First in the Family
Bob Ryan visits Berry
Some Berry students are the first in their family to attend college. Read their stories about why they chose to further their education. | Page 6&7
Boston Globe and ESPN sports journalist Bob Ryan spoke at Berry last week about changes in sports journalism. | Page 11
The
Serving the Berry Community since 1908
Campus Carrier
Thursday February 8, 2018
www.vikingfusion.com
Vol. 109, Issue 16
Andrea Hill | CAMPUS CARRIER
On Sunday, the Orpheus Men’s Ensemble performed a concert in Frost Chapel. Read more about Orpheus Men’s Ensemble on page 8.
Senior in treatment for cancerous tumor
Jessie Goodson news editor
Senior Anna Trahan, an animal science major and women and gender studies minor, has been involved with Campus Outreach at Berry and stayed busy with her major. Just before the start of her last semester of undergrad, Trahan got news of a tumor in her lower spine. On Jan. 16, after further testing and scans, Trahan was informed that the tumor formed in the curve of her tailbone was cancerous. The tumor, about 10 centimeters in size, is pushing against a nerve, causing pain to Trahan and increasing the risks of treatment. “I’ve had a lot of medical issues, so it’s not necessarily surprising to me,” Trahan Anna said. “It’s just another thing that I have to overcome, and that’s fine with me.” There aren’t many doctors specialized in tumors like this one, so the cost of treatments is high. Insurance doesn’t cover everything, which leaves the Trahan family to pay the rest of it. A GoFundMe me was created to help the family
raise money for treatment. As of Feb. 7, according to the fundraising page, $2,325 has been raised out of the $15,000 goal by 51 people in 17 days. Trahan is taking a leave of absence this semester, alongside her twin sister, Alexandra Trahan. Trahan and her sister have been attending Berry together for four years, both animal science majors and taking those classes together. Alexandra will be with her sister throughout treatment, and they both plan to return to Berry and complete their undergrad in the fall. “We’re looking at this as sort of a blessing in disguise, because it’s been nonstop Berry since freshman year,” Anna Trahan said. “This gives us a chance to break.” Trahan will undergo radiation treatment during her leave of absence, with the Trahan possibility of surgery. She said that she is mentally doing okay, and that this is just an obstacle to get over. “I know I can overcome it and get through it,” Trahan said. For anyone interested in donating to Trahan’s GoFundMe, the page can be found online at www.gofundme. com/rztvf9-cancerous-tumor.
Trahan is taking time off from Berry to undergo cancer treatment.
OPINIONS 4
ARTS & LIVING 8
It’s just another thing that I have to overcome, and that’s fine with me.
IN THIS ISSUE
NEWS 2
FEATURES 6
PHOTO COURTESY OF ANNA TRAHAN GOFUNDME PAGE
SPORTS 10
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Thursday Feb. 8, 2018
NEWS
Cultural events deadline approaches Cassie LaJeunesse deputy news editor
With changes to the Cultural Events (CE) program last semester, students and faculty are adjusting to new CE requirements. Seniors planning to graduate in May must have 24 CE credits, or three for every semester that they have been a fulltime Berry student, in order to graduate. This requirement must be completed by April 6. According to Alice Bristow, associate professor of theatre and chair of the CE committee, 243 graduating seniors have yet to complete their CE requirement. There are 16 CE credit events on the calendar before the deadline, and more will be added once the CE committee approves them in March. “I’d say we approve probably 90% of (CE events),” Bristow said. “This last meeting, we approved 15, asked two to revise and resubmit and two were rejected.” According to Bristow, the CE committee works to ensure that there is not too much overlap between cultural events, so that students have as many opportunities as possible to receive CE credit. A link to the calendar of cultural events is available on the Cultural Events website. “If students have concerns, the proper channel is to take these concerns to their SGA representative, who can take it to the academic council,” Bristow said. Because the new CE application requires a lecture portion
and an opportunity for a question and answer session at each event, many fine arts faculty members have chosen not to apply for CE credit for their events. “The requirements for the CE credit have been more constraining on the fine arts and music specifically because our performances do not fit within the parameters of what they are asking for in the guidelines,” Director of Choral Activities Paul Neal said. Senior Jamie Collier has seven CE credits left to complete. She has trouble finding time to attend cultural events among her busy schedule of work, homework and social activities. Because of this, she appreciates when CE credits are offered during the day; such as events that occur during the 11 a.m. break on Tuesdays and Thursdays. “I know that when I go to CE credits I’m learning things, but sometimes it feels more like work,” Collier said. If students are unable to complete their CE requirements by the deadline, Bristow said that they should meet with Dean of Academic Services David Slade. According to Slade, it is rare for a student to fail to complete the CE requirement by the deadline. “If the student is not going to be able to meet the deadline, I can work with students on an individual, case-by-case basis to navigate what other options there are,” Slade said. “There is no flexibility about the 24-credit requirement. The exceptions are never in the amount of cultural events, it’s in how we get there.”
Upcoming Cultural Events Thursday, February 8
Travis Head Artist’s Talk and Reception Moon Gallery 5:00pm Inca Incarceration & Faith Panel Discussion McAllister Auditorium 8:00pm
Thursday, February 15
The Promises – and Perils – of Artificial Intelligence San Library Sandbox 6:00pm
Student flips car On Monday, freshman Hunter Berry was driving on the road between McAllister and Hermann when he overcorrected and rolled his car. No one was injured in the incident. Jameson Filston | CAMPUS CARRIER
Find more stories and Carrier archives at
KENDRICK AUTO SERVICE THE RED GARAGE
BRAKES, TUNE-UPS, ELECTRICAL WORK, & OTHER GENERAL REPAIRS 706.234.4782 / 3000 Martha Berry Blvd. Rome, GA 30165
Thursday Feb. 8, 2018
NEWS
CAMPUS CALENDAR
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Fawn events around campus Thursday 5:00 p.m. Travis Head Artist’s Talk and Reception in Moon Gallery CE Credit
Friday 7:30 p.m. Mr. Berry Competition in Ford Auditorium
Friday-Saturday 8:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Easy Baked Improv’s Improvathon in Evans Auditorium
Saturday 6:00 p.m. LISTEN’s Escape Room in Krannert 250
Saturday 9:00 p.m. KCAB Presents Zach Vinson in Krannert Ballroom
Sunday 7:00 p.m. Ellie Holcomb Concert in College Chapel
Sunday 1:00 p.m. Baseball vs. Emory & Henry at Ford athletic fields
Theatre department seeks new professors
Theatre students involved in hiring process through workshops with candidates Michaela Lumpert staff writer
There have been quite a few changes in Berry faculty and staff this year, and this change is carrying itself over into the theatre department. At the end of this year, Hannah Hammond, visiting assistant professor of theatre, and Seamus Borne, clinical assistant director of theatre, will be leaving Berry. The theatre department has already begun the search for their replacements. The theatre department is comprised of four faculty members: two professors that work in technical theatre and two professors that work on directing and producing the shows. Right now, of the two positions available, one is in technical theatre and one is in directing. Anna Filippo, director of theatre, describes the hiring process for the theatre as different from the normal hiring process on campus. Candidates nationwide have sent in applications, and are being reviewed and considered for the positions that are Anna open. After all of the applications have been received, a committee will meet to discuss the skills and experience of each applicant to determine if they are right for the job. Once these choices have been made, the final three candidates will teach a workshop to the theatre students. Unlike other hiring processes on campus, the theatre department’s process allows students to be directly involved. After candidates teach their workshop to the students, the students are able to give direct feedback on how they feel about the potential professor, and if they feel comfortable with them. Unlike students in other departments, theatre students must be able to feel that they can be vulnerable with their professors in order to be
able to reach new levels of emotion in their scenes. “We want (the process) that way, because then the students can have some ownership because they will be here next year,” Filippo said. Even though the committee will interview the candidates and make sure that they have what it takes to be a theatre professor at Berry, ultimately the students are the ones who will be spending the next four years with them. Letting them have a say in the entire process ensures a smooth transition when the decision is made and the new professors start. In the midst of all this change, a sense of gloominess hangs over the department as the faculty and students get ready to say goodbye to some beloved professors. “[The students] are doing ok. We have been very transparent through everything since the first BCTC meeting,” Filippo said. Making sure the students were kept up-to-date about the hiring process has been a priority. As hard as the process may be for students, keeping them updated throughout has made the upcoming changes a little bit easier to handle, according to Filippo. Filippo It may seem like a lot is happening in the theatre department, but Filippo is excited to meet the new professors. The three candidates will start teaching workshops for the students in March. A final decision should be made by the end of the school year. Though the process may be scary, the department is hopeful that with every new professor, a whole different set of skills is brought to the table. “Every new person brings in something that you didn’t have before,” Filippo said. According to Filippo, the department looks forward to working with the new professors, but will miss the ones leaving this year.
Every new person brings in something that you didn’t have before.
February 1
Medical Assistance Transportation of patient was required at Krannert.
February 1
Damage to Property Offenses Damage to property was reported at the Moon parking lot.
February 1
Investigations A harrassment complaint was investigated at Krannert.
February 4
Animal Control Animal control was called to Frost Chapel.
February 6
Fire Alarms Fire alarms occured in Centennial Hall and West Mary Hall.
Berry College Campus Safety For emergencies, call (706) 236-2262 For non-emergencies, call (706) 368-6999
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Thursday Feb. 8, 2018
OPINIONS
Our View: Activism and advertising don’t mix Dodge Ram unveiled a controversial poorly-timed, it was misdirected. Dodge 30-second commercial this past Super used a speech meant to inspire selflessness Bowl Sunday. Using a time slot which sells and service to sell overpriced trucks. The for upwards of $5 million, the ad quickly tactic of comparing the driver of a Ram faced backlash for truck to soldiers in the understandable We should be wary of US military, parents and reasons. The teachers clearly flew m i s d i r e c t e d companies which strive under the radar of anyone advertisement uses a in the Ram marketing speech given by Dr. who has any to woo us by using social department Martin Luther King, idea of what service really Jr. to sell their trucks. means. Using a montage movements which have Service isn’t driving a of emotional videos Dodge Ram. A truck does of soldiers returning higher moral standings not do the service that from war, dogs being King stood for. He wanted rescued, fathers than any product they our country to serve one spending time with another. He wanted us their daughters and to respect and do good could ever sell. people volunteering, for our neighbors. He the advertisement seems to imply that by most definitely would not care what kind of buying a Ram truck, you are doing the service mileage or features your truck has. Dr. King emphasized in his rhetoric. Still in the throes of racial unrest, the With the celebration of King’s birthday last thing our country needs right now is to only a week prior, not only was this ad be told by a man like MLK that buying a
“What’s your favorite show on Netflix right now?”
truck will ensure that you’re doing your civic duty for the country. Just this past year NFL players who participated in kneeling during the National Anthem were heavily criticized by the American public and politicians. Kneeling, a form of peaceful protest, would have most likely been eagerly supported by MLK, an abounding supporter of peaceful demonstrations. To use his message to sell a product is in bad taste to say the least. King, a known critic of consumer culture, emphasized the dangers of over-spending and being subject to the ploys of advertisement. How could Dodge have missed this? To completely ignore the opinions and beliefs of such an influential man, only to pick the most desirable lines from a speech to sell a product adds to the amount of disrespect and ignorance of this advertisement. This is not the first time a company has tried to ride the wave of activism to throw their brand into a conversation of social relativism. Last year, Pepsi faced backlash over an ad featuring Kendall Jenner. Standing in the front line of a staged Black Lives
Matter protest, with Pepsi in hand, Jenner laughs alongside other “protestors” in a halfhearted attempt to associate themselves with a movement in which they have no serious involvement. As consumers, it’s important to be aware of how we are being manipulated by the companies that we buy from. We should not be taken advantage of, nor should platforms and causes which strive to bring social justice and improvement. We should be wary of companies which strive to woo us by using social movements which have higher moral standings than any product they could ever sell. We cannot stoop to the level of allowing the greats of human rights and social justice to be swept into the world of marketing. MLK, and others alike, did not speak, protest, or work so hard for our country, only to be remembered by the products their voices and words eventually would be used to sell. The Carrier’s editorial opinion represents the views of the senior members of the Campus Carrier and Viking Fusion news staff.
“Black Mirror.”
“The Train to Busan.”
junior
freshman
Amanda Caito
Nathanael Williams
Be more intentional with your time
LEXIKAY STOKES opinions editor
For many of us, be it your freshman or problem set brings you the same amount of senior year, second semester has come at joy as a cup of coffee with a friend. You’re us like a ton of bricks. Whether or not you also lying if you say you would rather spend think January lasted a whole year, or only a meal huddled over your desk than across seemingly three days, the semester is in from someone in conversation. It’s so easy full swing and it isn’t letting up. to put our friendships off to the side for the It’s easy to get bogged down by the sake of our GPA, but that tendency often weight of your work causes more problems load and forget to do down the road than Even when you have later things like socialize you might expect. and maybe eat on a I’ve realized this normal schedule. Late no spare time on your year the importance of nights in the library allocating my time to be and afternoons filled hands, it’s imporant to the most efficient, but with notebook pages also the most considerate and Word documents find even the smallest about what I’m choosing seem to be the norm. to do in my few spare In the midst of all this, moments to be human. hours. when you think you Sure, I would love to have the least time spend my time between to do anything, it’s more important to be classes and work watching Netflix and intentional. often, I do. But what I’ve learned is Yes, obviously have a responsible that those few hours between other work schedule which fits the requirements responsibilities can be used to invest in of your classes, but I’m talking about people. more than that. I’m talking about being College isn’t supposed to be four years intentional with people. Be intentional of stress and school work (even if it feels with things that you really enjoy doing. that way sometimes.) It’s supposed to be a You’re lying if you say you’re o-chem time of growth not only in your academics,
but also your relationships. If we all were supposed to just avoid our social lives for the sake of our school work, we all would have stayed home and opted for online schooling. The thing is, even when you feel like you have no spare time on your hands, it’s important to find even the smallest moments to be human. I’m having one of those weeks now. It seems like everything that could happen this week is happening, and I most definitely began this week thinking of kicking my roommates out and locking myself in my room. However, if I had done that, I would probably be worse off. We need people. We need those small moments of friendship and companionship. Even in our most hectic of weeks, it is so important to sit back and be intentional with your time. Your friends care about you, they want to see you. Time with them can help you more than you know. So, next time you’re debating just grabbing a to-go box and eating in your dorm to do some work or staying in on a Saturday night to get ahead for the week coming up, think about the other ways that time could be spent.
The
Campus Carrier EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Avery Boulware NEWS EDITOR Jessie Goodson DEPUTY NEWS EDITOR Cassie LaJeunesse FEATURES EDITOR John Catton ASST. FEATURES EDITOR Leo Narrison ARTS & LIVING EDITOR Jameson Filston ASST. ARTS & LIVING EDITOR Kendall Aronson OPINIONS EDITOR Lexikay Stokes SPORTS EDITOR Claire Voltarel ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Chris Ferguson COPY EDITOR Michaela Lumpert GRAPHICS EDITOR Leo Narrison ONLINE EDITOR Kaitlan Koehler PHOTO EDITOR Bailey Albertson
HQ can teach us about activism
ASST. PHOTO EDITOR Katie Sweeney
CLAIRE VOLTAREL sports editor
Twice a day, I and over storm, increasing their millions one million “HQties” tune of participants each show and in for a mere 15 minutes to continuing our societal need for test our knowledge on topics instant gratification with little from anatomy, to business, to stakes. The only requirement is history. Our motivation? Prize downloading the app. money won If small from useless financial HQ serves as a information incentives and luck. basic lesson: if you and bragging HQ, the rights are all it live trivia want people to do takes to unite game show, millions of appears at 3 people every p.m. and 9 something for you, single day, p.m. daily. companies and F o r m e r make it about them. orga nizations comedian may have and internet celebrity Scott found a simple solution to raise Rogowsky prompts 12 awareness. Imagine if each HQ questions to the audience which show was supporting a cause get increasingly more difficult. like cancer research or mental Those to answer all questions health awareness. During their correctly split the cash prize of Super Bowl Half Time game, $2,500 dollars. their message would have HQ has taken the country by spread to over two million
people in just the two minutes it takes to log into the game. This cause-driven mission could benefit HQ in return. With a good cause attached to the show, it is likely a larger number of people would have attempted the game. Additionally, companies sponsoring the game could contribute to the cash prize, also increasing the likelihood of a larger turnout. Organizations would have the opportunity to match, double, etc. the amount the individuals win and donate the funds to their specific mission. HQ serves as a basic lesson: if you want people to do something for you, make it about them. This idea is found in movements like the Ice Bucket Challenge or any cause involving a social media post. The participation is
“The Crown.”
“Gilmore Girls.”
junior
senior
Daryon Smith
Garrison Bemis
unconsciously about our own image as much as it is about the promotion of the cause. If we are willing to spend time for the unlikely chance of winning money from guessing to prove something to ourselves or others, attaching additional benefits to someone else boosts our own ego in return. While this perspective is an all-humansare-inherently-evil view, it is important to examine what is working and why. Clearly, HQ is doing something right and their success could lead us to the next big movement. Next time you tune in for another trivia game with “Quiz Daddy”, think about the fact that you and one million other people decided to do the same thing at the same time. If it is that easy to unite a society, we may be able to discover a truth to be used for good.
PHOTOGRAPHER Andrea Hilll PHOTOGRAPHER Luke Koferl PHOTOGRAPHER Lia Batista SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Haiden Widener BUSINESS MANAGER Carson Oakes ASST. BUSINESS MANAGER Bailey Hanner ADVISER The Carrier is published weekly Kevin Kleine
except during examination periods and holidays. The opinions, either editorial or
commercial,
expressed
in
The
Carrier are not necessarily those of the administration, Berry College’s board of trustees or The Carrier editorial board. Student publications are located in 103 Laughlin Hall. The Carrier reserves the right to edit all content for length, style, grammar and libel. The Carrier is available on the Berry College campus, one free per person. (706) 236-2294 campus_carrier@berry.edu
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Thursday Feb. 8, 2018
FEATURES A
Gate of Opportunity
First Generation College Students Reflect on their Berry Experiences
Bailey Albertson | CAMPUS CARRIER
The Gate of Opportunity has been a symbol of hope for Berry students throughout the school’s history.
Marcus Ghee, Senior “A lot of the challenges I have had in the beginning as a first generation college student comes from that a lot parents get to talk about their college experiences with their kids. They can say, ‘I went through this and I did that.’ Often times first generation students don’t get those opportunities. Also, parents sometimes don’t get the challenges that come from combining school, work and social life. For example, if I call my parents about money, they might be like, ‘just manage your money better, it going to be okay, because they don’t understand the finical burden of college combined with academics and work. As a result, I had to build a unique support network of friends, professors and staff. They really made my dream possible. They always were open, they were always willing to help. The community at Berry is incredible. You can’t even walk to library without saying hey to five people. Everybody sees each other as community members.”
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY MARCUS GHEE
Marcus began dreaming for his future at a young age.
Kristian Willingham, Senior
Jared Marcum, Senior John Catton features editor Leo Narrison asst. features editor
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY KRISTIAN WILLINGHAM
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY JARED MARCUM
Kristian (middle) and her family show off their Berry spirit.
Jared (left) pictured with his family.
“It is definitely an amazing feeling to be the first. Where I am from, even though I was never pressured to go to college, but it was always an expectation to go to college. There never was a question my parents wanted to make good grades and go to college. I sometimes felt sorry for my parents because I feel that in the beginning, my parents might have felt embarrassed and disconnected because they never experienced what I was going through. But they support me every way they can. They saw that I wanted to pursue something more and they wanted to see me see it through, even though. I would not only be the first to go to college but also to leave my county. Berry is a great place to come to if your someone like me because it is literally a home away from home for me. It is my hope that I will get to go to college so that my children will be able to have the opportunity to follow their dreams.”
“It feels pretty weird being the first in my family to go to college, because I thought that most everyone had been to college by now. But it is a great privilege to be the first but it was pretty hard. Freshman year was stressful because I felt that I had to do the Marcum family name good, but after a few tests I realized it’s just school. That I just had to do the best I could. It was really hard too because my parents couldn’t relate to what I was doing. It’s not like they don’t have experience, just not applicable experience to what I was going through. They wanted to see me to be able to make big dreams big and accomplish them. Coming to Berry as a first generation student is so much better than other places because everyone knows your name even if they have just met you once.”
Jessica Cotter, Senior
Aaron Morrison, Junior
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY JESSICA COTTER
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY AARON MORRISON
Jessica (middle right) is all smiles with her siblings and parents at her side.
Aaron (middle left) standing with his grandparents and Congressman David Scott when he recieved a nomination to West Point.
“It is really exciting and special to be the first because I get to experience everything about college for the first time. I have nothing to go off of, but that’s fulfilling because I get to make what I want out it. It is a challenge because I had no experience to go off of, but my family is very is very supportive; I talk to my Mom about it every day. They always want to see me succeed. It seems that with a degree, I can now pursue the career I want and now I can help my brother and sister with their education. I couldn’t imagine going anywhere else but Berry. Everyone from your friends to your professors are always really supportive.”
“My parents dropped school for drugs and alcohol. I had to really get past that. It is really easy to look back at what my family has done and get dragged into what they did. But I looked past that for something better and overcame that. It could have been very easy to think to that college is not important because my parents never really valued it. My teachers in school and my grandparents were the ones who got me through by always telling me ‘this too will pass, and ‘if you can take it, you can make it.’ Berry really helped me because of this community, where you might not know them by name but they are always wiling to support me as a family even if at back home I don’t have support. It really encourages me to keep up with school.”
John Catton features editor Leo Narrison asst. features editor
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Thursday Feb. 8, 2018
ARTS & LIVING 2
Thursday Jan. 26, 2017
Atlanta choir features Berry professor lot of people really enjoyed it. “It was cold, but I think our music warmed everyone up,” Neal said. “It warmed their hearts.” The choir sang for an hour, harmonizing and The Orpheus Men’s Ensemble performed at Berry on Sunday afternoon. The ensemble is made filling the space with their music. Some of their up of 27 men from the North Georgia and Atlanta songs were more well-known, such as “Drunken area who meet together and perform several times Sailor” and “Loch Lomond.” “I definitely gained an appreciation for male a year. choirs,” junior Nicole The choir began Harris said. “I hadn’t with 17 members in the expected there to be so group, and is currently much pitch range with all in its third season. It male voices. I enjoyed the has been touring at different tone a choir of various other venues male voices produced.” throughout Georgia for The performance held the past few months. a lot of variety. They Paul Neal, featured pieces from many Associate Professor different countries and in of Music and Director Paul Neal many different languages of Choral Activities, such as German and has been in the choir for two years. He co-directs the ensemble with Russian, and another song which was composed two other educators in the area. They asked him entirely of nonsensical words. “The music was very calming,” sophomore to participate as a director two seasons ago. He Karina Rangel said. “It was a good way to additionally sings in the ensemble. Neal said that this is a great opportunity for his destress.” The choir incorporated humor into their students to see him perform in a similar choir to performance as well. “The Ballad of Little that in which they are taught. “We work very hard with our choirs here and I Musgrave and Lady Barnard” had the audience was very excited for our choir students to see what laughing and absorbed in the storytelling of the piece. There were also comedic parts to the piece hard work can do,” Neal said. The concert was held in Frost Chapel. The heat “Sarah.” “I’m glad that Berry supports the arts,” Neal was not working, but Neal said there was a good turnout and response from the audience, and that a said.
Kendall Aronson asst. arts & living editor
It was cold, but I think our music warmed everyone up. It warmed their hearts.
Andrea Hill I CAMPUS CARRIER The Orpheus Men’s Ensemble from Atlanta performed in Frost Chapel this past Sunday.
Thursday Feb. 8, 2018
ARTS & LIVING
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February 10 Seed Swap
• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. • Chieft ans Museum The Chieftains Museum and Major Ridge Home will be hosting the fifth annual Floyd County Seed Swap. Attendees can share or trade seeds, cuttings, bulbs and plants with other members of the community. This event is free and open to the public.
February 10 Partner Yoga Workshop
PHOTO COURTESY OF 20TH CENTURY FOX Hugh Jackman starred as P.T. Barnum in “The Greatest Showman.” The film won a Golden Globe for best original song with “This Is Me.” It was also nominated for Best Motion Picture and Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture.
‘The Greatest Showman’ is a mixed bag commentary by Jameson Filson Arts & Living Editor
“The Greatest Showman” blew me away in many ways, but it was by no means a perfect show. ”The Greatest Showman” is the origin story of P.T. Barnum’s (Hugh Jackman) circus. It follows the risks he takes to recruit a cast of misfits and start a successful show. However, the movie showed a fantasized version of the show that removed much of the story’s complexity. This resulted in a story that was less interesting than it could have been. I did not plan on going to watch the movie at all, but glowing reviews from friends convinced me to attend the feature. I walked into the theater with high expectations for the music of the show. Not only had I heard great things about the soundtrack, but it was written by Justin Paul and Benj Pasek, who wrote the music for “Dear Evan Hansen” and “A Christmas Story, The Musical.” As far as musical performances go, I was hooked from the first note. The music was part of the reason I went to see the show, so I was not overly surprised by how well it turned out. What did surprise me was the quality of the visuals. The bright colors were riveting, and the dances were crisp and well-executed. The showmanship was very strong, which in many ways fit the subject of the film very well. Every time a song began, I was transported to that world of curiosities and wonder. Performances and CGI combined to create a surreal and fantastical experience; I was
completely drawn in and accepted the crazy scenes as they came. Another area that completely sold me was the acting. Jackman did an amazing job both performing and acting through the dialogue scenes. Philip Carlyle (Zac Efron) and Anne Wheeler (Zendaya) also shone whether they were working out relationship issues while performing on the trapeze or having much more mundane conversations. The cast in general put on a phenomenal performance. Unfortunately, there were some glaring problems with the show. The subject matter was changed heavily to focus more on the aspects of awe and wonder, which came at a heavy cost to the plot. The real story of P.T. Barnum is much more complex than the movie version. Movies should adapt original stories to tell their own, but a lot of the impact was lost in translation. P.T. Barnum takes a lot of risks in the show, which seem to pay off until everything comes crashing down. However, the arc of the show was so predictable that I think almost any audience member could have anticipated the major plot points for the whole movie after watching the first ten minutes. This is not a big deal on its own, but it could have been made into a much more engaging story. Barnum never faces the full weight of the consequences of his decisions, which makes his character a little flat. The subplot of Wheeler and Carlyle’s romance is done better than the rest of the plot, but needed more screen time if the movie wanted to be taken seriously. Their romance was compelling with a great message of equality, but the audience didn’t get to see enough. It may have been that the goal
of the movie was not to be taken seriously, but instead to focus on the showmanship. Either way, the movie missed a big opportunity. Since the risks and plot points lose some of their impact, so do the messages of equality and acceptance. The show had a golden opportunity to focus on the acceptance of the misfits that make up the circus, but they are continually pushed to the side. Even when the plot reaches its climax, the movie focuses on
how the circus members’ struggles affect Barnum. Their plight never reaches a satisfying conclusion, which is disappointing. Overall, it was difficult for me to see past the amazing performances to the shortcomings. The songs were enough to give me the chills, and for that alone the show is worth the admission. However, much like the circus, the movie is a falsehood meant only to entertain. This is a masterfully-executed performance, but nothing more than that.
PLAYLIST:
Be Your Own Valentine PLAY
12 songs, 44 min
TITLE
ARTIST
All By My Self
Céline Dion
Dancing With Myself
Billy Idol
Total Eclipse of the Heart
Bonnie Tyler
With or Without You
U2
Lonely Avenue
Ray Charles
Tears Dry On Their Own
Amy Winehouse
Breakdown
Mariah Carey, Krayzie Bone, Wishbone
Always Something There To Remind Me
Naked Eyes
Boys Don’t Cry
The Cure
Solo Dolo (nightmare)
Kid Cudi
Somebody That I Used to Know
Gotye, Kimbra
Kevin’s Pick: Please Don’t Go
KC and the Sunshine Band
• 5 to 6:30 p.m. • Springstone Yoga Studio Tanaya Larsen will lead a partner yoga class with moves based on trust and communication. The class is $40 per couple at the door.
February 10
Rome Art Coterie February Meeting
• 6 to 8 p.m. • Rome-Floyd County Library The Rome Art Coterie will meet to talk about different styles of art presented by a local or regional artist. The event is free.
Febrary 11
Valentunes VI - What’s Old Is New Again • 4 to 5:15 p.m. • Rome Welcome Center Rome’s 50-member community chorus, The Three Rivers Singers, will present “Valentunes for Valentines VI – What’s Old Is New Again.” The concert is free and open to all.
February 16 Arbor Day
• 11 a.m. to noon • State Mutual Stadium The City of Rome Tree Board will host an Arbor Day event where attendees will plant a tree. The event is free.
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Thursday Feb. 8, 2018
SPORTS
Thursday Feb. 2, 2017
Berry shot-put thrower nationally ranked shot-put, my idol is Michelle Carter. She’s an American and having a sense of family.” Olympic thrower who won the gold medal in the last summer Being a student athlete has been a balancing act for Olympics.” Leggett, but it’s not anything she’s not She goes on to explain how her success used to. As Berry’s sports teams continue to excel, one studentin the indoor season of Track and Field came “It’s hard,” said Leggett. “It’s not athlete has managed to garner national recognition for her easy at all, but I’ve been doing this exceptional performance in her sport. Sophomore Genesis a surprise. “The indoor season has given me a much since high school. I played 5 sports in Leggett is currently ranked 24th in the nation for the indoor further start than I was at high school so its not like I’m not used shot-put event, according to the last year,” Leggett said. “I to it. Sports can help give me some NCAA DIII U.S. Track and Field and didn’t really expect to be relief if not really focused on school Cross Country Coaches Association competing in indoor as well at the moment. At the same time, if I (USTFCCCA). She is one of the few as I am this season and was am trying to get a certain throw on a sophomores in Division III that have really training for next year. certain week it can definitely add some been listed in the top 30 rankings. Genesis Leggett I guess I’m a little ahead of pressure on me.” Despite this honor, Leggett aspires schedule,” she said with a Leggett plans to further her athletic for more. chuckle. abilities and aspires to become an All“I’m just trying to get to that Leggett had offers from athletic programs American athlete. number-one spot,” Leggett said. other than Berry, but the facilities and sense “Once I get that, I really don’t know what’s next,” Leggett Genesis Leggett She was able to reach this point of family attracted her to Berry. said. “I’m just going to keep growing and see how far I can in her career through hard work and “I definitely liked the facilities,” Leggett go with it.” dedication. The NCAA Division III indoor track and field “I’ve just been working out, listening to my coach on said. “I liked how my coach really emphasized that he wants all of the drills that he suggests for me to do,” Leggett said. the team to be an actual team because track is more of an championships wil be held in Birmingham, Ala. on March 9 “I also study other throwers who I want to throw like. For individual sport. He really emphasizes us coming together and 10. The outdoor season will begin on March 15.
Chris Ferguson asst. sports editor
“My main goal is All-American recogition.”
“I’m just trying to get to that number-one spot.”
Have an opinion? Send a letter to the editor!
Email the editor at campus_carrier@berry.edu
SPORTS
Thursday Feb. 8, 2018
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Sports writer Bob Ryan inspires Berry students Claire Voltarel Sports Editor
During his visit to campus, the legendary sports columnist and television contributor Bob Ryan made an impression on the Berry community through his experience and passion for sports journalism.
Bob Ryan has been changing the field of sports writing for over 44 years, as a columnist for The Boston Globe, author of 14 books and frequent guest on TV and radio shows such as “Pardon The Interruption” and “Around the Horn.” His love and talent for sports writing have been recognized with his multitude
of national awards, including the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association National Sportswriter of the Year, which he has won four times. During Ryan’s visit to Berry on Berry Feb. 1 and 2, he hosted a lecture, spoke to communications classes, met with students, and attended the basketball game to
PHOTO COURTESY OF LEIGH HADAWAY Bob Ryan called the halftime play-by-play at Friday’s basketball game against Rhodes with juniors Adekale Ande and Townsend Stewart. The Vikings beat the Lynx 92-80.
add to his goal of attending games at 200 different stadiums. At each event he attended, Ryan’s charisma and passion for journalism was evident. “Nobody was more predestined to do something like writing sports than I was,” Ryan said at his lecture Thursday evening. “That was just the way I was programmed.” Experiencing his wisdom firsthand were juniors Adekale Ande and Townsend Stewart, who gave the play-by-play coverage with Ryan at the halftime show of the Vikings basketball game against Rhodes College on Friday night. “I learned a lot from him in just the short amount of time he was here.” Ande said. “They were definitely some moments I’ll never forget.” According to Ande, Ryan expressed infectious enthusiasm and was impressed by Berry players and a Rhodes strategy that he had never seen before. “He loves to be in the moment, which is really cool to feel that energy from him, even if it’s a Division III basketball game,” Ande said. Ryan further showed his excitement for the game by
tweeting about his experience. “There’s so much more fun basketball beyond D1. Saw Berry’s Caleb Johnson and Elijah Hirsh put on a show vs. Rhodes tonight,” Ryan said on Twitter. Throughout his visit, Ryan offered several pieces of advice to students looking to pursue sports journalism as a career. Many noted the most compelling guidance was to stay true to one’s values through times of change. “You can’t please them all, and you shouldn’t,” Ryan said. “If you don’t ever take a stand, you aren’t a good columnist.” Ryan noted many differences between the way he grew up learning sports and how sports are presented to individuals now, due to social media and constant sports coverage. According to Ande, Ryan said it is vital to go with the flow of change and continue moving forward; but regardless of change, sports did and always will provide a feeling unlike any other form of entertainment. “Nothing else provides that rush,” Ryan said. “I don’t know how you can live a life and tell me it’s a full life without sports.”
Baseball falls to Maryville in season opener
The Maryville Scots beat the Vikings 11-3 in the first game of their season on Tuesday afterrnoon. The team lined up against Maryville’s Christian Poulser, who earned the win after scattering three hits, throwing three strike outs, and not allowing a single run. Berry’s Dylan Beasley walked to cut Maryville’s 2-0 lead in half , and the Vikings scored again when Devin Posts’s single to shortstop sent home Quinn Smith to tie up the game in the bottom of the second. However, the Scots fought back to and put up 4 runs in the fifth inning. An error moved Maryville up one more before their own Johnny Carpenter hit a grand slam in the sixth. Berry’s Tyler Calvert hit an RBI in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Vikings their final run of the game. Berry finished with a total of eight hits, Maryville having 12. The Vikings will face Emory & Henry on Saturday, Feb. 10 in a doubleheader starting at noon.
RIGHT: Berry junior Casey Whitaker (right) and the Vikings faced Maryville’s Christian Poulser, who served as the Scot’s five-inning relief.
Luke Koferl | CAMPUS CARRIER
Find more stories and Carrier archives online at
Thursday Feb. 8, 2018
ROME CITY CLOCK TOWER
SNAPSHOTS
Just behind Broad Street, the Rome clock tower is an amazing place to explore or watch a sunset. Many Romans walk by every day without realizing the history behind the landmark. The clock was made in Boston, Massachusetts by the E. Howard Clock Company and was shipped to Rome in October of 1872. The clock itself is 9 feet in diameter, the minute hand alone is over 3 feet longs. The bell was made in West Troy, New York by the Meneely Bell Foundry out of authentic bronze. Since then, the bell has been functioning with only one modern replacement of a motor. The landscape and foundations have also been kept up, making this a picture-perfect stop. Bailey Albertson | CAMPUS CARRIER
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