Alexis Pearson, Author at University Chronicle

“The Great Gatsby”: The reality of an illusion

Published on October 17, 2017 in Lifestyle Columns/Reviews by Alexis Pearson

“Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter – tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther…and one fine morning – so we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly in the past”. Nostalgia has a way of ripping us from the present and throwing us down a rabbit hole of memories – things both loved and lost. In The Great Gatsby, we see Jay Gatsby lost in the comforting hushes of the past as he chases his lost love. This fixation on the past that he harvests teaches us a lot about how we survive in the present. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel casts a harsh light on jealousy and passion while building a love story on the foundations of desperation. Although in the age of Daisy and Gatsby’s love affair…

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Aladdin: amazing, astounding, astonishing

Published on October 17, 2017 in Events/Lifestyle/Performing Arts by Alexis Pearson

I sat in my seat at the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis, mouth agape and eyes sparkling, as the actors and actresses for Aladdin took the stage. Four years ago I sat in the same theater and utterly melted under the sounds and sights of Beauty and the Beast, the best show I’d had ever seen. I never thought I’d like another show more, but Aladdin gave that show a run for its money. I usually know exactly what to say and how to say it, but this show left me completely speechless. From the beautifully built set, to the sparkling costumes, to some of the longest and most flawless musical numbers I have ever seen, I walked out of this show with very few negative criticisms. I could babble on and on about how the costumes absolutely glowed under the bright lights, or how realistic it looked when Jasmine and…

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Wild’s faithful Finn seals two-year deal

Published on October 5, 2017 in News/Sports by Alexis Pearson

In 2001 the Minnesota Wild began their second season in the NHL. This same year, 18-year-old Mikko Koivu pulled a green and white jersey over his head as the Minnesota Wild selected him in the sixth round of the NHL draft. In four short years, he officially began playing in the State of Hockey, with a team as young as him. He tallied 21 points in his debut season. If that wasn’t impressive enough, his stats improved drastically in the 2006-07 season, burying 20 goals and tallying 34 assists. These accomplishments placed him fifth in his team’s stats for points on-season, sitting behind only the popular names of teammates Brian Rolston, Pavol Demitra, Marian Gaborik, and Pierre-Marc Bouchard. Not bad company to be in, in only his second season in the NHL. Over the years, this feisty Finn has won over the hearts of Minnesota hockey fans as not only…

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New school year, new stress: learning to cope with life’s changes

Published on September 6, 2017 in News/SCSU News by Alexis Pearson

With each new stage of life we enter, we experience many new things. Unfortunately, amongst that list are new kinds of stress. The first days, weeks, and sometimes even months of a student’s transition into college can be some of the most challenging and exhausting times in their life. No family to go home to at the end of the day, a completely new routine, financial stress, and much more can all contribute to students feeling overwhelmed. Finding ways to cope with stress can be more than upsetting and, at times, even seem impossible. For many, the struggles that accompany these kinds of changes in life are inevitable. But help is always within reach as long as you know how to address it and look for assistance in the right places. Holly Schuck, Associate Director of Advising and Student Transitions at St. Cloud State, says poor time management can cause…

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‘The Shack’: the beautiful – and surprising – explanation of God

Published on May 10, 2017 in Lifestyle/Movies by Alexis Pearson

For some, God and the afterlife are nothing more than a magical story. For others, it is a beautiful way of life and a way to shape and explain their existence. Whichever side of the fence you stand on, there are questions behind the purpose, point, and prerogative of God, which are so eloquently answered in “The Shack”. In a way that has never before been depicted in movies, “The Shack” fearlessly attacks the questions so often presented in the face of religion. This fearlessness, in my opinion, deserves the highest form of praise. The 2017 film is based on the 2007 novel of the same title written by William P. Young. Mack Phillips (played by Sam Worthington) takes his three children on a camping trip that’s all family fun until his daughter Missy (played by Amelie Eve) is kidnapped and killed while he’s trying to save his other two…

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13 reasons why this show is not worth your time

Published on April 28, 2017 in Lifestyle/Reviews by Alexis Pearson

“Welcome to your tape” sounds comforting to the naïve ear, but for the characters in this show it marks the beginning of trouble, anxiety, and fear. In a show that glorifies the tragic topic of suicide, it’s dangerous food for thought to the exact people they are trying to touch with their story. ’13 Reasons Why’ is a television series based on the 2007 novel of the same name. The show follows the aftermath of high school student Hannah Baker’s (played by Katherine Langford) suicide as the people she leaves behind are each left with 13 tapes, each tape explaining a different reason why she killed herself. Clay Jensen (played by Dylan Minnette) is the main focus of the aftermath as he was Hannah’s closest friend and love interest. I believe this show ultimately had good intentions but several things really bothered me: THERE WAS A LOT OF GOOD…

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A Journalist’s Take on A Journalist’s Take

Published on April 26, 2017 in Lifestyle/Movies/Reviews by Alexis Pearson

Curiosity is the catalyst to discovery. A journalist’s job is to follow where their curious minds take them, fueled by a passionate desire to come upon the truth. It is in these truths that we establish our beliefs and morals. As a journalist, there is no greater reward than pursuing a story and turning a hunch into a reality. But sometimes the truth isn’t the result of initial expectations. Sometimes it forces us to come face to face with one of the biggest decisions a person can ever be asked to make: follow the facts or believe in the fiction. Based on a true story, the 2017 American Christian drama, “The Case for Christ” follows the life of journalist Lee Strobel (played by Mike Vogel) in his pursuit to uncover the truth behind Jesus Christ. After Lee and his wife Leslie (played by Erika Christensen) witness a stranger save their daughter…

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Seniors display best pieces in gallery show

Published on April 24, 2017 in Lifestyle/The Shot by Alexis Pearson

The end of the school year marks the time for tests, papers, and presentations (and lots of them). For students who spend their days in the Kiehl art building, however, this is the time to show off their very best work. In a building that is open 24 hours a day and seven days a week, students are giving the opportunity to perfect their art at all times of the day. The pieces range from sculpture to pottery to paintings and everything in between. Each year the gallery director (currently Bruce Tapola) chooses a juror/guest artist to look through the students’ work and select pieces for the gallery. The faculty also donates funds to three of the top artists chosen by the juror that year. Kiehl gallery assistant, Brittany Omann, says that galleries are important for these art students. “I believe openings are important and exciting. It’s a great way…

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Staying safe at night, do’s and don’ts

Published on April 18, 2017 in News by Alexis Pearson

The weekends are supposed to be a college student’s stress-free days of the week. The time when homework is ignored and sleeping in is essential so the long nights ahead aren’t as exhausting. However, fun nights can turn dangerous quickly if the correct precautions are not taken to insure safety. Although a not every dangerous event can be preventable, several actions can be taken to help avoid these potentially dangerous situations. Take advantage of buses: All you need is your student ID to ride the St. Cloud Metro Bus. Both St. Cloud State University and St. Cloud Community and Technical College can take advantage of this transportation. During the week, the Husky Shuttle runs every ten minutes, picking up and dropping off at the Wick science building. On the weekend, the Late Nite bus is available (no student ID required after 1:50 am). It’s a 20-minute route that runs…

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