Unity Magazine

UNITY MAGAZINE

“So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.”

— Baha’U’Llah

UNITY MAGAZINE

Pandemic Pick-me-up

INSIDE People in the Pandemic Navigating the pandemic was, and still is, a difficult experience for everyone. Focusing on the stories of those moving their way through the pandemic, this section shows how people navigated their way through this past year’s challenges and new experiences. From folks connecting online to the Black Lives Matter movement, we get a glimpse into the perspectives of others.

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Culture & Connections Many new activities and hobbies were adopted during the past year, occupying those stuck in their homes. People found ways to fill the extra time they had. This section dives into the ways people kept themselves occupied, such as redecorating rooms in their homes or making their own music. This section also includes those who embraced the homebody life, being content with staying indoors in their pajamas. Pages 13-22

Lockdown Legacy The lockdown caused by the pandemic caused many setbacks and problems for businesses, institutions and individuals overall.

The economy has struggled to get back on track as places were shut down everywhere. This section focuses on how those businesses, institutions and individuals grappled with COVID-19. Including how isolation affected the elderly and nonprofit businesses trying to keep things running. Pages 14-34

Cover photo courtesy of Philip Holman Two trees near the Thunderhill Overlook off the Blue Ridge Parkway stand unified through the seasons of the High Country. The Appalachian courtesy photo, top; Kayla Binkley photo, middle; Patrick Osbourne photo, bottom.

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Boone Area Community Radio offers over 30 shows weekly dedicated to streaming music as well as a platform for inclusivity.

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OUR TEAM The goal of Advanced Design for Digital Storytelling is a simple one: To learn how to communicate clearly through data, visuals and text. During the semester, we did a deep dive into publication design and data visualization. We deconstructed the publications we see every day into the elements that created them, all while taking a closer look at content and the way it is organized in a published form (in

digital and print). The class is not about decoration. These students learned how to be “visual journalists” by following a simple mantra: “Content drives design” — especially when crafting data stories.

They navigated all of this mostly online, in the middle of a pandemic. These are their stories and this is their magazine.

I am so proud.

— Dr. Lynette Holman Zooming Through Class

For the past year, students everywhere have been navigating Zoom classes, and ours was no exception.

Advanced Design for Digital Storytelling was a “hybrid” model during the Spring 2021 semester so students could meet in person during the last month of the class.

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CLUBS AND GREEK LIFE IN LOCKDOWN

BY ALEX HUBBELL

Alex is a senior journalism major at Appalachian State University from Kannapolis, N.C.

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he pandemic has altered or completely shut down some of the more than 400 organizations Appalachian State University offers.

“Beans 2 Brew,” located on the second floor in Peacock Hall, typically a routine part of a business student’s day, is closed this semester. Others, like INTAPP, which typically works with 80-90 international exchange students in providing guidance for study abroad has no international students this year and study abroad programs were canceled. INTAPP is only working with degree-seeking international students, according to Sarah Parkhurst, the social executive chair of International Appalachian.

Typical bonding events for international students like hiking, movie nights, and other in-person events aren’t happening this year, and have detracted from the international student experience, according to Parkhurst.

Makayla Wilkins, a supply management major also working on her masters in data analytics, is the executive director of Beans 2 Brew, a nonprofit student-run coffee shop. There is a lack of motivation and camaraderie from the members now forced to attend all the meetings on Zoom, according to Wilkins. Wilkins misses out on organizing opportunities like networking with supply-chain professionals at the Lake Hickory Country Club this year.

Wilkins cannot convince Beans 2 Brew members to register as official members with the professional society that sponsors them. In turn, Beans 2 Brew doesn’t have enough members to earn national recognition for scholarships. INTAPP has noticed a similar lack of motivation within the organization, according to Parkhurst. Along with this, members of Beans 2 Brew are missing a chance to work with local businesses like Stick Boy Bread, Hatchet Coffee and others, as they did in past semesters.

Wilkins has organized speaker events

“That (the new student affiairs requirements) bothers me because it undermines sustainability goals of the university and the club. ”

Makayla Wilkins, executive director of Beans 2 Brew with supply-chain professionals; however, with such low attendance recently, Wilkins has stopped organizing these events.

INTAPP has had virtual community events, but the majority of attendees have been faculty and local community members, not students, according to Parkhurst.

For Beans 2 Brew, only the HR team and tech team (working on forecasting models) has any work to do, mostly preparing training videos for next semester. Most of the Detraction, See page 5 Not-so-social Distancing

A lone masked student walks along the pedestrian bridge over Rivers Street. The pandemic shut down many of the social organizations on campus.

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Detraction, From page 4 Beans 2 Brew club is graduating, so the training videos will serve a bigger role for the new members, according to Wilkins.

Finance, accounting, supply chain, marketing, and data teams are on standby.

Wilkins is frustrated with the abrupt changes App State has enforced on clubs, such as forbidding any food to be eaten by non-members during meetings and enforcing all food items to be wrapped.

Wilkins believes the latter rule misaligns clubs with App State’s sustainable image,

as Beans 2 Brew cannot use the biodegradable product they typically use.

Other organizations like Greek Life are impacted by this pandemic as well. Members are protesting mask and social distancing mandates, according to Chandler Cohn, a junior and former president of AGD (Alpha Gamma Delta) sorority. Cohn is stepping down after pushback from the organization for her alignment with university safety practices, like social distancing, limiting gatherings and wearing masks.

An Empty Beans 2 Brew With Beans 2 Brew closed this semester, the second floor of Peacock Hall is eerily empty on Appalachian State’s campus. — Alex Hubbell photos.

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BLACK AT APPSTATE

BY JENNA HATCHER

Jenna is a junior journalism major who plans to move to Boston after she graduates from Appalachian State.

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s a member of the Appalachian State community, Kaiden Smith has occupied unique spaces as an athlete on the football team, a communication/journalism major, an honors student, a podcast producer and a young Black man on a predominantly white campus.

Coinciding with the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic came renewed focus on the Black Lives Matter movement. And with that came the development of Black At AppState, a group of Black students and alumni who, in July, demanded sweeping changes in regard to scholarship, curriculum, health, campus culture and more.

“To me, it’s about giving a voice to the voiceless,” Smith said.

“I think that it’s very common for the voices who have been heard through the Black Lives Matter movement.”

Black Lives Matter is an activist movement and organization devoted to stopping violence and injustice against Black people.

The group was founded in 2013 following the acquittal of George Zimmerman, who had been charged with murdering Black teen Trayvon Martin. Since then, the Black Lives Matter movement has increased its visibility, particularly after several incidents of police brutality involving Black Americans made national news. After the highly publicized incident where George Floyd died while in police custody in Minnesota in May 2020, supporters of the movement held large, sustained nationwide protests and called for real changes to systemic racism.

Black At App State, See page 9 Marching For Change Students march on King Street in May for the Black Lives Matter movement (next page). — Jackie Park photo/The Appalachian.

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Kaiden Smith Kaiden Smith is in his fifth year at Appalachian State and plays for the football team. He’s very much into journalism and has his very own podcast. — The Appalachian courtesy photo.

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Black at AppState, From page 6

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olice brutality and violence towards Black people is one of the main issues present in the United States as well as being a major focus of the Black Lives Matter movement. According to Mapping Police Violence, Black people are three times more likely to be killed by police than white people and 1.3 times more likely to be unarmed when shot by police compared to white people.

The Black Lives Matter movement does not want to abolish the police, but instead wants to educate those about racial bias and systematic racism to shift those numbers.

On July 6, 2020 Black At AppState sent Chancellor Sheri Everts, Appalachian State University administration, all student affairs personnel, and the board of trustees a letter detailing their demands and expressing their frustration with the mistreatment of Black students on campus.

Although meetings have taken place and some improvement has been seen, the list of demands has yet to be fully addressed.

Black At AppState wants to change the way things are done at Appalachian State when it comes to people of color. One demand is mandatory bias training for every member of faculty or staff who have any contact with current students, prospective students, or alumni. Another one is the university to increase the representation of Black and brown individuals within faculty, staff, and the board of trustee membership.

“There’s a lot of athletes involved in that [Black At AppState] as well,” Smith said. “I think for an athlete, it’s a little bit difficult, especially when most of the athlete student population are African American, it’s

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“I think they’ve shown persistence and that they’ve made their voice heard. And I think that they have made a hard voice to ignore” Kaiden Smith, speaking about Black at App State tough because you try to leverage your power. So you try it, you want to use your platform as an athlete to talk about things that you want to talk about. But if you want to see true change, you have to give something up usually.”

“I think they’ve shown persistence, and that they’ve made their voice heard.

And I think that they made a hard voice to ignore.”

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LOVE FROM A DISTANCE

BY HUNTER GRUBBS

Hunter is a journalism student from Tobaccoville, N.C. After graduation he plans to start his own media company.

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n March 11, 2020, due to alarming levels of spread, severity and inaction, the World Health Organization made the assessment that COVID-19 could be characterized as a pandemic. Throughout the last year the world has focused on wearing masks, social distancing and limiting person-to-person contact. With the new guidelines in place and with the virus on the rise, dating seemed to be an idea of the past, or was it?

Traditional ways of meeting new people like going out to bars, restaurants, or other establishments became next to impossible during the pandemic. Those businesses and other establishments practiced social distancing and had limited occupancy levels. However, dating apps have taken advantage of this new normal.

According to Businessofapps.com, global dating app revenues totaled $3.08 billion in 2020. They project that this number will grow at a steady rate to $5.71 billion by 2025.

Dating apps like Tinder, Grindr, and Plenty of Fish offer individuals a way to socialize, meet new people and connect with potential love interests without meeting face-to-face. Their apps are simple, easy to use and most of them offer a free version to attract first time users. The growth of these apps during the pandemic can be attributed to individual’s increased phone usage. Boredom, along with a lack of leisure activity options, is what led Love, See page 11

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Love, From page 10 to this increase in phone usage during the pandemic. More time on the device means more time to peruse and use applications.

Dating apps became the easiest, most convenient and safest form of social interaction.

“I’ve definitely spent more time on my phone during the pandemic,” Tristan Bowen explained, “When there’s nothing else to do, I just hop on Tinder.”

These apps have filled a void in people’s social lives. “Not being able to go out and meet new people has taken a toll on me.

I love meeting new people!” Bowen said, “Tinder at least lets me chat with people I haven’t met before but it’s still hard to meet in person.”

Studies show that these applications are more likely to produce casual hookups than long-term relationships, but exceptions to that trend do exist. Brianna Moretz met her boyfriend on Tinder in early 2019, and they have been together ever since.

Love, See page 12 Projected Revenues

This is a chart detailing the global dating app revenues from 2015 to 2020. The chart also includes projected revenues from 2021 to 2025. — Hunter Grubbs graphic.

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Love, From page 11 “I never expected to find a long-term relationship using Tinder, but I am glad I gave it a chance,” Moretz said, “Dating apps can be useful.”

In the past year the world has experienced a great deal of fear, pain and anger. However, love continued to prevail through the use of dating apps. “We need to connect with other people. We need to love people. And we need to feel loved,” Moretz explained, “It’s human.”

Dating Applications Tristan Bell searches through Tinder in hopes of finding new friends and making lasting connections.

A couple relaxes on the grass in front of Plemmons Student Union. — Hunter Grubbs photos.

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HOME ZONE: REVAMPING OUR SPACES

SYDNEY ANDREWS

Sydney is graduating in May 2021 with a degree in Communications, Journalism and minor in Spanish.

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uring 2020, the house became more than just four walls and a roof, more than a place where you get ready, eat and sleep. Amidst a time of social distancing and isolating, the house became a home.

People’s houses are now their gyms, offices or studios. Since people were spending more time in their home each day, some thought a revamp was necessary.

Inspiration from Pinterest, HGTV or even TikTok helped make living areas not just spaces, but areas rooted in personalization.

Omiah Mitchell, an on-campus resident assistant at Appalachian State University revamped her room and lifestyle through finding ways to make her dorm feel more “homey,” clean and organized.

“I have dedicated a little corner of my room for a quiet space for mental health,” Mitchell shared, “I have an altar, candle, incense and crystals. I meditate, journal, sing and read books.” Mitchell explained that this part of her room was important to her not only to help her disconnect from the technology that she works with every day, but also to connect with herself.

“Having this space has allowed me to learn how to enjoy spending time with myself, which is a beautiful lesson to learn, especially in COVID times,” Mitchell said.

Morgan Hinesley, an off-campus student at Appalachian State University, turned to social media to change up the look of her room during the pandemic. She painted canvases inspired by ideas she saw online, creating visual interest where she spends all her time working, sleeping and eating.

Since Hinesley spent a lot of time at home in the beginning of the pandemic, she said she was able to complete DIY projects that she had been wanting to do.

“Making the space around me personal has brought a sense of comfort,” she said.

Since the pandemic began, Hinesley also decided to update her study areas.

“Making the space around me personal has brought a sense of comfort.”

Morgan Hinesley, Appalachian State University Student “During quarantine, it was hard to spend so much time at home because the environment never changed and it was hard to separate studying from sleeping and relaxing and eating,” Hinesley said.

She created this separation by getting a desk as a designated workspace in her room. She also got a stationary bike she can pedal while working remotely.

“My work bike is my favorite part because it allows me to be active and productive at the same time without going anywhere. I saw it on TikTok and thought it would be great since I love to stay moving and feel like I am not sitting and doing nothing all day,” Hinesley said.

Small changes have made spaces functional, comfortable and personal.

“Now, since COVID, home is whatever you make it. Home is whatever makes you feel safe and comfortable. It does not have to be a grand ole house with a room for an office and a bedroom that are separate. It can be a dorm room that you rearrange to fit your aesthetic. A home is making the accommodations that are needed for you to feel like you belong,” Mitchell said.

Containing Clutter

Previous page: Many folks found that living and working in their homes forced them to reorganize their spaces. Dr. Holman’s husband, Philip, installed new IKEA cabinents. — Lynette Holman photo.

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DIY Projects and Home Offices Clockwise from top: Dr. Holman’s husband, Philip, also renovated a bathroom during the pandemic. Morgan Hinesley got a work-study bike to keep fit while studying and paints to keep sane. — Courtesy photos.

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COMFORT IS KING

BY KAYLA BINKLEY

Kayla is a senior PR major at App State. This summer she will be an intern in External Communications for Food Lion.

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Since March of 2020, many working Americans have found themselves working from their home offices. Zoom calls are the new conference rooms and cubicles are a thing of the past. As of January, 2021, 56% of Americans reported working remotely, according to a Gallup Poll. With the new style of business coming into effect, what is now considered appropriate work attire has changed with the tide of COVID-19. Are sweatpants the new slacks? Classes from bed? Questions such as these are driving the force of what is going to be the new social norms. When asked about how the pandemic has affected

their daily life, App State student Evan Hiatt said, “...having classes online has given me more free time since I don’t have to worry about catching the bus and I get to sleep more too.”

This online environment has sparked a new trend among students at the university. While there is not really a dress code for a majority of universities, students are often seen wearing items of clothing that most would consider socially acceptable. This means items such as jeans, T-shirts, polos, dresses, sometimes the occasional suit, yet with the rise of COVID and the online formatting for classes, students have adjusted to a new style.

Pajamas, sweatpants and anything considered comfy now reign supreme in virtual classrooms and offices of Americans Comfort, See page 17

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Comfort, From page 16 that conduct their daily activities from the comfort of their own homes and for some, their beds. According to Google Trends, searches for sweatpants in the last year hit their peak in late November; searches for the product had been on this rise since the beginning of the pandemic in March of 2020 in the United States.

The implications of introducing work from home, zoom conference calls, and online education formats are slowly being seen. It is now commonplace for students to login to an online class while suntanning on the beach or in some areas, such as Appalachian State, to join their classes while skiing or snowboarding.

“I went snowboarding during a class during fall semester. I can’t remember what I learned, but it was totally worth it,” Tanner Watts, a senior Commercial Photography major said.

There is an evident lack of professionalism or motivation associated with school and working environments that have moved into the online formatting.

This could create issues later on as the rise in completed vaccinations trumps the number of active cases, allowing for a return to a somewhat normal environment.

How will the extended period of time spent in online courses and virtual working environments affect the professionalism seen in young adults?

Business casual is defined as dressing in slacks or khaki pants; skirts and dresses (below knee length); blouses or button-down collared shirts; and closed toed shoes in either a flat or dress shoe, according to Indeed. As sweats and pajamas become the comfortable alternative in these online environments, business casual or even business formal attire appear to

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“....

having

classes online has given me more free time” Evan Hiatt, Senior Construction Management Student be less necessary in comparison to items such as masks for the protection of oneself and others.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a large impact on trends in fashion and what people are willing to wear during the average day.

From a bikini worn on the coast to lounge pants sitting in a bed surrounded by pillows and fluffy blankets, young adults have exchanged the jeans, blouses and suits for sweats and pajamas in a society where comfort is now king and previous trends of fashion have fallen to their knees.

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Students On Campus Students relax and study on campus in comfortable outfits. The App State block A masks were also given to all students at the beginning of fall semester. — Kayla Binkley photos.

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PRANCING THROUGH PANDEMIC MEGAN MCCULLOH

Megan is a senior at Appalachian State University majoring in Communications, Journalism and minoring in Commercial Photography.

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oud music echoed off of the wooden walls in a small, four room building in the heart of Belmont, North Carolina. The sound of tap shoes ricocheted off of the marley floor, blending together with the bustling voices of children who excitedly encouraged their teammates.

This was the before the pandemic.

In March of 2020, dance teachers at Dance Specialties closed their doors midway through their 2019 – 2020 competitive season. COVID-19 had wormed its way into the state and the small-town studio that was a second home to many adults and children in the area. Determined to maintain normalcy despite the worldwide pandemic, Kelsey Jones, a teacher at the studio, began to put together a plan that would allow students to continue their training while quarantined.

“We went through a three-month period of doing Zoom classes,” Jones said. “We were trying our best to keep the kids excited and offer them a somewhat normal class.”

At the end of May 2020, the studio was finally able to get the competition team back into an in-person classroom and onto a local competitive stage, but not without some difficulties.

“Everything is on a block schedule now,” Jones said. “Our studio goes into the competition and competes without seeing our other competitors. It’s hard to keep them motivated at times but it allows them to focus on themselves and what they can do.”

Prancing, See page 20

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Prancing, From page 19 Currently, Dance Specialties is still offering in-person classes that follow state mandates including sanitation regulations such as nightly cleaning routines, mask requirements and social distancing during classes.

Dancers from the studio have already attended two regional competitions so far in 2021, where they participated in the events via a block schedule, allowing only one studio in the venue at a time. They are currently looking for-

ward to attending two more competitions in Charlotte and other North Carolina locations in the upcoming months followed by a national competition in South Carolina in June.

“It’s different right now, but we are just thankful we are able to be on stage again,” competition team member Masie Lee said. “As a senior, it’s hard knowing our year hasn’t been like it has in the past, but you will take what you can get.”

Masked Movement Competition team dancers at Dance Specialties attempt social distancing for dance classes as well as follow a mandatory mask rule. — Megan McCulloh photo.

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MUSIC IS HEALING TYLER BRABANDT

Tyler is a fourth-year journalism major who loves to play piano and video games.

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hen hard times fall upon society, change is inevitable. Covid-19 has brought many global changes that also affect communities on a local level as well.

The vast majority of these changes have had a negative impact on society, such as job loss, less time spent outside, or with friends and family. These kinds of wounds hurt our communities’ ability to socialize, which is something they desperately need to remain healthy.

That doesn’t mean that positive changes don’t coexist.

In fact, they usually do. It’s up to the individuals within the communities to embrace these positive aspects while properly handling the negative the best they can.

In the context of a global pandemic, it can be much easier said than done to “embrace the positive aspects.” Nevertheless, there are those who’ve adapted and innovated in order to keep their minds occupied during quarantine.

“I owned the ukulele for a while, but never learned how to play, but I’m not sure when I got it, or where. The sitar I found at Dorcas (Dorcas Thrift shop in Cary, N.C.) for pretty cheap. The accordion… I actually found someone on Craigslist who was selling one, it was in fairly good condition, so I bought it off of him,” Ian Anderson said.

Ian Anderson is a Raleigh local and dance instructor who recently lost his job due to the pandemic.

“Not having a job was a pretty big change when you’re used to working every day. So that was probably the biggest change,” said Anderson.

Music therapy, See page 22

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Music therapy, From page 21

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nderson found a job at an apartment complex collecting trash and delivering it to the dump in order to make ends meet. Because this job only requires Anderson to work during the night time, he noticed the negative impact on his daily life due to the amount of free time he had during the day.

“I just felt lazy because I didn’t have work, but I also couldn’t go out and do anything,” Anderson said. “So at first it was a lot of watching TV and (playing) video games,” Fatigued from boredom, Anderson decided to look for unique instruments that he would then learn how to play.

“It meant that I had a project, something to do every day,” Anderson said. “Not having something to do every day was nice for a little while, but eventually (it) got boring and unhealthy,” Anderson talked about his experience during quarantine with underlying joy in his pursuit for purpose during this hard time.

Though Anderson did justly gloom on his job loss, he overcame it through talking about his new experiences.

In an attempt to help others who may be in a similar situation, “If people are struggling with laziness and boredom during quarantine, find something you want to do and learn,” he said. “It worked for me because then I would at least feel like I got something done on a daily basis.”

“It meant that I had a project, something to do every day. Not having something to do every day was nice for a little while but eventually (it) got boring and unhealthy”

Ian Anderson, Raleigh, N.C.

Being Creative During a Crisis Raleigh, N.C. resident Ian Anderson has focused on learning new instruments during the pandemic, including the accordion and sitar. — Photo courtesy of Ian Anderson

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ELDERLY ISOLATION IN QUARANTINE

TREVOR COX

Trevor is a senior journalism major at Appalachian State from Cary, N.C. He is moving to Seattle to begin his professional life following graduation in May 2021.

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ince lockdown began in March 2020, everyday life has changed for people around the globe. Among the demographics hit hardest, the elderly population in the United States experienced loss and isolation in record numbers.

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities across the nation have imposed strict rules and regulations in an attempt to protect residents, leaving many unable to host visitors or travel for leisure. So how has this isolation affected the senior population?

“Our residents are eager to move on

and return to normalcy,” said Michele Cox, resident relations director of Cambridge Village of Apex. “People just want to be able to spend time with their loved ones in these trying times.”

For some elderly, the 2020 holiday season was the first time in their lives they were unable to celebrate with friends and family. Assisted living facilities have been proactive with the use of technology to connect residents with those unable to visit.

Isolation, See page 25 Impact On Elderly

Michele Cox, resident relations director at Cambridge Village, said that the residents of her facility just want to return to normal. — Trevor Cox photos.

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Isolation, From page 24 “Here at Cambridge Village, we have implemented the use of Zoom to allow our residents to stay in touch and help combat the loneliness many feel,” said Michele Cox. Lately things have been looking up. As vaccination efforts continue to be pushed, facilities around the country are beginning to loosen restrictions and allow planned visitation.

“You guys are the first people I’ve seen from outside all year!” said Donald Cox, resident of Good Shepherd Village at Endwell. “I took my vaccine and just want to be able to go to the store without being hassled.”

When discussing the effects of isolation, one resident shared her belief that it has done more harm than good.

“I want to be responsible, but life for the past year has been difficult for us,” said Ruth Cox. “Being locked up in our homes has created a lot of health issues that I’m afraid will continue to affect us long after coronavirus is gone.”

As with any concentrated group of people, COVID-19 steadily continues to infect individuals into 2021. Linked below is an interactive chart highlighting the number of cases present at Appalachian State University over the course of the pandemic.

“I’ve unfortunately known a few friends that have passed away from coronavirus,” said Ruth Cox. “it’s a tough time for everyone, but I am looking forward to spending the rest of my time in peace after this passes.”

“I’m just glad it looks like we’re in the final stretch so I can go out to town for a beer and talk to the people I’ve known for years,” said Donald Cox.

“You guys are the first people I've seen from outside all year! I took my vaccine and just want to be able to go to the store without being hassled.”

Donald Cox, resident of Good Shepherd Village at Endwell

Keeping Each Other Company Donald and Ruth Cox, residents of Good Shepherd Village at Endwell, have lost friends to COVID-19.

— Trevor Cox photo.

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MENTAL HEALTH IMPACT RACHEL RODGERS

Rachel is a junior journalism and Japanese double-major with plans to study abroad before graduation.

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ince the start of the pandemic, there have been numerous downsides such as job loss, lack of social interaction, and many other factors that have affected people’s lives and livelihoods. This has had a huge impact on the mental health of many.

Not being able to see friends and loved ones really affected people. Mackenna Wathen of Cary, North Carolina, who has personally been affected by this pandemic, said, “Not being able to see my friends or work for many months during the pandemic was extremely hard for me, being that I rely heavily on routine and social activity to keep structure.”

Being inside for such a long period of time and not being able to see anyone and only going out to get what is necessary does a lot to a person. It has been such a hard process. Businesses have moved their meetings to Zoom and classes are now all online.

This alone has many people exhausted more than usual, a result of “Zoom fatigue”.

Adults face struggles with losing their jobs and not being able to provide enough for themselves or their families. Many young Mental Health, See page 27

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“I rely heavily on routine and social activity” Mackenna Wathen of Cary, N.C.

Mental Health, From page 26 adults have had to deal with schools shutting down and not being in the classroom anymore. And younger children have had to navigate not being able to socialize and learn in a classroom setting.

According to to Julie Keys, Psy.D., a staff psychologist at App State, 2,171 students went to the health center for initial mental health consultations between March 2019 and February 2020. That total dropped during the pandemic. From March 2020 to

Feb. 2021, only 1,137 students sought initial consultations. So just when students likely need the most support, the isolation of social distancing and remote learning has seemingly prevented them from seeking help from university resources.

With the release of vaccines, many people hope that life will return to normal and that they are able to see loved ones and friends again and proceed to do their everyday pre-pandemic activities..

Keeping Tabs On Mental Health On Sunday, May 2, 2021, Mackenna Wathen’s dance troupe, called Sailors, practices a routine while keeping socially distant and wearing masks. — Courtesy photos

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LOCKDOWN JOB HUNT CHALLENGE CANDACE LITTLE

Candace is a senior journalism major at Appalachian State University. She enjoys collecting plants, hiking and baking bread.

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uring college, many young adults begin living on their own for the first time. They also gain responsibilities such as paying for tuition, rent, bills and other large expenses. It can be difficult to find a job in a highly-competitive college town in the best of times, but the COVID-19 pandemic has only made the job search harder.

In April 2020, the unemployment rate in the United States reached an unprecedented level of 14.8%, the highest on record, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is due to both permanent and temporary business closures, resulting in furloughs and layoffs. Job opportunities that were created before the pandemic no longer existed.

Madison Lang, a public health major, was supposed to begin an internship with the Centers for Disease Control in Georgia following her graduation in December 2020. Due to the ongoing pandemic, however, the offer was rescinded for safety reasons.

“That was my dream,” Lang said. “It was my dream and a lack of concern for public health, the topic I’ve studied for four years, ruined it. It’s poetic in a sad sort of way.”

Job Hunt, See page 29

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Job Hunt, From page 28 This change could not be lamented for long, as Lang had to find a different job to make ends meet. She found a majority of openings in restaurants or in retail; positions she did not feel comfortable taking due to the risk of contracting COVID-19.

“My roommate is high-risk and I couldn’t live with myself if I put them in jeopardy,” Lang said.

She scoured the internet for hours a day, searching for a job opportunity outside of Boone. She eventually found a work-fromhome position for a health department in Indiana. Lang was tasked with going through the department’s COVID-related paperwork and inputting the data in specialized software.

“Data entry is a mind-numbing job,” Lang said. “I don’t like it, but I feel like I don’t have any other options. Nothing pays enough to pay all my bills, so it’s not even the only job I have.”

Lang is part of the 8.3% of American workers who have more than one job, a statistic calculated by the United States Census Bureau. She was hired as a copywriter for a marketing agency last December, the same month that she secured her data-entry position. Her third job is as a transcriber, which requires her to carefully listen to audio files and type out what is said.

Each of her positions is part time, but Lang typically works from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. each weekday, going from one job to the next with minimal breaks in between.

“This obviously isn’t sustainable,” Land said. “I’m working longer hours than someone employed full time, yet I have nothing to show for it. I don’t get insurance, I don’t get vacation days, I don’t get bonuses.”

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“Nothing pays enough to pay all my bills, so it’s not even the only job I have.”

Madison Lang, public health major, about her data entry position

UNITY MAGAZINE

POSTGRADUATE JOB CRISIS

BY EMMA PASOUR

Emma Pasour is an Appalachian State University senior, planning to graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She hopes to become a very influential writer and graphic artist in the future.

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ollege graduates struggle with the inability to find even a sliver of a job when they get out, but to be a college graduate in the midst of a pandemic is extremely stressful. Most students seem to relate to defeat when they are left empty-handed after months of multiple applications. Some get lucky and find openings immediately after graduation, and Jordan Carlson, a 2020 Appalachian State University graduate, considers himself fortunate to be one of them.

“It was honestly the best phone call I’ve ever gotten,” Carlson said. “I remember feeling a huge amount of pressure being taken away from me during that conversation. Just, like, everything I worried about didn’t matter, because I had a job with income, and I was going to be alright.”

As a newly-hired employee at Duke Energy, Carlson discussed his biggest struggle while he searched for jobs. The fear of failure was on his mind way before the pandemic began.

“The long summer of not knowing where I was at with my Unemployment Rise, See page 31

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Unemployment Rise, From page 30 internship, because of COVID, and the layoffs coming from that, I just was completely unsure of my future at Duke at the time,” Carlson said.

“I always felt on edge and worried about where I would be getting my checks from in January or what place I’d have to shop for groceries, because of the price.”

As of March 2021, the unemployment rate was 3.7 percent for graduates with a bachelor’s degree or some form of higher education, a 5.4 percentage point drop from April 2020, according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics.

During the beginning of the pandemic, layoffs and budget cuts grew Carlson’s worry about his plans after graduation.

“I felt like I was working for no reason, because if they didn’t hire me, yeah they’d write me a glowing review, but I still wouldn’t have a job, just a good looking resume.”

In January, North Carolina’s unemployment rate was up 5.9 percent, according to the North Carolina Department of Com-

merce. Specifically, from February 2020 to February 2021, North Carolina cities, such as Charlotte, Concord, and Gastonia collectively lost 4.2 percent of employment, according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Carlson agreed his future at Duke Energy was uncertain during the summer of 2021.

However, his stress ‘disappeared’ after he began working remotely full time for Duke Energy in January.

“I can start a day of work with a cup of coffee and Pop Tarts while wearing sweatpants,” Carlson said. “Working in an office with work clothes is something I pray I will never have to experience fully again.”

Between February and March of 2020, 2.6 million jobs were lost due to the inability to work remotely, according to Pew Research Center. However, Carlson said his work is changed indefinitely.

“My job will be completely remote or half in the office and half at home,” Carlson said.

“I, for sure, won’t be driving to Charlotte five days a week, that’s guaranteed.”

Unemployed & Understaffed Jordan Carlson works for Duke Energy, remotely, in his bedroom in Boone, N.C. Millions of people have struggled to find jobs since the pandemic. — Patrick Osborne photo, left; Lynette Holman photo, right.

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UNITY MAGAZINE

NONPROFIT STRUGGLES

BY JACLYN BARTLETT Jaclyn Bartlett is a junior journalism major at Appalachian State. She is a lifeguard at the university recreation center and writes for the school newspaper, The Appalachian.

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hat was once a lively communal gathering space is now much more distant after customers at one local nonprofit dropped about 60% due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

F.A.R.M Cafe opened 2012 in Boone, North Carolina, with the mission, “to build a healthy and inclusive community by providing high quality and delicious meals produced from local sources, served in a restaurant where everybody eats, regardless of means.”

At F.A.R.M Cafe, customers pay what they can or volunteer for a healthy locally sourced meal, with options for

everyone including meals that are vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free.

“Places like F.A.R.M. Cafe are important not only because of the fight against food insecurity, but also the ability that we have to feed people while upholding their dignity,” said volunteer and communications coordinator Ilya Wang. “The reality is that most people are not looking for a handout. Most people want to be able to earn their food whether that’s financially or through other modes of exchange.”

Wang started volunteering at F.A.R.M Cafe her sophomore year of college and interned with them during her junior year through the Community Fellows Program at Appalachian State University.

Nonprofit Struggles, See page 34 Real. Good. Food The F.A.R.M. Cafe sign on King Street reminds visitors that the acronym F.A.R.M. stands for: “Feed All Regardless of Means”.

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UNITY MAGAZINE

“I miss the community, the exchanging of stories, the sharing of food, and the openness. I miss experiencing and witnessing the kindness between two strangers turn friends.”

Ilya Wang, F.A.R.M Cafe Volunteer and Communications Coordinator

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Nonprofit Struggles, From page 32 She graduated in 2020 and has been working there ever since.

Because of the pandemic, F.A.R.M. Cafe closed to the public at the end of March 2020, reopening June 1, 2020 with curbside and to-go only.

They no longer allow volunteers from the public, meaning the cafe is currently operating with just their small staff of six and two volunteers in comparison to their 15 to 20 volunteers per day. They also went from having around 70 to 100 customers a day to around 20 to 50.

Across the U.S, thousands of small businesses struggled during the early days of the pandemic as well.

According to a Yelp economic impact report, 163,735 businesses closed between April and September of 2020, an average of over 800 closures each day.

Without the use of their dining area and with the decrease in customers, the cafe is lacking the sense of community that allowed it to thrive.

“F.A.R.M. Cafe creates a space where everyone is equal regardless of lived experiences or financial status,” Wang said.

“This community and sense of belonging is crucial to the success of these spaces.”

Wang said that now that the staff is able to get vaccinated, they hope to soon welcome back volunteers and open their dining area at a limited capacity so that the community can feel connected once again.

“I miss the community, the exchanging of stories, the sharing of food, and the openness,” Wang said. “I miss experiencing and witnessing the kindness between two strangers turn friends.”

Caring For A Community

Since opening their doors in 2012, the F.A.R.M. Cafe offers meals that are vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free and there are no set prices. People pay what they can afford.

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UNITY MAGAZINE

INDIE RADIO STATION CELEBRATES STORIES IN THE HIGH COUNTRY BY: BROOKE CURTIS

Brooke is a senior journalism major at Appalachian State University. She is from Boone, N.C. and plans to travel the world after graduating in 2021.

UNITY MAGAZINE

W

alking into the space that used to be Boone’s local Escape Room, you are immediately greeted with the sound of rap music playing, the glow of warm lights and shelves lined with records for sale. The place that was once used for a tourist attraction has been re-birthed as the hub for Boone’s newest radio station: Boone Area Community Radio.

The independent radio station is making waves in Boone by celebrating stories in the community. It also provides a platform so that listeners who tune in can find a program that represents them in a time where most are feeling out of touch with their neighbors in the High Country.

Ellis Frederick and Travis Reyes, both High Country residents, are co-creators of BACR. “We both spend a lot of time here working on the programming, splitting duties, and working on fundraising, trying to keep it going. We’re in our fourth week. The launch date was technically September 12th but we’ve been occupying the space since mid-August,” Frederick said.

The space itself serves as a record store as well as office space for community organizations local to Boone and where the station streams their programs.

“The front part is 641 RPM — that is where I come in,” Reyes said. “When we closed at the original space of 641 RPM at the end of May, I had no intention of opening again. And then the idea of a shared space came to mind, and so Ellis and I started talking about the radio station.”

An independent radio station has been a conversation of interest among the Boone community for a while now, according to the BACR duo.

“This opportunity arose and we thought we’d finally have the space for it here along with office space for Black in Boone and Radical Kindred to base out of while

“What Boone needed was the opportunity to hear music and stories they could relate to”

Ellis Frederick, Co-Creator of BACR spaces are hard to come by due to Covid.”

Though streaming online has been a necessity during the pandemic, the station streaming online gives more liberty to its hosts and was a drive for Fredrick and Reyes to initially start BACR. “Boone needed to hear the community unfiltered and real. That kind of radio brings people together no matter what they believe... I guess you could call it relatability.” Frederick said. “I think what Boone needed was the opportunity to hear music and stories they could relate to.” indie Radio, See page 37

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Indie Radio, From page 36

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he pair decided that in the time of a pandemic and an overall lack of accessible community, the freedom that comes with streaming online was an answer to their prayers.

The question of inclusivity was never far from BACR’s founders and eventually the pair decided to move forward and create a space that was inclusive to all and represented Boone’s community.

“Out of the gate we wanted to come out with a curated group of folks that we know

from town and other areas to tell stories and fill certain voids that needed to be filled with people who were right for the position. We have over 30 shows weekly pretty much exclusively music” Fredrick said.

The radio station has given a timely platform to many of Boone’s residents in its short existence and has been a resource that was sorely needed by the community.

“We all need community and the safe spaces we create together, like BACR, to get through this,” Reyes said.

Artistry Everywhere Behind BACR’s main building a local mural of mountains painted by the artists of Love Letter Creative stretches all along the outside wall. — Brooke Curtis photo

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UNITY MAGAZINE

“We cannot be separated or divided in purpose. We stand together until the end.”

Woodrow T. Wilson Spring Has Sprung After a long, hard year, spring brings the hope that life will return to some version of normal.

— Photo courtesy of Philip Holman

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