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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 29, 1995)
Summer trip to Israel opens Hurtgen’s eyes By Doug Peters _ Senior Editor When ASUN President Shawntell Hurtgen was selected to go to Israel for a student leadership seminar this summer, she didn’t know quite what to think. Neither did her mother. “My mom was terrified,” Hurtgen said. “It was to the point that we could barely talk about the trip, she was so nervous.” Hurtgen was one of 10 student body presidents from the western half of the United States to participate in the eight-day seminar in mid-August. Going to an area traditionally known as a hotbed of unrest also made Hurtgen nervous. The realities of the Middle East took some getting used to, Hurtgen said, but she felt safer there than she had expected. That isn ’t to say there weren ’t some worrisome moments. One of those moments began even before Hurtgen left the United States. In New York, she said, she was inter rogated for nearly 30 minutes as part of a security check. Terrorist threats have led to increased security for flights to the Middle East. Security also was a major issue „ once she arrived in Israel, Hurtgen said. Hurtgen said it was hard to get used to armed soldiers in the streets and the talk of land mines and terror ism. Soldiers in Israel carry weapons with them at all times, Hurtgen said, even when they’re off-duty. M? “It’s funny to be dancing in a club and bump into a gun ... That really made me uneasy,” she said. But that wasn’t the only source of apprehension fra: Hurtgen and the other students. On their hike along the Jordan River, she said, students had to avoid certain paths because their guide warned of possible land mines. Despite the potential risks involved, Hurtgen said, the trip provided some eye-opening insights and a new ap preciation for cultures rich in tradi tion. Bank, embassies, universities, the West Wall and even a military base in Golan Heights, she said. They met with political leaders, journalists and student^. They visited a Holocaust museum and met with Holocaust survivors and relatives of survivors. Hurtgen said they left with a new appreciation of the issues that have shaped the conflict-torn Middle East. They also planted trees to com memorate their visit. Hurtgen said that before she left for Israel, she couldn ’ t understand why no compromises could be made be tween Israeli Jews and Palestinians. During her stay, she learned about the millenia-old traditions that provide the framework for day-to-day life in the Middle East. Traditions in the Middle East are so old and so strongly held that com promise has become nearly impos sible, Hurtgen said. “It’s not as black and white as I thought,” she said of the conflict between Israeli Jews and Palestinians. “There’s just really a situation with, very few winners.” Jay Calderon/DN Shawntell Hurtgen, president of the Association of Students of the University of Nebraska, . attended a student leadership seminar in Israel this summer. But the visit provided more than a lesson on Middle East politics, she said. It gave Hurtgen an opportunity to see firsthand what most Americans only read about or see on television. It allowed her, she said, to see beyond misconceptions and enjoy the country for what it was. “It’s a beautiful country,” Hurtgen said. “It’s just too bad that more of the beauty of the country and the people isn’t heard about here.” Hurtgen said that the visit had made a definite impact on her and that she regretted not being able to see more. “I’d love to go back,” she said. And as for her mother? “I’m just excited to show her my pictures and show her how different things are compared to the stereo types.” Stillwater Bay Congratulates the Nebraska Comhuskers for their National Championship. We haven't beaten you sinc< 1961. What more can be said We've had you down You've come back You've won with class anc ■4 we appreciate your legion? who travel to your support But just wait.. One of these Years! 7th & Husband Across from the Courthouse • Stillwater, Oklahoma Just Down the Street from Lewis Held on Hall of Fame World’s Greatest Homemade Balsas, Fresh Guacamole, Fabulous Fajitas, r\ Margarftas and f Stillwater’s other Favorite I T-Shirt i Welcome I Nebraska 1 Fans! % For our Free Fall & Winter Catalog featuring this and many other styles give us a call! 1-800-256-JOES (5637) Rut on a Smile! ..-2^ * | •• McMenamin Continued from Page 1 being shoved aside. “Obviously it’s not the only case, but it’s certainly the biggest and com manding the most time of any investi gation,” Casady said. “There’s a con siderable amount ofworkbeingdone.” Casady would not say if the inves tigation had led police outside Ne braska, but he said police had ex plored any relationship the McMenamin case had .to other homi cides in the country. Shortly after the slaying, police said they were seeking a man seen running from the Amberwood Apart ment Complex in shorts and work boots. Casady said Monday that po lice had interviewed several men who were in the area, but they were uncer tain if the man witnesses saw had been contacted. Even though 37 days have passed since McMenamin’s death, Casady said police efforts had not subsided. “It’s our most important priority. ” TOM CASADY Lincoln police chief “We’re consuming a tremendous amount of shoe leather, pen ink and manpower, as well as we should,” Casady said. Three years ago, police searched for Candice Harms for 12 weeks. The whereabouts of the UNL sophomore were unknown until two men arrested for a string of Lincoln burglaries con fessed in jail. They led police to her body, which was buried in a field southeast of Lin coln. Casady said the Harms and McMenamin cases had generated similar types of paperwork and were devoted equal amounts of investiga tion time. “Some cases do not build to a logi cal conclusion,” Casady said. “Tlie vast majority of homicides are cleared very quickly because the victim is obvious.” If the victim did not know his or her attacker, Casady said, the cases are more difficult to solve. It is quite pos sible that McMenamin did not know her assailant, he said. Police encourage people with in formation about the case to call CrimeStoppers at 475-3600. The in formation will be added to the case file, which is sure to become even thicker. ,