Liberty Champion January 29, 2019

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Covington chaos

VOLUME 36, ISSUE 11

A5

LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA

LIBERTYCHAMPION.COM | TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019 | LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

obituary

VOICES

Andrew McBride

March 27, 1993- January 2, 2019 Photo courtesy of Facebook

Emma Smith esmith82@liberty.edu Rachel Van Tuyl rvantuyl@liberty.edu

Lillian Abbatacola| Liberty Champion

HISTORIC — Pro-life marchers walked from the National Mall to the Supreme Court, where 46-years earlier, Roe v. Wade was decided.

Lillian Abbatacola leabbatacola@liberty.edu

Friday, January 18, hundreds of thousands of demonstrators from around the country ascended upon the National Mall and headed to the Supreme Court as a part of the world’s largest human rights demonstration — the March for Life.

The March for Life began in 1974 — the year following the Supreme Court’s decision of Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortions in the United States. Since 1973, over 60 million pregnancies have been terminated, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a pro-choice institution.

There was no official count of how

many demonstrators attended the rally or marched to the Supreme Court.

Marchers heard from artists and speakers like Sidewalk Prophets, Ben Shapiro, Representative Katrina Jackson (D-LA) and Dr. Alveda King, who closed the rally with prayer.

“Just this week, Canadian President Justin Trudeau said pro-lifers were not in line with where we are in a society.

Well you know what? Maybe they are right. … Perhaps we are out of line with the rest of society, to which I say, ‘Good.’ So were the abolitionists, so were the civil rights marchers, so were the martyrs in Rome and the Jews in Egypt,” Shapiro said.

Shapiro listed ways that he sees the world moving away from pro-life

ideologies, which included his disappointment in the Republican Party for not fighting harder for anti-abortion policies.

“Righteousness doesn’t have to be popular, it just has to be righteous,” Shapiro said.

Vice-President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence made a surprise appearance and brought along a video message from President Donald Trump.

“We’re the Pences, and we’re prolife,” Mike Pence said.

After the rally, the protestors marched east on Constitution Avenue toward the Capitol, until they reached their final destination, the Supreme Court.

See MARCH, A7

Riggleman checked The freshman Congressman donates his first check Emily Wood ewood13@liberty.edu

Freshman U.S. Congressman Denver Riggleman opted to donate his first Congressional paycheck to the Drakes Branch Volunteer Fire Department in Charlotte County, Virginia, instead of receiving pay during the 35-day government shutdown.

When Riggleman visited Drakes Branch Volunteer Fire Department after Hurricane Michael hit in October, he saw the devastation the flooding caused and knew he had to help. What stood out most to Riggleman was all the fire department did to help the community, despite what they went through during the flooding.

“I was so touched by the charity in (the) Drakes Branch,” Riggleman said. “Once the shutdown happened, my first thought was to donate to (the) Drakes Branch, based on what they’re going through.”

Riggleman said that as a former U.S. Air Force officer and National Security Agency contractor, he values public service. Giving back to his community and his constituents during their time of need seemed to be the ideal way to spend his first check as a U.S. Congressman representing Virginia’s 5th District.

“It’s a drop in the bucket for what they need. My hope was that other people would follow suit and donate, not just to (the) Drakes Branch, but

to all the fire departments, all the law enforcement, all the EMS personnel that were affected in the 5th District,” Riggleman said. “I was hoping that would start an avalanche of donations to the fire and rescue workers in the district.”

Fire Chief Kenny Tharpe of the Drakes Branch Volunteer Fire Department plans to put the donation towards the building fund, since half of the building was condemned from flooding after Hurricane Michael. Although insurance covered a portion of the costs, the building is still in need of much repair, leaving the volunteer fire department scrambling for support and donations.

See FIRST CHECK, A7

Andrew McBride, a Liberty University graduate student and long-time resident assistant, died after a hard-fought battle with cancer Jan. 2, 2019.

McBride, who was in his last year of Liberty’s Marriage and Family Counseling program, was 25 years old when he passed away. McBride had been battling cancer since his diagnosis in August of 2018. Near the end of McBride’s life, many of his friends drove in from around the country to sing, pray, and take Communion with him.

During his time at Liberty, McBride served on a hall leadership team for nearly five years, beginning as a community group leader and working his way up to RA. “I think I learned a lot more about leadership (from Andrew) in how leading isn’t necessarily about being the big dominant person … or being the one that has all the prowess,” Josiah Babbitt, a friend and former community group leader under McBride’s leadership, said. “(Leadership is) more about being loyal and holding people accountable and acting in a manner that you would expect of them.”

McBride had already beaten the odds multiple times in his life. According to Joel Fernando, a resident director and friend of McBride, McBride had several health crises during his life. For example, after being born with leukemia and having a bone marrow transplant at a young age, his body rejected the donation.

“But over and over again, God delivered him and brought him out of it,” Fernando said.

Fernando explained that even though McBride’s numerous medical treatments stunted his growth, he was still an able-bodied person and did not need help doing everyday tasks — Babbitt even shared that McBride went to the gym with a group from his hall. However, McBride struggled with mental development when he was younger.

Photo Provided

BROTHERHOOD — McBride, far right, with Fernando, second from left.

“Because of all that he went through, (he) had a lot of mental development issues as a child, and it was an achievement that he was able to graduate high school,” Fernando explained. “So, the fact that he was almost able to complete his master’s at Liberty was a miracle.”

Despite his earlier struggles, McBride was an excellent student during his college years. “(Andrew) told me that one of his keys for when he was doing RA stuff was budgeting his time carefully. Any time that he wasn’t out doing something with people, he was always doing his homework and reading because he wanted to be available if anybody needed him for something,” Babbitt said. “He was really good at making himself available to people.”

McBride’s medical condition also helped him empathize more with others, according to Fernando. “(McBride) had this ability to connect with people who most people didn’t pay much attention to,” Fernando said.

As an RA, McBride was required to meet with people who were on his leadership team. But he also went beyond the requirements and got to know different students on his halls through the years.

See ANDREW, A2

INSIDE THE CHAMPION

News

LU Shepherd and the Office of Commuter Life teamed up to make offA8 campus groups.

Opinion

New movie, “Vice,” is a more creative than biographic story of Dick A5 Cheney’s life.

Sports

Flames men’s basketball scores victories over North Alabama B1 and North Florida.

Feature

Liberty student Braxton Mann is creating an album, set to release this summer. B6

News Opinion Sports Feature

A1 A4 B1 B5

content

A2 | January 29, 2019 | Liberty Champion

Poverty speaks People living in need share their stories and experiences Will Evans wjevans@liberty.edu

at The Listening, a nonprofit organization that uses performing arts to encourage discussion on pressing issues in society.

“I wanted to a create a space where we could be as passionate as possible, but also be able to listen compassionately to each other … to use our art to dig deeper and understand more about each other,” the Listening founder Nicholas George said.

The afternoon was co-hosted and sponsored by Bridges to Progress, an anti-poverty initiative in the city of Lynchburg.

“It’s really import that we check our assumptions on what poverty looks like and the causes of it,” facilitator for Bridges to Progress Jennifer Woofter said. “I hope

that this event gives people a greater understanding of the reality of the choices people have to make when they’re suffering.”

The seminar featured performances by Listening artists Sarah Edwards and Jaylin Randolph.

Edwards, a local singer/ songwriter and Liberty University graduate, shared her story of growing up in poverty, along with two original songs from her upcoming album.

“I grew up in low income housing,” Edwards said. “My mom and I were homeless for a couple of years. … So, I really want to spread a message of hope. Surround yourself with good people, and they can bring you right out of that pit.”

Randolph, a rapper, pro-

Nakesha Moore used to hate grocery shopping.

“You see people looking at you … judging. … I never once felt a sense of pride swiping that E.B.T card,” Moore said.

As a single mother of two, Moore spent the majority of her life living below the poverty line. But a few years ago, Moore reached a turning point when she attended a free, sixweek cooking class she saw advertised in a flyer.

“I went to that class, and that’s where I met (the instructor) Janelle Smith,” Moore said. “We became friends and stayed in touch after the class ended.”

Smith offered Moore a job in the Family Nutrition Program that changed her life, allowing her to move from abject poverty into eventually being able to build a home with Habitat for Humanity.

“My proudest moment … was the first time I went to buy groceries, and my cart was full, and I paid in cash,” Moore said through tears. “All because I had (a) person look at me and not see (a) statistic.”

On Saturday, Jan. 26, Moore shared her story of hope with the city of Lynchburg Macy Hrncir | Liberty Champion during the Poverty Speaks NEEDY — On Jan. 26, Lynchburg heard from people who were affected seminar at the Miller Center, by poverty. an event hosted by her friends tell you without fear.”

His integrity also showed in his job as an RA. Fernando said McBride did not let “He didn’t want to make his students get away with anyone feel left out,” Fernando breaking rules. explained.

“If he thought you could be When RAs do curfew checks doing something better, he at night, many students are no would come right up to you and more than a name and a face for say, ‘Hey, I think you’re not dothe RA to check off a list. But ing the best you can,’” Fernanthese were the students Mcdo said. “He would come and Bride made a point of meeting tell you without fear.”

His integrity also showed in his job as an RA. Fernando said McBride did not let his students get away with breaking rules.

“Comparatively to some RAs, he was a bit more strict on the rules,” Fernando said. “But he didn’t just enforce the Photo Provided rules because FRIENDS — McBride, third from left, served as an RA and was known for his integrity. they’re the ANDREW continued from A1

with and getting to know.

Fernando also emphasized McBride’s personal integrity.

If he made a promise, he took it very seriously. Fernando said McBride’s integrity challenged him in his own life.

“If he thought you could be doing something better, he would come right up to you and say, ‘Hey, I think you’re not doing the best you can,’” Fernando said. “He would come and

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EVANS is a content reporter. rules. He would enforce the rules because he believed it’s what was best for you.”

Babbitt echoed many of Fernando’s sentiments. However, Babbitt mentioned that McBride let them “bend the rules a little bit to have some fun,” so long as they were not doing anything wrong.

“At any time, hanging out with Andrew was always an adventure on its own,” Babbitt said. “We’d always have fun, cause some trouble, make some memories, and all come out the better for it.”

McBride is survived by parents, David and Kris McBride, and sisters Amanda and Kelly, all of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Memorial services were held on Jan. 6 and Jan. 10 in South Carolina and North Carolina, respectively.

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VAN TUYL is the assistant content editor.

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ducer and comedian who goes by the stage name “Jiggy M,” shared a similar story of growing in poverty though a spoken word performance.

“I want people to see that this is a real issue, and I want them to resonate with it,” Randolph said. “Anytime I can tell somebody my story, even though they’re from a completely different side of the fence. … That’s the amazing thing about art.”

The afternoon also featured a group online poverty simulation through Spent.

The audience made choices together and tried to last 30 days in poverty. They only made it through 10 days the first round.

Mayor of Lynchburg Treney Tweedy closed out the afternoon with a challenge to encourage those in poverty to utilize the recourses the city provides.

“Today, it’s a simulation, but for people outside, it’s every day,” Tweedy said. “We can feed people in Lynchburg, we have no more excuses. … We have to not let people settle in the mindset of poverty.”

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Liberty Champion | January 29, 2019 | A3

We, the future leaders

Fox and Friends contributor and veteran challenges students to fight for freedom

Jan. 25, 2019.

“America is the human experiment. It is the only hope in human freedom on the Pete Hegseth rolled up his sleeves, show- planet. Either we restore her, or cased his “We the People” tattoo, and we lose the fight for freedom,” shared his heart about the future of freedom Hegseth said. during Liberty University’s Convocation, Hegseth is a Fox and Friends contributor, Army veteran, the CEO of Concerned Veterans for America and an author. In 2003, Hegseth graduated from Princeton University, and in 2013, he graduated from Harvard University with a master’s degree in public policy. In between his education, Hegseth was deployed three times. Hegseth said his time in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq and Afghanistan expanded his knowledge of how the world sees America.

“I looked (the Islamic State group) eye-to-eye, I did night raids and kicked down their doors. They believe the future Leah Stauffer| Liberty News Service is theirs. They believe you are evil,” Hegseth said.

LEADERS — Hegseth encouraged students to be leaders in Hegseth can be seen SaturAmerica.

Lillian Abbatacola leabbatacola@liberty.edu

day mornings on Fox and Friends. Hegseth said he is not a journalist, he simply gives his opinion and context to news. His contribution to the channel is an extension of his service and purpose. He sees it as a place to keep fighting.

“I don’t know where our country would be without Fox News channel,” Hegseth said.

Hegseth said he often speaks to older crowds and emphasizes the same three ideas: history is not over, America is not inevitable and that freedom for the future rests with America.

“You can’t assume you are going to walk into a prosperous environment unless you do something about it, unless you are engaged,” Hegseth said.

This sentiment laid the groundwork for an argument for college kids to get involved in American politics.

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. You don’t pass it to the next generation in the blood stream.

Every generation has to fight for it and understand it,” Hegseth said, quoting former President Ronald Regan.

Hegseth said that alumni of schools like Liberty — schools that keep their values first

— are going to be leaders in America’s worldwide success and the furthering of freedom.

Hegseth emphasized the need for America to lead the world.

“If the 21st century is not an American led century, then the 21st century will not be a free century,” Hegseth said.

Hegseth praised President Donald Trump’s fierce fight for the working American. Early in the 2016 campaign, Hegseth was not a Trump supporter. He was known to be a Marco Rubio or Ted Cruz supporter.

Hegseth said he had a “Trump conversion moment.”

He admires Trump’s refusal to conform to the agenda of establishment Republicans and political correctness. Hegseth said Trump is waging a culture war on Democrats and political correctness.

“I refuse to live under speech codes and under political correctness,” Hegseth said.

The Convocation address is available on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ LibertyOSD. ABBATACOLA is the content editor.

LUCOM swaps scrubs for black ties

Annual gala raises money for international and domestic outreach trips Hattie Troutman hatroutman@liberty.edu

Over the last three years, Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine has been hosting the Helping Hands Gala to assist with fundraising events that carry out their mission of providing medical care to local areas and across the globe.

The black-tie event is hosted by LUCOM’s Office of Clinical Collaboration and Education. Head Coordinator Sydney Coffey leads a committee that comes up with the decor ideas, the meals being

served and the keynote speakers who present their stories and experiences at the event.

This year, the event will be Feb. 16 at 6 p.m. in the Montview Student Union Alumni ballroom.

In contrast to previous years, the keynote speakers are two alumni doctors of LUCOM. Alex and Shannon Hamilton, D.O., will be sharing their experiences from their international rotation in the Togolese Republic of West Africa.

While there, they both got to use their medical skills in an international hospital called Karolyn Kempton Hospital.

Throughout their presentation, they will be highlighting parts of their experience, along with sharing stories from fellow classmates on their international rotation.

“This night is spent emphasizing everything the Lord has done in this office and what he has done with all the outreach events,” Coffey said.

The focus and theme for the gala is “Light of the World.” This will be seen in how they highlight work that has been done through medical outreach this past year and their ongoing desire to continue the same work throughout the na-

tions and local areas.

“We have had different speakers who have not been connected to Liberty, so this year I think it will be impactful to have recent graduates who have tangible evidence of what the Lord has done and highlight the drive that we strive to instill in our students,” Coffey said.

Apart from the two keynote speakers, three awards will be given out to individuals and organizations that the OCCE would like to recognize for making an impact through medical missions nationally and internationally.

Proceeds made from the event

will go directly into the OCCE’s operational and outreach budget, which will be used to sponsor trips around the world and events held in the local areas.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting LUCOM’s website at www. liberty.edu/LUCOM and clicking on “medical outreach” under the “resources” tab.

TROUTMAN is a content reporter.

OPINION

A4

January 29, 2019

Film Review of

"Vice"

Ryan Klinker rmklinker@liberty.edu

Ryan Klinker joined the editorial staff of the Champion in the Fall of 2018 as the photography editor.

He has previously written and taken pictures for the Champion. Ryan is an avid movie consumer, with insight into directing style, screenwriting and acting. I am excited to announce the premiere of our new movie critique column with Ryan Klinker.

-Chad Many people say America isn’t what it once was, but if you were to ask Adam McKay, the man behind 2018’s “Vice,” he might tell you not much has changed in the last two decades of our nation’s government.

His film appears to be designed as a tool to convince audiences of that.

The subject of Dick Cheney is interesting, though difficult to fact check because of how notoriously private the man was at work. One could liken him to an effective backseat driver, letting George W. Bush sit in the spotlight while Cheney steered the White House from behind. Before the title “Vice” was chosen, the film was called “Backseat,” and I suspect the aforementioned analogy relates to that.

The meeting between Bush and Cheney, shown in the film’s trailer, highlights this dynamic, as Cheney says vice president is a “mostly symbolic job,” and he would take the

position if they could “come to a different understanding.” Bush, played like a comical “good ol’ boy” by Sam Rockwell, takes another bite of hot wings and agrees.

As for accuracy, the film begins with a title card stating their efforts to ensure accuracy despite the secrecy, but, as an article by Vanity Fair puts it, “that little caveat actually pries open a wide chasm of possibility, and badly blurs the line between fact and a filmmaker’s imagination.”

This film is more creative interpretation than biopic, and the depiction of every political action — invasion of Iraq, passing of hot-topic legislation, and the dealings happening on Capitol Hill behind closed doors — is done in a narrative voice of both disdain and fixation. It’s almost as if McKay is saying, “Cheney was so cunning, manipulative and ambitious, you can’t help but be in awe of the guy.”

Putting aside the weighty politics, I found the film to be serviceable for what the filmmakers set out to do, with the acting being the only remarkable aspect. Christian Bale’s performance fulfills all expectations following the other transformative roles he has become widely known for, perfectly embodying the Cheney of McKay’s story. A review by AV Club described his performance as “the most interesting and consistent thing about the film, which otherwise takes a spaghetti-at-the-wall approach to depicting Cheney’s rise.”

One of the most interesting characters was that of Amy Adams as Lynne Cheney. Adams plays her as a modern Lady Macbeth beside her husband,

pushing him to grab the next opportunity for power regardless of the means. According to many accounts of their marriage, it was Lynne who spurred Dick on and turned a blue collar drunk into the most powerful vice president in history.

The music, editing, and cinematography all work in unison to establish the intended tone of ironic patriotism and a criticism of how distracted Americans were while the government worked in the figurative shadows. If you’ve seen McKay’s other foray into political satire, “The Big Short,” you’ll recognize similar storytelling techniques — fourth wall breaks explaining complex ideas, interspersed pop culture content, and metaphors illustrating the tone behind a situation — but this film does it with much less skill and craft.

“Vice” received mixed reviews upon its release, and yet it has been nominated for numerous awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor.

While it is a topic for another day, I cannot help but think the movie’s attention comes from the comparisons between the times of Cheney and the political conversations of today.

A man who some believe to be overreaching and abusing his authority is in control of the country — does this theme sound familiar? It wouldn’t be the first time the Oscars rewarded a film for diving into the deep end of political commentary with contemporary applications, and it likely won’t be the last.

KLINKER is the photography editor.

Best animated film

A new dimension to Marvel's iconic franchise

LOGAN Logan Smith lcsmith1@liberty.edu

I always wanted to be a pirate — not because I had an urge to steal and plunder, but because nothing ignited my 9-year-old imagination like sailing the wide ocean, discovering uncharted islands and donning a skull-themed eye patch.

That’s why, at the peak of my architectural competence, I decided to build my own pirate ship.

Most 9-year-olds couldn’t do that, but I was no ordinary kid. I watched every episode of “Phineas and Ferb,” a Disney Channel cartoon featuring two young geniuses who built unrealistically complicated machinery for fun. Believe me, I was qualified.

My visions of a grand vessel worthy of Captain Jack Sparrow, however, were thwarted by reality, which reduced my boat to a small, poorly-operating raft.

Several long layers of plywood collected from my backyard shed made up the base.

They lay parallel, glued together by two other thick planks. Styrofoam covered the bottom to help it float, and in the raft’s center, a long poll acted as my mainmast.

The top of the mainmast featured the most essential component of my masterpiece: a sail, which I strategically stole from my dad’s underwear drawer.

Call it what you want, but in my mind, it rivaled the majesty of the Black Pearl from Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean.”

I eventually dragged my creation to the small river behind my house to test its seaworthy capabilities. But my anticipations were short-lived because it failed to hold any substantial weight.

“

The value of experiencing the outdoors cannot be

Logan Smith lcsmith1@liberty.edu

“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” swung into theaters Dec. 14, 2018, and, after just five weeks, has webbed more than $300 million at the box office worldwide.

Marvel Entertainment, Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation joined forces to deliver a unique and original Spider-Man story packed with riveting animation, relatable characters and — most importantly — lots of fan nostalgia.

Created on a $90 million budget, “Into the Spider-Verse” quickly gained a mesmerizing profit, earning more than $150 million in the United States alone.

It received an astounding 97 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, 8.7/10 on IMDb and 87 percent on Metacritic.

It collected more than $35 million on opening night, making it the third most watched premiere in the last 365 days, sitting close behind “Wreck it Ralph: Ralph Breaks the Internet” and “Incredibles 2.” The rapid success of the newest “Spider-Man” movie will possibly translate into an Oscar – the film is nominated in the Best Animated Feature Film category.

The movie received immense applause for exploring a concept foreign to many Marvel fans: the spider-verse.

Unlike its predecessors, “Into the Spider-Verse” introduces spider-men (and women) from alternate dimensions, each cosmos slightly different from the rest.

The Spider-Man multi-verse has always existed, but the latest animation is the first of the modern spider-man movies to break the traditional mold of Peter Parker’s story to explore other spiderman characters.

At the beginning, the audience meets Miles Morales, an Afro-Latino from Brookland, New York. Although he excels academically, Morales finds more comfort living the hip-hop street life as a graffiti artist. He spends most of his free time drawing, spray painting, slapping graffiti stickers around town

LIFE WITH

Google Images

NEW SUIT — The film shows its urban influence with a black suit and spray-painted logo. or hanging out with his uncle, Aaron.

The movie does a great job integrating hip-hop music to compliment Morales’s personality, a sharp contrast from the familiar films.

Morales hides behind a stimulus of rebellion, a characteristic that abruptly collides with his destiny to become New York’s greatest hero.

Throughout the movie, Morales struggles to cope with his new superpowers: climbing up walls, swinging, electrocution and invisibility. Even with help from Peter Parker (from an alternate dimension), Morales fails to quickly find his bearings.

Morales meets multiple spider-heroes trapped in his own dimension, which resulted as a by-product of the evil Kingpin’s attempt to open the portal of dimensions. Morales and his new sticky friends combat multiple marvel super villains, including Kingpin, to close the portal and return each spider-man to his or her original dimension.

The most intriguing aspect of this animation was its strong character development and nostalgic comic book tenacity.

As a fan of the comics, I was pleased to see the movie stay true to its original aesthetics. Many of its action sequences (punches, kicks, swings, etc.) were replaced with literary, bubbled onomatopoiesis, appealing to the artistic richness found in the original comics. This was both visually attractive and calm-

ing, which was needed, considering the movie’s intense story line and moral significance.

The best character qualities are limits, struggles and low aspects, not super-human strength or moral hierarchy. For example, the traditional Peter Parker struggles with finances, physical appearance and the loss of Uncle Ben. Those aspects are far more compelling than his supernatural strength and willful heroism.

Each Spider-Man in previous movies experienced depressingly low moments in their lives, and “Into the Spider-Verse” does not shy away from that model. Morales, similar to Parker, loses someone very close, which ultimately pushes him to take a leap of faith to discover his role as Spider-Man. Likewise, even Kingpin experienced similar misfortunes, creating understanding and sympathy from the viewer.

The tragic death of his wife and son inspired him to illicitly bridge a portal between alternate dimensions and his own in hopes of reuniting with his family.

Overall, “Into the Spider-Verse” is a fun and emotional movie that satisfies all requirements for the greatest super hero franchise of our time. I cannot wait for a sequel.

overstated.

My raft is still down there by the water, either perched beside the river like I left it, or beneath the ferocious waters, forever forgotten by the world. Either way, the building experience was a blast.

I didn’t know exactly what I was doing. Neither a sufficient manual nor professional help guided the process. Imagination was my only blueprint.

I didn’t own a cellphone as a little kid, so when fantasy literature or video games became too excessive, I escaped to the outdoors, which nurtured endless opportunities of fun and imagination. I frequently crafted bows, arrows, spears and other weaponry out of the simple accessories surrounding my backyard.

PVC pipe served as bow rods, smooth sticks as arrows and sharp stones as arrowheads. I crafted my spears from old broomsticks and sharpened the tips. None of my weapons were dangerous enough to impose lethal injuries, but I didn’t care. They were my own, and I took pride in that.

The value of experiencing the outdoors cannot be overstated. The modern methods of entertainment rarely exclude a phone, computer or television screen. While these also provide great avenues of escape, nothing competes with a warm summer afternoon outside.

I did everything growing up. I played multiple sports, participated in theatre, mastered skateboarding, danced, learned guitar and drums, developed a love for reading and could solve a Rubix Cube in 28 seconds, all while cultivating an imagination through my backyard.

I was your typical Lynchburg homeschooler. I had no worries with nothing to lose. If I could experience it again, I would instantly jump back in time. My thoughts echo the lyrics of country music star Blake Shelton, who dedicated his latest single to his childhood: “Man, I lived it.”

SMITH is the manager of content.

SMITH is the manager of content.

opinion

Liberty Champion | January 29, 2019 | A5

Sensationalized news

The media must recommit to accuracy when reporting breaking news Macy Hrncir mhrncir@liberty.edu

The story that emerged two weekends ago regarding the Covington Catholic School incident in Washington D.C. has been labeled a national “Rorschach Test.” The president himself took to Twitter, saying the Covington students have become symbols of just how evil “fake news” can be.

Overall, this incident has become a blaring reminder of the trend of sensationalism in the media and an example of what can happen when people begin sharing and reacting to a story without full context.

During the March for Life, a video of

the incident exploded all over the internet, prompting national criticism. The video showed a group of students standing in front of a group of Native Americans playing drums and singing. The leader of the group, Nathan Phillips, appears to be confronted by a student, Nicholas Sandmann, who appeared to be smirking.

The media and Twitter jumped on the story, labeling the students of the school as Trump-supporting white supremacists.

Even bishops in the Catholic Church and the diocese of the school issued statements condemning the actions of the high school boys.

Many people have even speculated that the reason this event was so sensationalized was

Facebook

SMIRKING — Nicholas Sandmann was heavily criticized on social media for appearing to smirk at Nathan Phillips during their confrontation at the Lincoln Memorial.

because the students donned Make America Great Again hats. On “The View,” when asked about why the incident blew up the way it did, co-host Joy Behar responded, “Because we’re desperate to get Trump out of office. That’s why.” Whether it was because of politics or some other reason, the fact remains the same.

However, a more complete video serves as a blatant reminder to just how manipulative videos on the internet can be. What the initial video did not show was the harassment the students had received moments earlier from a group called the Black Hebrew Israelites.

In response to the hateful insults and racial slurs, one of the students asked their teacher if they could perform their school chants to drown out the insults.

The group started up a song in an attempt to diffuse the situation. They were trying to make their way to the Lincoln Memorial so that they could finish their prayer. As the Native American group made their way up the steps, the students began to part for them, that is until Phillips came face to face with Sandmann.

The media has made this “confrontation” out to be a blatantly disrespectful act from Sandmann toward the group of Native Americans.

This was a complete misunderstanding.

The students did not know that Phillips’ group was trying to make its way to the memorial. The students saw a group coming toward them beating drums right after experiencing insults hurled at them from the Black Hebrew Israelites.

While the students are not entirely without fault, they were kids in a strange situation.

They didn’t know exactly what was going on.

They were just waiting for their bus.

Sandmann later stated in interview with

NBC News that he believed at the time he was trying to diffuse the situation. Footage shows a student getting into a confrontation with one of Phillips’ companions, and Sandmann motions for him to stop. In regard to his notorious “smirk,” Sandmann stated he was smiling in an attempt to show he wasn’t angry. He also stated he had great respect for Phillips and his group.

All in all, this now famous “stand-off” is a result of a misunderstanding that got way out of hand due to the heated situation and the massive viral attention the video received.

Due to the misrepresentation, several students at Covington School, especially Sandmann, have received hate mail and even threats against their lives. The school had to close its doors Tuesday, Jan. 22 because it feared for the safety of its students.

Nobody was perfect in this confrontation.

Even Sandmann said he wished he had “just walked away” in an interview with NBC Today. However, it is atrocious that people are actually threatening these students. They are high schoolers and teenagers. They are not expected to be perfect, and they shouldn’t have their lives threatened because of this situation.

In an age of YouTube and Twitter, the role of the media as a filter for news becomes increasingly important. The media exists to provide context and clarity, not plunge headfirst into the instant reaction business. The Covington incident is just the latest reminder of how journalists really do shape the opinion of the public.

HRNCIR is an opinion writer.

Diplomatic solutions Putting American soldiers at risk should be the last resort in the Middle East Kelly Sobnosky ksobnosky1@liberty.edu

With eight years and over 15 countries involved in the Syrian civil war, an estimated 2,000 U.S. troops currently deployed may finally be facing a withdrawal from the country.

When it comes to American military presence in foreign nations, the first priority of U.S. leaders must be the lives of their own soldiers.

While America can and should play a role in international politics, and

sometimes that does require a military force, using American military forces in the field must be the last resort.

After U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke over the phone Dec. 14, Trump announced Dec. 19 that the U.S. would be withdrawing all troops from Syria. According to the New York Post, Trump’s officials then rushed to create a plan for withdrawal from the Middle Eastern country. At the same time, others in

Trump’s administration attempted to convince the president to slow his time line or reverse his decision.

The Pentagon was thrown into an even greater frenzy when Secretary of Defense James Mattis announced his resignation. He pledged to stay until the end of February. In his letter of resignation, Mattis said his reason for stepping down was because Trump has “the right to have a secretary of defense whose views are better aligned” with Trump’s view on Syria and “other subjects.”

While not all of his White House

Google Images

BATTLE TRAINING — For years, American forces have been involved in training and preparing the natural Syrian forces to engage ISIS and other threats in the hostile regions of the country.

staff agrees, the president does have reasons to believe that victory in Syria is secured.

The Pentagon estimates that 90 percent of the land once controlled by the Islamic State is now under the control of the coalition led by the U.S. government. During his call with Trump, Erdoğan claimed the Islamic State has been 99 percent defeated.

However, The Washington Post and the New York Times are comparing Trump’s withdrawal to the withdrawal initiated by President Barack Obama, who began pulling out troops but was forced to send them back in 2014 due to an Islamic State reemergence.

During that conflict, the government believed that the troops stationed in the Middle East could be safely withdrawn, but NPR claims that though al Qaeda was eliminated, the swift withdrawal of U.S. troops created a power vacuum that allowed ISIS to obtain power.

Though not entirely anyone’s fault, some claim that if U.S. troops had remained in Iraq, they could have slowed the ISIS expansion.

If the U.S. does withdraw all troops from Syria, can stability be maintained in the region?

While stability through diplomatic actions would be ideal, the problem of the Islamic State group remains. Classified as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government, it would be significantly harder to

get this group to sit down and have a chat with anyone, let alone an international body of leaders.

The United Nations envoy for Syria still believes that diplomacy is the way to go. Staffan de Mistura believes that the risking of lives of soldiers should be a last resort.

“Either we are trying to find a political way to end this war and move to a postwar political scenario, or we will see this war reach new levels or horrors,” de Mistura told the New York Times.

While, it does seem like there should be a better way to secure peace than constant fighting, this should be true specifically regarding the countries that are currently involved in the Syrian conflict. The countries involved should be able to “slug it out” over a diplomatic table, not an abroad battleground.

The controversy surrounding Trump’s decision remains just that, a controversy. At the end of the day, while the value of learning from past mistakes can never be underestimated, neither can be the value of human lives.

SOBNOSKY is an opinion writer.

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content

A6 | January 29, 2019 | Liberty Champion

New Year's renovation

Lynchburg sees plans for upgraded waterlines and electrical systems in 2019

Emma Smith esmith83@liberty.edu

To combat aging waterlines and electrical systems in downtown Lynchburg, the city of Lynchburg and Appalachian Power are partnering in 2019 for the Main Street Renewal Project.

The project, currently in its planning stages, will replace Main Street’s waterlines, modernize electrical systems and upgrade streetscape features. Construction will begin following the expected summer 2019 completion of the Fifth Street Corridor Utility & Streetscape Project.

“We’re currently still doing all of the design for all of the utility replacements as well as the streetscaping that will go in afterwards,” Lynchburg Water Resources’ Public Information Officer Jes Gearing said. “Overall, it’s going to be all new waterlines and some sewer and storm water improvements.”

According to a 2018 virtual public meeting from Lynchburg Water Resources, Appalachian Power’s current electrical system was installed in the 1930s. Additionally, Lynchburg features one of the oldest public water systems in the United States, with a 7th Street waterline dating back to 1829.

“In terms of quality of life, one of things we’re facing here in the city is a very old infrastructure system,” Gearing said. “Especially in downtown, our waterlines are on average over 100 years old.

Some of the waterlines that we’ll be working on are upwards of 120, 130 or more years.”

While Main Street spans more than 10 blocks, the project will be limited to 8th through 12th streets. Several side streets — 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th — will also receive some upgrades.

“The new pipes that we use, they last about 100 years … It’s newer technology. They’re better pipes,” Gearing said. “Although, when you’re looking at pipes that are over 100, 150 years old, the (current pipes are) pretty good as far as that goes.”

The renewal project was announced in June 2018 after Appalachian Power approached the city

about working together to complete the waterline and electrical systems replacements. However, this project is Phase II of Lynchburg Water Resources’ plan of updating the waterlines throughout the downtown area — a total of about 50 blocks. The two organizations joined forces to keep construction to a minimum on Main Street.

decent amount of time before we start (the Main Street Renewal Project).”

Additionally, the owner of the White Hart Café, Daniel Coco, said businesses should keep their customers updated on the construction downtown.

“Not knowing what’s going on is probably the biggest fear that anybody would have in deterring them

keep your eyes peeled if you get email updates from your building manager, or if you get notices on your door, be sure to read those so you know what’s coming down the line in terms of any water or power interruptions,” Gearing said.

While the construction will inevitably require some outages, Gearing said the project itself will decrease water and power inter-

Emma Smith | Liberty Champion

RENEWAL — The city announced new waterlines and upgraded electrical systems for Main Street in June 2018.

Though the electrical and water projects will be combined, the construction will still impact business owners, residents and visitors, who have just recovered from the Main Street Bridge replacement construction. The bridge reopened in November of 2018, after two years of planning and construction.

“With businesses, we’ve been talking with them at this point, but one of the important things is to start with your marketing plan early,” Gearing said. “We still have a

from coming downtown,” Coco said. “I think it’s important that they remain educated on what’s going on specifically, so they don’t have that fear, and then that (business owners) get the word out as to where and what to do when they come downtown.”

As for downtown residents, Gearing said the Water Resources department will be giving notice for outages in advance.

“For outages, we do give notifications in advance for that, so just

Emma Smith| Liberty Champion

CAMERA — Bill Puckett (left) and Don Ogle (right) are the president and vice-president of the Lynchburg Camera Shop, respectively, and are against two-way traffic.

ruptions in the long run. Additionally, the new utilities will increase capacity for future developments on Main Street.

“The only really negative thing (about the project) would be the process of getting there,” Coco said. “That could be a detriment to people getting to your business and may keep people from coming downtown for a period of time, but I think in the end it’ll be a great thing. … Not only are we fixing things that have been issues over

the previous years, but it’ll be a great foundation to sustain things economically and infrastructure wise, we’ll be able to build bigger and better things.”

Coco also voiced his excitement for the finished project, claiming the new streetscape elements — sidewalks, streetlights, benches, etc. — will likely make downtown a safer place to be at night.

“We may see a larger crowd in the evenings,” Coco said. “I know sometimes even our employees feel unsafe if they’re closing late, walking to their cars. So, if (downtown) is a safer place, we’ll see more people here and our employees will feel safer on their way home.”

Though not connected to the Main Street Renewal Project, Lynchburg’s Downtown 2040 master plan includes converting Church and Main Streets to twoway traffic. According to the city of Lynchburg’s website, “two-way traffic in downtown areas boosts visibility of retail businesses, slows traffic, reduces crime and creates livable streets.”

There is no set date for the implementation of two-way traffic.

However, when announced in August of 2018, the idea was met with protest from many downtown business owners such as Lynchburg Camera Shop owner Bill Puckett.

“I have no objection to the water line or electrical service down here. I can see the necessity,” Puckett said. “(But) this two-way traffic stuff is a pure experiment with other people’s livelihoods.”

Puckett wrote a letter to Lynchburg City Council in the fall of 2018 detailing his disapproval of the proposal, which included concerns about delivery schedules.

While Coco’s coffee shop is located on the small portion of Main Street that does have twoway traffic, he agreed that delivery schedules might change, but new routines will be formed, and Lynchburg will become a better place as a result of the master plan.

“I’m excited looking at the (Downtown) 2040 plan as a whole,” Coco said. “I think once we get there, it’s going to be a good time.”

SMITH is a copy editor.

Emma Smith | Liberty Champion

CRAMPED — The 5th Street project is similar to the upcoming Main Street Renewal Project.

5th Street frenzy

GRAPHIC BY DESIGN

Before Main Street replacing the old pipeline Street, including the FedLynchburg receives up- (that is) over 120 years old.” eral Street roundabout. grades, Lynchburg WaThe project has been in Since the project began, ter Resources must com- the works since 2009 with 5th Street has welcomed plete Phase III of the Fifth the goal of “encouraging many new businesses, such Street Corridor Utility & a thriving business center as 5th Street Grind (a coffee Streetscape Project, which in this historically signifi- shop), Daughters and Sons spans Jackson Street to cant area,” according to the Pizza, BitterSweet Clothing Taylor Street. project’s web page. The first & Accessories, and Grey’s, The third segment of the two phases of the project an American restaurant. project, which began in introduced improvements April 2018, is upgrading from Main Street to Jackson SMITH is a copy editor. utilities and streetscape elements.

“The Fifth Street project is very similar to what we’re doing downtown,” Jes Gearing, Lynchburg Water Resources’ public information officer, said. “We’re going through and finishing up the utility portion of that project, which will span Emma Smith | Liberty Champion from Jackson Street to TayMURAL — The mural on the side of 5th Street Grind is one of many lor Street and Park Avenue in the historic district. as well, where we will be

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Liberty Champion | January 29, 2019 | A7

Book receives Award of Merit Liberty University professors earn Christianity Today Book Award Rachel Van Tuyl rvantuyl@liberty.edu

A book by two Liberty University professors, David and Marybeth Baggett, has been chosen for Christianity Today’s 2019 Book Awards. The book, “Morals of the Story: Good News about a Good God,” was chosen for an Award of Merit in the Apologetics/ Evangelism category.

According to David Baggett, a philosophy and apologetics professor, the book focuses on presenting the moral argument for God’s existence and explaining who God is. The husband and wife team intended to reach a wide audience with their book.

“Moral apologetics has tremendous potential to change people’s minds and touch their hearts,” David Baggett said. “It can appeal to the young and old, men and women, educated and uneducated, the left brain and the right.”

Because they wanted to reach a wide audience, the professors sought to build bridges for the lay reader.

“The book aims to be accessible and written for both Christians and non-Christians alike,” Marybeth Baggett, an English FIRST CHECK continued from A1 “When he got to Congress, he saw a way that he could help them by donating his paycheck,” a spokesman from the representative’s office said.

Riggleman was one of the few legislators who did not accept compensation in the wake of the government shutdown.

The newly elected congressman for Virginia’s 5th District began his term in the United States House of Representatives Jan. 3.

As a freshman congressman who is new to the federal government, taking office in the middle of the longest government shutdown in history was eye-opening, Riggleman explained.

Riggleman stands with President Donald Trump in his decision

MARCH continued from A1 Liberty’s pro-life club, Lifeline, partnered with LU Send and bused 76 Liberty students to the march. More Liberty students drove separately and joined the march.

Lifeline is spearheaded by club president Kyle Eisenhuth.

“The march is important to me because it reminds me of all the

professor, said.

She said they did this by presenting the argument in a way that left room for

Photo Provided

MERIT — The Baggett’s book received an Award of Merit in the Apologetics/Evangelism category.

are both stronger for it.”

She hopes their book will highlight the importance of collaboration and the robust possibilities of interdisciplinary research.

“One thing I’ve learned, especially through this project, is how much human beings need one another,” Marybeth Baggett said. “As Scripture shows, from its opening pages and especially in the New Testament’s instructions for the church, we are meant to be in community.”

She added that the book took them a few years to write, although she believes it would have taken longer if it had not been for administrative support from Liberty. “(The administration) has had an increased focus on research and scholarship, and I am glad this award can testify to the importance of such scholarly work,” Marybeth Baggett said.

This is the second book the Baggetts have co-authored. Their first, “At the Bend of the River Grand”, which chronicles the history of a holiness camp meeting in Michigan, was published in 2016.

VAN TUYL is the assistant content editor.

not to back down about securing do this, because every life we save man said. “I want the district to the southern border. Riggleman here is very important to me.” know that it’s about transparsaid a physical border is important, Congressman Riggleman ency and integrity. I want them to but the southern border also needs hopes to improve health care, im- know that they can talk to me at more advanced electronics and migration and tax reform, but his any point. I want to do what’s best better-equipped personnel. Rig- heart beats for the 5th District of for the 5th District based on our gleman knows firsthand the dan- Virginia. shared values.” gers of an insecure border from the “The most important thing I can As the representative for much time he spent there in 2010 with do right now is case work, taking of central Virginia, and a porAir Force units and his experience care of the constituents,” Riggle- tion of Lynchburg, Riggleman is in counter no stranger narcotics and to Liberty counter terUn i v e r s i t y. rorism.

Riggleman “It is abspoke at Consolutely necvocation last essary that semester as we secure a candidate, the border and many comprehenLiberty stusively,” Rigdents helped gleman said. with his Erik Flores | Liberty News Service c a m p a i g n .

“It’s vitally important we CHARITABLE — Riggleman spoke at Convo Select ahead of the Nov. 2018 election.

A spokes-

people, all around the country, (who are) passionate about bringing about the end of abortion,” Eisenhuth said.

“I attend the March for Life with the hope that my children and grandchildren won’t have to march against abortion.”

Eisenhuth became involved in the pro-life movement in high school.

“I was shocked that our country allowed (abor-

Lillian Abbatacola| Liberty Champion

LIFE — The theme for the March for Life was “Unique from day one: pro-life is pro-science.”

dialogue. She found her background in English helpful in contributing to the book, as many examples in the book were drawn from literature.

The Baggetts agreed that combining their knowledge and skillsets strengthened the final product.

“Our conversations as a married couple had already convinced us of how fertile and rife with potential such cross-disciplinary discussions can be,” David Baggett said.

“Our minds work differently, and even though we seldom end up disagreeing, we often arrive at our conclusions in different ways that mutually enrich and inform each other.”

Although the world of academics tends to separate the disciplines, Marybeth Baggett said merging the philosophy and English gave the book a greater depth.

“Sometimes we tend to unconsciously divide reason and creativity, thinking that if someone’s good in math and the sciences and philosophy/logic, they’re not really equipped for poetry and story,” Marybeth Baggett said. “But I think the blending of the two fields here shows that they can and should mutually support one another and

tion),” Eisenhuth said.

“So, I literally Googled, ‘How can a high schooler be pro-life?’ This led me to Students for Life.

They walked me through the process of starting a pro-life group at my high school, and I’ve been involved ever since.”

Gabriella Moreno, who is a part of Lifeline, attended the event and said she felt empowered by the other marchers.

“I was at peace once I left the march. … Even though it was not covered by media, the entire march itself was made up of so many peaceful groups,” Moreno said.

“That has taught me what a true stance is all about: peace, love and compassion.”

The theme for the March for Life rally was “Unique from day one: pro-life is pro-science,” which advocated the idea that pro-life efforts align with scientific research.

The rally also highlighted those who used to work at abortion clinics and then

Lillian Abbatacola| Liberty Champion

PRESIDENT — Kyle Eisenhuth, pictured above, is the president of the pro-life club at Liberty, Lifeline, and said that being a part of the pro-life movement has made him more compassionate.

converted to the pro-life movement.

“My involvement in the pro-life movement has caused me to become more compassionate.

No one gets an abortion because they are an evil person. No one works at an abortion clinic because they want to kill children,” Eisenhuth said. “These are both people who are often in difficult times in life and do what they think is best for them at the time. It is our job to love people until they realize the value of human life.”

Eisenhuth said he has had to find fresh ways to fight for the anti-abortion movement.

“My hope is that abortion will one day be unthinkable. Our goal is not to make abortion illegal. Instead, we want abortion to stop being a thing,” Eisenhuth said.

“I think the pro-life movement wins when everyone agrees abortion is wrong.”

Liberty students who want to get involved with Liberty’s anti-abortion club, Lifeline, can go to w w w.f a c e b o o k .c om / LULifeline/ to learn about upcoming events and connect with club members. Those interested in future March for Life marches, which also takes place in cities like San Francisco and Chicago, can go to the march’s website https://marchforlife.org/mfl-2019/.

ABBATACOLA is the content editor.

man from Riggleman’s office said the congressman appreciates Liberty’s support of his conservative ideas.

“I have a special place in my heart for Liberty,” Riggleman said.

“The students were so helpful, but it’s really their faith in something bigger than themselves that I was drawn to. I just find it very refreshing that that’s the future of our country. … It gives me hope.”

For more information about Congressman Denver Riggleman, visit Riggleman.house.gov. Those who are interested in supporting the Drakes Branch Volunteer Fire Department can visit its Facebook page.

WOOD is a content reporter.

What about New York

?

On the 46th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, — Jan. 22, 2019 — New York’s Gov. Andrew Cuomo smiled as he signed the Reproductive Health Act into law.

“Every individual who becomes pregnant has the fundamental right to choose to carry the pregnancy to term, to give birth to a child, or to have an abortion, pursuant to this article,” Reproductive Health Act says.

The act allows for women to have late-term (after 24 weeks) abortions, decriminalizes abortions and allows for more medical professionals to perform abortions.

“Abortion is one of the safest medical procedures performed in the United States; the goal of medical regulation should be to improve the quality and availability of health care services,” the act says.

According to the bill, abortions before 24 weeks are unlimited. The law gives women the right to have abortions after 24 weeks with the condition that her health is at risk or the fetus is not viable.

Although these standards were already in place in New York because of Roe v. Wade, the state implemented the bill to protect these abortion rights in the case that Roe. V. Wade be overthrown.

“The legislature finds that comprehensive reproductive health care, including contraception and abortion, is a fundamental component of a woman’s health, privacy and equality.

The New York Constitution and United States Constitution protect a woman’s fundamental right to access safe, legal abortion, courts have repeatedly reaffirmed this right and further emphasized that states may not place undue burdens on women seeking to access such rights,” the pre-filed Reproductive Health Care Act of Jan. 9, 2019 says.

The bill elaborates that abortion is not a homicide because the definition of homicide indicates that a person must be the victim. The state of New York does not see a fetus as a person, therefore there would be no victim in an abortion (§ 5).

The act has no strict guidelines for what qualifies as a risk to the mother.

Those interested in reading the full act can go to legislation. nysenate.gov and search for the Reproductive Health Act. ABBATACOLA is the content editor.

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A8 | January 29, 2019 | Liberty Champion

Community for commuters

Liberty University Shepherd Office announces groups for off-campus students Madison Hirneisen mghirneisen@liberty.edu

While many on-campus students at Liberty University have numerous outlets to take advantage of spiritual growth opportunities, the LU Shepherd office noticed a gap between the spiritual connectivity options for residential students and commuter students.

This prompted action.

In an attempt to bridge this connectivity gap, the LU Shepherd office recently teamed with the Office of Commuter Student Life to reinvent commuter community groups. According to Director of LU Shepherd Timothy Griffin, commuter community groups have been around for several years. There has never been a partnership of this level between the two offices until last semester.

While many residential Liberty students take advantage of community groups each week, a large portion of Liberty University’s student body resides off-campus, and therefore, does not easily have connection to a faith-based community.

“The goal and the mindset has always been to still provide opportunities for those commuters to connect spiritually,” Griffin said. “It’s been an ongoing thought of, ‘How can we connect the commuter students spiritually?’”

To give off-campus students more opportunities to engage in a faith-based com-

munity, the LU Shepherd office created the commuter shepherd position. Commuter shepherds act as leaders in off-campus communities and have responsibilities similar to those of resident shepherds and community group leaders on campus. Currently, 28 commuter shepherds lead groups at various times throughout the week, and the LU

“

Liberty in an apartment.

So, when she received an email from the LU Shepherd office looking for off-campus students interested in leadership and meeting new people, she jumped at the opportunity to apply.

“Off-campus is kind of isolated, so (being a shepherd) has given me so many op-

We want them to recognize that … God has put them in the community they are in to be servants in that community.

Shepherd office hopes to double this number by the fall 2019 semester, according to Griffin.

“Half of the roughly 15,000 students that are at Liberty right now (are) commuters,” Griffin said. “And so, with that in mind, (we) know some students move off because they really don’t want the connectivity, you know, they want to have their freedom. But we feel that a large amount of the students that move off still want to be connected spiritually, and so we want to provide that opportunity for them.”

Freshman Fayth Guillory began serving as a commuter shepherd last semester. Guillory’s experience as a freshman in college has been different than most other students at Liberty. Guillory has never been an oncampus student, and she began her time at

Photo Provided

LOUNGE — Convo is livestreamed in the Commuter Student Lounge.

Photo Provided

TAILGATE — Commuters came together during the football season.

Photo Provided

TOGETHER — Students started gathering informally last semester for community groups last semester.

To learn more, scan below:

— Timothy Griffin portunities to meet different people, especially people who I would not normally have been exposed to as a freshman on campus,” Guillory said.

For Guillory, serving as a commuter shepherd has had slow beginnings. Last semester, Guillory had inconsistent attendance at her weekly commuter group meeting, which she hosted at her apartment on Tuesday nights. However, Guillory found encouragement through meeting with other shepherds and graduate mentors in the LU Shepherd office.

Guillory plans this semester to continue hosting weekly gatherings at her apartment complex and is pleased with LU Shepherd’s attempts to reach out to more commuter students by taking part in tailgates during football season and having visibility at Cam-

pus Community. Guillory hopes that more commuter students will become aware of the opportunities available to them through LU Shepherd and the commuter shepherd program.

“Because on-campus (community) is so knitted together (and) there are so many opportunities, it’s so easy to be involved,” Guillory said.

Moving forward, Griffin hopes the LU Shepherd office will be able to help more commuters find ways to get connected spiritually. He hopes that students will connect with commuter shepherds to find support for not only their spiritual needs, but also basic life-skills. Griffin believes that commuter students have a unique opportunity to impact the off-campus communities where they are residing for Christ.

“We want them to recognize that even though it might be for a short time, that God has put them in the community they are in, to be servants in that community,” Griffin said. “If there is something that pops up where they know there is a need, come together as a community group and say, ‘How can we meet that need?’”

Students interested in learning more about getting connected with an LU Commuter Shepherd can email LUShepherd@ liberty.edu or scan the included QR code for more details.

HIRNEISEN is a content reporter.

SPORTS

January 29, 2019

B1

Undefeated Peter Gooch pgooch1@liberty.edu

R

ain fell on Liberty University’s campus in a steady patter all afternoon and into the night of Saturday, Jan. 19. But the typical Lynchburg rainstorm did not keep Liberty sports fans from coming out to the Vines Center in full force.

Almost 5,000 individuals, including 2,200 Liberty students, were on hand to scream, chant and cheer as the Flames men’s basketball team overcame a slow start to squeeze past the University of North Florida Ospreys, 70-64.

Rallying from a halftime deficit, Liberty improved to 16-4 overall, including a perfect 9-0 at home and 5-0 in ASUN Conference play.

“It was really good for our team to have to play in such a hard-fought game,” Flames Head Coach Ritchie McKay said. “I knew North Florida was good and they would present a challenge.”

Tied 59-59 with five minutes left, Liberty clamped down on defense to secure the win, as they held the Ospreys (9-11, 3-2 in the ASUN) to

only one made field goal in the critical closing stretch.

“That’s something that we need to have every night,” junior guard Caleb Homesley said. “We need to hold teams to scoring droughts, and I think that that helped us win the game tonight.”

Homesley had two blocks, seven rebounds and scored 10 of his 14 points in the second half. One of his rejections started a game-

changing sequence that ended with teammate Myo Baxter-Bell converting on a layup to put the Flames up 61-59 with 4:18 to play.

After Baxter-Bell’s bucket, Liberty would not relinquish the lead the rest of the way.

“Our defense always wins out,” Baxter-Bell said. “We can be tough to play against on the defensive end and we let everything else fall in place.”

Baxter-Bell, a junior from Cincinnati, Ohio, was a dominant force all night. He scored 10 points with four rebounds and hyped up the Flames and their fans on multiple occasions.

“I hope that’s what I always bring,” Baxter-Bell said of his energy. “I feel like a lot of players look at me for a voice and for that leadership, so I take that role seriously.”

But for all the highlight moments for the Flames, it took some time for the

team to get going.

Led by forward Noah Horchler, the Ospreys jumped out to a 17-9 lead with 11:29 remaining in the first half while taking advantage of a slow start by Liberty’s balanced scoring attack.

Horchler scored eight of North Florida’s first 17 points, but he finished with only 16 points overall as foul trouble stunted his aggressiveness in the second half. The Ospreys’ leading scorer was guard Ivan Gandia-Rosa, who had 19 points and four assists while making 4-of-9 from three-point range.

See UNDEFEATED, B2

Basketball Liberty

UNF

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Crushing UNA Flames dominate UNA for a 72-47 win Despite shooting 34.6 percent from the field in the first half, Liberty would take a 26-19 lead into halfThe Flames baskettime thanks to their stellar defense and balanced scoring. ball team overcame a “We took a step defensively todouble digit second night,” McKay said. “We were hard to play against for most of half deficit on Sunday against the the evening.”

The Flames defense forced Jacksonville Dolphins to win 69-59. nine North Alabama turnovers and allowed just three UNA playThe Flames are 18-4 on the season ers to score in the first half, while and are tied for number one in the they had seven players tally points before halftime. conference. Lipscomb will play LiberOne of the Flames held scoreless in the first half was star forward ty at 7 p.m. Jan. 29, with the conferScottie James, who shot 0 of 4 and ence lead on the line. turned the ball over several times in what was a forgettable half. “(James) was doing stuff I don’t see him do every day,” McKay said.

“I thought he did a much better job Christian Weaner in the second half.” crweaner@liberty.edu After coming out of the game briefly when he landed awkwardly on his knee late in the After a cold first half, the Flames basketball first half, James returned and played much team was on fire in the second half of action, better in the second half. The six feet eight making their first eight shots and scoring on inches forward would tally seven points and nine of their first 10 possessions, en route three reto their seventh straight victory Monday bounds in night, Jan. 21. the final The blazing second half saw Liberty shoot 20 min74 percent from the court, which helped balutes.

Liberty UNA loon their 7-point halftime lead into a 72-47 L i b victory over North Alabama. e r ty’s Senior guard Lovell Cabbil’s performance bench also reflected the team’s performance, as he played a headed into the locker room with just three key role in the lopsided victory, outscoring points the first half, but erupted for 17 of his team-high 20 points in the second half. North Alabama’s bench 20-8. No one proCabbil, a senior captain on the team, is also vided a bigger spark for the Flames than seconsidered one of the Flames best on-ball nior transfer student Keenan Gumbs.

FYI

Leah Stauffer | Liberty News Service

REACH —

Sophomore forward Elijah Cuffee bounds over defenders for the basket.

Basketball

Outswimming the Dolphins

Lady Flames defeat North Florida 69-53 Benjamin Craft bcraft2@liberty.edu

The Lady Flames basketball team defeated the North Florida Ospreys 69-53 Saturday, Jan. 19. This was Liberty’s second consecutive victory, and the team’s first home Atlantic Sun conference win.

The game got off to a slow start for the Lady Flames as UNF went on an 11-0 Liberty scoring run after red-shirt sophomore guard and forward Emily Lytle’s initial three-pointer to open the game. Liberty tightened up and managed to take a 28-25 lead into the half, largely due to Lytle’s 11 first-quarter points.

Liberty played great defense throughout the night. The Lady Flames held UNF to only 26.9 percent shooting from the field. UNF’s leading scorer, position and year Arianna Emanuel-Jackson, was held to 3-18 shooting. Redshirt sophomore forward Jazz Bond

was the only UNF starter to shoot above 50 percent for the game.

The Lady Flames also dominated the boards all game long. Liberty grabbed 17 offensive rebounds, which continuously led to second-chance points for the team.

Senior forward KK Barbour did not score in the first quarter, but she ended with 15 points. Nine of those points came in a pivotal third quarter where LibUNF erty truly established its lead and took a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter. Barbour also added 11 rebounds, which put her over 500 for her career.

W. Basketball 69

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See OUTSWIMMING, B4

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defenders and showed his skills on both ends of the court.

See CRUSHING, B4 “(Cabbil) is capable of it every night,” Coach Ritchie McKay said. “He is one of the best two-way players in the league.”

Cabbil’s night was highlighted during a sequence in the second half when he blocked North Alabama’s Jamari Blackmon on defense before crossing Blackmon over and nailing a 3-pointer that sent the home crowd into a frenzy.

“He saw that on one of my tapes back in ’87,” McKay joked. “He saw a similar move that I had.”

Cabbil would not take all the credit for his performance. He praised his teammates, who set good screens and helped get him open all night.

“Myo (Baxter-Bell) did a great job passing at the end of the game and got me a couple of layups,” Cabbil said. “I will probably get all the credit, but without those guys I would not have had the night I had.”

Before getting heated up in the second half, the Flames sputtered a bit out of the Ryan Klinker | Liberty Champion gate. Liberty accumulated seven turnovers TAKEOVER — Redshirt junior Scottie James through the first 13 minutes of action and earned ASUN co-player of the week recognition. shot just 2-for-13 on 3-pointers.

sports

B2 | January 29, 2019 | Liberty Champion

Chugging into 2019 Liberty Flames baseball team prepares for first season in Atlantic Sun conference Paige Frost pmfrost@liberty.edu

Get ready to board the Flame Train as the 2019 baseball season approaches. In the 2018 season, Liberty Flames Baseball ended with a 32-26 record, and this season they will look to build on last season’s successes.

The 2019 season will be the inaugural year for the Flame’s Baseball team in the ASUN conference, and they are projected to be third in the conference.

“This projection just speaks to the reputation of this program, and the success of the kids in this program,” Head Coach Scott Jackson said.

“The thing that I thought was neat is that we don’t have a preseason allconference player, and that’s what you want as a coach. To achieve top three, you have to be connected

and stay together.”

This season be prepared to see a lot of returning players out on the field, and the players are already comfortable with playing with each other.

“We are pushing each other every day, and working as hard as we can,” senior infielder Tyler Galazin said.

“We have to encourage each other and be the best teammates that we can be.”

Being the best teammate and leader is one of Galazin’s goals this season, and he wants to see his team succeed and do the best that they can as they begin this season.

With the opening day Friday, Feb. 15, at the University of South Carolina, Liberty’s schedule has a few teams that Liberty has seen before.

However, along with the new conference comes new teams, and they are working hard daily to practice and

make sure they can give their best.

“I think we need to focus on productivity and not performance,” junior utility player Jonathan Embry said. “I think that’s what gets wins and draws the fans out.”

Jackson said everyone is back this season and ready to play, and some are even trying new things in a new position.

“They need to be their best in every role possible,” Jackson said.

“I’m looking forward to seeing our guys and how they handle that.

College baseball should be fun.

So, this should motivate them daily, and this will help prepare them for tomorrow and every day.”

The first home game is Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 3:30 p.m. vs.

Wake Forest.

FROST is a sports reporter.

Kevin Manguiob | Liberty News Service WIND UP — Pitcher Garret Price is beginning his third season with the Flames.

UNDEFEATED continued from B1 “They’re a really good team,” junior forward Scottie James said of North Florida. “They made us work a lot offensively and defensively.”

According to James, it was one of the toughest wins of the year for a Liberty team that already has road victories over UCLA, Navy and Florida Gulf Coast

this season.

After winning the ASUN co-player of the week award, James led the Flames in scoring for the fourth time in the past five games as he poured in 18 against North Florida to go along with six rebounds. Two of his points came on a vicious alley-oop dunk in the first half that thrilled the crowd.

The wet and chilly night outside the Vines Center did

Kevin Maguiob | Liberty News Service SWING — Senior Tyler Galazin is pushing the team to be its best.

not dampen the spirits of the 4,958 in attendance as they found numerous reasons to explode in excitement.

“I thought tonight we weren’t quite at our best, but I think North Florida had a lot to do with it,” McKay said. “And I think our fans had a lot to do with the outcome of the game.”

GOOCH is a sports reporter.

Ryan Klinker | Liberty Champion

POPULARITY — The Flames hosted nearly 5,000 fans in their game against UNF.

Ryan Klinker | Liberty Champion

HELP — Junior guard Georgie Pacheco-Ortiz earned four assists against UNF.

Ryan Klinker | Liberty Champion

DUNK — Senior transfer Keenan Gumbs came to Liberty from Schreiner University.

sports

Liberty Champion | January 29, 2019 | B3

Freezing the Warriors Flames hold Rochester College to 13-2 in first game of series John Simmons jasimmons1@liberty.edu

If you are a fan of watching highscoring hockey, then the LaHaye Ice Center was the place to be Friday night, Jan. 25.

The Liberty Flames Division I men’s hockey team dominated Rochester College, 13-2 in the first installment of a weekend home series with the Warriors. The win ended Liberty’s two game losing streak, which came at the hands of Stony Brook, and gave the Flames their first win of the spring semester.

Sophomore forward Cole Gammer, who scored two goals and an assist, was impressed with the team’s response after last weekend’s letdown against Stony Brook.

“It was really important for us to come out and have a big game tonight,” Gammer said. “I think we got everyone going tonight. We got all four lines rolling. Everyone was scoring … .”

While the final score suggests that Liberty

had the game in control from start to finish, they had some difficulties in the early going. After junior defenseman Garret Nelson scored on a power play to give the Flames a 1-0 lead, a slashing penalty by Andy Clark and a hooking penalty by Basil Reynolds gave the Warriors a 5-3 advantage with 14:02 left in the first period. Forward Joseph Tabbi scored shortly thereafter and tied the game at 1-1.

That was the closest the Warriors would get to beating the Flames, who despite having to kill six penalties, including a 10-minute major to Clark, were able to score four unanswered goals to end the first period with a 5-1 advantage. Gammer believed the Flames ability to overcome those mistakes was the key in paving the way to victory.

“As long as we focused on one shift at a time, I think it was just a matter of time before those next goals came,” Gammer said. “Once we got to the 5-1 mark, we knew we had this game and we just tried to run

with it from there.”

Head Coach Kirk Handy was also impressed with the resilience of the Flames penalty kill, which

was kept b u s y throughout the entire night.

“Our penalty kill has been

solid most of the year, and it was great again tonight,” Handy said.

Once the second period started, Liberty continued to impose their will on the Warriors. The Flames started the second on the power play, and successive power play goals by center Quinn Ryan and forward Joe Bochinski gave the Flames a 7-1 advantage.

The Flames would finish the night 4-6 on the power play.

After allowing this eighth goal of the night with 14:47 left in the second, the Warriors benched junior goalie Robert Meadows, who made 15 saves on 23 shots. Unfortunately for Rochester, backup goalie Trevor Osko surrendered five goals to make the final deficit 13-2 in Liberty’s favor.

“We didn’t develop any bad habits late in the game,” Ryan said. “We stuck to our systems and just played the right way.”

The Flames hope they will be able to continue to play the right way on Saturday, when they rematch with Rochester at the LaHaye Ice Center. The puck drops at 7 p.m.

SIMMONS is a sports reporter.

Quick Notes • • •

The Flames are 19-6 this season The Flames are 11-2 at home The Flames have eight games remaining in the regular season Liz Fitch | Liberty Champion

Liz Fitch | Liberty Champion

COMRADERY — The Flames are 19-6 on the season.

SKID — Junior defenseman Jacob Fricks has 22 points this season.

On Sunday Feb. 3, an epic showdown between the world’s top two National Football League heavyweights will take place in Atlanta, Georgia.

At first glance, it would appear that one team has nothing more to prove while the other has everything to prove.

41-year-old New England Patriot’s quarterback Tom Brady is appearing in his ninth Super Bowl in 17 seasons. Despite his impressive resume, the veteran quarterback is still not satisfied and continues to play as if there is still something to prove.

Third year Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff and

Rams Head Coach Sean McVay have resurrected an organization that had grown stagnant before making the move to Los Angeles three years ago.

One organization attempts to rise from the ashes and regain the powerhouse status that they possessed in the late 1990s to early 2000s.

The other organization is looking to add to the stress and annoyance that the football world has for the Patriots by winning their sixth Super Bowl ring since the Brady, Belichick era began in 2001.

COUCH is the assist. sports editor.

Things to know: - Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is eight years older than Rams Head Coach Sean McVay. - Patriots wide receiver Julian Edleman played a high school football game against Rams Head Coach Sean McVay when McVay was a high school quarterback.

- Rams wide receiver Brandon Cooks played the 2017 season with his now Super Bowl opponent New England Patriots.

Game Time:

6:30 p.m. Est. sunday, Feb. 3

sports

B4 | January 29, 2019 | Liberty Champion

Smashing to victory Men’s DI hockey fights off Rochester (9-2) for final game in series What started to look like a possible blowout was made a close game once again when Rochester College scored just seven seconds Fists were flying and tensions ran high dur- into a powerplay early in the first period to ing the hockey game Saturday, Jan. 26, ver- make the score 2-1. sus Rochester College where three Flames Later in the first, the Warriors scored and one Warriors player were ejected after again to pull within a point. a massive fight broke out in the third period.

The Flames offense never relented, A dazzling offensive show entertained the though. With an endless barrage of shots, large home crowd. The Flames succeeded in they managed to take control of the game winning 9-2 in the second game of the series once again with three more goals in the against Rochester College to secure the two- first period. game sweep.

“It’s time to forget about these The Flames jumped out to an early lead games and move on to the big conferwith goals from Quinn Ryan and Andy Clarke ence games coming up next weekend,” within the first three minutes of the game.

Handy said.

“It was nice to know we got contributions By the end of the game the Flames had from different guys, like Andy and Cody outshot the Warriors 56-16 and managed to Clarke,” Head Coach Kirk Handy said. hold the Warriors to a measly two points.

“They are guys who work hard in every pracAlthough it was an impressive win for Libtice and every game for us and both were re- erty, it did come at a cost. Ryan Cox, Basil warded with scoring tonight.”

Reynolds and Chayden Lauber were all ejected for fighting in what could only be called a brawl that occurred in the middle of the third period.

“The fans love it, but we just want to make sure we keep all of our guys for the next game,” Handy said.

Every player that was thrown out is disqualified for the next game. Cox, who has already been ejected once this season will have to miss the next two.

“Honestly, they were throwing some shots that we really didn’t like and did what we could to take Liz Fitch | Liberty Champion care of that,” Cox SKILLED — Sophomore Devin Pierce has contributed greatly in 2019. said. “Sometimes the Nate Montgomery nimontgomery@liberty.edu

CRUSHING continued from B1 Gumbs played all over the floor for the Flames, providing key minutes during a tough stretch in the first half. With just under five minutes remaining, Gumbs threw down a dunk in transition that reignited the home crowd and sparked an 11-2 Liberty run to end the half.

“Coach (McKay) puts me in to provide energy for the team,” Gumbs said. “When I do make those energy plays, it does help amp up the team.”

The Flames also had valuable minutes from redshirtjuniors Caleb Homesley and Myo Baxter-Bell. Homesley put up 15 points and nine rebounds in 30 minutes of

action, while Baxter-Bell tied his career-high with five assists.

“Myo (Baxter-Bell) can score the ball,” McKay said.

“He is a good passer. He is a really good defender. He has earned some minutes.”

North Alabama was led in scoring by guards Christian Agnew and Jamari Blackmon, who each scored 13 points.

The 47-point performance marked the lowest scoring game of the season for UNA. The Lions will look to rebound Thursday at home against Kennesaw State.

Monday’s win gave Liberty a 7-0 record in conference for the first time in team history and marked the first time since the 2007-08 season that the Flames have

started 10-0 at home.

While the team is taking one game at a time and not getting ahead of themselves, they are starting to realize that what they are doing this season is special.

“We are a confident group; we believe in ourselves and the things that we do and our staff,” Cabbil said. “At the same time, we still can get better. We have a long way to go if we want to get to the NCAA Tournament.”

The Flames move to 19-4 overall. They face Lipscomb on Tuesday, Jan. 29, at 7 p.m. in the Vines Center.

WEANER is a sports reporter.

Leah Stauffer | Liberty News Service FOCUSED — Freshman guard Darius McGhee drives down the court.

Liz Fitch | Liberty Champion DOMINANT — Junior right wing Josh Hamilton earned several assists over the weekend

series, helping the Flames sweep Rochester.

refs don’t handle it like they should so when they go after one of us we have to step up to stop it.”

All night players were getting rowdy with five different fights breaking out on the ice.

In addition to the three players from Liberty that were ejected there was one player from Rochester College who was thrown out for leaving the bench to join the brawl.

“We got the two wins that we needed and that’s really what’s important,” Cox said. “The only real negative from tonight

is the guys who are suspended and a couple of injuries.”

The hockey team travels to Rhode Island University to play their next series on Feb. 1 and 2 before coming home for another home series starting Feb. 15.

MONTGOMERY is a sports reporter.

OUTSWIMMING continued from B1 Other notable performers include sophomore forward Bridgette Rettstatt, who also ended with 15 points.

Rettstatt scored nine consecutive points for the Lady Flames to put the Ospreys out of reach late in the fourth quarter. Emily Lytle also added 14 points, and Ria Gulley scored 12 and added a career-high 8 rebounds.

UNF was led by Bond who scored 16 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.

This is a good win for the Lady Flames who have been struggling on the year having gone 2-3 in their last five games before the victory. They have improved their record in ASUN play to 2-3 and their overall record to 6-12.

“Every win that we can get is a great win,” Barbour said.

“We’ve struggled a little bit at the beginning, but I think we’re starting to play how our team is supposed to play. And yeah there are things that we need to work on. We’re not perfect, but I think we’ll continue to grow and work on those things

Allison Heise | Liberty Champion BUCKETS — Center Mya McMillian shoots a free throw.

and get better from here,” Barbour said.

This was the Lady Flames’ second game since losing the 2018 Big South Freshman of the year, Ashtyn Baker to an ankle injury.

Allison Heise | Liberty Champion ACCURACY — The Lady Flames are 3-3 in ASUN play.

“It’s desperate,” Green said. “We have to come together and give our very best. To finish again with a considerable number of assists, sharing the ball, and being able to put some points on the board certainly is a confidence builder for the young ladies. And I thought our defense was pretty good today.”

The Lady Flames will be traveling to Lipscomb tomorrow to face the Bisons at 7:30 p.m.

CRAFT is a sports reporter.

sports

Liberty Champion | January 29, 2019 | B5

shaking the snowglobe

Kevin Manguiob | Liberty News Service

EXPERIENCE — The swim & dive team celebrated its seniors Saturday, Jan. 26. The seniors are Shelby Black, Alicia Finnigan, Ricki Lee Hodges, Corrilynn Lynch, Elizabeth Magnusson, Ashley Mauzy, and Siani Null.

Ryan Klinker | Liberty Champion

HEAVYWEIGHT — The Flames basketball team remains undefeated in ASUN play.

Joel Coleman | Liberty News Service

SPIRIT — The Liberty cheer squad traveled to Florida for a competition in January and placed 7th in their division.

Winter Recap

Joel Coleman | Liberty News Service

WORLDWIDE — Senior Alejandro Zapata posted 2019’s fastest time in the world for the 500m race.

John Nekrasov ydnekrasov@liberty.edu

The winter break was a historic month for the Flames, with both the men’s basketball and women’s swimming and diving teams producing stunning victories.

With an eye on their upcoming conference schedule, the Flames basketball team played five nonconference games on the road, finishing 2018 with a climactic 73-58 victory over UCLA. Liberty faced UCLA Dec. 29 in Los Angeles, triumphing in a famous result for the Flames, their first victory against a PAC-12 team in program history. Junior guard Caleb Homesley led the offense with 21 points in the historic upset.

“The way that we pass the ball, move it — the way we move on of-

fense is different,” Homesley said.

“Any time we can push in transition this year, I feel like we kind of exploit that.”

Liberty’s results against a strong list of non-conference opposition contributed to a confident start to their conference schedule, with a 7-0 record going into their next game Jan. 27. Junior forward Myo Baxter-Bell connected the team’s growth in mental strength to some of last season’s difficulties.

“I just think we’re more mature — we’re getting mature,” BaxterBell said. “We remember where we were last year, and we remember we were having a good year last year and lost to some teams in our conference.”

Before any talk of postseason play, however, Coach Ritchie McKay wants his players to focus

Allison Heise | Liberty Champion

BREAKAWAY — The Lady Flames basketball team won its first ASUN conference game Saturday, Jan. 19.

on consistency for the rest of the regular season.

“From mid-January to the end of February — the teams that are getting better during those six weeks are the teams that are playing in March, and if we want to be one of those we have to keep improving,” McKay said.

In the pool, the women’s swimming and diving team also produced some impressive performances over the break.

Earning another historic victory for Liberty athletics, the Lady Flames defeated Florida Gulf Coast University in a dual-meet Jan. 5, breaking FGCU’s undefeated record in dual-meets that had stood since 2008. Coach Jake Shellenberger emphasized the importance of the result against Liberty’s top conference rival.

“Gulf Coast and Liberty have been at the top of our conference since we started, and it’ll remain that way,” Shellenberger said.

“We’re head and shoulders above the rest of the conference, and we’ve beaten them once at the conference meet — we’ve now beaten them once in a dual meet.”

On an individual level, four Liberty swimmers competed for Olympic Trials places at Winter Nationals Dec. 1, with senior Alicia Finnigan securing a spot in the 200m butterfly. Shellenberger spoke about her value to the team in her last season at Liberty.

“We know that whenever we go to a meet, we’ll be able to count on her to race well,” Shellenberger said.

In Finnigan’s last season, she has an opportunity to win a second con-

ference title for Liberty University.

The Lady Flames are now on a 13-0 win streak this season, and Shellenberger believes this could be the year Liberty reclaims the title for the first time since 2014.

“We need to finish,” Shellenberger said. “We just need to keep the pedal to the metal, as they say.

We gotta show up and swim well, dive well and then we have to do what we’ve done all year.”

The Lady Flames basketball team maintained a record of 3-3 through winter break.

Liberty’s athletes continued to pursue excellence throughout break.

NEKRASOV is a sports reporter.

feature

B6 | January 29, 2019 | Liberty Champion

Better inside and out

Liberty’s Interior Design Association helps students hone skills and creativity Rachel Ali rmali@liberty.edu

Up on the fourth floor of DeMoss lies a world that can only be described as real-life Pinterest.

Walking into an Interior Design Association meeting feels like being thrown into an alternate universe with tons of beautiful fresh-faced girls with braids in their hair, working on what appears to be crafts and mood boards. There are flowers and sugar cookies everywhere. Everyone is chatting and smiling in the most welcoming manner.

The association makes their meetings feel more like a party.

Interior design is more than HGTV and Chip and Joanna Gaines or deciding what neutral shades of gray go best in an off-white kitchen. According to Alyssa Cirillo, a senior Interior Design major, she was drawn to the creative major because of the skills needed.

“I chose it because I love interior architecture and luxury design,” Cirillo said. “I hope to redo houses one day too.”

Sophomore Emily Engle found interest in

interior design at an early age.

“It has always been something I was interested in,” Engle said. “When I was a little girl I always loved rearranging my room.

That was just always something I enjoyed doing. Once I got older I found out you could make a serious career out of it. One day, I hope to work residentially redesigning clients dream homes.”

Members of Liberty’s Interior Design Association, many who are majoring in interior design, said they need to have more skills than simply having naturally good style or being creative.

While “interior architecture” may be a new term for those not familiar with interior design, Cirillo was not shy in explaining how knowledgeable an interior designer must be.

“It is not just decorating, which is what most people think of it as,” Cirillo said.

“There is a difference between an interior decorator and an interior designer. Interior decorators tend to decorate or redo a space with just furniture while interior designers … need to know about things such as building codes and structurally redoing an entire space.”

photo provided

HANDS-ON — The club joins to serve at Runk and Pratt Senior Living Communities.

She explains how interior designers tend to have a lot more skills and information and are problem solvers but in an artistic way.

While the program might not be that well known and is still a smaller department, the girls are excited for some of the changes coming to this major very soon.

“

pretty side. There really is a lot of diversity in this major,” Wilson said. “It trains you to not only be your own entrepreneur but to have the skills to go out into the workplace and have a very diverse set of skills, such as furniture and décor design and even becoming a buyer and seller of a company like

What I really hope to do is be a designer for both residential and commercial, but (also) be able to be a light in people’s homes showing Christ’s love while I’m decorating for them.

— Emily Wilson

“The program has been revamped, and our department is currently working on getting our CIDA (Council of Interior Design Accreditation) which will take our program to a whole new level, which is very exciting,” Cirillo said.

Cirillo described this major as creative and fun but also lots of hands-on projects that go outside the classroom.

“It is a lot of independent work and not as many tests and quizzes necessarily,” Cirillo said. “My friend that is a nursing major jokes with me all the time and says I have more work than she does and that is coming from a junior year nursing major.”

Emily Wilson, a senior interior design and business major at Liberty, is also the president of the Interior Design Association.

“What I really hope to do is be a designer for both residential and commercial but be able to be the light in people’s homes showing Christ’s love while I’m decorating for them.” Wilson said. “This area of work can actually become quite personal.”

Interior Design can offer a variety of careers especially for someone like Wilson who has paired her Interior Design major with a degree in business.

“We learn both the technical side and the

Pottery Barn.”

Wilson described just how necessary it is to have good communication skills is for a designer.

“Sometimes you have to go back and forth a million times until you come to a mutual agreement,” Wilson said. “You need to know what they want and be able to cater to a client and remember that this is not your project or your dream and that it is your job to give them the best possible choices and guidance.”

Wilson is looking forward to a semester packed with creativity and learning for the organization.

“Our Pinterest Party is one of our first, and always our biggest, meeting every semester,” Wilson said. “This year we will be painting jars but we also want to start incorporating more service projects into what we do. During our Pinterest Party we will be writing Valentine’s Day cards to a nursing home and will also be delivering them in person.”

The Pinterest Party will take place on Feb. 7 at 5:30 p.m. in DeMoss 4162, and is open to anyone interested in interior design.

ALI is a feature reporter.

feature

Liberty Champion | January 29, 2019 | B7

Facebook

BOND — Father Angelo Tillas (left), a Liberty alumnus, and son Niko Tillas (right), a Liberty student sometimes work side-by-side.

Lauren Osterhoudt | Liberty Champion

ATTENTION — Uncle Joe’s Donuts is located off of Timberlake Road and is open at 7 a.m. on weekdays.

Do or donut

Liberty alumnus and former Uncle Joe’s Donuts and Things employee becomes new owner Esther Eaton eeaton@liberty,edu

11:30 p.m.

While most people flick off the television and head for bed, Angelo Tillas starts his day and works alone, silent and focused, through the night. At 7 a.m. every weekday, his green apron powdered with flour and sugar, Angelo Tillas unlocks the door. At 7:01 a.m. he starts answering the phone. Uncle Joe’s Donuts and Things is open for another day of business.

Angelo Tillas bought the shop in late October after working for the original owners. He follows the previous owner’s tested recipes and said he loves his work and hopes it shows. Recently he went from donating extra donuts to selling out three days in a row.

“I keep coming back to — have we turned a corner?” Angelo Tillas said. “And we’ll find out.”

On a Saturday afternoon, his donuts gone, Angelo Tillas chatted with prospective customers. He offered sample donut holes from a bowl next to the cash register. He is grateful for regular customers returning and greets new ones with a smile. When friends offer to pray for his business, Angelo Tillas asks for 10-20 more customers each day to turn off Timberlake Road and visit his shop.

“Why not be specific?” Angelo Tillas said. “Even the most minute patron percentage — it would just transform the business.”

He closes the shop at 1 p.m., noon on Saturdays, and makes it home, exhausted, by 3 p.m. At 70 years old, Angelo Tillas said his

body wants to cave in some days.

His son Niko Tillas, a business student and athlete at Liberty University, runs the front counter occasionally to let his father catch up in the kitchen. Angelo Tillas worked in his father’s restaurant, and Niko appreciates the chance to do the same.

“A generation later here I am,” Niko Tillas said. “Helping out my dad.”

The name of the business will change to simply “Uncle Joe’s Donuts” within the next month.

Also, Angelo Tillas plans to expand. Bags of cups and a coffee carafe on the counter wait for the coffee bar he wants to stock soon.

After that he hopes to create a

In the meantime, customers can pick up a few dozen donuts for work or sit and savor in the seating area with its green walls and ruffled curtain printed with donuts and sprinkles. Christian music plays over the radio and a chalkboard reads “Hallelujah! Death has lost its grip on me.” Angelo Tillas bakes cake and yeast donuts, which have different consistencies, and filled donuts and eclairs covered with a variety of glazes and sprinkles. He gives thanks for the business’ growth.

“I just can’t say praise God enough,” Angelo Tillas said.

When he worries about selling out of donuts too early or having too many extras, his wife

SWEET — Angelo Tillas bought the business in October. happy hour discount for students, open a drive-thru window and expand into gas stations and other locations. He would need a driver, and with his son in school fulltime Angelo Tillas said he would consider hiring a helper if the right person came along.

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Monica reassures him.

“Don’t let it get to you,” Angelo Tillas quoted. “It’s only flour and sugar.”

EATON is a feature reporter.

Off to a great start

Convocation kicked off the semester with actors, athletes and inspirational speakers

Allison Heise | Liberty Champion

SMILE — Candace Cameron Bure gives insight into her career as an actress.

Leah Stauffer| Liberty news service

SHARE — Juliana Zobrist performs an original song for the student body.

Gabrielle Calhoun| Liberty news service

STAR — Andy Pettitte shares a few memorable moments from his baseball career.

FEATURE

B8

January 29, 2019

Mann-made in a minor key Co-founder of Liberty’s Tunnel Worship begins raising funds for his first album worship, but he first felt God calling him to leadership when he founded Tunnel Worship, a Friday-night-worship event in the tunnel connecting East and Main campus. raxton Mann balances the nu- Now he is working on a worship album. ances of modern music with “It’s always been a desire of mine, somenontraditional sound to heal thing I’ve always wanted to do,” Mann said. broken hearts.

“I’ve had people ask me where they can Mann’s vision for his music has lead find my music, but I have had nothing to him to begin to raise funding for his tell them.” first album.

Although he has always loved music, he Mann has always been involved in church never thought it would become his career.

When Mann enrolled at Liberty, he was majoring in nursing. As God pressed on his heart, he had less peace about the medical field and realized music was his passion. With the blessing and emotional support from his parents, he switched his major to songwriting.

He has never looked back.

Mann’s goal for the album is to show the light of Christ to broken, hurting people.

“I write music that allows people to connect with God,” Mann said on Taryn Azimov | Liberty Champion his GoFundMe page. “I hope ANSWER — Mann seeks to speak to those who have doubts about faith.

Tori Nelson vfnelson@liberty.edu

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this album impacts those who have been put “People want real,” Mann said. “They off by God or the church and be reminded don’t want cliché. They want genuine, heartof the Jesus that opened blind eyes and felt, thought-out lyrics, nothing just thrown fed the poor.” together.”

He warned that the album is not just happy Barrett acknowledged that no creation is praise songs written in the major key. It is perfect and that something that draws him designed to lead listeners to ask “questions to Mann’s musical style is the unique, unabout God and tough issues regarding spiri- abashed humanity in the lyrics. When he listuality, faith and doubt,” according to Mann. tens to Mann’s songs, he said, he can see the He hopes the listener will be challenged, whole scene coming to life in his mind. It is but also inspired, in the faith. organic, human and real.

Naoto Barrett, a vocalist and guitarist who “I think what will attract our peers to his works closely with Mann in Tunnel Worship, music will be that authenticity that’s woven sees the potential healing the album offers. in,” Barrett said. “We’re at a place where “It will allow people to have a broadened we’ve gotten over the polished and perfectperspective on looking façade that songwriting and often is pop music. the church and From the way Braxton allow people to crafts his words to the see old things instruments he choosin new ways,” es, all the way down to Barrett said. the way that the album As a college will be recorded is gostudent, Mann ing to have that sense understands his of humanity to it.” audience’s wants What advice does in a worship alhe have for fledgling bum. His main songwriters?

— Braxton Mann goal was to keep “Don’t avoid heavy, away from maindeep topics,” Mann stream modern said. “That is what worship while establishing his own individ- people desire, and that is what they need to ual musical brand. To keep in tune with the listen to.” desires of listeners, he created something The album is scheduled to be out by sumwith an independent air. mer. Mann will market it using social media Mann made the music and lyrics complete- and word of mouth. The album, containing ly different and balanced. He got creative only original songs, will be available to purwith the use of metaphors and uncommon chase, but it can also be streamed on Spotify. instruments.

“Just listen to it,” Mann said with a laugh. “(I) use simple lyrics with profound mean- “And get your parents to buy it.” ings and imagery you wouldn’t normally see in Christian music,” Mann said.

Mann used strong theological truth to ap peal to older audiences and the passionate, excited vibe for students.

NELSON is a feature reporter.

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People want real. ... They don’t want cliché. They want genuine, heart-felt, thought-out lyrics.

Making a career out of magic Student Chandler Henry captivates viewers through popular YouTube channel Bethany Kocik bckocik@liberty.edu

Chandler Henry spends his days brainstorming, filming and editing content and videos to be posted on multiple platforms of social media—most notably YouTube.

Henry is a senior digital media performance major at Liberty University with a growing YouTube channel that currently has almost 57,000 subscribers with over 10 million views worldwide, and viewership in every country in the world.

Henry’s viewership for his main YouTube channel Rise Magic, which focuses on magic and cardistry perfomances, has come to expect at least one video a week to go live on his channel.

“Sometimes it is a challenge to keep up with demand from viewers,” Henry said. “Even though the internet is usually inconsistent, viewers still expect a video from you at least once a week sometimes three times a week.”

Henry’s channel was born when the ongoing health concerns he has had since he was 16 forced him to miss the spring semester of his sophomore year at Liberty.

“My health issues definitely played a huge role in everything about the whole YouTube thing, it’s a huge part of my life and has definitely been a challenge to keep up with YouTube while it all has gone on, with being in the hospital a lot at times during this journey,” Henry said.

But Henry is back for his last semester at Liberty and anticipates graduating with his classmates.

“For a while I expected that I would have to drop out,” Henry said. “It’s a miracle honestly that I was able to get back to school and be healthy enough to attend. I’m extremely thankful to still be on track to graduate in May.” For Henry, balancing his studies and his channel can be a challenge.

“One of my biggest frustrations is that the people I have met online do YouTube as a full-time job,” Henry said. “They devote all their time to creating content,

editing and uploading and I have to juggle being a full-time student while also trying to be on YouTube full time.”

Henry also has a secondary channel with a smaller viewership that focuses on more serious content including a documentary about a mixed martial arts fighter, Joe Pyfer. The documentary is over an hour long with over 15,000 views.

“I’ve already started releasing a feature length documentary that was very well received,” Henry said. photo provided “Professor Underation RISE — Henry’s channel has nearly 57,000 subscribers worldwide. helped me submit it to some contests and end up being a full-time career still I don’t know, let’s see what he told me he thinks it will win. I for him. happens.” find out the results in February.

“I am very set on doing things So that is exciting for myself and independently as a filmmaker my career.” and working on more seriHenry stated that if his YouTube ous projects,” Henry said. “… KOCIK is a feature success continues to grow it could but, I guess the short answer is reporter.

Inside look!

OVERCOME — Despite struggling with ongoing health issues, Henry continues to bring audiences three videos a week while still fulfilling duties as a full-time student.

photo provided