A witch hunter captain is a title bestowed upon an individual who leads a group or organization dedicated to hunting and eradicating witches. In history and folklore, witch hunters were often associated with the witch trials and persecutions that took place during the Early Modern period in Europe and America. The witch hunter captain was responsible for overseeing the activities of their team and directing their efforts in identifying, capturing, and eliminating witches. Their role required a combination of skills, including a deep knowledge of witchcraft beliefs and practices, investigation techniques, and an understanding of the legal and religious frameworks surrounding witch trials. To be effective in their role, a witch hunter captain needed to have a firm belief in the existence of witches and the danger they posed to society. They would often work closely with religious authorities, such as priests or clergy, to gather evidence and gather support for their actions.
Athletics and Recreation at Scripps
The Claremont Colleges approach their athletics programs in a unique way: by splitting them into two, thus forming the “Sixth Street Rivalry” after the narrow road that divides CMS (Claremont-Mudd-Scripps) and Pomona College (Pitzer shares their athletics with Pomona to form Pomona-Pitzer, but happens to be on the same side as CMS). CMS Athletics is one of the most dominant Division III programs on the West Coast, having most recently defended their national women’s tennis title whilst ranking highly weekly for nearly every sport out of the 21 offered. The men’s teams play under the Stags mascot, while the women’s teams are known as the Athenas.
The Athenas and Stags train primarily at Claremont McKenna’s campus, where facilities like Roberts Pavilion, Axelrod Pool, Pritzlaff Field, etc. act as the “home” location for competitive matches. Non-varsity athletes also have access to these spaces, as Roberts Pavilion serves as a gym and recreational space for all CMS students, hosting group fitness classes, intramurals, and club sports. CMS Recreation offers a variety of intramurals every semester, from inner tube water polo to dodgeball to cornhole; they also have trivia every Thursday (which I co-host with another Scripps junior)! Opened in 2016, Roberts boasts 144,000 square footage across three levels, with large exercise rooms on the first floor along with a two-story fitness studio that boasts a view of the San Gabriel mountains.
The Tiernan Field House is the Scripps gym and proudly demonstrates a commitment to emphasizing emotional wellness in addition to physical fitness. Tiernan hosts weekly events- Mindfulness Mondays, Destress Tuesdays/Thursdays, SRH (Sexual/Reproductive Health) Wednesdays, and Feel Good Fridays- in order to prioritize the mental well-being of students, as well as provide an educational, safe space for the community to come together. The Field House also oversees the Scripps Green Bike Program, which “collects and repairs unwanted bikes and rents them to Scripps students, faculty, and staff”, according to the Field House bike policy. Tiernan is also home to the Scripps pool, a resort-like oasis that serves as a retreat on sunny days.
The Ronald and Maxine Linde Activities Center (LAC) is the wellness and physical hub at Harvey Mudd’s campus. The LAC is outfitted with a gymnasium, aerobics room, weight room, computer lab, lounge, and game room. Students can also check out bikes here, as well as other equipment, whether for sports, camping, etc.
With so many options to choose from, students will always have spaces to get active, whether it be at the gyms mentioned above, the many basketball and tennis courts, the beach volleyball court at Scripps, or simply by traversing through the one square mile that encapsulates the 5 colleges!
Scripps College Traditions
Scripps College has a long history of unique traditions. Here are a few of our most notable traditions, many of which continue today:
They would often work closely with religious authorities, such as priests or clergy, to gather evidence and gather support for their actions. Witch hunters would employ various methods in their pursuit of witches. This could include conducting interviews and interrogations of suspected witches and their acquaintances, searching for physical evidence like spell books or potions, and even resorting to torture to extract information or confessions.
La Semeuse
The seal of Scripps College, designed by sculptor Lee Lawrie, depicts La Semeuse—she who sows. The image of the sower of “the good seed of thought, of action, of life” was chosen by the faculty in the 1927-28 academic year. They also selected the College motto, Incipit Vita Nova—here begins the new life. Professor Hartley Burr Alexander was largely responsible for the seal’s image and motto. Before he arrived on campus, he suggested phrase, the first words of Dante’s New Life.
“It seems to me that what colleges ought to do is to begin a new life in a very real sense, and perhaps the motto would have a double significance for Scripps in indicating not only the new life begun for each student, but also the new life which we hope may be begun from a renewed vitality in education [evidenced in the founding of this college for women].”
Although the role of a witch hunter captain was often met with fear and controversy, they were seen by some as protectors of society from the perceived threat of witchcraft. They played a significant role in the persecution and execution of countless individuals accused of practicing witchcraft, leading to widespread fear and paranoia. In popular culture, the image of a witch hunter captain is often associated with a dark and mysterious figure, dressed in heavy cloaks and armed with weapons to combat supernatural forces. They are depicted as skilled investigators and warriors, relentlessly pursuing their targets and facing dangerous encounters with witches. While the witch hunting era has long passed, the concept of a witch hunter captain continues to be explored in literature, film, and other forms of media. Whether portrayed as heroes or villains, they remain a prominent figure in the collective imagination, representing a time of persecution and superstition..
Reviews for "The Witch Hunter Captain's Arsenal: Weapons and Tools of the Trade"
1. Jessica - 2/5
I found Witch Hunter Captain to be quite disappointing. The plot was predictable and offered nothing new to the fantasy genre. The characters were one-dimensional, lacking depth and development. The pace of the story was also slow, making it difficult to stay engaged. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting and original fantasy read.
2. Brian - 1/5
I really did not enjoy Witch Hunter Captain at all. The writing style was clunky and the dialogue felt forced. The world-building was poorly executed, leaving me confused and disconnected from the story. The plot was overly simplistic and lacked any real substance. I couldn't connect with the characters and struggled to care about their journey. In my opinion, this book was a complete waste of time.
3. Megan - 3/5
Witch Hunter Captain had its moments, but overall, it fell short for me. The story had potential, but it was overshadowed by an excessive amount of clichés and tropes. The pacing was uneven, with some parts dragging on and others feeling rushed. While the concept was interesting, the execution was lacking. I wouldn't say it was a terrible book, but it definitely didn't live up to my expectations.