Student sorely missed

When I decided to take a couple classes over the summer in Tucson in order to catch up on my nursing pre-reqs, the first people that welcomed me into their home were Anthony Andrighetto, Matt Benton and Sam Schmid. They have been my best friends since freshman year. Most girls and parents would think I was crazy for living with three boys over the summer, but my best friends are different. They are the most genuine and caring boys I have ever met and it didn’t hurt to know that I would be spoiled rotten being the only girl in the house.

My mom was a bit wary about the idea but after helping me move in and spending a couple of days getting to know them, she in fact felt more comfortable that I was living with the boys because she knew I would be safe.

The house we originally moved into only had three bedrooms. Anthony freely gave up his room to me and offered to sleep on the couch for three weeks during pre-session just so I had room to myself. I don’t know very many guys that would allow a girl to move all of her pink towels, perfumes and jewelry into their room.

Anthony moved home after finishing up his class, so that left Sam, Matt and me. Matt typically worked during the day so I spent most of my time cooking and laying out by the pool with Sam. He was the person that would cook me salmon for dinner almost every night, the person who would watch an episode of “Nip/Tuck” with me only if I promised to watch two episodes of “Rob & Big” with him, and the person who insisted upon coming with me to make late night chocolate runs just because he was “bored.” (I knew that it was actually because he wanted to make sure I was safe.)

On Oct. 19, 2011, three of my best friends were involved in a fatal car accident. It changed my life completely and turned my world upside down. I know that events like this take place every day, but I never thought they would happen to my best friends: my boys.

I will never understand why this happened to the best of people or the reasoning behind traumatic events like this is, but what I do know is that I am grateful God gave me the opportunity to become best friends with some of the most truly genuine and inspirational people I’ve ever known. I am more fortunate than most to have been able to spend my college and summer days with Sam Schmid, Matt Benton and Anthony Andrighetto watching movies such as “Bridesmaids” (the boys have still not forgiven me for dragging them to this “chick flick”), and being surrounded by people that will always love and care about me. I will never forget the times we laughed so hard we started crying and the memories I will always keep embedded in my heart.

— Stephanie Ormond, pre-nursing major

Pro-life propaganda not welcome at universities

I am writing in response to (the) “advertising supplement” issued in the Oct. 26th issue of the Daily Wildcat. I am one of many students outraged that such blatant propaganda would be presented in our school newspaper.

Several Planned Parenthood clinics have recently been closed throughout the state. Arizona already has several strict laws in place meant to discourage young women from pursuing abortions including mandatory delays and biased counseling requirements. Doctors are given the right not to perform abortions if doing so goes against their personal moral code. What more do the pro-life groups want?

I took the time to check the sources used in this “advertising supplement.” Half of these sources were from academic journals and government documents, about 10 of them outdated by 20 years. The other half of these sources were anecdotal or taken from nonprofit organizations, news articles, independently authored books and corporations. Less than half of the information in this “advertising supplement” actually holds any scientific weight. Here at the UA, students are taught to be critical thinkers. I’m willing to call propaganda when I see it.

— Angela Palomer, family studies and human development senior