am so glad and relieved that she is doing well,” Ghanem said in an email. “She is a great asset to CMU and we are very happy that she is back teaching our students.”

School of Music Graduate Assistant Joana Simão planned to come to CMU from Portugal to study with Mascolo-David before her surgery. She was able to study with her two months after the surgery, Simão said.

“She has already changed my life,” Simão said. “She has been more than just a fantastic piano teacher — she has also been a huge support to me as a human being, because it has been very difficult for me to adapt to life in the U.S.”

After the surgery

Mascolo-David said she had some short-term memory and speech and motor issues, but has recovered those abilities completely.

“Thankfully, loss of piano memory was never an issue,” she said.

She had the capacity to remember previously-memorized compositions and it was similar to riding a bike again. There are some skills that one does not forget, she said.

“I’m having an increased memory facility for contemporary music,” Mascolo-David said.

Mascolo-David’s memory of 20th to 21st century contemporary atonal music has improved since before the surgery.

The experience taught her to balance her life to make time for herself. She is no longer obsessed with work.

She said her parents instilled in her a strong work ethic, so it took something as serious as emergency brain surgery for her to take a break to re-evaluate her life.

“I really want to thank everyone in this community, university and everyone that was rooting for me…everyone who made my will for living so much stronger,” she said.

Mascolo-David said after her surgery, she is a calmer, wiser person.

“We are easily compelled to complain without looking on the other side,” Mascolo-David said. “We tend to look at what we don’t have. Learning to appreciate what we have is key to having a good life.”

Mascolo-David’s first post-surgery recital will be held Mar. 29, featuring pieces composed for her and for others by living composers.

“When such a traumatic, near-death event happens, you begin looking at life differently,” she said. “Suddenly, you no longer take anything for granted because you do not know for how long you will have it.”

Central Michigan University’s Program Board brought both the groups to the school, delivering the first big performance of the year to campus.

The show began shortly after 8 p.m. as The Cool Kids members Antoine “Sir Michael Rocks” Reed and Evan “Chuck Inglish” Ingersoll, of Illinois and Mount Clemens respectively, took the stage.

Chiddy Bang performs on stage Friday night at Finch Fieldhouse. (Jeff Smith/Photo Editor)

Grand Rapids senior Clayton Stedman was eager to see The Cool Kids again after attending some of their performances in the past.

“I’ve seen The Cool Kids live a few times,” Stedman said. “They bring a lot of energy to the stage and usually have a great setlist.”

Chiddy Bang, composed of Chidera “Chiddy” Anamege and Noah “Xaphoon Jones” Beresin, entertained the crowd with some of their biggest hits including “Truth,” “Opposite of Adults,” and their popular track with Big Sean, “Too Fake.” Beresin filled in for Big Sean’s verse on “Too Fake,” asking audience members for a snap-back hat and sunglasses to help imitate him.

“Right now, we’re doing a lot of colleges. In September, we played a lot of welcome weeks,” Chiddy said. “It’s been exciting. A lot of early flights though.”

Chiddy is renowned for writing freestyle raps and broke the world record for longest freestyle rap in April with more than nine hours of rhymes.

At the concert, Chiddy put together a freestyle with random words given by audience members including “giraffes,” “chubby,” and “bacon strips.”

“After rapping for nine hours, your lips will just start burning and you feel as if you’ve exhausted yourself,” Chiddy said. “They gave me three seconds. I had a three-second pause time and while peeing, I had to continue rapping.”

People in the audience raise their hands to the music as Chiddy Bang performs on stage Friday night at Finch Fieldhouse. (Jeff Smith/Photo Editor)

Garden City junior Ben Miskulin was excited to see both Chiddy Bang and the Cool Kids and arrived early hoping to get a good spot. Miskulin had never seen either of the artists before, but knew that Chiddy would show off his freestyle rap abilities by asking the crowd for input.

“I’m here for Chiddy Bang, but I do love the Cool Kids though. It’s a good one-two combo,” Miskulin said. “I’ve watched the video of (the record.) This guy’s the man, he could rap about anything.”

Chiddy and Xaphoon attended Drexel University for a year before gaining popularity for their music. Both said their passion for music was too great to do anything else for a living.

“I was doomed to be doing music, successfully or not,” Xaphoon said.

The group was thankful to CMU but was excited to head back home and have an opportunity to rest for a few days.

“Central Michigan — it was a wonderful show,” Chiddy said. “And we’re just gonna, you know, keep grinding.”

Starting at 7 p.m. Sunday, fans gathered for the Eastern halls’ annual powderpuff football game.

For the fourth consecutive year, Fabiano, Emmons and Woldt teamed up against Saxe, Herrig and Celani.

“We have been practicing for over a week,” Muskegon freshman and Fabiano resident Felicia McCrary said. “We bonded as a team and ran a lot of plays.”

The girls planned to have fun in the game, but their major goal was to raise money and awareness for breast cancer.

“I came to support breast cancer (awareness), and this is a fun way of supporting,” McCrary said.

The powderpuff game is traditionally held the same weekend as the Central-Western football game, said fourth-year SHC coach Ben Witt.

“It is a very positive game and the girls on both sides have a lot of fun,” Witt said. “In the end, I think the loser is breast cancer.”

Most of the fans were students, though some family members attended as well.

Swartz Creek junior Alex McGuire’s family drove over an hour to the game. McGuire’s supporters included her mother, father, brother, boyfriend, aunt and cousin, who all made the drive to Kelly/Shorts.

Freshman Taylor Vecchioni looks back as she carries the ball down field during the Annual Powderpuff game Sunday played under the lights at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. (Erica Kearns/Staff Photographer)

“This is important, because we support her in everything she does, and it is for a good cause,” said Kenyata McGuire, Central alumna and McGuire’s mother.

The game ended with a score of 18-8, with SHC coming out on top.

Even though FEW was on the wrong side of the scoreline, their fans cheered loudly throughout the entire game, said Grant FEW supporter, junior Stephanie Pocsi.

“The crowd went crazy when FEW scored at the last minute,” Pocsi said. “Then they got a two-point conversion and everyone was excited.”

SHC player, Livonia junior Kristin Turbiak said the event was useful professionally and for charity.

“I think it’s great to get involved and network with people, but it’s also for a good cause,” she said.

The Detroit News reported that Jones is the top candidate for Marshall’s coaching vacancy, as well as a frontrunner for Cincinnati’s coaching vacancy after former UC coach Brian Kelly, who coached CMU from 2004 to 2006, left for Notre Dame last Thursday.

KMBC-TV in Kansas City reported last week that Kansas had shown interest to interview Jones, but the Jayhawks looked elsewhere in the MAC before any interview with Jones came to fruition.

On Saturday, Kansas hired former Buffalo coach Turner Gill, who played and worked as an assistant at Big 12 rival Nebraska.

The Herald-Dispatch of Huntington, W.V., among other media outlets, reported that Jones interviewed and took a campus tour at Marshall on Friday with Marshall Athletics Director Mike Hamrick.

Marshall fired former coach Mark Snyder after a 6-6 season this year. Snyder finished his tenure with a 22-37 record. The Thundering Herd will play Ohio in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl on Dec. 26 at Ford Field in Detroit.

Houston coach Kevin Sumlin and Temple coach Al Golden have declined interviews with Cincinnati, the Detroit News reported.

But according to the Philadelphia Daily News, Golden has yet to be notified of any interest from Cincinnati.

Getting compensated

Central Michigan Life reported last week that CMU Athletics Director Dave Heeke said the university has offered a contract extension to Jones that would make him the second-highest paid coach in the MAC, behind only Temple’s Al Golden.

Jones would earn a base salary of $400,000, including a chance to earn $200,000 more in incentives, according to a prior Detroit News report.

If Jones decided to leave the school, he would have to be bought out for $475,000. That number increases to $700,000 if he leaves before the GMAC Bowl on Jan 6, the report said.

Today, Jones and Heeke are in Mobile, Ala., for GMAC Bowl media events, per the Herald-Dispatch.

Continue to check cm-life.com for updates on the CMU football team and Butch Jones, along with other CMU athletics updates throughout the winter break.