Does your Mass Media feel a little heavier this week? It should because we are now running at a whopping 28 pages of informative, entertaining, and thought provoking content, the largest issue we have had in almost two years. If you’ve been around for a little bit, you know that this paper has made leaps and bounds since we were on the second floor of the Campus Center, we didn’t have a sports section, had a staff of about twelve, and ran at a meager 12 pages. These days not only do we have a sports section and a staff bordering on forty, but we have recently added two new sections: Humor, and Culture & Diversity. While the progress is mostly due to the tireless work of our devoted staff and the care and support we receive from advisor/den mother/therapist/miracle worker Donna Neal, we also could not have done it without you, our dear readers. Yes, we’ve certainly come a long way, baby, and we’re glad you stuck it out with us through the good times and the bad.This week, check out News for part two in our enlightening and moving series entitled “From The Quake” in which UMB student Dana Francois shares with us her account of the earthquake that struck Haiti, the terrible aftermath, and cause to hope for recovery. In light of recent events in South America and Portugal, this piece will give some insight into the experiences of our neighbors suffering devastation at Mother Nature’s hands around the globe and will hopefully put them in your thoughts and prayers.In Arts this week, David Lombino shares his Oscar picks and breaks down why you should not throw your lot behind the video game-esque Avatar for best picture. Does it look cool in 3D? Definitely. Was it crazy expensive to make? Totally. Does it deserve to be given films highest honor? David says no. Read the article so you can argue with him later.Finally in Sports, Andrew Otovic brings you coverage of your Lady Beacons hockey team who have, for the second year in a row, advanced past the first round in the post-season tournament. Like the Mass Media, women’s hockey has come a long way in the last decade, from club sport in the early part of the decade to perennial league championship contender. There next game is this Saturday, so be sure to check www.umassmedia.com for the results Sunday morning. Good luck ladies!Sincerely,Ben WhelanEditor-In-Chief