The Iron Blade - Vol.67 Issue 4

March 25, 2022 Vol. 67, Issue 4

Editorial

Body Shaming

Taxing Endeavor

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For the first time in two years, Ferrum College’s annual event, Empty Bowls, was brought back to the community on March 13 in the Blue Ridge Mountain Room on campus.

Prior to that, the most recent Empty Bowls took place Nov. 2020, but due to COVID-19 protocols, the community could only come in by appointment.

This year, however, the room was packed with people, bowls, and appreciative patrons.

“It was something that I had hoped to be a part of while I was at Ferrum to give back to the community here that I fell in love with, and the event completely exceeded my expectations,” Madison Cogle, senior, said.

This was one of the first events that has taken place on

Panther Packs Program.

The Panther Packs Program helps students at Ferrum Elementary School who live with food insecurity. The schools are able to help during the week, but the weekend is where Panther Packs come into play.

In the program, backpacks are filled with food that should last throughout the weekend and are given to students who inform the school that they need it.

“There is no application process, and the backpacks are generic, so no one knows who is taking advantage of the program. It’s important to ensure that our children are getting enough to eat, but their dignity is equally important,” Franklin County Public School’s School Board Chair Julie Nix said.

The Panther Packs Program was founded in 2009 by former Ferrum Elementary School Principal Marcie Altice. Fredericksen was the PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) President at the time, and the two worked together during the program’s inception.

Since Altice’s passing, the program has been run by Martha Puckett, who is the branch manager of Tri-Area Community Health.

For its part, Empty Bowls has been an annual event at the college since 2010 and was originated by (at the time) Ceramics Professor Jeff Dalton, Environmental Science Professor Glen Stevens, and Fredericksen. Throughout the years, David Eichelberger joined the team as the new ceramics professor when Dalton left, along with Jacob Smith, head of the Art Department, joining. This then led to Josh Manning coming in as the new ceramics professor after Eichelberger left.

During production, Dalton and Stevens contacted Fredericksen, wondering to whom they were going to donate the funds. Fredericksen then informed them of the

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By Lindsey M. Foster Editor

campus since the mask mandate was changed to optional as of Fri., Mar. 11.

With officials estimating more than 300 attendees, the Village of Ferrum was able to come together and socialize in a community setting.

“I’ve gone to the event for many years. I love pottery and enjoy the creativity of the bowls at the event. The bonus is it is a great cause!” Franklin County Public School’s Social Studies Teacher Mark Hatcher said.

At Empty Bowls, everyone who attended purchased a handmade ceramic bowl for $10, 15 for Ferrum students, and received a bowl of soup, bread, dessert, and drink.

Attendees also had an opportunity to participate in a silent auction.

Throughout the year, it was a team effort to compile the event. It was a joint collaboration between Professor Nell Fredericksen’s ceramics courses, community groups, professional potters, and the Blue Ridge Potters Guild.

When all of them came together, they created about 200 bowls a day with the help of professional potters, and they turned out about 50 bowls a day with the help of community groups.

The goal each year is to have a minimum of 400 bowls.

This year, the total was 491.

Bowl donations, items for the silent auction, and money are provided by different people and groups throughout the region, including church groups, families, honor society students, and potters.

Fredericksen donated pieces of her own pottery for the silent auction, which were all created at Sugar Grove Studio.

The main display of the silent auction was a large bowl created by Fredericksen and Jennifer Mulligan, which was won for a bid of $225.

Upon conclusion, Empty Bowls accumulated for the first time ever more than $10,000 that will go toward the

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At left, Ceramics Professor and local artisan Nell Fredericksen addresses the crowd at Empty Bowls on March 13 in the Blue Ridge Mountain Room.

Above left and right, community members line the tables looking for the perfect piece to add to their collections. This was the first Empty Bowls since November of 2020.

(Photos by Lindsey M. Foster)

215 Ferrum Mountain Rd., Ferrum, VA 24088

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Ferrum College

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IBlade@Ferrum.edu

Record Breaker

Haitian Station

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The Iron Blade

March 25, 2022

Word On The Street: If You Made a New Year’s Resolution, Did You Keep it?

Compiled By Staff

“My resolution was to start lifing weights again, but I did not stick to that resolution.”

-- Devin Hansen, Senior

“I didn’t have a New Year’s resolution... I never stick to it.”

--Ryan Gobble, Senior

“Actually, I think that this is the first year that I didn’t make a New Year’s resolution.”

--Chelsea Zizzi, Senior

“Yes. I am trying to better myself in what I do.”

-- Kristina Cossa, Junior “I did not make a New Year’s resolution.”

-- Davis Yeamen, Freshman

“Mine was to read more—for pleasure. My goal is 77 books for the year, and I’ve just been working towards it. I’m making pretty good progress.”

--Ashley Minnick, Senior

“Yes, but it is kind of hard for me to keep up with it.

However, I am trying to lead up to it slowly.”

-- Shela Muriel, Senior

Every year, as January approaches, people consider beginning a New Year’s resolution. Different resolutions can include losing weight, becoming more organized, or quitting a bad habit.

Once the new year begins, people either decide to continue with their resolutions or quit after a few weeks or months if what they had for their resolution does not have the results everyone thought they would receive.

In the beginning, people are usually excited to get their resolutions started and are motivated to start a “new life” for themselves.

But studies show that most people who undertake a resolution lose that steam around month three.

“I think New Year’s resolutions are a fun way to start out a new year with some new goals, but I do just take them with a grain of salt. My goals are always changing throughout the year, so if I don’t stick to my resolutions, I don’t really worry about it,” senior Grace Howell said.

Some think it is a great thing to have a resolution, while others believe they are not useful, since some do not stick with their pledges longer than a few weeks or months.

“Others argue it’s a waste of time since most resolutions fail by midMarch,” Katie Milkman wrote for CNN. People who set their resolution(s) can be devout for a few days, a week, or a few months, but some eventually stop whenever they find the resolution difficult.

Others could have an on-and-off relationship with the resolution that they set, but that could still not make them feel successful.

I believe that New Year’s resolutions are not exactly something that could be everyday consistent throughout the entire year, but rather be a thought in the back of your mind to remind yourself about the goal you set for yourself.

A study has been done to show how consistent people are with their New Year’s resolutions.

“Seventy-seven percent maintained their pledges for 1 week but only 19% for 2 years,” write John C. Norcorss nad Dominic J. Vanhgarelli for the Journal of Substance Abuse.

While New Year’s resolutions can be difficult to maintain, they can be inspirational in the long run, even if people can slack sometimes.

The slacking could inspire some to get back to what their resolution(s) were.

“Dates like New Year’s, your birthday, and even Mondays--you’re extra motivated to tackle your goals because you feel like you can turn the page on past failures. A fresh start like New Year’s lets you relegate those missteps to a past chapter and tell yourself ‘that was the old me, but the new me will be different,’” Milkman said.

I have never been one to create a New Year’s resolution every year, but rather, I set a goal I want to conquer in the new year and future years to come.

An example from my past experience is that I wanted to be more organized in school and be more active. A few summers ago, I received an academic weekly planner. After a few weeks of using the planner my sophomore year here, it became part of my daily routine to check it.

Plus, it was a Harry Potter planner, so that made me enjoy it even more!

This year, I made a goal for myself to receive all of my monthly awards on my Apple watch through the fitness app, and so far I’m sticking to it!

While New Year’s resolutions are difficult to keep consistent in your schedule, you can always come back to it after slacking off; you just need to find the inspiration to start up again and remember why you did it in the first place.

“You can’t accomplish anything if you don’t attempt it, and a lot of goals worth achieving can be tricky to nail the first time around,” Milkman said.

March 25, 2022 Vol. 67, Issue 4

Ferrum College

Ferrum College 215Mountain FerrumRd.Mountain 215 Ferrum Ferrum, VA 24088 VA 24088 Ferrum, IBlade@Ferrum.edu IBlade@Ferrum.edu

Editor: Lindsey M. Foster Assistant Editor: Marina J. Powell Sports Editor: Cody Gibson Social Media Editor: Refentse Maselwa

Staff: Kayla Anderson Monzelle Campbell Bella Eddy Charles “C.J.” Hughes Caroline King Anna Rymer

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Cartoonist: Katrina Anderson Advisor: David B. Campbell

The Ferrum College Iron Blade Newspaper is a student-written, student-managed, and studentproduced newspaper. Opinions do not necessarily express the views of all students or the staff.

Letters may be emailed to IBlade@ferrum.edu.

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March 25, 2022

The Iron Blade

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Exploring the Academic Calendar Is the most recent model the best version for students and faculty?

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Commentary by Anna Rymer

Creating the perfect academic calendar is no easy feat. However, this year’s academic calendar is pretty close to perfect, especially for today’s college students.

The college’s calendar is quite different from traditional college calendars, as students are granted unusually lengthy winter and summer breaks between semesters.

The extended winter break allows students who live out of state ample time to visit their families over the holidays.

“As an athlete, it’s hard for me to travel home, and being from Colorado it’s hard for my family to travel here for our games, so I go months without seeing them. Having the long break gives us the right amount of time to see each other,” said Sami Kircher, a freshman volleyball player from Greeley, CO. Having almost two months of winter break also gives students time for extended work opportunities between semesters, said Kevin Reilly, Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Katherine Grimes, Professor of English, added onto that point.

“If you like a long winter break, you get that. If you like a long summer, you get a long summer. And for people who need to work, that’s probably a good thing,” she said.

Grimes realizes that there are benefits and drawbacks of every calendar, and this one is no different, but another key aspect of long breaks between semesters is the chance to take extra online classes.

“If a person flunks a class in the fall, they are able to retake the class over the winter break, or take something else in order to graduate on time,” she noted.

This is vital for students who need to retake a class and don’t have time to wait a whole semester or entire year for the opportunity to take it again.

“We also added a lot of classes in the summer, which helps students get ahead and graduate early or take remedial courses they need,” Grimes said.

The opportunity for students to take winter and summer courses online--and have enough break time to do so--is a recent development. Students can save time and money by taking classes online in the winter and summer, potentially graduating ahead of others.

While not everyone is going to be happy with any calendar, this one checks off many boxes for students here.

“Ultimately, we want the academic calendar to be the best fit for students, with the right amount of breaks during and between semesters. We hope that is what we developed for 2022-2023,” Reilly said.

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Commentary by Marina J. Powell

This year’s schedule, while shorter, isn’t necessarily better.

Previously, the college used a schedule that included more breaks, ending the school year in May. This year, classes end in April.

While this might seem like a shorter schedule, and therefore less work, the benefits are fewer.

Working hard is important. But when hard work is concentrated into a short amount of time, stress levels rocket skyward.

Without taking breaks to breathe and catch up on classes, athletics, and life in general, a schedule can jump to number one in the list of stressors.

Finding time to spend with family or friends can be equally difficult and an incentive for worry.

Being busy isn’t always the same as being productive. Working so hard on so many things without interruption can result in lower quality work and struggles to keep up with a constant barrage of homework.

Fitting in relaxing activities to take one’s mind off of the work is harder and harder—because the work drowns out everything else, and there is no room to breathe.

And if a student gets behind, there’s no pleasant day off or spring break long enough to catch up and spend time participating in fun or relaxing activities.

Instead, when a small break occurs, students may spend it finishing homework instead of actually taking a break from anything.

Because there are few opportunities to travel, when students do need to leave campus, they may be unable to schedule it on one of the few breaks. This leads to higher class absences, and although Zoom is a fair substitute, it can’t fix everything.

While missing class, students are more likely to forget homework assignments with all the extra things going on, and it is possible that they will fall behind.

So even though this year’s schedule is different, it isn’t necessarily better. It is the difference between running at a sprint and running a longer distance at a slow pace.

Usually, the one that pays off the most is the slower, steady persistence instead of breakneck speed that leaves the students winded, depleted, and therefore stressed and unmotivated.

The best-case scenario would be a hybrid between the previous and current models. Students and faculty would experience the best of both worlds.

Basketball Game Turns to Shame, Embarrassment

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Commentary

By Bella Eddy

It was my first college basketball game.

The crowd was wild, the players light on their feet.

One basket. Then another. Then a layup.

But the one thing that threw me off about the whole experience was the Unsportsmanlike conduct. Not from the players, but from members of the group of students who sat behind me.

It was appalling to say the least. At first it was funny, the taunts were light-hearted and mostly toward the referees.

But then it got worse.

The taunts began to become more and more malicious as the game intensified. It shocked me the things that they yelled.

But the one thing that I remember the most from that night was the taunt to one of the players that he should hit the weight room.

I was floored.

How could they say that?

Even more, how could they say that out loud, within hearing distance from the player, his coach, and even his teammates!

I was embarrassed, but not for myself, for the bullies who sat behind me.

The two major problems I had with my experience was the fat-shaming and unsportsman-like behavior from the students behind me. Both go hand in hand in this situation.

Unsportsman-like conduct happens all the time but that does not make it okay,

and fat-shaming players is as unsportsman-like as it can get.

The fact that it was coming from a group from our home team is also what makes this a big deal.

Not only that, the comments were coming from women athletes on a team here.

Wow! Usually, when we hear about body shaming, it’s a societal issue where men are blamed for shaming women.

To have those roles reversed, when women are generally victims in this issue, is more than unsettling.

I imagine that had the male students in the audience been shaming a female athlete, there would have been a far bigger outcry--or an outcry at all.

Try something. Right now.

Google “Body Shaming” and click on images.

Look at the images.

Ninety-nine percent of them are images of women. Not men. So while this issue is focused mainly on women, it’s obvious there is a male counterpart to it.

We are adults. Or at least we’re supposerd to be. We are in college, and we should know that there is a difference between playful taunts and intentional bullying.

What was said to the player and team should not have been said, and if the roles had been reversed, I’m sure the mood would be a lot different.

According to BullyingStatistics.org, almost 94 percent of young females and 65 % of young males have been subjected

Body shaming for male athletes is just as real as with females.

(Photo illustration by Bella Eddy) to body shaming.

The statistics show that male athletes are just as susceptible to body shaming as women, and some argue it could even be assumed that the statistics for male body shaming is higher because of the lack of awareness and urgency to solve the issue.

“You can’t control what people are gonna say… It’s not something that is widely discussed,” Men’s Basketball Coach Tyler Sanborn said.

He is correct on two fronts.

First, we cannot control what other people say.

But we can control what we say.

Second, it obviously is something that is not discussed much.

The Iron Blade reached out to both the player and coach at Lynchburg about the incident.

Neither replied. Small wonder.

Fun is fun--but there is a limit.

This piece is not meant to complain or whine; it is to show that both men and women experience body shaming in sports.

It was not okay what they said, and it is not something that people should tolerate in sports, whether it is on or off the court.

Sports is a way to bring whole communities together and encourage each other to be their best.

When you have something like what I experienced happen, it makes it unenjoyable and may even deter some people from coming back again.

The game was phenomenal; the group behind me was not, and this is not called a sensitive topic; it is called just being a decent person.

It costs nothing to control what you say, and it costs even less to be kind.

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The Iron Blade

March 25, 2022

Students Volunteer for Taxing Endeavor

By Marina J. Powell Assistant Editor Volunteers comprised of students and staff, are helping community members file taxes and apply for returns.

Sadie Wallace, Assistant Professor of Accounting, coordinates this service and the volunteer opportunities.

“We service the Ferrum College community along with partnering with an organization in Rocky Mount named STEP, Inc., to also service their clients in Franklin and Patrick Counties,” Wallace said.

The program allows students and community members to drop off papers or submit them securely online, where volunteers will prepare the taxes and prepare returns.

The college also partners with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), which is an IRS-sponsored program that is gaining more clients and participants.

“We have averaged a little over 400 returns a year for the last five tax seasons. So far this season, we have almost serviced 100

individuals since the last week in January. We have expanded our services to include STEP's Patrick County office this year, as in years past, we have only serviced their Rocky Mount office. We have also partnered with the college's alumni office to service past Panthers if they would like to utilize our program,” Wallace explained.

The program runs January through April, with volunteers located in Beckham 306. Hours are from 9 to 4 and open to students, community, and alumni.

“Our success is reflected in the amount of returning clients that we have every single year.

We have clients that have been serviced by us for years and continue to come back year after year. I also think that the fact that other free tax prep sites have referred clients that they cannot serve to us also speaks volumes to the quality of service that we provide. Many of our new clients are from word of mouth of satisfied customers,” said Wallace.

Many students in the accounting department enjoy helping with the program to learn new skills and serve the community.

From left, Ali Austin, junior, and Allison Setlak, junior, prepare free tax returns for eligible community members. (Photo by Marina J. Powell) “I initially joined the program to learn how to do taxes, but I feel that I’ve gained a lot of experience in the short term I’ve been doing it,” said Alexandra Christoff, sophomore.

The volunteer response includes more than just students.

“This year, it is me, over 30 Ferrum College students, three outside volunteers (including

College drops mask mandate

Sandy Pagans, Senior Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Health Professions and Social Sciences and the Dean of Arts and Sciences, removes “Mask Required” signs from buildings around campus. (Staff Photo)

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Compiled by Staff

Nearly two years after the college imposed a mask mandate for all students, staff, and visitors, it has been announced that the campus is at zero cases for COVID-19 and has been for several weeks.

“With the return of students from spring break, we have not seen any

transmission,” Angie Dahl, Vice President for Student Development and Campus Life, said in an email. “Additionally, Franklin County has officially moved to a ‘moderate’ zone of transmission, where according to CDC guidelines, masking is optional.”

On Fri., March 11, at 5 p.m., campus administration announced that masking is now optional for all settings on campus.

“Faculty, staff, and students are all asked to quarantine and/or isolate moving forward if they experience symptoms of COVID-19 and/ or obtain a positive test result,” Dahl said. “Students will also be told that we are suspending the interim pandemic prevention expectations in the student handbook starting at 5 p.m.”

Dahl noted that staff members can still request that individuals utilize masks in personal office spaces and classrooms.

“If you would like to require masks in your office space or classroom, please... request additional disposable masks for visitors in your office or classroom to utilize should they need one,” Dahl said.

Vice President for Academic Affairs, Kevin Reilly, praised the way the campus came together the past two years.

“While I’m sure everyone is ready to get rid of the masks, I want to commend faculty, staff, and students for their continued dilligence throughout the pandemic,” he said. “Those efforts allowed us to keep our campus open and safe. I appreciate how everyone came together during such a difficult, confusing, and scary time.”

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my mother), and several staff members at STEP all working together during the tax season to prepare returns and assist taxpayers,” Wallace explained.

These volunteers say they enjoy their work and encourage more people to get involved.

“I would recommend this program to all accounting students because it is a great way to get

Commentary

By Cody Gibson Sports Editor

The Bridgewater College community is still mourning the tragic death of two campus police officers, John Painter and J.J. Jefferson, who were shot and killed.

“They were known as the dymanic duo with Painter even serving as the best man for Jefferson at his wedding,” ABC news reported.

They did what any campus police officer would do, and that is protect the campus from any harm.

James Owens, Chief of Campus Police here, encourages campus safety. He discusses campus safety, how safe the campus is, and how students are responsible to help out with campus safety as well.

Campus safety has become a more important topic within these past few years, and sometimes influences parents' and their children’s choice for college.

Feeling like they don’t have enough protection or they do not feel safe enough can be a major influence on their decision.

“It's an important part of what we do, with our community, policing is not only trying to put out an educational piece,” Owens said.

Besides thier normal duties, officers also wipe tables and lobbies during lunch or dinner time, as welll as host programs such as One Love or Self-Defense Program, which haven't been active recently due to COVID. “Being out and engaging with the community is one of the most important things we do, you see us at football games, gyms all kinds of places to at least engage with

opportunities in the field that we are going into, and it allows us to help the Ferrum community at the same time,” said Cameron Dawson, junior.

On average, Ferrum completes 400 tax returns every season, and the program continues to grow as satisfied customers spread the word and more partnerships are formed.

students to show them they’re not just a person in a uniform and they’re here for the right reasons,” Owens said.

He said the patrols aren't meant to just roam around campus, but they're actually directed patrols, which means they look out for buildings that are usually a problem.

There's more behind it than what it may seem. Everything they do is strictly directed toward the campus, Owens said.

“It’s huge when they come to us with information since there's only eight of us and 800-plus students. And if we’re working 24/7, how many things can we actually watch?” Owens said.

He said it's an extreme honor for them that the parents of the students trust them.

He also said they try to help guide the students since they are becoming young adults.

His motto to remember: “Safety is everyone's responsibility.”

Chandler Breeden, junior, said he believes the campus police are up to the task.

“I feel like they’re pretty trustworthy and keep the campus safe,” he said.

Communication Professor Karl Roeper went on to compliment the response time.

“They’re pretty fast with their response time. It was a couple of years ago when I needed something, and they came in a flash. They also are pretty good at keeping campus safe like after football games doing traffic control.”

If you ever need to contact the Campus police for anything, emergency or not, their number is 540-365-4444.

They’re located on the southeast side of campus on Rt. 40.

March 25, 2022

The Iron Blade

By Anna Rymer “Good vibes,” as student Alyssa Hogan put it, can be found in every corner of the Mindfulness Suite, which houses activities such as restorative yoga, meditation, and a Zen garden available to students and faculty.

The Mindfulness Suite is directed by Jennifer Stallard and overseen by Programming and Outreach Coordinator Lee-Ann O’Dell.

“Mindfulness practice can calm the body’s sympathetic nervous system and help one feel grounded, which is helpful in today’s often-stressful world,” Stallard explained.

O’Dell echoes Stallard’s thoughts, adding that today’s culture is full of stressful stimuli that mindfulness can help lessen.

“Without the tools to calm the nervous system and give our bodies and minds respite, our bodies are continually flooded with stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Over time, that can wreak havoc on our health,” she said.

O’Dell originally taught at the University of Virginia and learned to implement mindfulness practices into her own life, which she is now getting the chance to share her on campus, she said.

“When (students) leave us, we want them to be successful in whatever way they define it, and we also want them to have been introduced to some tools that can help them thrive. Mindfulness practices serve that purpose,” she explained.

PHOEBE NEEDLES CENTER

Page 5

The Mindfulness Suite provides therapeutic services, meditation practices, restorative yoga, and opportunities for creative exploration.

There has been a strong response to the suite, garnering 150 single uses in the fall semester alone, O’Dell said. Hogan, is among many who have taken advantage of the Mindfulness Suite’s services this year.

“I use the Mindfulness Suite to decompress after stressful meetings or to help Above from right, Jessica Stallard, Director of the Student Counseling Center, takes a myself stay on track,” “breather” and Cassidy Jennell, an intern from Radford University, relaxes. (Courtesy photo) Hogan said.

Hogan added that fulness practice, I have noticed a tendency Monday-Thursday for students, and from the suite could help people stay centered to feel overwhelmed and overstimulated 12-1 p.,m. Monday-Thursday for faculty and focused, especially during stressful by stressors,” she said. in, Room 214. times.

Each person’s needs are different, and “Our hope is to be able to extend the “I would recommend going there mindfulness sessions are constructed to fit hours so that students have greater access because even if you feel like the most each user’s needs. to the suite,” O’Dell stated. balanced person in the world, it is still “What I try to do is ask each person Upcoming yoga classes will be held in an awesome place with good vibes and who comes to me about the environmental the sanctuary of Vaughn Chapel at 7 p.m. resources,” she said. conditions that are optimal for relaxation. on March 21 and April 18.

Stallard believes that when people fail to Everything is tailored from there,” she If anyone would like to book an appointmaintain mindfulness, it can have adverse said. ment to the Mindfulness Suite or has any effects on the body and mind.

The Mindfulness Suite is open in Basquestions, please contact Lee-Ann O’Dell “In times when I have neglected mindsett Hall from 10-12 p.m. and 2-4 p.m. lodell@ferrum.edu.

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Chrysalis Staff Hosts Evening Coffee House

By Marina J. Powell Assistant Editor Last month, students and faculty were invited to share creative talents with an audience in the Panther’s Den. The staff of the Chrysalis Literary and Arts Magazine hosted an open mic event where anyone could read poems or short stories and even present musical pieces.

“The event was lovely. I especially enjoyed the original poems and songs, as well as the poems Justin Muse read as part of the celebration of Black History Month. Other members of the audience said the same thing,” said English Professor Katherine Grimes, advisor to Chrysalis.

Most seats were full in the Den, and many participated. Grimes, who oversaw the event, was pleased with the results.

“The number of participants was good,” she explained, “I hope we will continue to have coffee houses.”

Chrysalis staff will be hosting another event March 31 at 8 p.m. Anyone who would like to share is strongly encouraged to do so.

Even those who do not wish to present can come and watch performances and readings over a late dinner or evening snack.

According to Grimes, willingness to share creative pieces is something to be applauded.

“Singing and reading in front of people takes courage, and I admire that,” Grimes said.

Scout Lynch, English major, reads on original piece at the Chrysalis Coffee House in the Panther’s Den. (Photo by Marina J. Powell)

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The Iron Blade

SPORTS

March 25, 2022

Freshman runner breaks school record

By C. J. Hughes

A new record breaker has emerged. Michael Hamm, Patrick County High School graduate and now college track record holder, recently broke the indoor 400 meter dash record with a time of 50.77 seconds.

Hamm has been running track since the 7th grade.

After being cut from the middle school basketball team, a friend convinced him to try track, and Hamm loved the sport from then on.

“He has transitioned well from being a short sprinter in high school to a 200/400 meter sprinter in college,” said Mark White, Head Track and Field and Cross Country Coach.

As a sprinter in high school, Hamm set six records, all during the sprinting events.

But this record-breaking race was different.

“Honestly I had no true feeling of the record at first,” Hamm said. “The only feeling I had felt was that I wish it could have been better... Going into the race, I was both excited and nervous as I always become before races, but I always feel at my best when I feel that way.”

Hamm’s coach is proud of both the

indivdual and the team’s improvement and continues to encourage their performance and skills.

“The 400 is a new event for Michael,” White said. “He has listened to me and been very coachable on how to run that race. You put that with having a good stretch of practices, and you usually can see good results, and that’s what happened.”

White said that he is pleased with the team’s season as a whole so far.

“We were behind, we came back from the break, and then we had that stretch of bad weather and very cold days. That didn’t help, but things are coming along,” he said.

Aside from running track, Hamm enjoys fishing and being outside.

“I just feel more balanced and mellowed in nature,” he said.

He also said that he loves being on campus here.

“It truly reminds me of home, especially since it’s not that far from home, but that feeling made it a lot easier to get used to being here... The professors truly try to help you and get to know you,” he said.

“Mike has a bright future. He just needs to keep working hard and good things will happen for him,” White concluded.

Freshman runner Michael Hamm stands with his medal after winning the 400 meter dash with a time of 50.77. Hamm’s time earned him the school record for the 400. (Courtesy photo)

Equine Program Suffers Losses

By Caroline King

Senior equestrian competitor Grace Howell circles the ring. (Photo by Caroline King)

Their numbers are thinning, and their cavalry will soon cease to exist. This year, the Equestrian Team will be losing four of its seven team members. With no current interest coming from the recruit side, the team will be left with a rising junior and senior.

“I believe that it is important to focus on the riders that want to be here,” says head coach Margaret Cornwall, “With time, new riders will come.”

For the less-popular sports here, numbers can be all over the place. Some teams lose anywhere from two to six players. While this may impact the team, it is important to stay positive moving forward.

“I hope that we see a lot of recruits in the Fall,” says senior team captain Grace Howell, “I think that the two (riders) left behind will come together and build a strong team.”

The seniors will get one last chance to suit up and ride on March 26 as they compete in both a regular season show and the first day of regionals. One of the four graduating seniors, Hattie Reick, qualified for regionals in the Introductory Class.

“Riding for Ferrum has taught me a lot,” states Reick, “I am really excited for regionals. I hope to make it through to Zones, which is the last step before Nationals.”

As a team captain, Reick assures her teammates that they can come to her with anything, and she says she will be there for them.

“Being a captain is like being a big sister,” says Reick, “I am here to walk my teammates through the solutions to any problems that may arise.”

Each of the four seniors has successfully taken something from being a part of the team and is happy with what it has given them.

“Riding for Ferrum has taught me how to loosen up,” claims senior Caity Richardson.

Richardson joined the team in the fall to de-stress from her studies.

She received her first top-three finish at her first show, finishing in third place. Following this, she received a first-place ribbon during her second

show on the team.

Another senior who has recently received a topthree finish is Casey Craddock. Craddock received her second-place ribbon on Feb. 27, during the University of Lynchburg show.

“Casey is a great teammate,” remarks sophomore Saige Stuart-Hughes, “I was really happy for her.”

With all the lessons that they have learned through the Ferrum riding program, all of the seniors plan to further their riding abilities.

One of the seniors even plans to teach riding after commencement.

“I hope to continue to be involved with horses after I graduate,” says Howell, “I want to teach riding lessons.”

The team has seen several ups and downs. With COVID-19 concerns still in place, the team is slowly trying to get the program get back to where it was.

“I have only gotten to ride for three years at Ferrum,” states Howell, “One of those years we had limited showing because of COVID-19, so that was not good.”

Even with their thinning numbers and their fight against COVID-19, the team relies on one another.

With the guidance of their head coach, the team continues on.

“I think that Margaret has been a great coach,” claims Howell, “She has been so supportive over my three years here.”

The seniors have nothing but good things to say about the team and their coach.

“She helps in every way,” adds Richardson, “She is a great coach.”

The two remaining team members are pleased to have been able to compete with the seniors.

They say they are ready to step into leadership roles in the fall semester and hope to use their positive attitudes to rebuild the team.

“I think that Carol and I will do great things next semester,” remarks Stuart-Hughes, “We are both charismatic and have great attitudes toward the sport.”

March 25, 2022

By Kayla Anderson Staff Writer Experiencing the intensity of the crowd cheering, the coaches yelling, and the ball connecting is when Makayla Fincanon first knew that she was in love with softball.

“Starting with tee ball and getting serious around 10-12,” Fincanon explained, “I couldn't see myself playing another sport.”

The change from being an athlete in high school to college player was stressful at first.

“Will I be good? Will I play? What if I embarrass myself?” she asked herself prior to the first game, “But after the game started, I began to hear the cheers from the crowd. After the first three pitches of my college career they said, ‘Girl, she was out!’”

Off the diamond Fincanon is a political science major and Spanish minor.

She looks to be an activist and advocate for women's sports after college.

“I have the potential to change the world; why not try to?” she said.

The prospect of change inspires her, but closer to home, her father and sister are her biggest inspirations.

“My daddy is who inspires me, because he is my daddy,” Fincanon said. “(He) coached me and shared

The Iron Blade

a bond through softball and kept me guided. Seeing my sister play when I was younger--I really wanted to be like her and play like her.”

Having close inspirations help Fincanon stay on her game.

“When I was younger, my sister was Michael Jordan to me,” she said. “There wasn’t anything that she couldn’t do.”

And now Fincanon wants to be her sister times two and hopefully have younger girls look up to her as well.

Those thoughts keep her guided and focused.

“She is one of the most determined people that I know,” said teammate Bayley Cunningham, senior. “She is always the first person on the field pushing, encouraging everyone, to strive to be the best.”

“She is very hard-headed and hardwilled and determined, the energy that she brings pretty much sets the tone,” said teammate and senior player Caitlyn Wiles. “She is a role model.”

In spite of trying to be encouraging and focused, Makayla has thought about giving up. Every athlete has their ups and downs. While building and perfecting her craft, she has missed out on a lot of activities with family and friends.

“But because I really love what I do, I kept going,” she said.

She also tries to allow humor to

have its place. Fincanon recalled a moment from her youth that helped her build confidence in her game and also learn not to take things too seriously.

“This was my first game, a tee ball game. I was playing first base,” she said, “The girl that was at bat, wasn’t an ordinary girl. Like, she was super big and tall. Kind of like Shaq (O’Neal). She hit the ball super hard for our age, and it went into the field. My teammate ran to get the ball, and she threw it to me. I wasn’t on the base because my teammate really couldn’t throw. But when I caught the ball, I turned around and saw what looked to be one of the creatures from Where the Wild Things Are. I just dropped that ball and ran to my dad. And everyone was laughing at me.”

That humor can help with anxiety and stress of being a leader on the team.

Being a leader can be a very stressful and overwhelming job--and Fincanon puts a good amount of pressure on herself.

“With having the title, you have to care about your peers. But most importantly you have to be the best,” she said. “I have to be the best at what I do. I am very competitive, and if you’re not gonna do anything to the best of your ability then you shouldn’t do it at all,” she concluded.

Page 7

At top, Makayla Fincanon waits for action. At bottom, Fincanon winds up for a pitch.

(Photos courtesy of the Athletic Department)

Driving Range Named for Coach’s Father

President Davd Johns, with scissors on left, and Head Golf Coach Erick Cox, with scissors on right, cut the ribbon for the new driving range facility.

(Courtesy photo)

By Caroline King Staff Writer Beautiful weather set the tone for March 11. As a crowd began to gather around the small, grey shed, smiles reached across the faces.

“I would like to thank everyone that came out today,” said President David Johns as he initiated the ceremony.

The Ferrum College golf teams, along with its Head Coach Erick Cox, prepared to reveal their latest tool, a new driving range. Two of the golfers, Zach Phipps, junior, and Zach Walsh, junior, helped get the project up and running.

“This started off as a practicum project,”

Cox said. “I gave the Zachs a budget and let them run with it.”

While it might have started off as a simple class project, it grew to be more.

“We are one of the only colleges in the ODAC and even DIII to have our own driving range facility on campus,” said Cox. “I am very pleased with the way it turned out.”

There were several members of the college faculty and staff who came out to participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony, including several professors from the science and environmental departments, as well as several other coaches.

There were also several high-ranking members from the community who came

to show their support, such as Supervisor Tim Tatum.

“I was really happy to see so many people come out and support us,” stated senior golfer Hunter Tharpe.

There were many surprises built into the ceremony, one of which was the presence of Cox’s family.

His mother was invited to say a few words, leading to the reveal of a plaque in dedication to Cox’s father.

“I was speechless,” Cox said. “There were a lot of emotions running through my mind. I just couldn’t find the words.”

After all the proper thanks were given, the crowd was invited to participate in a little golf competition, which involved

taking a swing for a chance to get either a campus bookstore gift card or Ferrum Golf merchandise.

“The competition was only open to those with little or no golf experience,” Cox said. “I wanted to give everyone a chance and encourage people to participate.”

For those who were watching the competition, there were snacks and drinks provided by Aladdin Campus Dining.

“I thought the whole thing went really well. I was surprised by the dedication. I cannot explain how much that meant to me,” Cox said. “I think that now that we have the tools, we should utilize them. We can only go up from here.”

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The Iron Blade

March 25, 2022

Entertainment

Panther Briefs Compiled by Staff

From left clockwise: Midoven Lormejuste brings a batch of plantains out of the oven as part of his Haitian Station Takeover. At top left, Lormejuste consults with Aladdin Campus Dining Director Levi Briggs about the meal and its presentation. At top right, Lormejuste scoops out the traditional gravy over rice. (Staff photos)

By Refentse Maselwa Staff Writer Steaming ovens hummed and the kitchen buzzed with laughter and quick movements among the staff. In the background, the clanging of the cutlery against the stainless-steel pots could be heard as a whiff of the sizzling vegetables and fried plantains wafted through the air.

The scene was Ferrum College’s Franklin Dining Hall, lively and bustling as Midoven Lormejuste, freshman, had students coming in to eat what was dubbed “The Haitian Station Takeover”.

Lormejuste, a nursing major and student chef, cooked up a heartwarming meal with his Haitian family recipe of Legum and Diri (rice with bean gravy and legume.)

“The gravy is a tough thing to make. You have to really take care of that one,” he said.

While he worked, he talked about the dish.

“This ingredient requires way too much stuff,” he joked, “If I ever create a time machine, and I go back in time, I’m gonna have to talk to the person who created this dish. There are just too many steps and too many ingredients.”

The idea for the takeover came about when Lormejuste and Aladdin Food Services Director Levi Briggs were joking around.

“I was going around the dining hall making sure stations were ready for service,” Briggs recalled.

“I don’t remember what we were first talking about, but I do remember ‘ML’ (Lormejuste) saying, ‘We should cook Haitian food’, and that rhyme: ‘Haitian Station Takeover’ just jumped into my head.”

Briggs told Lormejuste to pick a dish and bring in the recipe.

“He asked me if I was joking, and I told him, ‘No,’” Briggs said.

“I also told him that he would be responsible for cooking the dish.

‘ML’ stepped up and brought me a recipe. Aladdin bought all the items on the list. We talked about his menu, set a date, and he embraced the challenge.”

All in all, Lormejuste felt the meal went over well.

“The reactions that I got were

amazing!” he said. “Everyone loved it, and I will definitely do it again. I would wanna do better than the first time. I do have other recipes to share, but I would need to think about it.”

Briggs also felt the event came off smoothly.

“It was a great success,” he said.

“We had students trying something new. ‘ML’ did a great job describing and teaching the diners about the recipe’s origin and why that dish was special to him. It opened a door for other students to step up and share food that has meaning to them.”

Jeffrey Maddy, freshman, whose parents are Haitian, also enjoyed the meal and praised its authenticity.

“Spot on!” Maddy said. “I wish Ferrum would do more food like this, like cultural food, because it would be much better for other people to experience it.”

The only drawback to the event, Lormejuste said, was the cutlery.

“One thing that I was upset with was people using forks,” he said.

“Because we weren’t Americans that day, but Haitians.”

Lormejuste qualified the statement, saying that generally, Haitians don’t use the utensil.

“We don’t really use forks

because there is no use for it,” he said. “You were to mix everything up and scoop it to your mouth.”

Traditionally, he said, people use either spoons or their hands.

“It depends on your class in society,” he said.

The “class in society” and growing up in Haiti helped him choose the path of being in the medical field, Lormejuste said.

“I saw that health was the biggest issue we have--and poverty.

I was like, ‘You know what? If I ever have the chance to do better, I need to have the knowledge of being in the medical (field), and hopefully one day, I can go back home and share that knowledge.’

That would make a big impact,” he said.

Meanwhile, the current avenue for getting back home is achieved through the international cooking.

“My hope is that the student is transported back to fond memories, and it shows that we care about them,” Briggs said. “This is one of the wonderful things about America—people come from all over the world and proudly share aspects of their culture.”

Lormejuste agreed.

“I was happy with how the meal came out,” he said. “It tasted like home.”

Annual Event Raises Funds for Panther Packs Program From Bowls, Page 1 Panther Packs program. For 12 years now, the event has helped feed local children and families.

“Because of Empty Bowls, the Panther Packs Program can fully support all of the kids that apply,” Fredericksen said.

This year, Fredericksen, the current ceramics instructor, and Smith collaborated on the event creation.

“It was amazing. I was thinking, ‘There’s either going to be a super turnout, or with us

not having done this for two years, that people were not going to show back up,’” Fredericksen said.

The turnout, however, dashed all fears.

“This was probably one of the best attended, and it is the highest amount of money we’ve ever earned with it,” Fredericksen said.

A major contributor to this event was the Blue Ridge Potters Guild. It has sponsored the event for all 12 years, donated bowls, supplied items for the silent auction, and donated a $1,000 check toward the event this year.

“The generosity of the regional potters to this event is amazing,” Fredericksen said.

If anyone wants to join in to help for the next Empty Bowls or wants to know more about how to help, email Nell Fredericksen at nfredericksen2@ferrum.edu “This event is the culmination of months of work and planning by many people. It’s great to see so many groups and people come together for such a worthy cause that benefits our community,” Ferrum College Vice President for Academic Affairs Kevin Reilly said.

Learn how to craft and tell a story from expert dramatist Rex Stephenson of the Jack Tales Players. Through observation, small group discussion, and hands-on exercises, participants will learn the basics of oral storytelling then be invited to tell a story of their choice before a live audience.

Open to all ages, this free, two-workshop series will be offered at the Franklin County Public Library’s Rocky Mount and Westlake locations. Though the second workshop will build on the first, participants may attend either or both. Registration is not required.

In Workshop #1, participants will view a performance by the Jack Tales Storytellers featuring a folktale from the James Taylor Adams Collection.

Then, folks will learn how to choose, prepare and practice, at home, a story to tell at Workshop #2.

In Workshop #2, attendees will tell their own stories in an informal and supportive setting.

The dates and times are as follows.

Rocky Mount: Thurs., April 7 and Wed., April 20, 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m.

Westlake: Thurs., May 5, and Thurs., May 19, 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

*March 26--The Hunting Ground, P-Den *March 27--Gospel Fest *March 30--Inquiring Minds *March 31--Last Day to Drop with a WP/WF (14-wk, 7-wk classes) *April 1, 2, 3--The Wizard of Oz production April 6--Inquiring Minds *April 15--Easter Break *April 18--Last Day of Classes *April 19-20--Exams *April 22--Baccalaureate *April 23--Commencement