BI-WEEKLY MAR 26-APR 8, 2014
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Serving Bridgewater and surrounding communities BRIDGEWATER COLLEGE bridgewater.edu
veritas.bridgewater.edu
Learning in Nepal Photo by Malinda Britt
BSA takes a stand Bridgewater College
“Changing Ourselves and Changing Our Community”
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Full Story on Page 5
Is teenage drug use really just experimentation or could it be more? Full Story on Page 7
“...the opportunity to have an education would have the most positive and lasting impact for young Nepal girls.” BC student travels to help women in need By Malinda Britt OASIS Fine Arts and Crafts is holding an eco-friendly Earth Day exhibit in Harrisonburg this April. Full Story on Page 10
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fter spending my 2012 fall semester abroad in Quito, Ecuador, I was dying to travel again. Yet I never would have imagined that I would end up going to the opposite side of
the globe, to Nepal in Southeast Asia during my senior interterm! I heard about the opportunity to go to Nepal through my connection to the New Community Project (NCP) club of Bridgewater College. The club is a campus chapter of the larger NCP organization, and they share a common mission of promoting “peace through justice, care for creation, and experiential
learning.” David Radcliff, BC alumnus and director of the organization, encouraged me to participate in the NCP “learning tour” to Nepal (it didn’t take much convincing!). This particular learning tour would focus on issues of women’s empowerment, as we would be traveling to a place where they say, “to be born a daughter is to be a lost life.”
In Nepal, we were hosted by Shakti Samuha, an organization which works to end sex trafficking. As an organization, Shakti Samuha is unique in that it was founded by women who had been victims of the sexual abuse themselves. This is a most courageous aspect of the organization. Sex-trafficked victims are subject to severe Please See Nepal Page 6
Editorial
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Mar 26-Apr 8
2014
Sporting competitions on and off the court Be careful how you compete with others By Brooke Thacker
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have to be honest, I never truly liked or cared about sports until the last two years. I never watched the Super Bowl, Major League Baseball, the Master’s tournament or even March Madness with the NCAA college basketball teams. Sports were never my strong suit in life, so I never took time to watch them on television. However, something did change. As more and more people I knew talked about sports teams and sporting events, I became more interested in what they were talking about and wanted to learn more. Since then, I am proud to say I am a fan of baseball and football. Basketball is still not the sport for me, but I respect it just as well. Currently, they are holding their nation-wide tournament appropriately called, “March Madness.” This is the first year I have ever really paid attention to the games and even rooted for a couple teams. Unfortunately, the University of North Carolina was eliminated but there is still one ACC team in the running as of March 23, the University of Virginia. It is great that there is another team from Virginia with the chance to win the championship, the last one being Virginia Common-
wealth University. The one thing that amazes me about the UVA team, and all the other teams in the NCAA, is their competitiveness. It takes a lot of hard work, motivation and drive to earn a national title. Competitiveness is defined as “having a strong desire to compete or succeed,” according to dictionary.reference.com. There are some, like how I once was, who think this quality is unappealing. In reality, this is what every person needs and what makes sports so interesting to watch. If sports were not competitive, then there would be no need for them. That is what I used to convince myself to start watching football, then baseball and now basketball. The competitiveness of the players and the coaches is what makes the game. Even the fans’ collective competitiveness makes the sport more fun. People will get so involved that, when their team is eliminated from a tournament, they will cry along with the players as if it was their career in basketball on the line. In the working world, people need to be competitive to get the job they desire. If a person does not compete for a job, then he or she will not get the job. Those who prove themselves as the
right candidate are the ones who get the job while others are left searching. Being competitive can also bring serious repercussions. People may feel manipulated and may have anxiety or depression when dealing with a competitive other. Competitiveness can also lead to heart problems. In August 2010, the American Heart Association released a study of 5,614 Italians where they found that those with low agreeableness had a higher chance of heart attack and stroke. More aggressive, assertive or antagonistic people had a 40 percent higher thickening of their neck arteries, which causes heart problems, than those who were less antagonistic. Competitive qualities can be harmful to not only other people, but also to yourself. So, as summer is approaching, we need to keep this competitiveness in mind. Be competitive in classes to get the best grade that you can. Be competitive in sports to earn the title for which you have worked so hard. Be competitive in your job searches to get to the place you want to be. Do not think competitiveness is a quality to be overlooked for its unhealthy uses; instead use it wisely in order to succeed.
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Veritas is a publication manged and produced by students of Bridgewater College. As a news organization serving the Bridgewater and surrounding communities, Veritas publishes regularly opinion articles and letters submitted by members of the community which do not reflect the opinion of the Veritas staff or of the Bridgewater College’s administration. We encourage members of the community to submit information, opinion, and critiques in order to promote a healthy dialogue. The Veritas Editorial team also reserves the right to edit, modify, or exclude any submissions containing offensive or innappropriate language or remarks. To reach the newsroom, contact the advertising team, or submt articles and letters, please send us an email at:
veritas@bridgewater.edu Editor-in-Chief: Brooke Thacker Business Team: Public Relations Director: Emily Nowak Advertising Manager: Emily Heacock Social Media Manager: Victoria Wilson Marketing Associate: Taylor Prillaman Office Manager: Kelsey Velandria Financial Manager: Katy Hutton Editorial Team: Managing Editor: Lacey Naff Head Copy Editor: Alyssa Pennington Layout Editor: Megan Ford Content Editors: Emily Higgins Melina Norman Katie LeBranche Sub-editors: Jason Manago Rianna Hill Senior Staff: Abgail Blair, Cyndi Wibe, Andrew Levin, Janelle Alexander, Jess Snellings Printed by the Daily News Record in Harrisonburg, Va.
Mar 26-Apr 8
Campus
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Business ethics, sports and shaving Bridgewater student BC graduate to speak about marketing By Katie LaBranche Student Personnel/Counseling from the University of Tennessee. On Thursday, March 27, Via will be headlining the college’s convocation event, the Scott Symposium on business ethics, to speak on “Business Ethics: It’s Personal,” at 7:30 p.m. in Cole Hall. Via has an extensive past in marketing with a history that
Photo courtesy of www.sportsbusinessdaily.com
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magine being submerged into shark-infested waters in the Bahamas with nothing but a steel cage, a tank of oxygen, and a disposable razor. Why a disposable razor? To shave your face, of course. In 2013, the Gillette Company released a commercial with this exact scenario that included two divers. One diver was given an ordinary disposable razor, and the other a Gillette brand razor to see which gave a closer shave without drawing blood, which would attract the sharks. The non-name brand diver seemed fearful for his life after he nicked his face with the razor, but the Gillette diver appeared clean shaven and safe. Gillette specializes in men’s razors and their marketing campaigns aim to draw connections between shaving with Gillette and performance in sports. While he may not have risked his life to shave in the ocean with sharks, Bridgewater College graduate Greg Via does have some experience with the Gillette Company as he has been the global director of sports marketing for the Gillette Company since 2007. He graduated from Bridgewater College in 1979 with a degree in Psychology and went on later to receive a Master’s Degree in College
Bridgewater Alumni Greg Via works for Gillette and is coming to BC to discuss sports marketing in today’s world.
includes working for Gatorade, Accenture, Motorola, New Era Cap, and most recently the Gillette Company, a subsidiary of Proctor & Gamble, the world’s largest maker of consumer packaged goods. According to cliosports. com, “[Via] began his work in sports during the 1982 World’s Fair in Knoxville, Tenn. as an assistant to the director of sports. After the
event, he continued working in sports as Assistant Track Coach at the University of Tennessee and later he became the Head Cross Country Coach at LSU.” Via’s passion and sports experience has helped him gain the skills and build the relationships necessary for making it as a highly respected marketing director in the big leagues. He is responsible for Gillette’s involvement in the global sports marketplace, which incorporates big-name athletes such as Tiger Woods, Victor Cruz and Derek Jeter in their marketing campaigns. According to what Via said on dailyfinance.com, “in shaving and in sport, precision makes the difference. On the field, these players embody precision at its highest level, and we are excited to work with such a talented group. At Gillette, we have spent the last 110 years refining and carefully engineering our razors to give every man the advantage of Gillette’s precision.” Interested in sports, marketing or a combination of the two? Check out Greg Via, Bridgewater College graduate and the global director of sports marketing for the Gillette Company, at the convo on March 27 at 7:30 p.m. in Cole Hall.
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receives REU and presents at conference
By Andrew Levin ridgewater College’s own Taylor Cox has been representing his school all over the nation with his research in physics. The junior Physics major presented his research on flux ropes this past December at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting in San Francisco. Cox’s passion for studying physics began in high school. His interest in solar flares in particular grew when researching for a speech on the subject for his Oral Communications class during his freshman year. During his speech, Cox noticed something. “I realized that there was an enormous deal that still wasn’t understood about our own sun,” Cox said. “I became fascinated and have been aiming to continue studying the topic further ever since.” Physics Professor Dr. Phillip Spickler noticed the early passion in Cox and encouraged him to continue pursuing the field. Spickler noted that Cox had always been an engaged student in the classroom and was eager to learn more. Cox’s eagerness led him to applying for a research experience for undergraduates summer program (REU) his freshman year.
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Spickler pointed out, though, that REU’s are extremely competitive and are generally granted to upperclassmen. While Cox did not receive an REU that year, Spickler said he could tell that that did not discourage Cox, but rather encouraged him. Cox applied for an REU the following year, and given his acquired learning (he has taken “almost every upper level physics class offered here at Bridgewater”), he was accepted for an REU at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Cox’s research focused on flux ropes, which are magnetic constructions sometimes found in coronal mass ejections (super-sized solar flares). He looked into the extent that flux ropes contributed to temporarily weakening Earth’s magnetic field as they get closer to the Earth’s magnetosphere. This is a common effect of space weather and can affect conditions on Earth by allowing for geomagnetic storms (auroras) and possibly causing electrical damage to power grids on Earth. Spickler was quick to note that this is a niche and important field which many universities do not even have dePlease see Shine on Page 4
Campus
Molding young minds Award-winning children’s author Kathryn Erskine visits BC By Janelle Alexander
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athryn Erskine, an award-winning children’s author, will be presenting the inaugural Alison Yowell Pazmino Endowed Lecture during a convocation on March 26 at 7:30 p.m. in Cole Hall. Before entering the world of writing, Erskine was a lawyer for many years before. Her novels include Mockingbird, the 2010 National Book Award winner, Quaking, an American Library Association (ALA) Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers and The Absolute Value of Mike, a 2012 ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults nominee. Mockingbird, Quaking, and The Absolute Value of Mike all received numerous awards. Currently both Mockingbird and The Absolute Value of Mike both have State Award Nominations for 2014. Mockingbird is her most well-known book which received the most awards between the years 2010 and 2012, with current state nominations in Illinois, Indiana, and Washington in 2014. Erskine is currently working on her next
book, The Badger Knight, which is set to release on August 26, 2014. Each book deals with a different topic, but written in a style that is both humorous and warming. While the topics she addresses may be difficult, they prove to be very approachable within her books. Born in the Netherlands, Erskine has lived in Israel, South Africa, Scotland, Canada and the United States. These experiences have helped her to view life from different perspectives. She currently resides in Virginia, although according to her personal website, she still loves travelling along with learning, reading, writing, and laughing with family and friends. The lecture she will be giving deals with Alison Yowell Pazmino. The Alison Yowell Pazmino Memorial Fund for Student Education series was established in memory of Pazmino, a 1995 Bridgewater College graduate who died in 2005. Pazmino spent two years in Japan training teachers in English language curriculum development.
Upon her return to the U.S., she earned a master’s degree from George Mason University and became a teacher-consultant with the Northern Virginia Writing Project. She then spent a year teaching English in Southern California before returning to Virginia, where she joined the staff of the Journal of the Virginia Writing Project. Five months after her death, the Commonwealth of Virginia celebrated Alison’s life and her contributions to education through the unanimous passage of House Joint Resolution 429, which declared that her “legacy lives in the young people of France, Japan, and the United States whose lives she touched and inspired.” The memorial fund is used to enrich the educational experience for Bridgewater students by focusing on children and young adult literature and international education and outreach. The convocation is surely to be one for the books and quite interesting to learn about the author, as well as the memorial fund for Alison Yowell Pazmino.
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Mar 26-Apr 8
2014
Shine on From page 3
partments for yet. He lauded Cox’s research abilities and emphasized the importance of REU’s in fostering great undergraduate research. Cox echoed Spickler’s praise for the REU (which is funded by the National Science Foundation), explaining that he got to work with an advisor on their current research, and thus benefitted from very hands-on experience from experts in the field during his seven weeks spent in Alabama. Cox presented his research first in Alabama and asserted that this was “good practice” for any of the undergrads “that accepted this particular program’s offer to pay a portion of travel expenses to San Francisco.” Another perk to having taken advantage of the program was the benefits. “[The REU funded] a large portion of [the] meal costs, [and] also [gave him] a substantial monetary stipend for [the] work as well,” Cox said. However, Spickler noted that the main benefit of par-
ticipating in an REU is the opportunity for students to improve their research skills and become more adept in their field of study. He strongly encouraged all students to try to submit the free application for the program. Even if a student did not want to pursue a career in the field they participated a REU in, “[it’s a] nice feather in [one’s] cap,” Spickler said. Cox has already been accepted for an REU for this upcoming summer at the University of Colorado at Boulder to study the construction of the sun’s magnetic rays, and hopes to go to graduate school to “pursue the field of solar physics even further.” And, while Spickler noted that most REU applications deadlines for summer 2014 have passed, he implores students to follow up on opportunities like these in the future and hopes many apply for an REU in summer 2015.
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Photos courtesy of Taylor Cox
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Taylor Cox (left) stands in front of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Calif. while at the conference.
Mar 26-Apr 8
2014
Campus
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Being more than “black” Bridgewater College’s Black Student Association
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organization is the fact that awareness and encourage image of blacks as a people. they are a black group on a participation. “We as peo- They want to stray from predominantly white cam- ple want them as people to the ideas about blacks that pus. The main difficulty is come and be a part of what famous artists like Nicki getting people from not just we’re doing,” Childs said, Minaj and Lil’ Wayne porwhite, but all other racial placing emphasis on the trays on TV and in music, backgrounds to understand word “people.” and really get people to start that being a member of “We try to change the way seeing the more positive BSA is not and influential progresjust about sions they being black. are making “That’s a as a race. huge mistake made BSA, just by many,” like Bridgesaid Childs. water Col“The point lege, desires of us makto create acing others tive, culturaware of ally diverse, our culand wellture is to rounded broaden s t u d e n t s. our culture Many of beyond our the events one demothat they graphic.” have impleBSA members gather for a picture with the performers from Childs their most recent talent show event, “Shotime at the Apollo.” mented this said that year are not they have been trying to that our hierarchy is struc- only social, but educational change this mindset by tured,” said Childs when and political as well. The having one-on-one contact asked what changes the or- organization hosts forums, with other students, encour- ganization is trying to make. where a particular topic in aging them to attend their A lot more tasks have been relation to black culture is various events and forum delegated to the executive laid out for students to get discussions to discover on board members; in the past, informed about and discuss. their own what BSA is re- board members were spend“‘Black’ issues and ‘black’ ally about. ing more time doing “work” concerns are really not just BSA is breaking stereo- than actually going out and for black people; they’re hutypes by interacting with interacting with the com- man concerns,” Childs said, those of different races and munity and other members continuing to stress the fact cultures to break down such within the organization. that though “black” is in the misconceptions. The orga“We want to…make being title, that’s not solely what nization as a whole avoids a BSA member an experi- the organization is about. solely using flyers or online ence rather than a resume Many of BSA’s programs posts, but instead stresses booster,” Childs said. discuss issues that seem to the importance of perWithin the community, stereotypically only affect sonal interactions to spread BSA is trying to change the black people, but that rePhoto by Brandon Brooks
By Rianna Hill ridgewater College offers a wide range of clubs and organizations of which students can be a part One organization, in particular stands out amongst the rest, and that is the Black Student Association, or BSA. BSA is taking a stand against the black stigmas that dominate modern culture and getting to the roots of what people of African American decent are really all about. “It is basically an association of people in common, regardless of their ethnic background, coming together to promote the culture of African Americans on this campus,” said junior Albani Childs, BSA’s active secretary. Childs says that one of the main goals of the organization is to spread awareness of the culture of African Americans, not the glamorized or televised culture that conveys blacks often times in a negative light. In the workforce and in different states and regions in general, you come into contact with many different types of people. Having an organization like BSA emphasizes that the understanding of various cultures is important in developing a well-rounded individual that can communicate with people that are racially or ethnically different from themselves. One of the biggest challenges that BSA faces as an
ally affect many other races as well. “Come to the program and understand that, just like you, we’re going through this,” said Childs. “All who are interested and all who have a desire to learn and a desire to participate,” Childs said when asked who can join BSA. She encourages that membership in the organization should have a reasoning behind it; the organization does not want a “just because” mentality from its members. “BSA is more than an organization; it’s like a living organism,” she said. BSA is not an organization for people that just want a title in front of their name. “If you’re not…growing with it, it’s really like you’re not there,” Childs said. BSA is only a “microcosm” in the eyes of Bridgewater College, but they do not want to stay that way. BSA desires to include every other race and ethnic group on campus in their events, forums, and in their growth as a campus organization. BSA desires to educate students and the community so they not only know about blacks and African American culture, but so that they can be a part of it as well. For more information about Bridgewater College’s Black Student Association, you can contact President Jelani Saunders at jks005@ eagles.bridgewater.edu.
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Main Focus
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Mar 26-Apr 8
2014
Learning in Nepal
Young Nepali girl looks out the window of a bus.
social stigmas upon reintegration into society. If their traumatic past is revealed, they are often rejected by their families and communities. They are assumed to have HIV/AIDS, and shunned for it (another one of Shakti’s programs raises awareness for victims who do have these diseases so that they can receive treatment and live more normal lives). However, the women of Shakti are telling others like themselves that what they
have suffered isn’t their fault. Coming together in solidarity, they have defied the stigmas and discrimination awarded to them and their past by society. Despite their personal traumas, they have been courageously open about their history in hell. They have learned that if they do not stand up they will continue to be ignored and violated. They’re inspiring women to take back their identities, and to not be defined by the sex trade, but instead, defy it. Shakti Samuha has programs
to not only rescue and reha- the harsh conditions of the portunity so many people bilitate, but to also empower streets and the carpet facto- around the world will never women through education ries in which they are most have, if they even get a baand girl-to-girl group meet- vulnerable to sex-traffickers. sic education at all. Even as ings to raise awareness about Education also empowers I count down the days until sex-trafficking. girls by giving them a sense graduation, I think it is imOne of the reasons young of self-worth and achieve- portant to remember the girls are so easily sexually ex- ment amidst a society that worth of education and to ploited in Nepal is because consistently devalues them. constantly consider how the of their low social and eco- It opens up new possibilities material I am studying can be nomic status. While in Ne- for them in the future, both used to help others around pal, I experienced this dev- socially and economically. the world. astating influence of poverty During my learning tour I Malinda is a senior studying every day. In particular, I will was able to personally meet Spanish and sociology. In the innever forget one of our first girls who have been able terest of continuing to support day trips within the capital of to attend school through girl’s education around the world Kathmandu, when I climbed scholarships given by NCP she would like to invite you to atout of a microbus and was through their Give A Girl A tend the Give A Girl A Chance instantly approached by a Chance fund. Awareness Dinner on Tuesday, young girl. She could not As we near the end of April 1st, sponsored by the NCP have been more than ten the college semester, it is so and Dialogue clubs of Bridgewayears old and here she was, easy to be bogged down by ter College. For more information begging in the streets. In Ne- the pressures of mid-terms, contact, pal, the poverty wasn’t some- deadlines, and upcoming fi- britt.malinda@gmail.com thing easy to avoid like it can nals. However, as I reflect be back in the United States. upon my experience in NeIt was always in your face, in pal, I am reminded that my some form of sunken eyes, college education is an opragged clothes, and, too often, a young girl with small, dusty hands reaching out towards you. Yet the most important thing that I learned through the trip was that what those small hands truly needed was not just a handout. I learned from Shakti Samuha that the opportunity to have an education would have the most positive and lasting impact for young Nepali girls. Being in school helps to protect them; it keeps them out of A young Nepali boy sits at a desk in a school house.
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Photo by Malinda Britt
Photo by Malinda Britt
Nepal Conitnued from Page 1
Mar 26-Apr 8
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2014
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Teenage Drug Abuse
Experimentation or Addiction? By Jason Manago
varez also stated that heavy marijuana use among teens is up 80 percent along with the rise of prescription drugs or pain killers which are not too far behind. Besides prescription drugs/ pain killers and marijuana, other drugs that are among heavy use in teens and young adults are cocaine, hallucinogens such as acid or crystal meth for example, and heroin. Recognizing the horrors of these drugs are one thing but what about the factors that play into being introduced to these types of drugs and their availability? If the availability is increasing, then people are more likely to be introduced at a faster rate. A lot of drug activity and usage can be found in many low-income areas or government provided housing projects where people barely make enough money to take care of themselves and their families so they look for any means to deal with stress. However, in many suburban areas and major cities of America where poverty is not a huge issue remains the same problems in which drug activity is taking place and they are being used. In saying that, teens using drugs are not much of
a demographical issue but psychological perhaps? During their “adolescent age” teens are exploring and experimenting in all sorts of ways not necessarily pertaining to drugs. They face all sorts of challenges like entering high school and becoming more independent by not being supervised as much by their parents compared
enough reasoning to say that it leads to drug abuse simply because a lot of cases come from those who have had early childhood experiences or confrontations with drugs. Most everything we do or would like to do in life starts with some influence or interaction whether it is caused by someone we see on television or not, which for some who are lucky enough it becomes reality. In retrospect, our influences play a huge part in how we shape or mold our lifestyles according to how we think, communicate, and conduct ourselves. For a teenager, the biggest influences on their lives most of the time are celebrities such as athletes, movie stars, musicians, etc… The lifestyles that are portrayed through music such as rock and rap can be viewed as somewhat dangerous due to the violence and drugs discussed and even vulnerable for a teenager; but on the same token they are perceived to be old enough to decipher right from wrong. Besides celebrities, family and friends are huge influences because they are people they see every day. For example, a teen may have successful parents who both Illustration by Veritas
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s we all may or may not be aware, the use of drugs and the amounts are increasing very rapidly as well as the differential of the substances. This may form opinions such as, “there always has and always will be a war on drugs” and “I don’t do drugs so why should I care?” Although both arguments are respectable, it’s easy to downplay the seriousness of the subject until a loved one or someone close to you is affected severely and there is absolutely nothing you can do to control it. The article entitled “Teen Drug Abuse becoming an epidemic, must be addressed” by Dr. Manny Alvarez who serves as FOX News Channel’s senior managing editor for health news, discusses the increasing availability of drugs to teens over the last decade and explained that studies show damage to the brain and cardiovascular system. As humans we begin to develop the most physical changes during our teenage and young adult years so if drugs are intervening with this process then it is safe to say that involved teens are at huge risk for short-living their growth physically and mentally. The fear that arises from this horrible truth is that these early patterns and behaviors are subject to become dependents in numerous cases resulting in a very dangerous lifestyle. Dr. Al-
to the amount of supervision they might have had in elementary school. Also, expression is everything at their age. Things like being accepted and having a “social status” means a lot to many kids at this age and some will do anything to obtain it. Another factor that is huge at this age is the good ol’ art of peer pressure that many people, including myself, have fallen victim to at least one time or another. Because of the new-found curiosity that forms among teens, it does not mean or provide
have had great careers and are retired but have friends who do drugs and pressure them to do so also. On the other hand, a teen could have parents who barely have a high school education and are on drugs daily yet refrain from doing so even if their parents allow them to. Influences can come from all over and in many forms but they still do not provide a specific reasoning behind why or why not teenagers are using drugs on such a high level. Local psychology professor, Dr. Randall C. Young, through his studies and life experiences, explained to me that difficult life situations and the environment for a teenager are inclusive to why they may begin to use drugs. He also feels that if the availability increases and drugs are easily accessible, then teens are even more likely to participate. “I don’t believe it’s the drug itself but the feeling the user gets from it,” said Young. He also added that those who generally do not have a supportive family or suffer from a lack of happiness are often subject to “conformity.” It is important to be aware and informed, and with a subject as wide spread as drug use, everyone should take some time to think about what our country may come to if these problems continue to increase.
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Commununity in Action
Mar 26-Apr 8
2014
Big Brothers Big Sisters A little time makes a big impact
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programs in order to carry his Little gets and seeing the Big, the organization asks for out that mission. There is a impact he himself gets to a one-year commitment if a community-based program make on someone else’s life. member of the community, and a school-based program “For me, the most reward- and a three-semester comof which each volunteer can ing is seeing how excited he mitment for a college stuchoose to be a part. After gets. Its knowing for him dent. choosing which program to that I’m his only Big, that I “These children in our volunteer in, Bigs are care- don’t have any other Littles program that get referred to fully matched with Littles by and whenever we are togeth- our program who are deala match ing with speciala lot of ist in adverorder to sity in ensure their life the best and they possible n e e d relationconsisship. tency In the and they c o m need to munityk n o w based that that p r o person is gram, going to the Big be there will meet for them with the … We L i t t l e ’s The bowling alley was packed for Bowl For Kids Sake, one of the are lookp a r e n t s organization’s biggest fundraisers. ing for to set up commita schedule of when to meet er my main focus is just on ted adults. We look at them on a week-by-week basis. him so it’s that he has some- across all age spectrums. We This program includes going thing that is his own that he have some mentors that have on one-on-one outings that gets to look forward to every been in their 80s and there is the pair enjoys such as going week,” said Medvene. a child that can fit with anyon a hike, going to a museIn the school-based pro- one who wants to dedicate um, going out to eat, or just gram, the Big will meet his or some time to becoming a hanging out and talking. her Little at their school ei- mentor,” said Totty. Sam Medvene, a Big Broth- ther in the classroom, in the While the relationship takes er in the community-based gym, or on the playground. commitment in order to esprogram who is a student at Activities in this program tablish a strong relationship James Madison University, can include reading together, as if they are real brothers described going to Buffalo helping them with home- and sisters, it only takes one Wild Wings with his Little work, playing basketball, or hour a week to meet. These to eat some wings and watch running around on the play- little meetings have a big imMarch Madness. Sam really ground. pact. enjoys watching how excited In order to volunteer as a “It’s not as time consumPhoto by Emily Higgins
By Emily Higgins Big Brothers Big Sisters impacts close to 800 children a year helping them improve in their academic performance, helping them avoid risky kinds of behavior and also in the area of building self-confidence. It is a program that really blends people from the community to mentor young people and help them to be the best they can,” said Sue Totty, the executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters, with passion in her voice. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Harrisonburg-Rockingham County is part of a larger organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America that has a history of providing mentors for children dating back to 1904. Currently, Big Brother Big Sisters carries out their mission to help children in all 50 states and in 12 countries around the world. The local organization, located at 225 North High Street in Harrisonburg, was founded in 1976 as an outreach of Trinity Presbyterian Church. Big Brothers Big Sisters mission is to provide a mentor, someone who is over 18, to a child between the ages of six and 18 who will provide them with one-on-one attention while instilling in them a sense of confidence, good decision making, ideas of a good student, a sense of the future, and ideas of how to have strong relationships. The organization has two
ing and as difficult as a lot of people think. It’s really easy because all you’re doing is giving of yourself. Open mind, open heart and a little bit of time and you can make a really huge difference in somebody’s life even if it’s just for one or all four years at Bridgewater. It’s something you can easily do to help somebody,” stated Charles Fleis, a professor at Bridgewater College, who has been mentoring his little brother for the past eight years. What is also very special is that even the staff members are big brothers and sisters and dedicate time to Big Brothers Big Sisters beyond doing their jobs. “I have the privilege of being a big sister to a young woman who is 10 years old and is absolutely fabulous and then to work with the most awesome staff that anyone could ever work with. I am passionate about the mission,” said Totty. In order to fund these programs and continue to help as many children as they can, Big Brothers Big Sisters relies on grants and donations from the community being that they are a non-profit organization. They just received a $40,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation that will go toward improving schoolbased mentoring services Please See Big Page 9
Mar 26-Apr 8
Arts & Style
2014
Inspired!
Big from page 8
and support early literacy initiatives for at least 110 local children in 2014 according to the Big Brothers Big Sisters website. This helps tremendously because of a recent cut in federal grant funds that will affect organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters. One important fundraising event took place on Saturday, March 22, at the Harrisonburg Valley Lanes bowling alley called Bowl For Kid’s Sake that raised a total of $58, 367. This is an annual event that is filled with fun, excitement, and a passion for Big Brothers Big Sisters. The way the fundraiser works is a person can either register as a team of six bowlers or as an individual with a fundraising minimum of $50 per adult or $25 per child/student. On Saturday, all the fundraisers came to Valley Lanes between 9 a.m. and midnight to enjoy an hour and a half of bowling, time with family and friends, and chances to win fundraising prizes along with other prizes like tickets to a One Direction concert. Inside, the bowling alley was rocking with smiles, laughs, and high fives with a packed parking lot outside While Big Brothers Big Sisters is quite successful in having a positive impact on children of the community through unique one-on-one evidence-based programs, they are always looking for donations and volunteers who are willing to donate a little bit of their time in order to make a big impact.
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The Mournful By Talaya Heard
By Rianna Hill
Featured campus poet: Talaya Heard
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his issue’s featured campus poet is senior Talaya Heard, who has been writing in general for over 10 years. “It started off as songs, then short stories; now it’s a book, in progress, a finished play, and spoken word poetry,” she said, describing the progression of her writing as she has gotten older. “When I think of the word “poet,” I think of the Harlem Renaissance and how poetry was like breathing. It was just amazing,” Heard said when asked whether or not she considered herself a poet. She said that poets are also considered artists, using their craft as an expression and a release, desiring to inspire or invoke specific emotions. Heard considers herself a storyteller even more-so than a poet. “In everything I write, even poetry, I try and tell a story of the subject,” she said. She finds it easy as a writer to express her empathetic qualities; she always likes to relate or try to relate to others via her writing. “We can all relate to each other in some type of manner through any topic,” Heard said, expressing how she desires for people to make connections by placing themselves in the writers’ shoes and viewing the world from their perspective. Heard notes that every writer has their own unique style. “I do whatever it takes to get my point across,” she said, sometimes using rhyme, and sometimes not. Heard takes various approaches to her poetry but doesn’t necessarily follow a specific structure
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in her writing. She uses her play, The Bright Smile, as an example of the uniqueness of her style of writing. “It’s told in a different order than most people would probably tell a story,” she said. Heard’s goal as a writer is to become a published author. She is currently struggling with carpal tunnel in her right hand, which has made completing her first novel a bit difficult. “But aside from my full time job, I would love to finish my book and get it published so everyone can see the full…story of ‘The Bright Smile” Heard said. When Heard decided that being a writer was something she was passionate, she came up with this quote: “With my pen, I will write my future.” She said that, “you have to have the discipline, for whatever craft you choose, to always want to improve and make room for improvement.” She emphasized that writing is very free and open; more abstract and unlimited. “There is no right or wrong way to make art,” Heard said. The poem Heard chosen to be featured, The Mournful, was written in December 2011. It was inspired by a struggle that she was going through at the time. Heard said that, “writing for me is a therapeutic tool… and it saved my life.” If you’d like to be a featured poet in the next issue of Veritas, please contact me (Rianna Hill) at reh002@eagles.bridgewater.edu, so you too can share your writings with Bridgewater’s campus and the surrounding community!
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White empty walls surrounded me, The sound of whispers disturbed me, I sat on a cold hard table, afraid and alone… I was told to lie back and relax as they put a mask over my nose and mouth. Tears never stopped since I entered the room. I sensed myself zoning out under the mask, Then I felt the pain of the women who were there before me. I heard the fainting cries of the souls that were guilty. They cried out in pain. They cried because of their broken hearts They cried out of grief. And I cried with them. For my soul was about to join the rest of the lonely. But I didn’t want to! I didn’t want to become an empty hollow body, I didn’t want to lose what was getting removed. I was uncomfortable, As the thoughts swam around my head, I felt light headed. I saw a man in a white coat with a mask over his mouth stand over me. “Just relax and you won’t feel a thing.” Lies! Because I felt everything! The mask on my mouth grew foggy from all the heavy breathing and snotting My eyes rolled back and I was in that middle state, Consciousness and the Dream World… I wanted this to be a dream! Oh, how badly I wanted this to be a dream! But in this state, I was supposed
to be numb. Yet, I felt everything. Every tube, And other objects… I felt the life force that has been sucked right out of me! I felt the life of my Ariel or my Michael ending. It hurt! Oh God! I felt the sharpest agonizing pain in my stomach. It roared through my body like thunder! I could hear the empty souls as they wailed cries of hell. I felt my soul starting to leave my own body, I didn’t even put up a fight to hold on to it, I guess it couldn’t bear the pain of losing something dearly wanted. My eyes flutter open to watch it join the grieving outcasts. My vision then was blurred by salt water. The pain in my stomach intensified. And blood ran down my thighs. There was no more Ariel or Michael… No more carrying a life… I was supposed to feel free and happy, Because my life would stay the same, But I felt nothing but guilt and sadness… I am a murderess. I have no heart. I have no soul. My body is now an empty hollow shell with barely working organs. I have nothing left to give, I’ll never forget this… Because it’ll haunt me for the rest of my life… I just hope your soul will never join the abandoned detached, Like mine…
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Arts & Style
Sports
Re-use, re-imagine, re-cycle OASIS Fine Arts and Crafts to hold Earth Day exhibit By Melina Norman
Photo Courtesy of Eve Watters
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n honor of Earth Day, OASIS Fine Art & Craft is giving an open house for its April exhibit. This eco-friendly exhibit involving works from 10 different female artists will be open from April 1 to April 30 at 103 South Main Street, Harrisonburg. The artist talk is at 6 p.m. on April 4, which is also free to the public where you can meet and speak with the 10 artists involved in this project. The 10 ladies whose work makes up this exhibit took up the challenge of making their pieces out of recycled materials. The curator of OASIS Fine Art & Craft, Joanna Gray was very much up for this challenge and supports the idea of using recycled material in artwork. She is showing a series of scarves that are inspired by Japanese Boro textiles. The word “boro” can be interpreted as scraps of clothing; in other words, the scarves will have the look of patchwork. Gray used both recycled dyes and repurposed clothing for her creations. If you or somebody you know loves fashion Joanna Grays work is will be something to draw you to the exhibit in April. Jewel Yoder Hertzler is another artist involved with this exhibit, and with nature and prayer as her inspiration she is going to be pre-
Eve Watters uses chocolate boxes, book covers, and packing material for her exhibit at OASIS Fine Arts and Crafts.
senting her encaustic and recycled yarn paintings. Encaustic paint is made out of a combination of beeswax, damar resin (extract from a specific tree species) and pigments. Hertzler says that “my valley roots run deep,” so having this exhibit in this area means a great deal to her. Some of the artists decide to uses non-conventional materials in their work, like Eve Watters who uses chocolate boxes, book covers and packing material. Also like Sibyl MacKenzie who uses marbles, copper and
gears to help create her compositions. Every artist has something to bring to the table in this exhibit and the best part is that it is in honor of an important cause and the show is free to the public. In the spirit of Earth Day, OASIS Fine Art & Craft invites the public to come stimulate their sense at the open house exhibit at the beginning of April. For more detail on the exhibit “Re-use, Re-imagine, and Re-cycle” feel free to visit the site, www. oasisfineartandcraft.org.
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Mar 26-Apr 8
2014
2014 Intramural Basketball Championship By Dustyn Miller
A League Championship Number 4 Seed Wecker’s Bushwackers pulled off the upset by defeating #3 Seed He Wasn’t Ready (HWR), by a score of 59-47 in the “A” League Championship game. The heavily favored HWRs dominated the double elimination and three on three tournaments, but couldn’t overcome the inside game of Jack Wecker and Kevin Barr. The Bushwackers won despite the hot hand of Isaiah Deane, who scored from everywhere on the floor and finished with 28 points. Additionally, star player Dylan Hudson was fighting some injuries. The champs were down at halftime by two points, 27-25. Wecker carried the team on his back with 13 first half points to keep the Bushwackers within close proximity. The rest of the team made contributions in the second half to enable them to pull away. Wecker had 17 points for the game with seven boards. Barr chipped in 12 points and 6 boards. Daniel Brent and Kendall Squire scored in double figures with 11 and 10 points respectively. Garrett Claytor added 10 points for the losing team. B League Championship Number 3 Seed Uncle Drew’s Crew steadily pulled away in the second half to defeat the #4 Seed Little Giants, 51-39 in the “B” League championship
game. The B league was up for grabs this year as all teams were very competitive. In fact, the champions won their semifinal game against #2 Seed South Beach Swangas in double overtime. Taylor DeMarre started out hot for the champions and never cooled off. He smoked the nets for 28 points, including four threepointers. The difference at halftime was just five points, 24-19 but every time the Little Giants tried to make dent in the lead, DeMarre would heat up again. Ryan Pigg chipped in nine points and eight boards for the victors. Kevin Chandler, an intramural staple, knocked down eight points for the Giants and was a monster on the boards with 15. Zach Hynes was their leading scorer with 11. The difference in the game was the three-point bombers, Trevor Walzl and Tyler Hoffman, who were off their game and couldn’t connect on a consistent basis. C League Championship Number 3 seed Beau Season pulled away in the second half to capture the “C” League Championship, 46-34, over #8 seed Premature Shooters. The Shooters pulled off upsets in the earlier rounds by knocking off #1 Seed NBA, the undefeated faculty/staff team and #4 Step Dads but Please see Intramural Page 11
Mar 26-Apr 8
Sports
2014
Intramural from page 10
the last 10 minutes of the first half. Kelsie Floyd had the hot hand for the champions in the early going with 10 points in the first half, including three threes. The champs were ahead by seven at the half, 20-13. The Cougars stayed reasonably close for the first 10 minutes of the second half before the Pretty Toughs pulled away by raining threes in the closing moments with Olivia Mason and Lindsay Torbeck knocking down two each. The champions with three former varsity players on the roster proved to be too much for the faculty/staff team to overcome. Olivia Mason let the victors with 15 points and Kelsie Floyd added 14. Shannon Thorne dominated the boards with 14. Meghan Stocks led the Cougars with 12 points and Brittany Brown chipped in with 11 points.
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Photo by Dustyn Miller
didn’t have enough firepower to overcome the #3 seed. The champions led by only six at halftime, 21-15 but warmed up in the second half and proved to be too much for the upstart challengers to overcome. Chris Michael used his height and leaping ability to dominate inside. He led the champions with 15 points and contributed eight rebounds. Michael Dandridge also had an outstanding game with a double-double, 11 points and 11 boards. Beau Cassada chipped in 11 points and Abe Rittenhouse had a good all-around game. Anthony Church led the Shooters with 11 points and 13 rebounds. Women’s League Championship Number 2 Seed Pretty Tough lived up to their team name by wearing down the #1 Seed Cougars claiming the women’s championship, 48-29. Both teams started out hot for the first 10 minutes and then cooled off for
#10 “A” league champions - Wecker’s Bushwackers
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Times change
A brief history of Bridgewater College sports By Emily Higgins ridgewater College, founded in 1880 as the first co-educational college in Virginia, has a rich history that can still be seen around campus as a few buildings that stand on its grounds have been there since near the start of the college. The old gymnasium dating back to 1907 is still standing but is currently not being used. Memorial Hall, which is currently being used as classroom and office space, was built in 1890. Besides a rich history of the college itself, sports have been played at the college as early as 1898 starting with baseball, football and basketball that played against other teams in the area, not just against other students from Bridgewater. During the Yount Era (1895-1910) when Walter B. Yount was president of the college, athletics got their start at Bridgewater but soon experienced turmoil. Baseball began playing other schools in the area in 1989 and was often times the winner of those contests. Football played its first game against another school on Dec. 9, 1899 as they faced West Central Academy and won 5-0 (touchdowns were only five points). Basketball played its first intercollegiate game on April 25, 1903 against Shenandoah Collegiate Institute beating them by a score of 6-2. According to the “Chronological Chapter Section on Athletics
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from the Bridgewater College Centennial History” by Francis F. Wayland that April 25 game is reportedly the first game of intercollegiate basketball played in the state of Virginia. Just after sports began to blossom at the college, intercollegiate athletics were banned in 1909 soon after a new gymnasium was built and all athletic activities were strictly recreational. Sports during this time period were banned because of religious reasons brought about the Church of the Brethren. While it was the board of trustees’ decision to ban sports the students were shocked and upset about the decision. After seven years without sports, all intercollegiate sporting events except football would be reinstated under stricter rules and regulations in 1916 after much protest from most if not all students of the college which was less than 100 students at the time. Now, athletics would be monitored by an official athletic council that was composed of a member of the college’s board of trustees, the college’s director of physical education, two other faculty members and two student representatives. In order to be a college athlete at Bridgewater during this time, a student must have fulfilled the following requirements: “He shall have a record of good class work
in at least four regular studies, he shall have made passing grades in at least two full studies in his last examinations, he shall not be under censure for any breach in discipline and he shall comply with all training regulations prescribed by those in charge.” From this time on the college would participate in intercollegiate athletics with at least of couple teams. There were a few years here and there where there would not be a certain team for various reasons. Sports such as baseball, basketball, tennis, track and field and cross country have been around the longest having more consistent teams in the 1930s and 1940s. Sports such as field hockey, women’s lacrosse, men’s golf and volleyball were either started or had more consistent teams between the 1950s through the 1970s. For most teams, having a team was fairly consistent depending on what year a team was started except for football. Football would not be reinstated at the college until 1925 after a 20-year absence. During 1925 and 1937 records show the Bridgewater football team played 70 games and held a record of 10-2-58. One game was lost by the score of 95-0. At this time, the college decided to discontinue football as an intercollegiate sport. Please see Times page 12
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Sports
Mar 26-Apr 8
2014
A brief history of Bridgewater College sports Times from page 11
they joined the NCAA and at Bridgewater for 37 years talks about her early experithe ODAC. starting in 1961. Over the ences at Bridgewater and Important people to men- years she coached basket- how things have changed. tion in Bridgewater College ball, field hockey and ten“When I came in ‘61 evsports history are all mem- nis. Mapp coached women’s eryone in the department, I bers of the Bridgewater Col- basketball from 1961 to 1996 was the only women in the lege Hall of Fame that was and compiled an outstanding department at that time, and established in 1994. all of the coaches had Most notable names teaching responsibilifrom the list of 111 ties as well as coachmembers are Robert ing responsibilities so E. Richards, Susan it was not just differBillheimer Phillips, ent for me all of the Laura Mapp and Mary men in the departFrances Heishman. ment had teaching reRobert E. Richards sponsibilities as well,” attended Bridgewater Mapp expressed in in 1944 and 1945 conthe video. tributing tremendousHeishman, who is ly toward the track still a professor at and field program. Bridgewater College Richards would go today, started workon to compete in the ing for Bridgewater in 1948, 1952 and the 1970 as both a coach 1956 Olympics beand professor after coming the only athgraduating from the lete in history to win school in 1966. While two Olympic medals attending Bridgwain the pole vault and ter, Heishman was a has been featured on three-sport athlete, the famous Wheaties like most students cereal box. during that time peSusan Billheimer riod. While she has Phillips participated Pricture taken during a women’s basketball coached basketball, in lacrosse, basket- game at Bridgewater College in 1972. volleyball and laball and field hockey crosse, she started the at Bridgewater from 1973- 484-262 record for her ca- volleyball program and led 1977. Phillips would go on reer. At the time of her retire- the team to a 653-268 record to make the United States la- ment, Mapp ranked seventh from 1975-2008 which ranks crosse team in 1980 and was on the active winning list of eighth all-time in Division III a goalkeeper for the team College coaches in all of Di- volleyball wins. when they won the 1982 vision’s I, II and III. Her list Coach Heishman has been World Cup Championship in of coaching achievements here many years and has exEngland. can go on and on including perienced several changes While Laura Mapp and several championships and made by the college both in Mary Heishman have not winning seasons with all of physical things, such as new achieved fame, they played the teams she coached. buildings on campus and an integral part in the develIn an interview with renovations, but also changopment of women’s sport at Bridgewatereagles.com seen es within the athletic departthe college. in a video entitled “Catching ment and physical education Mapp coached and taught Up with Laura Mapp,” Mapp department. Photo courtesy of Alexander Mack Library Special Collections
President Bowman wrote in a report to the Board of Trustees in the beginning of 1938 saying “The problem of finance, of commercialism, of professionalism, of schedules and travel, of injuries, of academic performance of players, of the recruitment of players, of eligibility rules and regulations … and other problems, raise a question in the minds of many thoughtful people about the worthiness of football for a place among the sports of the American college.” Football was again reinstated for the fall season of 1949 and has been at the college ever since despite having limited success until the early 2000s. Between 1949 and 1963 their record was 25-4-73. In 1964-1980 they posted a 59-2-86 record. The football team did not win a championship until 1980. Other football championships were in 2001-2005 when the Eagles also made it to the NCAA playoffs. Bridgewater College has been affiliated with many different athletic organizations over the years but most notably with the Mason-Dixon Intercollegiate Athletic Conference from 1941-1975 and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) which is affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) from 1975-present. Women’s sports were a part of the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) from 1972-1982 until that association folded and
“The department had moved in a different direction in the earlier years. We had one department head that was the athletic director and the academic head … If you were going to coach you were hired as a teacher and you also coached … We hired a separate person. We had a head of the academic department then we hired an athletic director. Then the hiring started splitting like now people are hired as coaches … basically you are a coach or you are in academics,” Heishman shared. Other changes such as longer schedules, the addition of post-season play for women’s athletics and non-traditional seasons, have made it more difficult to be a student-athlete over the years. “I played three sports, most of our athletes or a lot of the athletes did it at that time now we have, I don’t know if we have any that play three, we have a few that play two, but not much of that even. People have specialized more … Seasons overlap plus the nontraditional seasons that’s been a change too. That was a big change where before a lot of coaches coached two sports, just about everyone coached two, now that’s a harder to do,” Heishman believes. With all the emphasis put on athletics by todays American society, and seemingly less and less on education, it might be time to examine the larger impact intercollegiate athletics is having on today’s college students.
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