BY KRISTIN BRITTAIN
Lions’ Pride Editor in Chief

Sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are not honor students must return their laptop by April 30.

“We don’t guarantee students a laptop for four years; Saint Leo provides a laptop if you are a full time student living in residential housing,” said Les Lloyd, Associate Vice President and Chief Information Officer at University Technology Services (UTS).

Saint Leo provides laptops to full time residential students at no charge. The school pays monthly on a three year lease for the IBM laptops.
“There are 1,100 laptops due back to IBM, this summer,” said Lloyd.

“The turnover is at odd times. In the past, some were collected during the summer and some were not. It is all based on when the lease is up with IBM. Last year they were due back in September, so we let students come back and return them in the fall.”
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BY CASEY MCKENNA
Lions’ Pride Staff Writer

Students and small town residents are two groups who have been feeling the effects of the American economy.

Saint Leo University employees and nearby Dade City business owners have become more aware of profit, expenses, and the customers who have the ability to make or break their businesses. Consumers in these areas have become more careful in terms of where their money is going and what it is going towards.
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BY KRISTIN BRITTAIN AND
JESSICA OKEEFE
Lion’s Pride Editor and Assistant Editor

One out of every eight Americans is hungry. Ninety-six billion pounds of good food is discarded in the United States. If five percent of that was recovered, it could provide the equivalent of a day’s food for four million hungry people.

The Saint Leo University cafeteria and service provider Sodexo are very much aware of food wastage.
Hundreds of students filter in and out of the cafeteria consuming more than five third world countries. Research was carried out in the dish room to determine how many pounds of cooked food was wasted from April 1-18. Garbage cans that were used to collect the waste for food held 55 gallons and one-fourth of the container held 125 pounds. The total amount wasted within the eighteen days was 17,039 pounds.
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BY KATIE GAISER
Lions’ Pride Layout Editor

As I sat in the freezing cold Marmion Center waiting for the show to begin on Friday April 3, I was unaware just how spectacular the performance I was about to behold would be. Yet, after the first three numbers, it was clear to me that this show was much more than just an entertaining escape from reality. This show was an inspiring journey of faith, hope, and love.

The show entitled, “Hear My Song: A Journey of Faith,” told the story of nine individual journeys of faith. This musical review featured Broadway show tunes and pop songs that explored the casts’ personal relationships with God. Each story was told from the actor’s personal life, which made it all the more real and personal.
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BY THOMAS SCAGLIONE III
Lions’ Pride Entertainment Editor

As the end of my last semester at Saint Leo University is approaching, I feel a sense of nostalgia when thinking back on my years here and all the time I worked with The Lions’ Pride. From when I first began my journalism experience by becoming a staff writer almost two years ago, I had no idea I would eventually become the Entertainment Editor and, much less, that I would form a sort of family with my fellow writers and editors.
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BY BRANDY SCAGLIONE
Lions’ Pride Photo Editor

I remember three years ago I came to Mrs. Kasper’s office with my portfolio ready to go, and without looking at it I had the job. Soon after I was writing articles, taking pictures, and attending every campus event possible. The next year I was offered the task of becoming Photo Editor, which came with perks like hanging out with Lonestar, attending Halloween Horror Nights for free every year, and using my press pass for VIP privileges.
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BY BRANDY SCAGLIONE
Lions’ Pride Photo Editor

Theta Phi Alpha has done it again with this year’s second annual Rock Against Cancer, which raised over $1,500. This year the concert was held in the gymnasium, avoiding space and venue conflicts that may have occurred like last year.

For only a $10 donation, students received a complimentary t-shirt and a concert that provided 5 bands and was about 5 hours in length (talk about an awesome deal!).
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BY TIM PEASE
Lions’ Pride Staff Writer

The Saint Leo men’s lacrosse team held their senior night on April 4, their final home game of the season. The Lions played Florida Southern, who is in their first season of having a lacrosse program.
The Lions kept possession of the ball for the majority of the game, eventually it would allow them to win the game with a score of 16 to 5. In goal for the Lions was David Erdman, who had ten saves during the game.
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BY MINDY PIERCE &
BY JESSICA PALL
Lions’ Pride Staff Writer
Lions’ Pride Assistant Sports Editor

It took a fancy meal of prime rib and a roomful of guests and family to induct three very important Saint Leo former athletes and alumni into the Hall of Fame on Thursday, March 26th.
These three athletes, Sean O’Connor (’83), Ricky Dale (’84), and Stephanie Harris (’00), all exemplified Saint Leo’s elite athletic characteristics that awarded them membership into the Hall of Fame for 2009.

In his opening statements, Dr. Kirk stated that with this induction we celebrate more than athletic accomplishments but further a celebration of the university’s values. O’Connor, Dale, and Harris demonstrated responsible stewardship, excellence, integrity, community involvement, and a healthy mind, body, and spirit.
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BY KATIE GAISER
Lions’ Pride Layout Editor

I was never interested in newspapers or journalism when I first came to Saint Leo. However, as a freshman, I needed a job to sustain myself, and the school newspaper was one of the few jobs that was non-work study. So, I gave it a chance and signed up for the paper.

Little did I know I would eat, sleep, and breathe the newspaper until this very moment in time.
The Lions’ Pride has certainly come a long way in the time I have been here at school. The paper used to be filled with articles that were part of a public newspaper college website called U-Wire. With little to no staff writers, it was the paper’s only hope for content.
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BY JOSHUA M. SMITH
Lions’ Pride Online Editor

Good news, my faithful readers! This is the last time you’ll have to hear me go on a tirade about the lack of campus parking spaces. Indeed, the painfully sparse allotment of spaces has been a thorn in my side for many a Tuesday and Thursday afternoon class. I will not miss circling and circling for a spot where my high-performance machines might enjoy a much deserved rest. Saint Leo’s ill-advised parking scheme will trouble me no longer!

And that’s the only thing about Saint Leo I will not miss once I graduate next week.
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By Joshua M. Smith

The hospital bed felt warm, but my nose was cold. Daddy left the window open to let some of the cool night air in. He sat next to me. We watched TV.

I wasn’t scared; it was all just a new experience for me, just another part of life.
The door opened. Two nurses walked in. I thought they were here to bring me something to eat; I was so hungry. Neither of them had a tray of food though. [Read more →]

By: Katie Gaiser

My pulse quickens; I can feel the beating in my ears. Heart heavy, I breathe this feeling in and out of my lungs. The sweet scent of love swirls around me. Perfect skin; soft, warm. Eyes as deep as the ocean. She could say it all with a look. A laugh that lightens hearts, a smile that breaks them. Lips much like chocolate. Sweet, luscious, addictive. A mind that leaves you impressed and amazed. Wisdom that you can’t find just anywhere. A personality that keeps you coming back, keeps you wanting more. A temper that fuels her passion. A mischievous grin, she’ll always keep you guessing. She’s sexy; she’s beautiful; she’s one of a kind. She moves with such grace, perfectly comfortable in her own skin. A confidence that most people lack. [Read more →]

2am
By Krystal Filsinger

It’s hard to understand how I could just sit at home,
Saturday night, I do not feel I’m being dull.
I sit in my lanai and stare at a garden gnome.
I hit the roach in hopes it will lull
me to sleep in my bed which is vast.
I miss your body, but I know you’re wearing the bracelet,
when I made it I knew it would last.
This scene is as a theater set,
I dread that I must wake up early for church.
All I hear is the storm, it blew over a knick knack from where it perch.
I sit in your t-shirt wishing I was in your dorm.
I apologize as all things in my life collide,
thank you for staying with me while I wait for it all to subside.
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Ever here that famous expression “he went to jared’s” I have
By Rochelle Lingo

He went to jared’s oh my God
I can’t believe he loves me
The ring was the best
He certainly didn’t get a crest
He went to jared’s
We’re at the alter dressed in black and white
I had to wear high heels to match his height
The wedding was splendid, it was so much fun
Too bad the honeymoon was a bum
He went to jared’s
At first the honeymoon was great
But
Something strange happened
He changed
He went to jared’s
It’s been 6 months since we tied the knot
But lately my husband has rot
He no longer sees me as a “best friend”
But the one who cleans the den
He went to jared’s
It started out slow but grew
It started when the bills were due
We got into a fight
I didn’t know it was for my life
He went to jared’s
3 years have passed and it’s only got worse
The love is gone, making my heart burst
He screams and yells
That’s when I accidently fell
He went to jared’s
I can’t take it anymore
I’m not a boar
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By: Jess O’Keefe

Some students spent spring break on the beach working on there tans, while others flew 4,000 miles across the world and froze their butts off in Alaska. Luckily, I was one of the chosen few with a frozen butt. This spring break I spent a week in Juneau, Alaska doing service work. Myself, along with 7 other Saint Leo students, two advisors and one alumni, did everything from feed the homeless to help renovate one of Juneau’s local parishes.
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Professor Timothy Jay explores the forbidden language of profanity at Saint Leo

BY JORDAN COATES
Lions’ Pride Staff Writer

Old farts advisory: if you think “sucks” is a bad word, leave now.

On February 25 the boardroom of Saint Leo welcomed Professor Timothy Jay for his program on cursing in America. He has exercised all over North America and England and has more than 34 years of scholarship on swearing.

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BY COLLEEN SHANAHAN
Lions’ Pride Assistant Online Editor

Saint Leo University was just recently one of 635 colleges and universities to be named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. This honor roll is the highest honor for community service amongst higher learning institutions.

Saint Leo University has been honored with this distinction every year since the honor roll’s beginning in 2006.

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BY JESSICA O’KEEFE & KRISTIN BRITTAIN
Lions’ Pride Assistant Editor & Lions’ Pride Editor in Chief

“In today’s competitive job market it is critical to have hands on experience in your field. Internships provide insight to determine if this is the right career for a student,” said Kim Edwards associate director of career services.

With the economy in shambles and the job market becoming more competitive, it is no wonder why students are searching for ways to enhance their resumes. And what better way to enhance a resume than an internship.

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BY JESSICA O’KEEFE
Lions’ Pride Assistant Editor

Danielle Mahan, the senior program coordinator of federal relations for the Washington Center, came to Saint Leo looking to recruit students hunger to learn and eager for experience.

Mahan explained why internships are so important. Hundreds of thousands of other people with the same degree are applying for the same job, so what can students bring to the table that’s different? What can students bring to the table that will make them stand out? Internships.

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BY BRANDY SCAGLIONE
Lions’ Pride Photo Editor

Photograph by Brandy Scaglione

Brandy Scaglione

My name is Brandy Scaglione and I am currently a senior at Saint Leo University. Let me begin by telling you I never thought I would become a good candidate for internship.

Four years ago, I came to Saint Leo with a low GPA, procrastination methods that would awe the laziest of students, and without any enthusiasm for a higher education. However, once I took Introduction to Psychology my spring semester, I knew what I wanted to do with my life. Finding a major that is related to your passion, something that sparks a continuing curiosity, is the most important staple to find in college.

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BY JOSHUA M. SMITH
Lions’ Pride Online Editor

Good news! Obama is going to “cut taxes for 95 percent of working families!” That means me!

But, as seems always the case in politics, the bad news is hidden behind the rhetoric—visible only to those willing to think beyond stage one.

Yes, Obama’s “tax cuts” will mean I’ll keep an extra $13 or so a month of my take-home pay. (Just imagine how much I’ll be able to stimulate the economy with 13 bucks!) However, Obama’s “cap & trade” scheme will end up sucking up that $13 and much, much more over time.

What the heck is cap & trade anyway? Well, cap & trade is this great idea some environmentalist came up with to “help combat global warming.” It is a way of penalizing companies that “pollute” the air with “carbon emissions” (i.e. breathing) by requiring them to pay the government for “the right” to pollute. Great idea, right?

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BY KATIE GAISER
Lions’ Pride Layout Editor

After reading up on the latest Obama news concerning his proposed cap and trade program, it is becoming clear to me that there is no easy solution to any problem.

This cap and trade program is supposed to be beneficial to the United States. Under the program, the government will set an annual cap on carbon dioxide emissions and divide this amount into a certain amount of credits that will be auctioned off to companies. These companies will be required to buy enough credits at this auction to cover their carbon dioxide emissions for the year, and if need be, acquire more by trading with other companies.

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BY RENEE FORERO
Lions’ Pride Staff Writer

Photograph by Renee Forero

Eric Roberson playfully posing for the camera.

With 16 years of experience in the music business, a multinational record label, having five albums under his belt and about to release a new record in June, Eric Roberson is one of the hardest working men in the music industry.

Roberson’s new album is entitled “Music Fan First.” This record was taken from Roberson’s experiences as well as with his guy friends and family. “This album is about a man’s truths. It is a man’s monologue.”

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BY KERRI HEASLEY
Lions’ Pride Staff Writer

Photograph couresy of www.blog.baghaus.com

Dressing stylish on a college student’s budget is no easy task. Never fear girls; there are many tips and tricks that can be used to spice up any outfit.

The first and most important thing to remember is to accessorize! Accessories add fun and flair to even the plainest of outfits. Belts, jewelry, purses, and shoes are great complements to an outfit. Mixing and matching accessories can make any outfit look brand new. Even if it has been worn many times before, new accessories add a refreshing new spin to an old classic.

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BY COLLIN R. GOOD
Lions’ Pride Sports Editor

Photograph Courtesy of Mike Carlson

Lions Shortstop Bobby Munoz

In a surprise upset, the Lions of Saint Leo’s baseball team took both games in a doubleheader against Lynn University on Saturday. Lynn, whose Flying Knights came into the game ranked at 7, were unable to overcome the momentum of the Lions.

Utility player J.C. Suarez took the mound for the first game, allowing only three runs and six hits in eight strong innings for the Lions. Suarez was backed by the offense, who came up with 20 hits in the game.

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