The Iron Blade - Vol. 66 Issue 2

November 16, 2021 Vol. 66, Issue 2

IBlade@Ferrum.edu

Ferrum College

215 Ferrum Mountain Rd., Ferrum, VA 24088

Numerous shrines, gardens and memorials dot the campus, and one guy wants to make sure they are preserved, studied, and appreciated.

Mask Policy

The completed memorial site for Carolyn Thomas overlooks Adams Lake. (Photo courtesy of Bob Pohlad)

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Folklife Festival

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Last May, E-Term students helped enhance the memorial bench site for Carolyn Thomas, Professor Emeritus of Environmental Science. (Photo courtesy of Bob Pohlad)

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Ferrum College is a special place to several for many reasons, and one of the things that makes it unique is the numerous memorials on campus.

These shrines of memory range from gardens to benches to buildings to plants.

Many people are unaware of these places that dot the campus and the histories behind them.

“I think the big thing about these places is they’re places for people to come back to, or sit, or visit campus to remember individuals that have either passed away or meant something,” says Bob Pohlad, retired Professor Emeritus of Environmental Science.

Pohlad designed a memorial bench for his wife, Carolyn Thomas, also a former Professor Emeritus of Environmental Science here. He photographs and records the history of her and other memorial sites on campus.

One of the most visible memorials on campus is the Holocaust garden. It is located between Roberts Hall and Panther Grounds and contains many plants and memorial plaques.

Moreover, Jess’s Garden is a peaceful sitting area between Adams Lake and Vaughn Chapel dedicated to Jessica Goode, who died in a hunting accident in 2009.

Thomas’ memorial sits overlooking Adams Lake.

“When I was looking at a place for a bench for Carolyn, it seemed like this was a logical spot, to look out over the lake.

Aquatics are her big thing,” Pohlad explained.

However, some of these sites are getting old, weathered, or simply overgrown.

“I think we are losing touch with what they were,” Pohlad said. “I want to formalize the process and create a page that has each of them listed with students doing a history of them before they get lost.”

To that end, Pohlad is looking for professors, staff, and students alike who are interested in preserving these memorials.

He hopes to not only preserve these memorials, but also publicize their existence for others to enjoy.

For more information, please email Pohlad at bpohlad@ferrum.edu.

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By Marina J. Powell

Homsey Homes In

‘Quad Talk’

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The Iron Blade

November 16, 2021

Opinion How do you feel about the mandatory mask policy on campus?

Compiled by Staff

“It’s kind of annoying and a bit inconvenient. It seems like most people don't really care that much.”

--Isaak Johnson, freshman

"Wearing the masks day by day is very challenging, but at least wearing your mask each day keeps COVID away."

--Elexus Chamberliss, senior

“I like wearing masks in class because it makes me feel protected and makes me feel less exposed.”

--Shaylise Jones, sophomore

“I feel like if you are indoors around people then it helps out and makes sense but if you are not around anyone then it doesn't make sense to wear your mask.”

--Jesse Brown, freshman

Constantly wearing a mask isn’t my favorite thing, but it keeps myself and the people around me safe so I’m all for it.

--Kevin Nester, freshman

"I'm tired of it already. I just don't like wearing masks anymore."

--Allen Huff, freshman

I guess it’s OK. It keeps people safe.

--Brian Porter, freshman

I feel like masks are necessary but can still be a hassle during the times you forget them.

--Destiny Crawley, senior

Campus Mask Mandate Should Stay in Place While the world is slowly starting to become normal again, it’s sometimes easy to forget that the COVID-19 pandemic is still occurring-still affecting and still infecting.

To keep everyone safe, precautions are still taking place, including wearing masks.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC), when wearing a mask, people are not only protecting others but themselves as well.

Everywhere on campus, masks are mandatory for evSigns like these are on every outeryone inside the classroom, dining services, buildings that side door on campus. (Staff photo) are not your residential dorm/ apartment, and outdoors if social distancing is not able to occur.

While this has become tiring at times, we appreciate the college’s continued diligence in trying to keep everyone safe.

We also believe the campus mask mandate should remain.

According to the CDC, social distancing cannot be substituted by a mask. Masks should still be worn while social distancing, especially indoors and when around people who do not live in the same household.

“I feel a lot safer with masks because I have a lot of breathing issues.

Knowing that I am protected to some percent from receiving Covid makes me feel better,” sophomore McKenzie Haynes said.

There have been studies on which masks are best to control the spread of COVID-19, and the CDC recommends that non-valved multilayered cloth masks are the best to wear to prevent the spread.

These kinds of masks prevent people from exhaling long distances into the environment.

“Upwards of 80% blockage has been achieved in human experiments that have measured blocking of all respiratory droplets,” the CDC reports.

Cloth masks also prevent respiratory droplets from coming toward others due to the multiple layers that are in the masks.

At the Ferrum College Fitness Center, there were vaccine clinics in September and October.

The Pfizer Covid vaccine has been given out at both of the clinics.

“While we are still required to wear masks, in a way you are doing your part to continue protecting you and others by getting the vaccine,” junior Kayla Anderson said.

We encourage everyone in the Ferrum community-on campus and off--to get vaccinated. While everyone in the Ferrum community can only be encouraged to get vaccinated, wearing masks around campus is still mandatory to continue keeping all of the community safe.

Don’t get too relaxed here at the end of the semester. Keep those masks on, and cover the nose so we don’t close.

So far this school year, there have been fewer than 10 confirmed cases of COVID-19 when it comes to our campus community.

Currently, there are two active confirmed cases on campus and one individual that is in precautionary isolation. We as a community can continue to keep the cases down by wearing masks, social distancing, and following other CDC guidelines.

November 16, 2021 Vol. 67, Issue 2

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: Brandon Mullins Sports Editor: Cody Gibson

Staff: Julius Asbury Sean Cohen Michael Hamm Jordan Lucky Marina Powell

Rd.

Social Media Editor: DeeDee Riddle 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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November 16, 2021

The Iron Blade

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What To Do About Facebook?

The company has re-branded in the face of mounting criticism. But is the company responsible for all of its content? Or any of it?

By Marina J. Powell

Facebook has little business regulating Facebook’s whistlepeople’s opinions and blower and recent name news. It is a social change have sparked media site--a place much controversy. where users across the Facebook has come board should be able to under criticism for alinteract freely with one legedly suppressing and another to share and spreading false or incitdiscuss content. Imposing information in order ing personal values to to make more profit. restrict some people’s “Facebook has opinions will only known about the need create echo chambers to fight harmful content that discourage critical on its platform for years thinking. but has not committed People need to be able to hiring and training to hear from all sides full-time Facebook emof an argument to make ployees to address it,” well-informed decisays Tara Subramaniam, sions. The onus is on writer and researcher the consumer to decide The Facebook parent company recently changed its name to Meta. (Image used under the Fair Use Provision of the from CNN. the validity of informaU.S. Copyright Code.)

The media company tion. has also come under fire “Last year, some posts get spread.

By Brandon Mullins for lack of attention to potentially harmful scientists rightly objected that accusing Research has found that Facebook’s alaccounts. These range from pro-anorexic any lab of causing a worldwide pandemic gorithm spreads negative posts more than Facebook has come under fire by critics information to human trafficking. is a serious charge and one shouldn’t be the ones that receive positive attention. all around for its policies on information “Facebook has known about human made on the basis of proximity alone,” This bias is incredibly dangerous and can control. Some of those critics argue that traffickers using its platforms since at least mean that Facebook users are not receivthe platform has run rampant with censor- observes Faye Flam, Bloomberg Opinion 2018, but has struggled to crack down columnist. “That doesn’t mean we should ing the full truth about many issues. ship and created a biased environment. on related content, company documents ignore the possibility, or assume that some Facebook makes a lot of money, and “In addition to removing content based reviewed by CNN show,” Subramaniam other equally unproven idea is right. In it is common knowledge that profit can on its own policies, Facebook often does said. the face of an unknown, why would the spawn corruption. Facebook users should so at the behest of governments,” notes Both Republicans and Democrats have fact-checking people deem one guess to be aware of problems in the program and Human Rights Watch in a recent article. expressed concern over the security be a form of misinformation, and another make sure they are fully and properly Users from a variety of political and threats posed by Facebook. The company guess to be true?" informed instead of trusting all content. cultural backgrounds have voiced that the has not been dealing with misinformation That’s not to say that Facebook has no “The world’s problems wouldn’t vanplatform unjustly censors their side on well, for both valid and invalid reasons. business regulating content. There are ish if Facebook disappeared tomorrow. a litany of current issues. Among these In some countries, it is harder to control times of exception when restricting or But the growing mountain of evidence issues are ongoing COVID-19 precautions because of language barriers. However, in that Facebook does value profit over the censoring content is the better solution, and mandates, as well as political issues most cases, Facebook simply does nothing public good has made it one of the most such as when someone’s post clearly such as the Palestine-Israel conflicts. at all. and directly threatens the security of the vilified – and yet popular – brands in his“The Israeli Cyber Unit, based within “Democrats and Republicans...in rare greater public, such as leaking sensitive tory,” McFall adds. the State Attorney’s Office, flags and subbipartisan fashion agreed more is needed personal or security information.

It is clear that Facebook has often put mits requests to social media companies to be done to address growing concerns By leaving information open, posters are money over people’s needs and mental to ‘voluntarily’ remove content,” Human surrounding the social media network,” held accountable for their actions. Having health and should be moderated in a Rights Watch writes in the same article. said Caitlin McFall of Fox News. so-called “concerning” information out healthy way. One should also remember “A 2018 report by Israel’s State Attorney's Facebook has also been known to make there can help consumers be more aware that changing the name of a company office notes an extremely high complifalse claims about the popularity of posts, of risks and risk factors that present themdoesn’t always mean they'll change their ance rate with these voluntary requests, 90 particularly in 2021, and about which selves in a person’s profile and posts. ways. percent across all platforms.”

People Should Seek Mental Help If They Need It Commentary by Cody Gibson

Mental health awareness is being talked about more, which is a good thing. Recent campus events have reinforced the idea that if mental help is needed, it should not be ignored.

Times have changed, and people are not being judged as much about getting help.

But now it’s changing, and it’s more acceptable to ask for help these days.

Angie Dahl, Vice President for Student Development and Campus Life and an Associate Professor of Psychology, understands the importance of seeking help when it is needed.

“Mental Health is one dimension of our overall wellness, just as it’s important to go to the doctor when we are sick and need medical treatment,” said Dahl.

One in six Americans suffer from a mental health issue, and one in 100 suffer from severe mental issues.

“We also need to seek assistance from a counselor or other support when we feel something is ‘off’ with our socioemotional

health. If you think you need help, please reach out!” said Dahl.

There are several resources on and around campus where people may turn for help.

“The counseling center provides both individual therapy and other educational support services to help you learn coping strategies and life skills that will help not only now, but throughout your lifetime,” Dahl said.

Don’t be afraid to reach out to someone for help.

“Our counseling center provides a variety of services regularly including counseling, a meditation suite, campus visits by Winston the therapy dog, and other services to help students gain skills needed for their overall socioemotional health,” Dahl elaborated.

You can reach them by email, or you can walk into Basset Hall and talk about it, or even go to the meditation/yoga area.

“Each month, the counseling center offers additional campus-wide education and services on a new theme,” said Dahl.

If you feel like you want to talk to someone who doesn’t work at Ferrum, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s number is (800)-2738255.

Dahl also said the counseling services can be scheduled by contacting Jessica Stallard, jstallard@ ferrum.edu.

“We also have several other resources such as the meditation suite and self-guided yoga sessions, which can be scheduled with Lee-Ann Odell,” Dahl said.

Odell can be reached at lodell@ ferrum.edu.

In case of emergency, reach out to Campus Police for immediate support, 4444 or 1877WEHELP6.

Not sure what you are looking for? Your student life staff, including the area coordinators, Director of Residence Life, Dean of Students, and Dahl are all equipped to help support students and direct them to the best resources.

Image used under the Fair Use Provision of the U.S. Copyright Code.

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The Iron Blade

November 16, 2021

Festival onlookers line Adams Lake in anticipation of the coon dog events. (Courtesy photo)

By Sean Cohen and Cody Gibson More than 12,000 people descended on campus Oct. 23 for the annual Blue Ridge Folklife Festival in what was one of the largest Folklifes on record.

“It was definitely one of our biggest years in our 48 year history,” said Bethany Worley, Director of the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum. “The weather is the key factor in a successful turnout, and it was magnificent.”

Worley said anticipation may have had something to do with it as well. This was the first Folklife since 2019, as last year’s was canceled due to Covid.

“I think not having it made folks more excited about this year--the energy was very high!” Worley said.

There were many different displays and activities at the festival, largely based on the rich heritage and traditions of Franklin County and the surrounding areas, including authentic music from the region that dates back to the early 20th century or before.

The music is one of the main draws of the festival,

and there were multiple live performances going on throughout the day.

Besides that, there were horse pulls, traditional crafts, and displays of antique farm equipment.

“It’s heartwarming and gratifying to see so many people enjoying themselves learning about all of the Blue Ridge traditions from horse pulling to watching someone cane a chair and then listening to all of the musical styles of the region. Everything in one day,” Worley said.

Due to the high turnout, some vendors did end up running out of some foods before the day was over.

“It was fun but the lines (for food) were long,” said Alex Reed, a freshman student attending the festival.

Worley said there were fewer food vendors this year.

“Sadly, many of the food vendors are older folks who either were ill or were worried about being exposed to Covid,” she said.

It’s a reality the festival has been dealing with for quite some time.

From clockwise above: Festival goers flock to the lemonade stand, draught horses kick up dust in the horse pulling competition, the apple pies are always a large draw, Glendon Boyd makes wooden rakes, antique cars line the grass for the car show, and a demonstration in traditional chair making is given.

(Courtesy photos)

“Many of our vendors are ‘aging out’, and the younger folks are choosing not to carry on the tradition of participating. We really had to scramble to find two additional vendors that had traditional foods,” Worley said.

The “traditional” aspect is important. All crafts and foods need to adhere to the historical time period of the festival.

“This is what makes the festival so unique,” Worley said. “It’s all about the traditions of the Blue Ridge region, and we do not waiver from that.”

Many young folks don’t seem as interested in carrying on those traditions.

“You don’t see younger folks learning the art of weaving split oak baskets from their family anymore or learning how to twist tobacco,” Worley said.

Still, Worley and company are already planning for year 49 next October, and then special plans are already being formulated for the year 50.

“The half-century mark will be even more of a celebration!” Worley said.

November 16, 2021

The Iron Blade

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The college chapter of Help Save the Next Girl recently chalked the sidewalks on campus with words of inspiration. (Courtesy photos)

By Lindsey M. Foster Help Save the Next Girl is an organization that raises awareness of dangers that happen to girls and women.

On Oct. 18, Ferrum’s HSTNG chapter held an event where the community wrote messages on the sidewalk outside of Franklin Hall in the quad.

“We are using our small voices to waken other small voices so that altogether we can become one loud voice sharing a message,” Co-President Emma Brubaker, junior, said.

The event recognized the twelfth anniversary of the murder of Morgan Harrington. Harrington was a college student at Virginia Tech who went

By Brandon Mullins Among Ferrum’s students, there are those who are content with getting through a day’s work. Others, yet, look to get out and play a sport or join a club in the evening to pass the time. Then there are people like Abigail McGovern, who want to try it all.

McGovern, a junior, comes from Round Hill, VA. She is majoring in English (with a creative writing emphasis) and minoring in history and French.

At Ferrum, she fulfills the roles of a student, a tutor, an athlete, and a Co-President of one organization and manager of another.

However, before that, she began her college journey in search of a direction to go.

“I was not in any clubs or anything when I first started, and it was overwhelming,” she says.

Joining Ferrum as a member of the Boone Honors Program gave her a place to start. The program is designed to challenge and enrich the college experience for students dedicated to academic excellence through special interdisciplinary honors courses and social outings.

missing after attending a concert. She was missing for 100 nights, and it took five years to find her killer.

Due to Harrington’s death, her mother, Jill, founded Help Save the Next Girl.

The idea was that even though it was too late to save Morgan, steps could be taken to help save the next girl.

“We raise awareness about what happened to Morgan and also work to make sure it stops happening to girls and women,” Co-president Abigail McGovern said.

Ferrum’s event was held to honor Harrington, to help raise awareness for her story and the cause in general, and to get people talking about the problem.

“I think you get to make a lot of connections with the faculty as an Honors student, and I appreciate that. I feel like I really work well with the professors,” she notes.

As McGovern has established her presence, multiple professors have enlisted her services as a PAL (Peer Assisted Learning) tutor. This is her third semester serving the role, and she is currently tutoring at least six courses across English, religion, and Honors.

“She’s very interested in what she learns,” notes Katherine Grimes, one of the English professors for whom McGovern tutors. “She doesn’t just see it as checking a box... It stays with her, and I think for people to be tutors, learning has to matter to them.”

Grimes and McGovern have interacted since McGovern’s first semester, when she joined the Chrysalis magazine team.

Since last year, though, when the old chief and assistant editors left, McGovern has been handling most of the managerial duties of the Chrysalis. This is because McGovern has voluntarily rejected having a replacement

People were invited to come out to the quad and write either positive messages or safety tips on the sidewalk to show support for Harrington and to girls who were ever in any sort of troubled situation.

Last year, Help Save held the same event for the same purpose, and the club hopes to make it an annual event.

“I think it helped people feel less alone, and it really brought this amazing sense of community and support. I hope that continues in the future,” McGovern said.

Organizers say they will have a similar event soon where everyone will write only affirmative messages on a poster board to spread the word of positivity.

assistant to help her in favor of handling the work herself.

“She said something like, ‘I like having the responsibility,’” Grimes recalls.

In addition to all those roles, McGovern is an athlete who competes on the cross country and track teams. She is also the Co-President of Ferrum’s chapter of Help Save the Next Girl.

That leaves one question: What does she do to relax when she isn’t doing any of that?

“I drink a cup of tea every night as a winding-down routine,” she states.

She also likes to read fantasies, crime stories, and mysteries. She also writes and contributes short stories and poetry to Chrysalis each semester.

“I’m trying to work on a novel, but there’s not that much time,” she says.

Speaking from her Ferrum experiences so far, McGovern encourages new students to get out and try new things like she did in order to make memorable experiences and build connections with people.

“Even though I’m really busy, I’m glad I am a part of all the things that I am,” she concludes.

Abigail McGovern takes a moment during a trip to Key West, FL to flash the camera a smile. (Courtesy photo)

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The Iron Blade

SPORTS

November 16, 2021

Above, Braden Homsey, junior, readily handles his Washington & Lee opponent in the first wrestling match of the season. At left, Homsey flashes a thumbs up after exiting the mat victorious. (Staff photo)

Homsey Homes In

By Kacey Whorley Special to the Iron Blade From Hillsborough to hero, Braden Homsey has had a storied journey through wrestling.

“I started wrestling my Freshman year of high school,” Homsey recalls, “I fell in love with it my junior year.”

The 21-year-old Homsey, junior, is a wrestler here. Academically, however, he is a senior, but due to COVID-19, he received an extra year of eligibility through the ODAC (Old Dominion Athletic Conference) and NCAA. “COVID canceled a lot, including my wrestling season and tournaments,” states Homsey. “We were blessed with an extra year of eligibility.”

Due to COVID, the past two years of NCAA championship tournaments were canceled. Two years ago, the tournament was canceled after the team had already traveled to Iowa.

The Panthers were only there for two days before the tournament was called off and left with what might have been. Homsey didn’t even get an opportunity to lace up his shoes.

“We were still given the opportunity to All-American,” he says. “The National directors handpicked the 2021 All-American team.”

Still, Homsey was selected as a 2021 Academic and

Junior wrestler is an All-American

Athletic All-American.

“They based their choices on records and standings,” he explains, “I was lucky to have had one of the better ones.”

Last year, due to cancellation and in lieu the NCAA tournament, the National Wrestling Coaches Association, held a national tournament, also in Iowa.

Homsey went 2-2 in that competition.

“I won the first two (matches) and went to quarters against the national champ,” Homsey recalls. “I lost 2-4.

After that, I wrestled in the blood rounds for All American and lost 13-11. Both guys that beat me placed in the Top 3 in the nation.”

Panther Wrestling Coach Logan Meister praises Homsey and his status, which currently is No. 17 in the nation.

“Braden has incredible skills on the wrestling mat. His movement is hard to match with a great ability to change levels and directions quickly. (He is) one of the best 197-pound wrestlers in the country right now,” Meister says.

Meister also says that Homsey is a leader who sets the standard for his teammates through his words and actions.

“Braden brings a consistent attitude and work ethic that is contagious to his teammates,” he says. “As a coach, working with Braden is fulfilling because he seeks advice, has an open mind, and makes changes. It is fun to

watch him grow as a person and an athlete.”

That growth is something for which Homsey strives-both on and off the mat.

“In my free time, I like playing outdoor sports with friends,” Homsey describes. “We enjoy playing frisbee and spike-ball.”

Aside from his list of physical activities, Homsey has some academic past times that he participates in.

“I like to read poetry,” he expresses. “I have also recently gotten into political news.”

When it comes to what makes Homsey the man and athlete he is, there are people he credits.

“My step dad and my mom have always been very supportive,” Homsey says. “Before COVID, they never missed an event.”

Apart from their physically being at Homsey’s activities and matches, his family invests money into the academic and athletic success of Ferrum College.

“My step-dad has always been a paid supporter of Ferrum,” Homsey claims, “and my mom sometimes visits Ferrum for events that aren’t mine.”

From all accounts, Homsey has achieved great success in the classroom, on the mats, and in his personal life.

“I take pride in knowing that I have control over my life right now,” Homsey explains. “I wrestle and stay in school because I want to, and it makes it all worthwhile.”

For King, Playing Two Sports is Crowning Achievement

By Brandon Mullins

Caroline King, senior, prepares to deliver the ball across the water. (Photo courtesy of the Ferrum Athletic Department.)

Caroline King, senior, canters from the field atop her steed before slowing to a trot and a walk. She dismounts, takes care of her horse, and enjoys some respite from another match.

King hails from the town of Wytheville, VA. She is a member of both the college’s golf and equestrian teams, which occupy her time outside of classes.

“When you’re a double-sport athlete, you spend more time with (teammates) than you actually get to spend with your family, so they become your family because you’re always together,” she says.

Of her Ferrum family, Golf Coach Erick Cox is one person she looks up to in particular.

“Every time something big or bad

happens, I go talk with him. He’s really helped me with my golf game.

I have paid thousands of dollars to go to golf school, and they’ve taught me nothing, but I’ve taken so much away from his instruction and what he has worked with me on,” she explains.

King and her golf team travel to other states to play competitively. Among this past year’s locations visited were Gettysburg, PA and Rome, GA. There are also plans to play at Hilton Head Island, SC in the upcoming spring semester.

“For golf, we go all over to all these cool places,” she says.

The equestrian team, however, performs in shows primarily within Virginia. Each show differs in that the riders deal with living creatures-horses.

In these shows, the horses ridden

are not always going to be the same; the riders train to handle a range of horses.

“You don’t bring your own horse.

Each time, you ride a different horse; it’s like a random draw,” King says.

She elaborates that each horse has different sensitivities, such as the mouth, and other bodily functions to learn and keep up with, such as leg pressure.

“You gain so much experience from being able to ride different horses because 1) it pushes you out of your comfort zone, and 2) you get to feel different types.”

As King continues to hone her golfing and equestrian skills and knowhow, she seeks to eventually advocate for the inclusion and maintenance of facilities for those sports in public schools as well.

November 16, 2021

The Iron Blade

T’mahdae Penn, left, has been a stand-out receiver for the Panthers this fall, hauling in 35 receptions in eight games. (Photo by Morgan McCoy)

Dash of the Penn

Panther receiver makes mark on team

By Victoria Tyler Special to the Iron Blade Ferrum College wide receiver T’mahdae Penn said back in August that he was excited about the 2021 football season.

His expectations have been met with success thus far, including his own personal triumphs on the field.

Through the first eight games of the

season, Ferrum is 6-2 with wins over Averett University, Christopher Newport University, Apprentice School, Bridgewater College, Shenandoah University and Guilford College.

“It’s been a good season,” Penn said.

“The team is performing well, and I’m pleased with my own performance, but there’s always room for improvement.”

Penn is from Martinsville and was a star

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wide receiver for the Magna Vista High School Warriors. He is the youngest of four siblings (two brothers and a sister), and was active as a child, competing in baseball, football, basketball and track.

Penn has always had a love for sports, especially football, which he claims is his “peace” even when he is at his lowest.

“It’s a getaway from everything,” he said. “You just get to let go and play ball. You forget about everything (except what’s) between those lines.”

Football has always motivated Penn and kept him going.

He fell in love with Ferrum College and the football program after visiting the campus and hearing about the football program through one of his cousins who played here, Harvey Taylor.

Taylor was Ferrum’s starting quarterback his senior year in 2016, when he threw for 1419 yards and 11 touchdowns, and had a 131.4 pass efficiency rating.

Through eight games thus far this season, Penn has made 35 receptions for 740 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Part of Penn’s success stems from quarterback Titus Jones, who has broken a number of records this season. Penn has been one of Jones’s top targets.

The two have connected in part due to his size; Penn tops out at 6’3” and 185 pounds with an incredible vertical leap.

When he matches up one-on-one against defensive backs, 50-50 balls turn into more like 80-20 in his favor.

“On the field the connection is unreal.

It’s like we are the best of friends,” Penn said.

Penn was named ODAC Offensive Player of the Week following Ferrum’s 24-23 come-from-behind win over Shenandoah on Homecoming weekend, Oct. 16. In

that game, Penn made three receptions for 125 yards, two of which he converted into touchdowns, a 71-yarder just before halftime and a 48-yard catch and score with six minutes left in the third quarter.

“I’m very thankful to be named ODAC Player of the Week,” he said. “But as an athlete, we are always striving for more.”

Asked to describe Ferrum in a few words, what comes to mind is BAM, which stands for Be a Man. “This is a phrase that Coach Cleive Adams and the entire the football staff at Ferrum preach to us,” said Penn. “This motto sticks with me and is something I think about when approaching any situation.”

Penn is majoring in Business Management and said that after college, he would love to own and operate his own jewelry store.

His goal as an athlete at Ferrum is to earn All-America. He also wants to be successful in the classroom as well as being a part of the community.

“Education is always first,” he said.

“I’m here to get a degree, and football is just a perk that makes it all worth it at the end of the day. Football motivates me to do well in the classroom.”

Penn doesn’t look up to anyone specifically, but he does look up to men that take care of their responsibilities.

“I’m all about family, whether it's my teammates, friends or family in general.

My goal is to one day help the team earn an ODAC title and get rings. I’d really love to share that special moment with my Black Hat brothers.”

Victoria Tyler is a junior on the Ferrum field hockey team.

Gary Holden contributed to this article.

Baker Sees Potential in Doubles Matchups

By Michael Hamm

Two down and a season to go.

Recently, the men’s Panther tennis team opened its pre-season with an alumni game and a non-conference match against Mary Baldwin University.

“It was kind of a way to ease into everything,” said Head Coach Rod Baker.

In the alumni match, Baker’s team competed against the past players of the Panther squad.

Baker set it up to where the alumni called out whoever they wanted to play.

Current players were honor-bound to accept the challenge.

Afterward, Baker took time to talk about this year’s team and its strengths.

“Usually it’s doubles,” he said. “We tend to play well together and practice it a lot. Hopefully it’s one of our strengths this year like it’s been our strength in the past.”

He was more non-committal when it came to the overall success of the team.

“We have three seniors and six or seven

freshmen, so we're going to be kind of young,” Baker said. “But after seeing two different matches where in one we were the underdog, it was a good test. And in the other, we weren't the underdogs, so I got to see two sides of my team, and I'm excited to see what happens.”

The second match Head Tennis Coach Rod Baker (third from left) presents a congratulatory cake to Assistant Athletic to which Baker was Director Gary Holden (white shirt, black hat) at the annual alumni game. Holden was recently named to the Ferrum College Hall of Fame. (Photo by Michael Hamm) referring was a 7-2 victory over Mary He also spoke of the team’s strengths. the team.

Baldwin University on Oct. 24. Patrick “Definitely my seniors Jacob Glass and “Mental toughness right now is my bigMarsh, Jacob Glass, Dakota Treadway, Patrick Marsh and then freshman Viktor gest complaint--not taking one bad point Nico Roth, and Tom Doherty each earned into the next. You gotta kind of have short Johanssen should do some good work for singles victories, while Glass/Treadway me, but you never know. I have a bunch -term memory and just get rid of some and William David/Roth each combined of freshmen who are hungry and want to stuff and move on in matches. That was for doubles victories. play, so hopefully I get a lot of shining one thing I was not happy with my team The match gave Baker focus areas for moments out of everybody,” he said. about,” Baker said.

Upcoming Games/Recent Results

All scores shown are from games that occurred after the previous edition of The Iron Blade.

Field Hockey Schedule Oct. 27, Ferrum 0--Roanoke 8 Oct. 30, Ferrum 0--E. Mennonite 7

All schedules printed through the end of 2021.

Equestrian Nov. 14, Virginia Tech IHSA Show Feb. 13, Washington and Lee University IHSA Show

Football Oct. 30, Ferrum 57--Guilford 35 Nov. 6, Ferrum 24--W&L 28 Nov. 13, Ferrum at E&H Men’s Soccer Oct. 26, Ferrum 1--Randolph 5 Women’s Soccer Oct. 27, Ferrum 0--W&L 5 Oct. 30, Ferrum 2--Randolph 1

Swimming Oct. 29, Ferrum vs Randolph: F. Women 109--R. Women 112 F. Men 41--R. Women 119 Nov. 6, Ferrum at Guilford Invitational, F.--Women placed 6th, F. Men placed 6th Nov. 12, Ferrum at Emory & Henry, Greensboro (at E&H) Nov. 18/19, Peace Invitational,

(Cary NC) Men’s Wrestling Nov. 3, Ferrum 7--W&L 35 Nov. 7, Southeast Open, Sam Slate placed 5th Nov. 12, Greensboro Duel--home Nov. 20, Southeast Duals TBD Salem Civic Center Nov. 21, Star City Classic Salem Civic Center Dec. 5, Patriot Open, George Mason Dec. 28-29 Citrus Invitational TBD Fort Lauderdale, FL Women’s Wrestling Nov. 20, Ferrum at Liberty Dec. 4, Ferrum at Delaware Valley (Pa.) @ Aggie Duals, James Work Gym, Doylestown, Pa.

vs East Stroudsburg (Pa.) vs Elmira (N.Y.) @ Aggie Duals, Dec. 11, Ferrum at Emory & Henry (scrimmage)

Women’s Basketball Nov. 6, Ferrum 50--Meredith 48 Nov. 11, Ferrum vs G’boro Nov. 17, Ferrum at W&L Nov. 20, Ferrum vs East Tex. Baptist Nov. 21, Ferrum at Emory Dec. 1, Ferrum at Lynchburg Dec. 4, Ferrum vs Va. Wesleyan Dec. 8, Ferrum at East. Mennonite Dec. 10, Ferrum vs Salem Dec. 17, Ferrum vs Maryville (Tenn.)

Men’s Basketball

Nov. 20, Ferrum at Mary Baldwin Nov. 23, Ferrum at William Peace Nov. 28, Ferrum at Methodist Dec.1, Ferrum vs. Hampden-Sydney Dec. 4, Ferrum at Shenandoah Dec. 11, Ferrum vs. Guilford Dec. 18 Ferrum vs. Maryville (Tenn.) @ Hampden-Sydney Dec. 19, Ferrum vs. Mary Washington @ Hampden-Sydney, Va. Hampden-Sydney Classic Dec. 31 Ferrum at Brevard Cross Country Nov. 13 NCAA Div. III Southeast Regional Spartanburg, S.C. Nov. 20 NCAA D-III Championship, Louisville, KY

Page 8

The Iron Blade

November 16, 2021

Entertainment

‘Once Upon a Mattress’ Was More Than ‘Faire’

By Lindsey M. Foster

The Theatre Department held its first performance of the semester on Nov. 5, 6, and 7 with the production “Once Upon a Mattress.”

“The production went very well, and the department is so thankful for being able to have a live audience again,” junior and actor Sarah Laliberte said.

This production was at work since Sept. 17 after they had auditions for cast on Sept. 2.

The department spent hours preparing.

Since the production was a musical, the cast practiced dance routines.

“All of the hard

work these past few months lead to a performance that we can truly be proud of,” senior and actor Alyssa Robles said.

“It was a good experience to collaborate both of the performing arts together since we have a lot of students who do both theatre and music,” trumpet player and sophomore Ryon Johnson said.

Prior to the production and in between the first and second acts, the department had a “Renaissance Faire” for the audience to enjoy and to set the scene of the production.

Parts of the faire included games for entertainment such as chess, checkers, ring toss, and bike jousting, and origami.

Compiled by Staff

Escape Room Offered to All

Lindsey Foster, editor, interviews Zion Wade for the first Quad Talk. (Staff photo)

11 Questions 11 Answers 30 seconds across the Quad

By Lindsey M. Foster

At top, Sarah Laliberte, junior, belts out a number, while, from bottom left, Alyssa Robles, senior; David S. Witt; and Sean Makle, freshman, perform in “Once Upon a Mattress”. (Staff photo)

Panther Briefs

Name: Zion Wade Hometown: Reidsville, NC Year in School: Senior Major: Criminal Justice Hobbies: Skateboard, read, run, football Favorite Music: All Best Thing About Ferrum: The views, the space, the nature Favorite Food: Pizza Favorite Quote: Never give up Favorite Movie: The Outsiders Life Goal: To make everyone else’s life better

d r a o B n i t e l l u B r e h t n a P

The Stanley Library is presenting Leave No Trace: An Escape Room Experience.

Escape the room by learning and applying the seven principles of “Leave no Trace” and the impacts humans make on the natural world, often without realizing it.

Leave No Trace: An Escape Room Experience runs through the end of exams and can be used by faculty as a class assignment, by any group as a teambuilding exercise, or as stress-free fun during finals.

Escaping the room normally takes between 30 minutes and an hour and supports anywhere from two to 19 people.

Use the links below for more information and to register for your experience.

Check out the video: https://libguides.ferrum.edu/blog/LeaveNo-Trace-EscapeRoom Make a reservation: https://ferrum.libwizard.com/f/LibraryEscapeRoomForm Get blog alerts: https://libguides.ferrum.edu/blog

Costume Winners Announced Drum roll please...

In the annual Halloween costume contest, three winners were chosen from a slew of entries in three different categories.

In the Original Category, Sarah LaLiberte, took home first pace.

Likewise, in the Scary Category, Caroline Eames earned top honors.

Finally, in the Funny Category, Bianca Celitto took home the prize.

Winners were chosen via Panther Connect (Presence), where students and staff voted their respective choices.

Each winning costume entry received a $100 Amazon gift card courtesy of the Office of Student Activities.