Scene Spotlight
Anne MontgomeryClass of '03Marketing Major
After losing a family friend to leukemia, senior Anne Montgomery decided to take an active role in the fight against cancer. This summer she joined the South Bay's division of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training. The team trains for and participates in various athletic events while the individual members raise money for research into leukemia, lymphoma and other blood-related cancers.
Montgomery, who has to raise $2,400 per event, says that she has been very surprised by the extent of people's financial support. 75 percent of the money she earns goes directly toward the search for a cure. The remaining 25 percent goes back into Team in Training expenses.
Through her fundraising, she has also gained great awareness of how many people's lives have been touched by blood-related cancers.
"It's been a very eye-opening experience, knowing how many people have been affected," she says.
Montgomery has another important motivation when she is participating in team events. She has honorees who actually have lymphoma. She enjoys meeting people with such a huge stake in the search for a cure.
The next event Montgomery plans to participate in is a triathlon on Nov. 2. She is working hard to raise money for this nation wide event. She will be hosting a dinner at Chevy's on Oct. 22 and 20 percent of the profits will be donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
P. B. RorieClass of '02Theatre and dance double major
P.B. Rorie is directing a unique play in this year's Fall One-Act Festival. His "What Did God Ever Do to You?" is the first one act written and produced by a Santa Clara student.
After taking a play writing class with senior Josh Rector, Rorie decided to direct Rector's play in the festival. The two worked together to adapt the play for the Santa Clara stage. It documents an investigation into the murder of God and an "Enron-level" scandal facing heaven.
Rorie, who will graduate at the end of this quarter, believes that it is the responsibility of the performing arts to address issues of current relevance. Last year, he choreographed a dance piece for "The Dark Side of the Moon: Reflections on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict" last spring, in which he "tried to advocate a message of peace and nonviolence. To some degree that is related to this play because this play is about what we do with our lives when religions and religious icons fail us."
That philosophy is influencing Rorie's plans for the future as well. In January he will begin pursuing his Master of Education degree at Long Beach State University, studying English and theater. He is sure that social commentary will always play a large role in the art he creates.
"As an artist," he adds, "I'm going to be making sure I comment on the social fabric of our lives."