In the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan on March 11, the campus community offered support through “Together with Japan,” a series of events aimed at raising awareness and funds for the American Red Cross in Japan. The collaborative effort involved the Global Center for Education; the Office of Service, Spirituality and Social Responsibility; the Asian American Coalition; AfterTaste club; Art House; and the Service, Engagement and Activism Board of the Student Government Association.

During one event, the rich culture of Japan was highlighted in Balfour-Hood through music, food, displays and activities, including the making of paper cranes. Another event, an evening of reflection and education in Cole Memorial Chapel, provided an opportunity for the members of the Norton Japanese community to share their feelings and thoughts about the disasters in their homeland, and offered a chance for Wheaton science professors to discuss some of the possible long-term effects resulting from the disasters. The Sun Chronicle (Attleboro, Mass.) wrote about the outreach efforts.

The weather outside might have been frightful in Boston, considering December’s blizzard, but in California it was delightful. So it is no wonder that the members of Wheaton’s synchronized swimming team headed to La Mesa, Calif., for training during winter break.

Swimmer and team co-captain Christiana Butera ’12, who grew up in California, hosted her teammates at her parents’ house near Mount Helix, Calif., according to a news article in the La Mesa Patch. The sleepover on cots, air mattresses and couches may sound like fun and games, but the team was in town for hard work—practicing each day from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. They also held a demonstration for the public at the municipal pool.

“I’ve been an athlete my whole life,” Butera said in an interview. “I’ve done soccer, gymnastics, dance, swimming, basketball and even played for a boys’ flag football team, and this is absolutely the hardest sport I’ve ever tried. People make fun of it because it looks so easy. But the goal of synchronized swimming is to make something difficult look artistic. It really challenges you as an athlete and as an artist. For anyone who thinks it’s easy, try it for 10 minutes. You’ll see how difficult it is.”