Anchorman 2: Movie Star Turned Vet Student

Nina Marie, Western University

Life as a Vet Student, Honorable Mention

      

          Before vet school, I had trouble finding a summer job. Most places didn't want to commit to or train somebody that could only be around for 3 months or less. My problems were all solved the day my father read the newspaper and saw an ad for a movie open casting call starring Russell Crowe. They were looking for runner-type bodies for a movie called "Noah". In the midst of several hundred people, I was chosen to be a stunt extra in the movie. I played a Refugee and had to run towards an ark alongside many people in the pouring rain. This lead to my summer job as a background actor for television and movies. 

The photo is from one of the movies I worked on (I am all the way to the left). Surprisingly, I found out about this job via Facebook! They were looking for people with "70s looks" for a movie called "Teaching Manheim". Assuming that Teaching Manheim was some independent film, I submitted my photos to be considered as a background extra. I was selected to be in the film, which was shooting in New York City. At the time, I completely forgot that movies tend to go by a codename, and when I googled the name, I was shocked to see that it was Anchorman 2! On the day of filming, I had the fortune of being placed right next to Will Ferrell, Steve Carrell, Paul Rudd, and David Koechner. It was exciting and unreal to be standing right next to Ron Burgendy and his news team. On set, I also met Drake, who made a cameo in the movie. I saw myself in the movie trailer as well as the film itself. This was by far the best summer job I've ever had! 

"Horse ECG" & "Endoscope" - Overall Award Winner for Best Submission

Phoenix Watt - Western University

Overall Winner, Creative Corner Winner

"Horse ECG" set to the tune of The Little Mermaid's "Under the Sea"

"Endoscope" set to the tune of Frozen's "Let it Go"

Freedom

Meghan Shuman, Western University

Creative Corner, Entry

Is the Profession Too White?

   From The Vet Gazette Editors: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not reflect the official opinions of SAVMA or The Vet Gazette.       

Leo Holguin, Western

Op-Ed submission

            Veterinary Medicine is the whitest profession in the United States. While the US population is experiencing a dramatic demographic change, the profession’s demographics have remained the same for the past 20 years. Can a profession who does not reflect the general population effectively serve its community?

The United States population is experiencing a rapid change in its ethnic makeup. Based on the Pew Research Center, it is estimated that by 2040 people of color will comprise more than half of the US population. Yet, while US demographics are changing, the phenotype of the veterinary profession remains unchanged. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 96% of all practicing veterinarians and 88% of all veterinary students are White. 96% are White. But, you may be asking yourself, why care. In order for the veterinary profession to address the needs of its clients and fulfill its mission of serving all of society and all animals to the best advantage, it must embrace diversity!

            A plethora of theories have risen in attempts to explain the lack of diversity within the profession. Unfortunately, those theories have been proposed by the very leaders of the profession: older white men who have adopted preconceived notions of race and gender. One theory claims that

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