Volume IV s Issue II
stray cats
s 5x10 plays
campus safety s
& more
editor-in-chief Alec Cunningham
a Tusculum student magazine
art director Hannah Berling
editor-in-chief Alec Cunningham art director Hannah Berling copy editior Stephanie Turner writers Ashley Bell Adrienne Dickerson Madilyn Elliot Megan Franklin Sarah Holly Carnes White
Oil Painting: Ashley Gregg
story & photos: jonathan dennis
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hile sitting at his desk, Bobby frantically tapped his pencil on the desk. It was a closed book final exam in his first college class. He snuck a peek up at the clock; his time was running out. Bobby felt the palms of his hands sweating; he would fail the course if he couldn’t pass this test. “Why didn’t I study?” he asked himself. Desperately, he slid a folded sheet of study notes out of his book bag, concealing the pages in his lap. We’ve all known people who cheated in grade school, and many of us have cheated at some point before we graduated high school. But what happens when students cheat while in college and then get caught? Cheating in college is called academic misconduct, and if academic misconduct sounds more severe than cheating, that’s because it is. Academic misconduct is any prohibited or dishonest act committed to receive an undeserved grade. While cheating on a test is the most common form of this type of misconduct, bribery, falsifying data, and plagiarism are other forms. All of these things in a college setting are serious offenses. The question is--will you be given a second chance if you’re caught?
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The consequences for students found guilty of academic misconduct varies from college to college. At Tusculum College, students are typically given a second chance if they are caught cheating in a class. But if they are caught cheating more than once, they could be expelled, and the expulsion will appear on their transcripts. Because many colleges won’t accept a student after he or she has been expelled, this can severely influence the future of a student. One student at Tusculum, Tina*, was charged with academic misconduct. “I got in trouble for cheating once in a freshman level class.” According to Tina, her professor – we’ll call her Professor Sullivan*--“warned us multiple times not to cheat or to steal other people’s work.” Tina procrastinated about a minor homework assignment, copied a classmate’s work, and then got caught. “The next day she confronted me about it. A knot welled up in my stomach. The worst case scenarios started popping into my head. I had never gotten in trouble like this before. I was very angry at myself. She then told me I would receive an ‘F’ on the assignment; however, I could still be able to make a ‘B+’ in the class,” Tina says. Tina saw getting a zero on a homework assignment as opposed to failing the class and getting kicked out of college as a second chance. Professor Sullivan provides her thoughts on the
issue saying, “I see students do academic misconduct all the time. Seventy-five percent of the cases I have experienced in my classes get what you are calling a ‘second chance.’ It really depends on the situation and if the case is considered a stage 1, 2, or 3 according to the Tusculum College Handbook.” There was an incident in one class where six students got in trouble for plagiarism. Another student, we’ll call him Stewart*, was among these students. All six of these students failed to properly complete and insert citations within their papers. That counts as plagiarism. The professor, Dr. Pryor*, took pity on them and didn’t report it. “It was a nice thing he did,” Stewart recounts. “I thought I was done for; I needed the class for my major and everything. When I found out we wouldn’t get in trouble I got so much happier,” he says. Some students cheat their way through school until they are caught. Others get caught and keep going. At Tusculum, all incidents that are caught and reported are put into the offending student’s file. Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Faculty Secretary Dee Roby says, “When a professor suspects a case of academic misconduct they contact my office to see if there have been any previous allegations. I keep these records alphabetically; if there have been previous charges I will see the name in the index.” Some students like Tina will mature exponentially after they are first caught. Many professors are able to witness the transformation. “In so many cases I see a maturity in the students after an offense, and it is a beautiful, moving moment for me. I think many new students have trouble prioritizing their work schedules, or procrastinate too long. It is then when they may be tempted to take short cuts that lead to academic dishonesty cases. The psychological reasons behind the ‘why’ are varied, but it seems that most often the students do the ‘copy thing’ due to panic regarding time issues,” adds Professor Sullivan. Dr. Eva Cowell, Chair of the Admissions and Standards Committee says, “Cheating and plagiarism
are violations of the Ethics of Social Responsibility competency.” The academic misconduct section of the Tusculum College Catalog describes the different sanctions a student can receive. For Sanction One, the student will receive a written notice from the professor and may or may not receive an “F” for the assignment. For Sanction Two, the student receives an automatic “F” in the course and the offense is reported to the Admissions and Standards Committee. For Sanction Three, the student is automatically penalized with an “F” in the course and is expelled from the College. That offense is recorded on the student’s transcript, and the waiting period to get into most institutions of higher learning is a year after the last infraction was reported. The process of the Admissions and Standards Committee is rigorous and long. First, the committee is called to order; they review the case and ask questions. They then call in the accuser, the accused, and any witnesses. The chairperson states the charges, and the committee will ask the accuser questions. After, that the accused tells his or her side of the story, and the accuser may ask the accused questions. Then the committee members ask questions of the accused, and even give the accused an opportunity to question the accuser. The witnesses get their turn to share the story and also go through a series of questions. After the hearing concludes, the committee will make their decision and the accused will be notified of the verdict any time between an hour after the hearing to three academic days after. Dr. Cowell says, “The hope and purpose of progressive discipline is to make sure the offender realizes and receives help so that they do not make the mistake again.” Sometimes a second chance is all a student needs, and many professors understand that. Dr. Cowell adds, “It is my hope that those involved will understand the seriousness of academic dishonesty.” *Some student and professor names in this story are fictitious pseudonyms in order to protect the rights and freedom of the real people.
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Frisky Felines The Stray Cat Epidemic of Tusculum College story & photos: Sarah Holly
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he traditional woodland fauna of Tusculum College’s campus is a backdrop simple enough for a student to ignore while meandering along the sidewalk lost in more pressing thoughts; a colony of mewling cats, however, is far more difficult to disregard. Origin unknown, the campus cats are a rare sight usually only spotted during mornings or nights, claims junior Hannah Lefler. “They’re all pretty sweet and friendly except for the ones who are terrified of us,” she says, remarking upon a black feline known to prowl around the Garland Library. Though the cats aren’t an unwanted presence,
there is concern among students for their wellbeing. Unlike common wildlife, feral cats are either previously domesticated companion animals or their immediate descendants; therefore, they aren’t naturally well adjusted to life in the wild. Whereas squirrels have nests and birds go south for the winter, cats hang around specific areas, succumbing to cold and hunger for lack of proper shelter and nutrition since these essentials are usually provided by pet owners. More important than individual care, however, are the implications of leaving these feral cats’ breeding habits unchecked. Not quite a feline armageddon, the appearance of several feral cats on
cats in the Greene County area, Feral Friends aims campus does lend an uncomfortable truth that feline to rehabilitate feral cats and stem overpopulation, overpopulation is a threat. More vividly, the issue is therefore preventing the need for mass euthanasia. widespread enough to touch a campus where, with As a result of both this past winter’s severe the exception of small fish, aquatic frogs, and service animals, the possession of pets in dorms is forbidden. weather and an increase in cat sightings, there has been student interest in building an initiative in Wendy Palmer, assistant manager of the affiliation with local animal welfare groups who use Greene County Humane Society adoption center, is Trap-Neuter-Return programs. an outspoken proponent of spaying and neutering “This year I’ve seen more cats on campus animals. But, for both their own safety and the than the past two years combined,” says Lefler. safety of domestic outdoor felines, feral cats are an Senior Bailey Lawson echoes her statement, especially large problem. According to the American estimating an approximate 10 to 15 stray cats on Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or Tusculum’s campus. At the precipice ASPCA, on average a fertile cat Unlike common wildlife, feral of a cat colony, student action could will produce one to two litters per cats are either previously prevent the contagion and spread year and four to six kittens per litter, which amounts to a total domesticated companion of disease and inbreeding. If the of four to twelve new cats. Left animals or their immediate students were to take the problem into their own hands, several alone, colonies will multiply and descendants; therefore, they local animal clinics offer low-cost often spread diseases, such as aren’t naturally well adjusted procedures and vaccinations; Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, otherwise, only a meager number of through inbreeding, which can be to life in the wild. Greene County rescue organizations easily transmitted to outdoor cats. usually shoulder the time, energy, and costs of “Besides spaying and neutering, [vaccinations] are providing for feral cat colonies around the area. really important,” Palmer says, “[because] you know “I think something needs to be done about cats like to roam.” According to the ASPCA, all that roaming has produced up to 70 million feral cats in the it; either catching them, feeding them, or finding them homes,” says Lawson. Many students feel United States alone. similar empathy. But with tight schedules and heavy Diseased cats are more prone to aggressive workloads, it’s difficult for students to remain informed behavior, especially if they are in pain or frightened. about their unofficial campus-mates. Until stronger Some diseases, such as cat-scratch disease, are action can be taken, it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to transmittable to humans through a scratch or bite, so caution is vital in dealing with feral felines, though it is carry around some cat kibble. The Greene County Humane Society is not impossible to rehabilitate even the wildest cats. open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Palmer suggests the repetition of hand Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. movements, “Holding out a treat, putting out food Volunteers – including students – are welcome. and stepping away, [or] standing at a distance.” Visit the shelter online at http://gchumanesociety. Merely feeding feral cats contributes to their recom/. More information about Feral Friends of domestication and makes it easier for organizations Greene County can be found online at http://www. such as the Greene County Humane Society or the feralfriendsofgreenecounty.org/. Feral Friends of Greene County to trap them for neutering and vaccinations. Proudly feeding over 450
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daffoldils Intaglio print with Chine-collĂŠ by Ashley Gregg - Senior 8
Damascus Oil Painting on canvas by Ashley Gregg - Senior 9
Campus Safety: A Full-Time Job Story & photos: Ashley bell
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afety is important at Tusculum and always to be changed. “The costs associated with that range comes first. This is a rule that one section of anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000 or more, depending the College – Campus Safety – holds in high on which key is lost,” says Gresham. This does not regard. Dealing with so many students and necessarily meant one key is worth $50,000, but there managing to successfully protect them can is a master key that unlocks just about every door on be a daunting task. Campus Safety Officers are here the whole campus, and if that key was lost, all those 24/7 to answer calls for students, faculty, and staff. They locks would have to be replaced for safety reasons. For enforce the College’s policy and procedures and work example, if one key opens all the rooms in Katherine closely with the Tusculum Police Department, which lies Hall and it was lost, then all those locks would need to just about half a mile from the campus. be replaced. With labor and lock changes, a loss like this While officers can be can become very expensive. Non-serious crimes Students are well aware that contacted at all hours of the day and night, some students have felt they Safety is busy and that are responded to Campus are not always provided the proper multiple issues are often being quickly as well in juggled at once, though some may attention and assistance needed when calling Campus Safety. This realize how much is really done order to reduce not may be because something more for the students and staff. Junior urgent has come up that officers have Leslie King says, “They are definitely the amount of had to deal with, but students feel underestimated by students they should be notified of the change. damage, or reduce because students do not understand Also, the students should understand they have other responsibilities and the likelihood at night there is only one campus perhaps have other more important that evidence of calls and tasks at hand. I feel like safety officer on duty and this can prevent them from getting to someone the crime would campus safety seriously does do quicker. Sophomore Residential their job to the best of their ability.” go missing or be She is one of the many students Assistant Alexandria Driver says, “During the night shift there should who understand Campus Safety destroyed be more campus safety officers on officers are busy and have other duty, because most of the lock outs happens later in tasks to attend to. “Personally, every time I have called the night. If there can’t be any extra campus safety on campus safety, even though they may have been slow, duty, then the RAs should be allowed to let students in they have always apologized or had a legitimate reason their rooms if they’re locked out.” This is a good point for why they took so long,” says King. raised about the RAs being allowed to let students in Students ultimately would like simple answers, their rooms. Jon Gresham, Director of Campus Safety, such as, Okay. I’m busy at the moment; please give me agrees saying, “Having RAs handle lockouts is ideal and a few minutes to respond to your needs. Senior Jeffery has been discussed at length. The Dean of Students Peck says, “I feel that when they tell me a time frame, and I have been working on a way to alleviate the key instead of just saying ‘okay on my way,’ I am more control issues that are prohibitive.” The primary issue patient with them, especially when they are known for the College faces with this is a lack of funding because taking their time.” If this was done or somehow a text they have to ensure keys will not be lost. If a master key could be sent saying something has come up, then is lost then every lock that uses that key would have that would be great. When speaking with Josh Laws,
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Campus Safety officer, the idea of sending a text to students if taking longer than intended was a good idea to him. However, Gresham feels that if his officers are dealing with an emergency then he wouldn’t want them to get their phone out to contact a student, because all focus needs to be on the issue at hand.
Gresham came to Tusculum College in January of 2014 and has previously worked for the United States Army and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office. When speaking with him about the lockouts and response time, he says Campus Safety officers address situations as quickly as possible. “If a Campus Safety officer is taking
a long time to respond to a lockout, they are responding to something more important, or they are responding to multiple lockouts which [takes] time to work through,” says Gresham. He wants his officers to handle the emergencies first and the lockouts second. Yes, lockouts are an issue that results in students calling Campus
Safety, but students also have to realize sometimes more serious situations are being dealt with. This is the very same tactic that law enforcement officials use all over the world. If nothing else, having to wait to be let into their rooms has caused students to develop a bit of patience, understanding, and compassion for others. “Non-serious crimes are responded to quickly as well in order to reduce the amount of damage or reduce the likelihood that evidence of the crime would go missing or be destroyed. Campus Safety’s average response time to all incidents, minus lockouts, is around 2 to 2 ½ minutes,” says Gresham. As far as students feeling that more officers would be handy to have around during the night, he clears that up too. Gresham says he is constantly looking at the time of day crimes occur and when they occur the most, which helps him staff his officers accordingly. Because Peck is a senior and has been here for four years, he has had the chance to see the College change and grow. Peck says Campus Safety officers now write more tickets and have altered their direction in a incredibly positive manner. He feels that respect and concern for the students is now shown far more by officers. Similarly, King feels Campus Safety has improved both in response times and the way students are treated since Gresham has come on board. King says, “In the past year I can honestly say that Campus Safety has begun to respond to my calls way quicker, and they have much more positive attitudes when they come to me.” Photo: Campus Safety officer taking a call outside of Katherine Hall
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a way of life Story: Stephanie turner
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photos: ben cash
neakers squeak against the floor and the smell of popcorn fills the air. The resonating thump of the basketball keeps beat to synchronous cheer routines. Sweat glistens on the court while Pioneer Pete pumps up the crowd. The net swooshes and the buzzer sounds. The home team croons, and our fight song begins. As an abstract term, “school spirit” encompasses a sense of pride and love for one’s school and its athletic teams. At Tusculum College, Pioneer Pride is more than just wearing orange and black to the Homecoming game or knowing our alma mater by heart – it’s a way of life. “Pioneer Pride is about supporting Tusculum in athletics and academics, building good relationships, and spreading positivity around to everyone
you meet,” says Sunshine Mayfield, a freshman accounting major. Ever-evolving, Tusculum College Pioneers always look forward and work to make the community a better place through higher education, innovative technology, and community support. Pioneers also strive for more than what is; they strive for what can be. “Pioneer Pride is a state of mind,” says Dr. Nancy B. Moody, president of Tusculum College. “A shared sense of purpose that centers on the values of integrity, education and civic responsibility. Pioneer Pride is the common denominator in the formation and bond of lifelong friendships that are nurtured through mutual life goals and respect for others. It is also reflected in one’s desire to serve the underserved and to either follow or create the path that others
might follow – a sense of self and other discoveries” Pioneer Pride is a sense of community and belonging developed through experiences singular to Tusculum College. As a civil arts college, Tusculum encourages students to get involved in their communities and build long-lasting relationships by instilling a sense of civic responsibility. “Part of Pioneer Pride is having the ability to help others. You see something that needs to be done in your community, and you do it without being told you have to do it,” says Steven Hollingshead, a senior political science and business administration major. Tusculum strives to promote a professional atmosphere that gives her students real-world experience through the opportunity to receive a quality education, enhance career skills, and serve the community.
“It’s about getting out here and giving it your all, not just in the game but in all areas of your life,” says Patrick Benson, a junior sports science major. “Even when you have a setback or you aren’t getting what you thought you would, it’s always possible to succeed,” he says. Like our hometowns, our countries, and our cultures, Tusculum College helps define our identity. Pioneer Pride does not stop after we graduate; it continues to impact our lives through what we learned and experienced while at Tusculum. Pablo Laguna, a junior soccer player, says it best: “We belong to Tusculum College, because we’re a part of it. We each feel the pride in our school and make it our own.” Photo: Placido Torres pitching in the Mar. 14 win.
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Junior Justin Houston in the Oct.11 homecoming win over Newberry College.
This photograph was taken in the summer heat in Cades Cove Loop of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with a Nikon d600.
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Senior Kaytlin Stroinski hitting in the extra inning, suffering a tough loss to Limestone College. 19
Blanket of Snow Dampens Sixth Block Story & Photos: Adrienne dickerson
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he second Block of the spring semester says Thompson. Some students took advantage of this year at Tusculum College did not see Tusculum College’s proximity to Cherokee National a lot of spring weather. Between belowForest and drove 4-wheel drive vehicles up into the freezing temperatures as daily highs and rugged terrain to play in the snow. several inches of snow, Tusculum had to While the students were having fun, the cancel classes and close administrative offices at all college administration was frantically brainstorming locations for several days. Seven of the eighteen days to provide campus activities and to reach a decision of the block were “snow days” and morning classes to determine the outcome of the Block. Dean of were delayed on one occasion. After missing almost Students, David McMahan, mentioned some of the 40 percent of instructional time in the classroom – ways administration attempted to keep students an equivalent of one month of class on a normal entertained. “We tried to provide activities such as semester system – faculty were left scrambling tournaments and even had a pancake breakfast one to consolidate lesson plans and night,” says McMahan. To make up scratching their heads as to whether To make up for the lost instructional the Block would be extended into for the lost time, the college decided to have Spring Break. professors make up class hours instructional whichever way they deemed fit. In order Students had mixed emotions about the abundance of for students to receive the 4 credit hours time, the snow, and many wondered what per class, students are required to have college the repercussions would be. “I liked a minimum of 54 hours of instructional having days off, but I wasn’t sure according to the Tusculum College decided to have time, what [the administration] was going to Faculty Handbook. This means a do,” says freshman Isaiah Thompson. professors minimum of 13.5 class hours are required Many worried their Spring Break for each hour of credit received. This make up plans would be ruined or that the requirement is normally met by having whole semester would be pushed class hours classes meet for three hours per day back a week, delaying graduation for Monday through Friday. To be able to whichever way seniors in May. While most students end the Block on time and complete the enjoyed not having class during the they deemed fit. required hours, students were assigned week of Feb. 16-20, as well as on everything from extra homework and Feb. 24 and 26, many were in the dark as to how the additional papers to more class periods to attend. rest of the Block would be completed. Luckily for faculty, staff, and students, the During the time off, students participated in an Block was not extended and ended for the majority of all-campus snowball fight one night in the apartment the campus on the scheduled day, Mar. 4. On the day quad behind the Charles Oliver Gray Complex of finals, the tempature rose to a high of 73 degrees; and decorated the campus with several snowmen. not a flake of snow was left on the ground and birds Sledding was accomplished with both purchased could be heard chirping from the trees. This seemed sleds as well as with makeshift cardboard sleds on like an appropriate way to end the Block after having the hill beside the Indoor Practice Facility. “Getting an unprecedented snow storm. out in the snow was fun since there wasn’t much else to do. I also got to play some basketball in the gym,”
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Plays Story: Carnes white Photos: april muncy
Holly Marshall and Tyler Miller of Copper.
“For years, I’ve looked for ways to make art interdisciplinary,” Wayne Thomas, associate professor of English and interim dean of Tusculum College’s School of Arts and Sciences says. Through his background in theater and through collaboration with members of the Fine Arts department, he found an outlet to do just that. Two years ago, Thomas and others in the department put their heads together and constructed the 5x10 theatrical experience. In recent years, 10-minute plays have dominated festivals and group productions across the nation. From 24-hour festivals and competitions to smaller format events, the 10-minute play has become an undeniable force of modern theatrical literature. So what is this 5x10 extravaganza all about? Thomas initially hoped to perform one of the 24-hour play festivals, wherein plays are written a day in advance and performed over a 24-hour period of time, but he was able to compromise on an event more practical for the college. He chose the 5x10, and Marylin duBrisk, director and artist-in-residence, gave it its title. The event is not a recycling or rehashing of old plays, crammed into a 10-minute format. Rather, Thomas chose to use the written works of students from his scriptwriting class. It is a showcase of original writing and volunteer actors. This is the inter-disciplinary collaboration Thomas had aways hoped for, because a play involves so much attention to detail in regards to performance, planning, and especially building and set-up. The 5x10 format is
special, because it allows for an audience to have multiple different experiences within a single digestible package. It also allows for a diverse body of authors to bring their work together into a powerful singular product. It takes a village to raise this child, and it is exciting to see the joint efforts of an artistic body come together to make something spectacular. Because this festival consists of 10-minute plays, it is important to understand why such a preference is chosen as opposed to a larger production. “They create quick opportunities to get a work produced,” says Thomas. “10-minute plays are so short, every second has to have an impact,” says Playwright Jennifer Frost, a senior creative writing major from Friendsville, Tenn. Shorter plays are not as taxing to create and ship out the door, and furthermore, they are easier to get produced. A writer could write ten, 10-minute plays in half the time it takes to write a full-length, and the chances to get picked up by a producer are exponentially increased. “I submit a hard copy, then I’ll receive suggestions, edits, or a rewrite,” Frost says about the writing process with the director. She attended rehearsals, line readings, and all practices. The 5x10 works well as an educational tool for young writers through direct experience with collaborative planning and working on a real set. From a technical standpoint, the 10-minute play exists on 10 pages, with each page representing a period of time. I was given the experience to write these types
There are five different plays, which means five different worlds, with five different moods and musical dynamics, and a seamless swap must be made between them in the shortest amount of time possible.
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of plays in my scriptwriting class. A 10-minute play should literally take place over a real-world 10-minute time slot. This means no complicated build-up or story installation, only action and impact. There is no time to be wasted, and like Frost states, every single instant must be capitalized on. As a collective event made from five different
Because the plays are so short, it is crucial that every line and moving part of plot be executed flawlessly, or the entire feel or message of the play can deflate instantaneously.
Macy French of Puddle Jumping.
pieces, there are definite production elements that must be taken into consideration. There are five different plays, which means five different worlds, with five different moods and musical dynamics, and a seamless swap must be made between them in the shortest amount of time possible. If anything goes wrong in-between, it would do harm to more than one of the plays and possibly the entire event. Because of this, an exceptional amount of work and concern is given even behind the stage, behind what the audience would necessarily see. This demonstrates even further the collaborative crossroads at work from all angles. I had the privilege of performing in the 2013 5x10 production at the Old Oak Festival. Casting was wild, with many people reading lines of many different characters from completely different universes. But
with casting completed, we moved on to line readings and practices. Because there were five plays, each group practiced independently by day. Ultimately, as the preparation neared completion, the entire ensemble practiced together in order to work out the kinks in transitions. Because the plays are so short, it is crucial that every line and moving part of plot be executed flawlessly, or the entire mood or message of the play can deflate instantaneously. This is nerve wracking but also exciting. I was able to perform in two of the five plays, and it took a lot of work but was incredibly rewarding to involve myself with a production created by my own peers and classmates. The turnout was excellent, and the reviews were positive. The 2015 5x10 came and passed, and the
Behan came to life with the work of student writers, directors, and staff. The student plays included Plush by Zach Gass, Psy-cho-ther-apy in Yazoo County, Mississippi by Frost, Puddle Jumping by Sarah Holly and Tyler Jinks, Save Me by Joshua Fuller, and Copper by Hannah Berling. The ensemble of short plays succeeded through diverse messages pertaining to the human condition, whether humorous and satirical, tender and inspiring, or gritty and heart-wrenching, and often a blend of each. The 5x10 educates those in attendance and especially the participants, and there can be no doubt from the passion displayed and the warm reception that issues were examined, thoughts were provoked, and that this year’s performance was a success.
Mike Lilly and Margo Olmsted of Psy-cho-ther-apy in Yazoo 29 County, Mississippi.
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ow – all I can say is wow. We’ve done it again, folks. And thanks to this talented team, we’ve once again exceeded every single previous limit we set for ourselves. While our last issue was geared toward honoring our fellow Tusculum students by showcasing their work within our pages, this time around our goal was to simply spread news about all the good that is going on in and around the Tusculum area. We have provided the same styles of articles, covering everything in this issue from frisky kittens to cheatin’ kids. We’ve done our best to delve into the issues and interesting bits Tusculum offers daily. Our aim here has been to bring good news to readers like yourself. However, it’s one thing to spread the good news; it’s another thing entirely to live out that mission within our own lives. Not only did we work to share the positive deeds of humanity, but we also wanted to become catalysts for that happiness and positivity within our day to day lives. In order to do that, we conducted a little experiment during the beginning of the semester. We attempted to go a single week without thinking, saying, or doing anything negative. And let me tell you, it was much more difficult than expected.
Personally, this seemingly simple task became a massive undertaking. I would go days without consciously remembering to be positive. Then, an event would finally occur that jogged my memory. I would do a good deed that boosted my confidence or I would compliment someone else. But most times a negative thought would pop into my head, such as, “Man, what a day; nothing is going right.” The thing was, I wouldn’t even catch myself until later that day – and in some instances I wouldn’t even remember the incident until days later. So I encourage you, dear reader, to take this challenge. Go just one week without doing, saying, or thinking a single negative thing. It’s harder than you think. But the best part is, no matter whether you succeed greatly or entirely fail at this challenge, you will come out of this experiment an entirely renewed person. You’ll find you’ve become more self-aware, and perhaps you will become more self-confident. But above all, you will become a more optimistic person, ready to tackle any mess life might throw your way. The seasons have changed from winter to spring, and with that spike in beautiful weather comes an utterly new, exhilarating outlook on life for many people. Now is the perfect time to change your way of living for the better. Start slow; do something as simple as smile at every person you meet for an entire day. Then work your way up to larger acts of kindness. It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you’re working to effect a positive change in society and are seeing your efforts manifested in the cheerful nature of yourself and those around you.
Be good, be kind, and be happy, Alec Cunningham Editor-in-Chief