Liberty Champion May 1, 2018

Women’s lacrosse

player honored

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“After Curfew” returns

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Students discuss assisted suicide

VOLUME 35, ISSUE 21

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LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA

LIBERTYCHAMPION.COM | TUESDAY, MAY 1, 2018 | LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

Trail of destruction

Tornado tears through Lynchburg area Ryan Klinker rmklinker@liberty.edu

Since the tornado of April 15 roughly two weeks ago, Lynchburg, Virginia, and the surrounding region have been assessing the aftermath and evaluating the damage.

According to the National Weather Service, the tornado touched down at approximately 7 p.m. in northwest Campbell County, east of Timberlake Road, at an EF1

level — including winds between 86 and 110 mph — and had an initial path width of 100 yards.

It then traveled in a northeast direction along Timberlake Road, inflicting damage on businesses and causing a number of cars and a tractor trailers to completely flip over. It then reached “lowend” EF2 wind speeds of 115 mph and widened to 600 yards as it moved into the city limits of Lynchburg.

The Campbell County Department of Public Safety released a current report of the aftermath on Monday, April 23. At the time of the report, 16 businesses and two duplex buildings had reported incurring severe structural damage, with some considered to be total losses.

Nathan Spencer | Liberty News Service

TIMBER — Liberty students helped clear trees that fell following the April 15 tornado as a part of See TORNADO, A8

the Lynchburg Serve event.

Shapiro shares at Convocation

Political commentator Ben Shapiro calls for a return to Judeo-Christian values

RECLAIMING VIRTUE — Shapiro spoke at Liberty University Convocation April 25.

Mikaela Stiner mstiner@liberty.edu

Well-known conservative political commentator and writer Ben Shapiro visited Liberty University Wednesday, April 25, and addressed the Convocation audience with a call to reclaim the inalienable

rights articulated by the founders of the United States and originally founded on biblical values.

“I’ve long believed that the future of our nation is inextricably intertwined with the future of the JudeoChristian value system,” Shapiro said. “I know of very few places in the United States that are more valu-

Jacob Buwalda| Liberty Champion

able to that future than… Liberty University.”

Shapiro said that America was built on the biblically-founded concept that human beings are made in the image of God. He said that the U.S. government was established to protect — not invade — the inalienable rights of the people.

According to Shapiro, the original understanding of “inalienable rights” has lost its basis, and reclaiming the fundamental ideals of personal freedoms and individual responsibility is the first step in reclaiming the original philosophy of America’s founders.

“How exactly do we bring back the philosophy of the founders and restore their promise?” Shapiro said. “Well to do that, we actually have to talk about morality and politics … what is good and what is bad, what is right, what is wrong, what is true and what is evil.”

Shapiro said that free markets have led to the most significant reduction of poverty in all of world history, and the philosophy of individualism has resulted in exponentially increased standards of living.

“The values that resonate most with human beings are eternal — not changeable and not relativistic,” Shapiro said.

Shapiro said that to become a virtuous citizenry deserving of liberty, the American people must recognize and return to the

Shine ‘Ful’bright Teaming up Liberty student receives teaching grant

SGA welcomes new leaders

Kyra Thompson kthompson36@liberty.edu

Kyra Thompson kthompson36@liberty.edu

When Katarina Bouton first came to Liberty University, she did not know what she wanted to do, let alone that she would one day become the first Liberty student awarded with a Fulbright U.S. Student Program grant.

Bouton described her journey to receiving the national scholarship to teach English in Spain as one act of God after another, and attending Liberty was just the first step.

“I am a very indecisive person, and yet going to Liberty was the easiest decision I ever made, and it was the best decision I ever made, and I felt so much peace about it that I didn’t even apply to another school,”

Bouton said.

Many of her family members attended Liberty to run cross-country and track, which is one of Bouton’s passions, and she knew she wanted to go to a Christian school.

What she did not know was how much of an impact it would have on her future.

Bouton said that her time at Liberty was when

her faith really became her own. She was grateful for the environment and the people that God had placed in her life to strengthen her faith as she asked the questions, “Is God real?” and, “What makes Christianity the truth?”

“I grew so much in my faith,” Bouton said.

See FULBRIGHT, A7

Photo Provided

GRANTED — Liberty alumna Katarina Bouton was recently awarded the Fulbright grant.

Liberty University student body presidential winners Jacob Page and Derek Rockey talked about their plans for the future of the Student Government Association and campus after their record-breaking win at the elections April 20.

As they prepare for the upcoming year, Page, a junior government major, said nailing down a solid team is top priority.

“That’s where it starts,” Page said. “It started with the team for the campaign, and it’s going to start with the team here with SGA.” Both agreed that having a strong leadership team was key, and their plan was to create an environment of integrity.

“One of the things we realize is the culture starts at the top, and we get the

chance to set the tone on what the culture is like in SGA,” Page said.

One of the ways they plan on setting this tone is by having all the members of their team sign an honor statement they call the Champion Culture Pledge, which lays out a set of guidelines, including agreeing not to talk negatively about anyone.

The two also said that unity in all the branches of SGA and the student body is essential to creating the atmosphere they envisioned.

One of the ways they have already taken steps to promoting unity within SGA is by meeting with the new speaker of the House of delegate, Christian Lasval, to partner with and support his visions for the House for the upcoming year.

TRBC and Liberty lead citywide disaster relief efforts following the A8 April 15 tornado.

Opinion

Satirical take on the end of the semester, finals and the pending doom A4 of “the real world.”

Sports

Flames Baseball comes out on top in 2 out of 3 games in series against B1 Longwood.

See SHAPIRO, A2

WHAT’S

NEWS @ LIBERTY

A Liberty University alumnus, Jonathan Wymer, worked as a location assistant on the set of Marvel’s newest film — “Avengers: Infinity War.” Wymer graduated from Liberty’s cinematic arts program in 2014 and has worked on other blockbuster movie sets filmed at Pinewood Atlanta Studios.

Liberty’s final Convocation of the semester will be held on the Academic Lawn May 4 with Liberty alumnus and NFL player Rashad Jennings slated to speak. The Liberty Champion would like to remind students to wear sunscreen to this event.

Liberty Online student Cade Foehner advanced to the Top 7 on television series “American Idol” April 29 after singing a rendition of “Kiss the Girl” from Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.” Following his advancement, Foehner tweeted, “God is good! All glory to HIM,” Sunday night.

Friday, April 27, Liberty’s Helms School of Government partnered with Virginia State Police and the FBI to simulate crime scenes on Liberty Mountain using deceased pigs as murder victims. Students gained handson experience investigating crime scenes in a controlled environment.

See SGA, A6

INSIDE THE CHAMPION

News

values and principles found in the Ten Commandments. Shapiro listed each one of the Ten Commandments and explained its relevancy to current politics and conversations about morality.

Feature

LU Forensic team hosts spring showcase featuring excellence in storytelling.

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News Opinion Sports Feature

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news

A2 | May 1, 2018 | Liberty Champion

International graduates

Liberty students from around the world gather to celebrate accomplishments Taryn Lammi telammi@liberty.edu

Thursday, April 19, international students gathered in the Montview Alumni Ballroom to be recognized for their accomplishments for the 2018 International Graduation Banquet.

School of Nursing Instructor and International Nursing Student Support Coordinator Catherine Raj encouraged the graduates through her testimony. She shared from Mark 5:27-29 about the woman who had a flow of blood for 12 years and was healed by Jesus.

“Graduates, you will have times when there are challenges,” Raj said. “Whatever it takes, stretch

out and touch the garment of Jesus until power leaves him.”

Raj went to her first class of nursing school when she was 40 years old. Now, 14 years later, she is well into her doctorate and a “mama” to many international students studying nursing.

“We try to choose a guest speaker who has helped our students along the way,” International Student Center Operations Coordinator and Office Manager Tunya Pannell said. “We also have one of our guest speakers who is an alumni.”

Guest speaker and alumnus from Nigeria Amos Adebayo spoke to graduates as someone who could identify with their current

Photo Provided

BANQUET — International students gathered in the Alumni Ballroom April 19 .

SHAPIRO continued from A1 “The Bible tells us in Genesis that we are each made in God’s image,” Shapiro said. “That means we have the capacity to choose and the obligation to choose right over wrong and life over death.”

Shapiro discussed the Third Commandment, which states that the Lord’s name should not be taken in vain. Shapiro said that this does not simply mean that God’s name should not be used to curse, but rather that God’s words cannot be manipulated and used to

further a personal agenda.

“That we shouldn’t take God’s name in vain...” Shapiro said. “(The Third Commandment) does mean that we can’t twist God’s words to justify our own political agendas.”

The Sixth Commandment condemns murder. Shapiro discussed the nation’s flagrant disregard of this commandment in its widespread acceptance of abortion, and attributes this acceptance to a lack of moral and personal responsibility.

“People are not averse to murder

season.

“A mentor of mine once said, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, but the second-best time to plant a tree is now,” Adebayo said. “It is never too late to start planting and preparing for the future.”

As the night continued, two creens displayed a photo of each graduate, their favorite Bible verse, their name, country and flag. The sit-down dinner included salad, mashed potatoes, bread buns, steamed broccoli and chicken, all catered by Sodexo.

“For the entertainment, I always like to choose a group that has somebody that’s graduating,” Pannell said.

The Ntibonera’s performed “Set A Fire” by Jesus Culture as well as “Our God” by Chris Tomlin with Emmanual Ntibonera on the keyboard, Baraka Ntibonera on the drums and graduate John Ntibonera on the guitar.

“After graduation, I’m planning to get a job and start working as well as travel with my band singing and preaching the gospel,” John Ntibonera said. “I’m just really excited to graduate and get my degree in government politics and policy. It’s really an amazing thing.”

Associate Director of International Student Programs Sharon

WORSHIP— John and Baraka Ntibonera led students in song.

Bloomfield and Coordinator of Latin American Recruit Athos Lucchini presented graduate with a gift.

According to Pannell, they always gift something to help students remember their time at Liberty.

In addition, students had the opportunity to take pictures at the provided “Grinnin’ Booth” where they were instantly given their photo strips as a keepsake.

“Just to see how they’ve grown, to see how they mature and how the Lord has worked in their lives is so amazing and to see them get that Christian foundation here,”

Pannell said.

Graduate student Sonia Gwaneza came to Liberty University from Rwanda and has learned to serve her community – a quality she would like to take back home.

“I want to eventually start my ream of advocating for the maternal and child health population, and I also want to eventually go home and work from there,” Gwaneza said. “That’s like my big dream. I want to build a hospital there and start a really good public health program.”

unless they are taught that they are personally responsible for the actions they take,” Shapiro said.

“Nowhere is this truer than in the case of abortion.”

Shapiro also addressed the Second Amendment “right to keep and bear arms,” by once again bringing the conversation back to the rights of the American people and the government’s responsibility to protect and not interfere with those rights.

“The founders understood the danger of tyranny and the value of individual freedom before God,”

Shapiro said. “They instituted the Second Amendment … (recognizing) that we have a God-given right to defend ourselves from tyranny and from terror.”

Shapiro said that the sins of the nation’s leaders should not be ignored, and it is the citizens’ job to call out the leaders when they stray. He mentioned the story of King David found in the Bible — even though King David was placed in power by God in order to fulfill his will, the Lord still used the prophet Nathan to effectively confront David’s wrongdoing.

“It is our job to reconnect with both the Word of God and with the philosophy of individual liberty that sprang from that same Word of God,” Shapiro said. “If we do all of that, then we will truly be deserving of God’s blessing and fit to proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.”

Photo Provided

LAMMI is a news writer.

STINER is a news writer.

Jacob Buwalda | Liberty Champion

FOUNDATIONS OF LIBERTY — Political commentator Ben Shapiro spoke April 25 to the Convocation crowd about the Ten Commandments and their relevance to modern society.

CAMPUS CALENDAR 05/03 - Habitat for Humanity “Be the Light” Gala

6:30 p.m. | Alumni Ballroom 05/04 - Bingo Night

12:00 p.m. | DeMoss Hall Grand Lobby 05/05 - Recreation Centers Presents: FitFest

8:00 a.m. | LaHaye Parking Lot, Lahaye Rec and Fit Center 05/05 - Community Yard Sale

10:00 a.m. | Furnace Lot 05/05 - Justin Flom

7:30 p.m. | LaHaye Event Space 05/05 - Theater Performance - Big Fish

2:00 p.m. | Tower Theater

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CONCERTS

TIM LEE & GUY PENROD Lynchburg Daily Bread

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CONVO ON THE LAWN WITH

Boys RASHAD JENNIN G& S

Girls Club

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Liberty Champion | May 1, 2018 | A3

Bringing Asia to the West Open house allows all students to experience Asian culture and cuisine Janelle Porman jjporman@liberty.edu

The International Student Center hosted the Asian Open House Wednesday, April 25, to celebrate the Asian culture from which many Liberty University students hail.

The open house featured authentic Asian food and drink as well as Asian-themed trivia, providing Asian students the opportunity to share their cultures with other students.

“To me (the ISC) is a place where international students really have a platform. International students can come and represent their country, their culture, their people group, their food, their music, everything that they identify with,” Jamshid Azimov, a student worker at the ISC, said.

Azimov, who is from Uzbekistan, appreciated this open house because it celebrated his culture and upbringing.

“The continent (of) Asia … is one of the most populated continents and definitely one of the most diverse,” Azimov said. “We all have similar food, and our cultures are more similar than compared to Europe or Africa because we are in similar regions.”

The open house featured food native to China, Vietnam, Thailand, Lebanon, Jordan and India with dishes like stir fry rice, dumplings, red lentil curry with rice, tabbouleh, Vietnamese wontons and hummus with flat bread.

Tunya Pannell, the operations coordinator and office manager of the Office of International Student Services, said that China, Korea

and Vietnam are in the top five encompasses so many countries, countries that make up Liberty’s the ISC tried to represent all the international students. countries that Liberty University Jessica Rao, a Chinese-Amer- has students from through food, ican student, said that she enjoys trivia and presentation slides. the various open houses the ISC The continent (of) Asia ... puts on.

“I feel like we is one of the most populated definitely need continents and definitely one diversity and culture here to of the most diverse. show what other cultures have,” — Jamshid Azimov Rao said.

Throughout the school year, the ISC features Nguyen Huong, a Vietnamese various countries and regions student, explained that she loves with eight themed open houses. to come to the ISC for the warm The themes are based on Liberty atmosphere and for the food. student demographics.

“I partially like the food beAs an ISC student worker, Azi- cause the distance between China mov explained that because Asia and Vietnam is pretty close, and

Christianne Gormley | Liberty Champion

JUST HANGING OUT — Students gathered at the Asian Open House hosted by the International Student Center.

our food is very closely related, so a lot of their food tastes like ours,” Huong said. “It gives me a little taste of home.” “(The ISC) gives them a platform to … come and interact with other international students … It’s a great place for students to come and relate with one another, and to me, that’s the meaning of the ISC,” Azimov said. “My favorite part (of the open houses) is when I see both international and local students come and … learn about each other’s cultures — similarities and differences. I think that really brings out not only the diversity, but the richness of this school and God’s kingdom as a whole.”

PORMAN is a news reporter.

Christianne Gormley | Liberty Champion

WHERE IN THE WORLD — International students got a taste of home with authentic Asian food and drink.

Need food for your party or end-of-year event? libertydining.com/catering

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OPINION

May 1, 2018

Coffee craze

The benefits far outweigh any health risks Macy Hrncir mhrncir@liberty.edu

There is a force that drives society today. It most likely controls you, your friends and your family. It captivates the hearts and minds of humans until they are no longer able to live without it. What could possibly be capable of influencing humanity in this way? Well, there’s a good chance that it’s sitting in your pantry at home this very instant. Coffee.

Millions of people across the world require a cup (or two) of joe before they can leave their houses and start their days. They wait in lines that are ridiculously long, just so they can have the bitter-sweet taste of coffee on their lips.

Starbucks workers are constantly bombarded by angry, impatient customers who can’t seem to function without their incredibly complicated coffee concoctions. Coffee has become as much a part of many people’s daily routines as brushing their teeth.

Though the addiction may be new, coffee itself has been around for a very long time. While original reports conflict, The National Coffee Association considers

Arabia to be the birthplace of this drink.

“Coffee was first cultivated and traded in Arabia. By the 15th century, coffee was being grown in the Yemeni district of Arabia and by the 16th century, it was known in Persia, Egypt, Syria and Turkey,” Coffee & Health said in an article about coffee.

Once the consumption of coffee began to grow in popularity, it spread like wildfire.

With this popularity came the appearance of coffee houses. These coffee houses were important places for social gatherings. They provided people with a place where they could exchange news, opinions and ideas, as well as listen to music, watch performance and play games.

Coffee houses were so important in the spread of information that they were often called “Schools of the Wise.”

Now, we have our modern versions of coffee houses — places where people gather to read, write, talk and pass the time.

Coffee has become much more than a beverage — it has become a social construct.

When people want to catch up or reconnect with their friends, they often say, “We should grab a cup of coffee sometime,” which translates to, “Let’s have a

Google Images COLLEGE SURVIVAL GUIDE— 40 percent of college students drink coffee on a daily basis.

conversation.” The entire atmosphere of a coffee shop promotes connection and community.

In the workplace especially, coffee plays an important role. Research compiled by Hamilton Beach revealed that the typical office worker drinks 20 cups of coffee a week. Coffee breaks in the workplace offer an important segment of downtime.

Coffee breaks can relieve overall stress and offer workers a chance to socialize.

Now, I know what you may be thinking, “But isn’t coffee bad for you?” On the contrary, coffee has actually been found to have a significant amount of health benefits. Many early studies blamed coffee for health risks such as heart disease or stunted growth. However, according to an article by Mayo Clinic, these earlier studies forgot to take into account the fact that known high-risk behaviors, such as smoking and physical inactivity, tend to be more common among heavy coffee drinkers.

“Studies have shown that coffee may have health benefits, including protecting against Parkinson’s disease, type 2 diabetes and liver disease, including liver cancer. Coffee also appears to improve cognitive function and decrease risk of depression,” Mayo Clinic reported in March 2017.

Although, dumping all that cream and sugar into your coffee definitely adds fats and calories (up to hundreds of calories in some cases).

There are a few health risks associated with coffee. For example, drinking it too close to bed time can disrupt your body clock. However, as a college student, this is often the effect that I am aiming for.

All in all, I personally view coffee as a blessing to humanity. What’s not to like?

It tastes good, keeps you awake, has proven health benefits and can even help you be more social. No matter how you drink your coffee, black or with an excessive amount of sugar, you too can be part of a historic coffee culture.

HRNCIR is an opinion writer.

Korean conflict

Kim Jong Un is the biggest threat to peace Leah DePiero ledpiero@liberty.edu

Hopes that President Donald Trump and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un’s war of words will remain just that and not evolve into a war of nuclear weapons has never seemed so high.

From North Korea’s agreement to end testing nuclear weapons and missiles to plans for a historic meeting between the two leaders, progress in bringing the Hermit Kingdom’s nuclear weapons program to an end increasingly appears to be a possibility.

If Trump is able to get “Little Rocket Man,” as he labeled Kim in a tweet, to give up his nuclear weapons, the meeting could go down as the major foreign policy victory of his presidency in much the same way that former President Richard Nixon’s trip to China is one of the highlights of his terms.

However, I doubt that North Korea would be willing to give up denuclearization without promises from the U.S. to withdraw troops from the Korean Peninsula or ease sanctions. Even the Hermit Kingdom’s decision to stop nuclear and missile testing is not necessarily rooted in a desire for goodwill and restoring relations with the West.

According to the Washington Post, the Korean Central News Agency, North Korea’s state-run news agency, quoted Kim as saying, “We no longer need any nuclear test or test launches of intermediate and intercontinental range ballistic missiles, and because of this, the northern nuclear test site has finished its mission.”

Essentially, Kim said that the results they’d received from the testing were satisfactory to him, so he didn’t see any need to continue testing. Coupled with this is the fact that Mount Mantap, the mountain under which North Korea

conducted its nuclear testing, collapsed due to the extensive tests, giving another reason for the decision to suspend tests, according to Fortune online reporting.

Even if North Korea were committed to denuclearization, it would only address one aspect of tensions between North Korea and the West.

A denuclearized North Korea might mean that Americans would no longer need to fear nuclear bombs falling on the U.S., but the Kim family would still be in power, exerting its horrific authoritarian regime on the North Korean people. At a time when relations between the U.S. and the North Korea could arguably be said to be at their peak, the parents of Otto Warmbier, the American student who was arrested and jailed in North Korea and died in America soon after being released, filed a wrongful death lawsuit in a U.S. district court against North Korea on April 26, reminding Americans of the horrors of life in North Korea source.

Trump is no stranger to the horrors of the “prison state” the Kim family runs, as he addressed forced labor and other human rights abuses in North Korea

in his address to the South Korean National Assembly in November 2017. He also recognized North Korean defector Ji Seong Ho at his State of the Union address in January.

Furthermore, the Korean Peninsula has historically been a united country rather than two nations artificially divided by Western powers. If the northern half of the peninsula is denuclearized, it may not be able to attack the southern half with nuclear weapons, but the two Koreas will still be divided.

The pain brought to the people from both sides due to the division will also still exist.

These issues will all persist with Kim Jong Un in control of North Korea, even if he doesn’t have nuclear weapons at his disposal. Denuclearization is the most that could come of Trump-Kim talks, and while it might not be quite as significant as it appears at first, it could be a step in the right direction to getting to the root of North Korea’s troubles: the Kim family.

DEPIERO is a contributing editor.

Logan Price lprice7@liberty.edu

As another school year finishes up, there is much for students to be grateful for.

From the crystal-clear plan many surely now have for the rest of their lives to the fact that not a single student was sleep deprived, it truly was a remarkable year.

Most of all, students at this time of year ought to be thankful for the perfect and flawless system of final exams. Finals are only rivaled by Google Glass as the invention that best fit seamlessly with the way humans function while having zero drawbacks.

For instance, finals come at the most convenient time of the year. The last few weeks of the year are when students have few other obligations, so they can invest extra time into studying for these exams.

There may be a few other minor commitments such as preparing for internships and summer jobs, planning weddings, wanting to enjoy the warmer weather, packing, cleaning for white glove, finding storage units, saying goodbye to friends they may never see again, having some fun to maintain sanity, going to church, working and sleeping. But besides those few tasks, students can devote the rest of their time to studying, giving them more than enough time to prepare!

Considering the ample study time students have for final exams, professors often wisely make these tests worth more than anything else the entire semester. In addition, students realize this is the last assignment before summer, so their motivational levels are at the highest point of the entire year. In this sense, it is considerate of professors to make the tests worth several letter grades because it provides students the opportunity to end the year on a high note.

The exams themselves have also been proven to be the most effective way of measuring a students’ understanding of the class. As opposed to having several weeks to work on a large paper or project that demonstrates in-depth knowledge in a manner reflecting the students’ chosen career, professors and students both agree a two-hour test in which students quickly regurgitate as much information as possible is the most accurate evaluation method.

Despite all of these benefits, in recent years, several large school districts and colleges have foolishly done away with final exams. This news has come as trained professionals arrogantly believe they can creatively decide how to best test their students based on the field of study and the extensive time spent getting to know the strengths and weaknesses of each specific class.

More reasonable educators watch with bated breath and concern for the students as these Icarus experiments are sure to fail.

It is not as if America’s education system is lagging behind other developed nations, so there is no reason to mess with an already flawless system.

Colleges and high schools alike have many ways to improve. Even if Gordon Ramsay and Julia Child were in charge of dining, students would still find a way to complain. However, in the midst of the craziness that is college, students and faculty can both be thankful for the inerrant and infallible system of final exams.

PRICE is a guest reporter.

Google Images GAME PLAN — President Donald Trump met with South Korean president Moon Jae-in as he prepares for the upcoming North Korea summit.

opinion

Liberty Champion | May 1, 2018 | A5

Physician-assisted suicide Two students explain the arguments for and against assisted suicide In early April, Hawaii joined six other states Washington, D.C., in legalizing physician-assisted cide. More recently, Alfie Evans, a 23-month-old dler living in England was taken off life support died April 28.

Assisted Suicide: Pro Chad Wylie cewylie@liberty.edu

The controversy surrounding medically assisted suicide fundamentally hinges on a difference in perspectives and priorities.

Some call it a premature end of life, others see it as appropriate end-of-life care.

Physician-assisted suicide provides a viable option to ease suffering during the worst time in the life of a victim, their family and their friends. The standards set forth by several state laws should be allowed across all states.

In early April, Hawaii became the seventh state to allow for physician-assisted suicide. These states include conditions and precautions to ensure that nobody is abusing this option to end their life.

In California, the person requesting the prescription must be evaluated by two doctors with the consensus that the person has less than six months to live. They must then submit two oral requests at least 15 days apart, along with a written request.

After these steps, a doctor may prescribe the person death-inducing medication.

No doctor is required to prescribe the medication, but they have that choice. No patient is required to take the medication, but they have that choice. Physician-assisted suicide, this idea of “death with dignity,” provides comfort, safety and peace during a time of suffering.

Brittany Maynard, an outspoken advocate for death with dignity, explained this freedom of choice.

“Who has the right to tell me that I don’t deserve this choice? That I deserve to suffer for weeks or months in tremendous amounts of physical and emotional pain? Why should anyone have the right to make that choice for me?” Maynard said in an opinion piece for CNN in November 2014.

Maynard spoke to a personal issue with implications to her own life. At age 29, she received a terminal cancer diagnosis.

After extensive research and conversation with her loved ones, Maynard decided to receive medication that would allow her to end her life.

She received the medication, knowing that there was no cure for her cancer. She saved the prescription for a time when her condition would become worse, when her suffering would become debilitating and unbearable.

“I am not suicidal,” Maynard said. “If I were, I would have consumed that medication long ago. I do not want to die. But I am dying. And I want to die on my own terms.”

What physician-assisted death gives to patients is the peace and comfort of knowing that they can choose when they die.

They can surround themselves with their loved ones during those final moments, and they have a way to avoid the suffering of a prolonged death.

Medically assisted suicide is not ending the life of a living person, it is ending the suffering of a dying person. Death is not easy — it is a time of pain and grief. It is a small comfort to know that a loved one will not suffer and that he or she can leave this world with the dignity that life deserves.

In November 2014, Brittany Maynard passed from this world. She woke up that morning and expressed her thoughts on Facebook.

“Goodbye to all my dear friends and family that I love,” Maynard said. “Today is the day I have chosen to pass away with dignity in the face of my terminal illness — this terrible

and At least 10 other states currently have legislation being con- institutions and by those considering this option. sui- sidered on this issue. Physician-assisted suicide will continue As physician-assisted suicide continues to make national tod- to generate headlines for the foreseeable future. and international headlines, two writers for the Liberty Chamand The legal, moral and ethical implications of this legislation pion explained the arguments on each side of the debate. will be debated and argued by doctors, politicians, religious

brain cancer that has taken so much from me but would have taken so much more.”

God controls life and death. Every human’s days are numbered, and he knows every moment. Physician-assisted suicide does not rob God of his power or give doctors or patients the ability to play God. In this world of pain and suffering, not every condition will have a cure.

What this opportunity offers is not a cure to a disease, but a refuge from the suffering of terminal illnesses. Proper end-of-life care can and should include medication that will bring that pain to an end. When the greatest scientific minds cannot find a cure, physician assisted suicide is the only ethical option, giving the choice to the victim.

“Simply having the choice provides people a sense of peace in the face of uncertainty and fear that their suffering might be unbearable,” Compassion & Choices, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing endof-life care, explained on its website. “It allows people the freedom to die in control, with dignity.”

WYLIE is an opinion editor.

Assisted Suicide: Con John Vence jtvence@liberty.edu

She was a Dutch woman in her 70s, and she did not want to die.

She fought the effects of the tranquilizer in her coffee as she made lunch plans with visiting relatives.

It was not until the physician returned with thiopental — a drug often used in executions that induces muscle paralysis and respiratory arrest — that the patient grew fearful and struggled. Family members were ordered to hold her down, and she was killed.

Many might call her reaction a fight for

suffering is a nice thought. Put into practice, however, the results can be immoral, inhumane and dangerous.

It’s a slippery slope sliding right down to ethical problems, like pressuring patients into accepting death or no longer requiring their consent.

Nancy Pearcey writes in her book, “Love Thy Body,” that some patients reported feeling pressured to end their lives in states where it is legal. In the Netherlands — the first country in the world to approve the practice in 2002 — one in five patients who choose euthanasia were pressured by family circumstances.

From a utilitarian standpoint, it’s a nobrainer: why spend thousands of dollars a month on sustaining a doomed life, when the drugs needed to instantly do the trick are as cheap as $35, according to ABC News. It’s an instant solution to cutting down on healthcare costs.

In the near future, medically assisted suicide could eventually occur without patient volition entirely.

The National Catholic Register reports Netherlander guidelines on assisted suicide have relaxed so that “a doctor may carry out euthanasia, even if the patient cannot make this clear by word or gesture.” The woman at the beginning of this article is one of a dozen cases reported in the Netherlands in which physicians wrongfully deemed a patient’s life not worth continuing.

Should we continue to head into this direction, time will most definitely blur the criteria for euthanasia eligibility.

With the bracket of those “deserving to die” in the Netherlands growing broader, geriatric sufferers are no longer the sole demographic of those receiving euthanasia.

Recent controversial cases reported

by The Independent in a series of online stories involve a 41-year-old alcoholic, a woman with “incurable” sexual-abuseinduced PTSD and a 39-year-old gay man unable to deal with his attraction to men.

Next door, Belgian physicians euthanized two identical twin brothers in their 40s who were diagnosed with a condition that would eventually lead to blindness, according to the National Catholic Register reports.

What a horrifying social norm — for death to be an acceptable response to mental illness, sexuality and addiction.

In these parts of the world, dying to avoid any kind of suffering is encouraged — as a result, the very same country that claimed 7,000 deaths via euthanasia is one of the last countries in palliative care development.

It is an insult to those who are disabled.

To those with a mental illness. To those who wish they had longer time to spend with loved ones.

It smears the sanctity of human life with death in a syringe, available to all and any who are simply tired of the way things are.

How long before that mentality is injected into our society?

life. The administering doctor simply called it “cold feet.”

The patient’s name was never disclosed in the National Catholic Register report, but she serves as a posterchild for the devastating effects of legalizing assisted suicide — an epidemic currently sweeping across state legislations.

Hawaii is the seventh state to approve physician-assisted suicide, reported the Economist, and 24 other states are contemplating similar laws. Legislation allowing for physician-assisted suicide is gaining momentum every year.

Mercy killing the terminally ill who would otherwise face months or years of tortuous VENCE is an opinion writer.

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news

A6 | May 1, 2018 | Liberty Champion

SGA clubs celebration

Gala will recognize club presidents for their work with students this year Kyra Thompson kthompson36@liberty.

As the end of the semester quickly approaches, Liberty University’s Student Government Association plans on honoring all the hard work the university’s club presidents have invested into the campus this year.

The current SGA administration has been working to improve club relations this past year, and in a further attempt to show their

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SGA continued from A1 Lasval has several steps laid out to “clean the House:â€? • Creating more clarity for delegates that may not be familiar with the House’s function or on or the legislative process by providing multiple workshops throughout the semester • Increasing communication to the delegates so they are informed on election times and other events happening for House members • Strengthen connection between delegates through a database of each delegate and their SGA voting record so other delegates can find representatives that would be good fits for collaborative legislation efforts • Promote student engagement with representatives through town-hall style forums that provide students the opportunity to speak to their delegates about concerns and issues they want to

appreciation for what clubs do for the school, they will be hosting an award ceremony gala just for club presidents May 3.

Jenna Perison, the director of clubs for SGA, came up with the idea and said the heart behind the gala is to make the presidents feel like a valued part of Liberty, as they add to the extracurricular environment of the campus. “When I was elected (as director of clubs) I was like, ‘Wow, these club presidents do so much,’ and we want to honor them for their work because it’s really nice having recognition for putting a lot of hours into something,�

Perison said.

Perison said the event will be catered, and they plan on presenting several awards to the leaders for outstanding work in areas such as community outreach, commitment and evangelism.

She also said this gesture is just one of the things SGA has been doing to improve the relationship

between the SGA office and clubs muter Student Association Anthothis year. ny Halufska and current president At the beginning of the year, Joselyn Perez-Gutierrez said they the student body president, Caleb have both seen a drastic positive Johnson, and his administration change in the level of communicaorganized a video chat meeting tion this year. for club presi“(SGA) made dents to come it so that if we (SGA) made it so and bring their have any concomplaints or that if we have any cerns, we can concerns from ask our liaison the previous concerns, we can ask (and) have that year. conversat ion,�

A c c or d i n g our liaison (and) have Halufska said. to Perison, the “They really number one that conversation. made that line of complaint was — Anthony Halufska communication lack of commureally open.� nication.

Halufska and SGA helps coordinate and fund Perez-Gutierrez also said that over 100 clubs, and since there their communication between othare so many students all trying to er clubs has improved as well. The organize their own events, they Johnson administration created run into communication issues. a Facebook group for club presiBut Johnson said that did not deter dents to interact and exchange his team from working to improve ideas or suggestions. communication.

Perez-Gutierrez believes enFormer president of the Com- couraging interaction between

see legislation for led activities will enhance comLasval said that his passion is munity on campus and increase for the stuschool spirdent body, and it.

They If you’re a nursing he hopes his plan on policies can using their enhance the major, psychology or platform in student inter- journalism major, SGA SGA to proaction with mote more SGA. student is for you. “If you’re a events. nursing major, Many of — Christian Lasval psychology or their other journalism mapolicies jor, SGA is for you,� Lasval said. were also centered around creatPage and Rockey agreed, say- ing a unified student body: ing that unity was crucial. They were adamant that the key to success was not in tearing bad ideas down, but by building up positivity and encouraging a unified environment. “What are the biggest unifiers in our country? Sports and music,� Page said.

As they advertised during their campaign, Page and Rockey believe that creating more student-

Photo Provided

THAT'S MY PRESIDENT— Page and Rockey were inaugurated April 23.

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Many of the details and logistics for the future were unclear, and Page said they would know more once they hired and were able to start working with their team.

But for them, one thing is clear — unity is their top priority as they work to nail down policies and look for people to add to the team for the next year. “At the end of the day, we’re all Christians, and we all have the same goal in mind, and that’s a stronger more united student body,� Rockey said.

Photo Provided

CHAMPIONS — The Page and Rockey campagin was based on encouraging more school spirit and building community.

Liberty  Graduation  Gala  Buffet The

• Working with the athletic department to allow tailgating on the Academic Lawn behind DeMoss Hall • Hosting a prominent speaker at least one TED Talk-style event each semester • Create a clubs calendar for Facebook and, eventually, the website • Partnering with LU Serve, the Lynchburg City Council and the Lynchburg mayor to promote and support community outreach through the established community service commission

clubs is beneficial because it brings the campus closer together, which is what Perison says clubs are designed to do. “(Clubs are) a great way to build community with like-minded people who might have the same interests as you or be going in the same direction as you,� Perison said.

Prison also said that clubs give students the opportunity to gain experience in a career field they may be considering going into.

Through the practical application of clubs, members can determine if it is something they want to do in the future.

For all those reasons, Perison thought it would be a great idea to host a gala honoring the leadership that makes clubs possible. “We want them to know how valuable the work is that they do for students,� Perison said.

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news

Liberty Champion | May 1, 2018 | A7

Liberty snatches firsts at BigSURS Students win in performing arts and science categories during symposium Samantha Tirado slaughlin @liberty.edu

Fourteen Liberty University students placed third or above in the Big South Undergraduate Research Symposium two weeks ago.

The event, which allows students from each school in the Big South Conference to perform and present their research, was held at Liberty for the first time April 13-14.

Another first for the event was a category for performing arts where students could present their search with performances to better demonstrate their research.

Rebecca Edmiston, a Liberty junior majoring in piano performance and choral music education, took first in the performing arts category.

“Dr. Hardin suggested that I get involved in Research Week/

Leah seavers | Liberty News Service

HARD-EARNED AWARDS — Undergraduate researchers with the provost.

BigSURS because of the new performing arts category this year and because I had already been working on Chopin's Fantasy in F minor in order to perform in various recitals,” Edmiston said. “My love for the piece itself was the first thing that motivated me to do the research, and as I went deeper, it became more fascinating as I learned about the historical, musical and philosophical influences behind the piece.”

Liberty senior and biomedical sciences major Caleb Schreiner took first place with his brother Christopher Schreiner and Caroline Roberts for the poster presentation, “Vitamin B9 Can Change the Activity of Genes in Your Brain.” Schreiner had been working through the topic for two years prior to BigSURS. Their advisor, Dr. Gary Isaacs helped the students through each part of the process and oversaw the research being done on a

FULBRIGHT “Just how much they encouraged and just brushed it off. It was not continued from A1 me and pushed me beyond what I until her modern grammar profes“I was pushed beyond what I would have gone for myself.” sor, Dr. Paul Mueller, approached thought I was capable of doing. her about applying for it that she Including the Fulbright.

It was the ride of a lifetime, but I Fulbright is a highly competitive gave it a second thought. wouldn’t be where I am without federal program which operates in “She is not at all self-serving having gone to Liberty.” over 160 countries and is designed or proud, and that is why I think But Bouton said that I suggested she go for it, she was mostly impactbecause I don’t think she I don't think anyone knows would have thought of it ed by her professors, who guided her as she for herself,” Muller said. how much time and tears I struggled to decide He was right. Bouton what to do with her put into this process. I put my said that it was only after he future. mentioned it to her that she went to an informational Early on, she realheart and soul into it. meeting. After talking with ized she had a heart for — Katarina Bouton Liberty’s Fulbright program working with people, advisor, Edna Udobong but she bounced back about how competitive getto build relationships between the and forth between medicine and foreign languages, United States and people in those ting the Spanish Fulbright trip would be, God sent the perfect opbefore deciding on teaching Eng- countries.

At first, applying for the award portunity for Bouton to enhance lish as a second language.

“I can’t say enough about the was not even on Bouton’s radar. her portfolio.

A fellow classmate told her about professors in the modern lan- Being an honors student, she had guage department,” Bouton said. heard it promoted several times an LU Send trip to Guatemala,

Leah Seavers | Liberty News Service

PERFORMING ARTS — Rebecca Edmiston recieved first place in the performing arts category during Research Week from Provost Ron Hawkins.

regular basis.

“If something went wrong, he was very understanding and would usually help us think through what might have happened by asking guiding questions,” Shreiner said.

“Overall, I wouldn’t have chosen any other professor to work with these last two years.”

Schreiner said he accredits his success in research and his pairing

with a great professor to Liberty’s excellence in equipping its students for quality research through classes and labs.

“It was a great opportunity, and I had fun presenting our research and seeing what my friends and classmates were working on,” Shreiner said.

which she also brushed aside until she just so happened to be riding a bus alongside the professor leading that same trip. It was not until later that night that she realized it was him and took the hint from God. She emailed him and was in Guatemala the next summer.

From there, it was just one thing after another of God opening doors to make it possible.

However, winning the international education exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government was no small feat. Bouton said she spent months working on her application.

“I don’t think anyone knows how much time and tears I put into this process,” Bouton said. “I put my heart and soul into it.”

Thankfully for Bouton, the hard work paid off. She is now confirmed as an official Fulbright award winner and will be working

in Asturias, Spain, for 9 months teaching English as a second language. She will leave in the fall to begin her work with Spain’s Commission for Cultural, Educational and Scientific Exchange.

Bouton said it was unusual telling the story all the way through because she is not usually a talkative person. And Muller agreed.

“She was never really loud,” Muller said, “She just quietly outperformed everybody else.”

Muller said there is a need for more students like Bouton to represent the U.S., people who are not seeking press with their actions but deserve it.

“Mild waters run deep,” Muller said. “She doesn’t seek attention, but whatever she does, people will see and say, ‘There is an example to follow.’”

TIRADO is a news writer.

THOMPSON is a news writer.

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A8 | May 1, 2018 | Liberty Champion

Shelter in the storm

TRBC becomes American Red Cross shelter for those displaced by tornado Madison Summers mbsummers@liberty.edu

After a tornado swirled its way through Lynchburg and parts of Campbell and Amherst Counties on Sunday, April 15, leaving families without homes, Thomas Road Baptist Church stepped up to assist.

As soon as the disaster hit, TRBC Pastor of Missions and Outreach Tim Grandstaff and Senior Pastor Jonathan Falwell contacted the city of Lynchburg and the Red Cross to find out how they could help. Within just a few hours, TRBC became an official Red Cross shelter for the city of Lynchburg.

“I’ve heard people say the sound (of a tornado) sounds like a freight train coming, and it’s just for a split second,” Grandstaff said. “(They say they) didn’t even hear trees falling or anything, and when it was over, they came up and looked outside — their total landscape was totally changed.”

The night of the storm, the TRBC Ready Response team, along with other volunteers and staff, arrived at the church to prepare a space for those who needed a place to sleep.

The nonprofit organization Glean-

ing for The World brought a truck full of water, blankets and supplies.

Staff and volunteers set up portable showers and make breakfast, lunch and dinner every day.

This year, TRBC purchased a disaster trailer equipped with chainsaws, rakes, shovels, tarps and other items, which assisted in their efforts following this storm.

Cleanup continued throughout the community on April 19 when volunteers boarded buses to Elon.

Liberty senior Hannah Wendt, who currently is student teaching at Temperance Elementary School in Amherst, was part of the crowd headed to the devastation.

“It’s one thing to see pictures, but then when you’re standing in front of it, piles and piles of people’s belongs all over their yard and their homes completely destroyed, it breaks your heart,” Wendt said.

“You know you are going home to a safe place, and you know you have a family that’s taken care of and a warm place to sleep tonight with all of your belongings. For that to be uprooted in someone’s life and everything taken from them, it is really heartbreaking.”

The family that Wendt worked with had half of their house de-

Kevin Manguiob | Liberty News Service

OPEN DOORS — TRBC set up a shelter for those impacted by the tornado that ravaged the Lynchburg and surronding areas.

molished — pieces of wood were everywhere and their belongings were scattered. She described the tornado as resulting in a “street of chaos.”

“It was very surprising to see the joy they had being able to give the Lord the glory for protecting all of them,” Wendt said.

Combined with LU Serve, Serve Lynchburg added 2,000 students and faculty to projects throughout the community including the Love Where You Live’s citywide clean up initiative April 21.

Over a hundred of volunteers from Liberty and TRBC cleaned up nine residential homes Kevin Manguiob | Liberty News Service and yards.

“Above everyBED AND BREAKFAST— Volunteers provided beds and meals to those who were displaced by the thing else, we want

to represent Jesus Christ, and we want to be the hands and feet of Jesus to our community,” Grandstaff said. “This is where God has planted us, and we want to grow where we are planted to be the best Christ followers we can be for our community.”

TRBC and Liberty University are larger than a big organization and a big facility, according to Grandstaff. He wants people to see that their ministry wants to roll up their sleeves in the community God has placed them during a time of disaster.

“We’re out there in the community to first love on people,” Grandstaff said. “And then our goal is that they would see Jesus Christ in our life.”

At the Brentwood Mobile Home Park, TRBC connected its Spanish ministry to help those whose mobile homes were damaged by the storm. Grandstaff said some of the people in the area were inhibited and did not want to leave, so to earn their trust, TRBC went back every day to clean up, serve, meet families, host a cook out and provide necessities. On the

night of the cook out, four people came to know Christ because of TRBC’s efforts.

TRBC plans to create a micro church in the Brentwood Mobile Home Park and help replace and repair the homes that were damaged in the storm.

TRBC continues to provide shelter to families who are not allowed back in their homes until further inspection by giving them a place to stay at Liberty’s former Residential Annex. The church has currently prepared for nine families.

The housing will be on a 30-day contract, but will be on a case-bycase base.

As the missions and outreach pastor, Grandstaff said it makes him proud of his church when he sees people engaged, as well as seeing Liberty, the city of Lynchburg, community churches and private and public schools stepping up to serve the community.

ity of their branches ripped off.

The areas along Nottaway Drive and Deerfield Drive were reportedly the most severely affected places, as the path of damage was 400 yards wide and the powered by the strong winds of an EF3 tornado.

In a public information statement, the National Weather Service thanked everyone who responded to help in the cumbersome task of accumulating observations and information in the aftermath.

“The National Weather Service would like to express sincere gratitude to the emergency officials from Campbell and Amherst Counties, as well as the city

tance is necessary.

Many of the locations affected by the storms have experienced notable amounts of volunteer aid. Public Safety Director Tracy Fairchild has expressed her gratitude for those who acted as first responders and volunteers who turned out from the community and remained at work both during the storm and in the aftermath’s recovery process.

“I honestly cannot thank the community enough for their support while we continue recovery efforts,” Fairchild said. “I am extremely fortunate to work with such dedicated and committed volunteers and staff. These first responders truly care about the

citizens in Campbell County, but beyond that, the community cares deeply about each other.”

Gleaning for the World, a nonprofit organization that works to meet the critical needs of those suffering from natural disasters and extreme poverty, distributed various supplies to the storm victims at Timberlake Methodist Church on Monday, April 23, and Wednesday, April 25.

Two weeks have passed since the tornado tore through the Lynchburg region, but the process of recovery is still underway as assessments and the informationgathering process are ongoing.

April 15 storm.

TORNADO continued from A1 The estimated damage is currently appraised at almost $17.3 million — $847,769 residential and $16,441,000 commercial.

Officials concluded that there were 12 injuries and no reported fatalities due to the weather event, according to the report.

In Amherst County, the tornado grew to a maximum intensity with winds at roughly 150 mph as it crossed Highway 130 in the Elon area. Dozens of homes in the area were substantially damaged, some almost entirely, and many large pine trees were left with the major-

of Lynchburg, Amherst County Schools, the News & Advance and private citizens who all helped piece together the various observations used to determine this information,” the NWS release said.

According to an article on Campbell County Department of Public Safety’s website, FEMA has received a request from Commonwealth of Virginia’s Department of Emergency Management for the start of joint Preliminary Damage Assessments to evaluate the damage in the region. PDAs are a process of compiling information that are meant to help the governor decide if the damage is beyond what the Commonwealth is capable of managing and if additional assis-

Kevin Manguiob | Liberty News Service

PICK IT UP — Thousands of students and volunteers flooded the area April 21 to help clean up the communiy.

SUMMERS is a news writer.

KLINKER is a news writer.

Kevin Manguiob | Liberty News Service

RAKE IT UP — After a storm with nearly 150 mph winds, the damage will cost the area almost $17.3 million.

SPORTS

May 1, 2018

B1

slider

WAY SAFE — Sophomore shortstop Cam Locklear slid into third base in the second game of Liberty’s three-game series against Longwood.

Joel Isimeme| Liberty News Service

Jousting with the Lancers Liberty baseball narrowly edges Longwood University 2-1 in weekend series inning. After posting a single home run in the fourth, Longwood scored an additional five home runs in the fifth.

With the advantage in Longwood’s favor, the Flames propelled passed the adversity and posted seven unanswered home runs.

Saturday’s game, however, did not bring the desired result.

During Saturday’s game, Longwood struck the go-ahead blow with a two-run home run off of the bat of first baseman Justin Mitchell in the top of the ninth inning to send Liberty to 13-7 in the Big South and 25-16 overall.

Saturday’s loss marked the first time the Flames lost at home since March 27, according to libertyflames.com.

The game was a grueling back-and-forth battle that lasted nearly four hours.

Longwood opened up the scoring in the third inning when second baseman Nate Blakeney drove a double to the gap in right field to score Mitchell and give the Lancers a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the frame, shortstop Cam Locklear drove a ground ball down the right field line for a leadoff triple.

Right fielder Brandon Rohrer then followed up with a sacrifice fly to tie the game 1-1.

Skirrow lasted just four and one-third innings and had mixed results. He only let up

Jon Brienza jbrienza@liberty.edu

A tightly-contested affair resulted in an 8-6 win for the Longwood Lancers (1427, 7-13) Saturday, April 28 at the Liberty Baseball Stadium. Despite the loss, the Flames overpowered Longwood the next day, Sunday, April 29, in a close 11-inning match 5-4.

On Sunday, the score was tied 4-4, and Longwood shortstop Antwaun Tucker threw the ball to first base, hoping to prolong the game. He overthrew the ball, forcing first baseman Justin Mitchell to leap in the air for the catch. A two-out throwing error was the result, and Liberty stole the win.

The win gave Liberty the upper-hand in the series, and the Flames walked away with a 2-1 victory on the series.

Center fielder D.J. Artis finished with two home runs, and utility player Jonathan Embry, shortstop Cam Locklear and Brady Heide each finished the game with a home run.

Two days prior, the Flames sneaked passed the Lancers 9-6, after scoring seven unanswered home runs.

In Friday’s game, Liberty put two quick home runs on the board during the second

two runs but had to pitch around traffic on the bases all night long.

“His pitch count got up,” Flames head coach Scott Jackson said. “Noah fights the count. I mean, it was behind 2-0 early and then you’re putting a lot of pressure on some of those pitches with runners on, but credit to him. He battled for us. I’d just like to see him get deeper in the game.”

The Flames were continually able to string together productive at bats and respond immediately to Longwood’s offensive output on multiple occasions.

“We’ve done that all year, offensively,” Jackson said. “I mean, we get behind and the next thing you know we’ve tied it or we’ve got the lead… We try to talk to our guys about if you get to two strikes, it’s not big deal and to go up there with confidence.”

After Longwood added a run in the sixth, Liberty put together a big three-run seventh inning off Lancers starter Steven Farkas.

First baseman Dylan Allen scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of second baseman Trey McDyre. Artis and catcher Tre Todd then followed suit with back-to-back RBI hits to make it 6-4 in favor of the Flames.

It was a tie game heading into the top of the ninth, and then the Lancers got the upper hand. After getting the first out of the in-

ning, Hand gave up a single which brought Mitchell to the plate. After getting ahead on the Longwood first baseman he left a pitch up and Mitchell promptly uncorked it into the bullpen beyond the right field wall to give the Lancers the lead.

“The fact that we can’t finish hitters with two strikes is what beat us tonight,” Jackson said. “With Mason, we got the eighth inning, and he’s got the first three hitters with – I think two of them were 0-2, one of them was 1-2 – and we can’t finish. Same thing with Mitchell on the home run, you know.

We’re just trying to show him a different look there and try to get underneath his barrel on the inner-half and try to open up the outer-half, and we leave it up.”

“I really like some of that resiliency,” Jackson said. “Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough for us tonight. You have to credit Longwood. I thought they were great, they played with energy and, you know, they were just better than we were late in the game.”

Liberty’s next game will be head-to-head with Virginia Tech Wednesday, May 2.

BRIENZA is a sports reporter.

A new coach in town Liberty men’s tennis coach named Big South Coach of the Year Peter Gooch pgooch1@liberty.edu

The Hail Mary fell incomplete and the upset was completed. The Philadelphia Eagles had captured Super Bowl LII with a wild 41-33 triumph over the favored New England Patriots.

Earlier that Sunday, Feb. 5, another dramatic victory occurred. The Liberty University men’s tennis team upended Kennesaw State University with a tense 4-3 win in Peachtree Corners, Georgia.

“I’m from Philadelphia, so that was a big day,” Liberty head coach Derek Schwandt said.

It was one of many memorable days for Schwandt, an Eagles fan who recently finished his first season as a college head coach.

Baseball

Schwandt received the Big South Conference Coach of the Year award after guiding the Flames to a 12-12 record, including 4-3 in conference play. The season marked an overall five-win improvement from the year before.

Schwandt was an assistant coach at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Fresno State University and the University of Virginia before he was hired to lead the Flames in May 2017.

“It’s been a goal of mine professionally to become a head coach and lead a team to the top level of DI since I got into (coaching) 10 years ago,” Schwandt said. “(Liberty) was an amazing opportunity, especially after coming out for the interview and seeing the place and seeing how dedicated the athletic department is to being successful.”

Softball

The Flames endured a fair share of up and downs throughout Schwandt’s rookie head coaching season, including a three-game winning streak March 17-24, followed by a four-game losing streak to close the year.

During the winning streak Liberty came together as a team and pulled out a 5-2 triumph over San Diego State in California that Schwandt pointed to as a season highlight.

The losing streak, along with the Flames’ season, concluded April 16 when the team suffered a disappointing 4-3 loss to Longwood University in the quarterfinals of the Big South Men’s Tennis Championship.

See TOWN, B4

Softball

Nathan Spencer | Liberty News Service

BRING IT — Coach Derek Schwandt had nine years of coaching experience before coming to Liberty.

W. Lacrosse

M. Lacrosse

Longwood

Liberty

Hampton

Liberty

Hampton

Liberty

Campbell

Liberty

S. Carolina

Liberty

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WE’LL SEE YOU AT THE GAME

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UVA May 1 @ 4 p.m.

Softball vs.

UVA May 1 @ 6 p.m.

Track Twilight Qualifier May 2 @ 11:30 a.m.

Baseball vs.

Virginia Tech May 2 @ 6 p.m.

Baseball vs.

Radford May 11 @ 6 p.m.

sports

B2 | May 1, 2018 | Liberty Champion

A trustworthy Bishop

Lady Flames softball player shines at bat and in the infield

Jacob Couch jtcouch@liberty.edu

A resounding crack echoed throughout the softball park of Murrieta Valley High School as Autumn Bishop soaked in the applause that celebrated yet another home run.

Amber Bishop looked on from the dugout as her twin sister touched home plate, receiving hugs and compliments from

year of high school, the Liberty Flames came calling with scholarship offers for Amber Bishop and her sister. Following a visit to the Flames state of the art softball facilities, Amber Bishop was sold.

The twin sisters visited with the Flames after touring the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

The Flames offer to bring both sisters on board ended any considerations they once had about playing for different schools.

Leah Seavers | Liberty News Service DASH — Sophomore infielder Amber Bishop sprinted toward home plate.

teammates and coaches. Amber Bishop glanced down at her injured wrist, shaking her head as she reflected on how her once promising high school senior season was taken from her because of an injury.

Amber Bishop’s high school softball career was highlighted by three straight firstteam All-Southwestern League selection seasons. In her three seasons with Murrieta Valley, Amber Bishop hit 20 homers and recorded a 93 RBI in 91 games played.

At the end of Amber Bishop’s senior

“We always thought that we would go to the same school,� Amber Bishop said. “But then at one point we thought that maybe we should separate and go to different schools.�

Now as a sophomore, Amber Bishop is enjoying a season that has consisted of good health, adequate playing time with her sister and abundant on-field success. “Playing with my sister is always fun,�

Amber Bishop said. “I think that we’ve competed this year more than we have in

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the past because last year she wasn’t able to play as much. It’s been nice having her back on the field. I love competing and playing against her, but also being on the same team and encouraging each other.�

Amber Bishop and her sister’s introduction to softball began before they had even entered the world. Amber Bishop’s mother Elizabeth played in a slow pitch softball league while she was pregnant with the twin girls. “We like to say that that is how we got started,� Amber Bishop said.

Amber Bishop hopes that her days of playing second base alongside her sister, who plays at first base, are going to last long after their college years. “If it could be a possibility, I would love to play after college,� Amber Bishop said. “Hopefully go to the Olympics some day with my sister.�

Amber Bishop also mentioned that she has aspirations to play professional softball in the future. But as Amber Bishop focuses on the present, she realizes that there is reason to be excited for the Flames postseason potential. “We’re all working hard to get to the point of the Big South Championship,�

Amber Bishop said. “One game at a time and playing in the moment.�

Although the team has worked hard to improve their game, one of their primary focuses this season has been to play in a manner that glorifies God. “One of the main focuses and mindsets that we’ve had this year is trying not to be scared of making errors or mistakes and just play to bring honor and glory to God.�

The Lady Flames currently boast a 3912 record at the top of the Big South conference, with the closest competition being Longwood University who sport a 32-14 record.

Liberty will return to action against University of Virginia in a doubleheader at 6 p.m. May 1.

COUCH is a sports reporter.

Leah Seavers | Liberty News Service BIG HIT — Sophomore Amber Bishop

earned the 2017 Big South freshman of the year award.

Autumn Bishop’s profile was carried in the Feb. 12, 2018 issue. You can find it online at libertychampion.com.

sports

Liberty Champion | May 1, 2018 | B3

‘McNam’ing the game

Women’s lacrosse senior makes an impact on and off the field Jessie Pirro jlpirro@liberty.edu

Since joining the Liberty women’s lacrosse team in 2014, senior defender Lindsey McNamara has become an anchor for the Lady Flames as a team captain. For the second year in a row, McNamara has earned Big South All-Conference honors after being voted Second Team Big South All-Conference.

With her final season coming to an end, McNamara hopes her hard work and dedication stay with the team after she leaves.

“The main thing I want to leave is just hard work and commitment,” McNamara said. “We have worked so hard this year and

I want to leave with everyone still working that hard and still being committed to the program and wanting to go further and further each year.”

Growing up, McNamara competed in multiple sports. She did cheerleading up until the fourth grade, and she also played soccer and ran track. But after trying lacrosse in the fourth grade, she found her passion.

“My cheerleading coach told us to try (lacrosse) out,” McNamara said. “Then I fell in love with it in fourth grade.”

As she got older, the Florida native knew she wanted to attend an out-of-state school with a Christian foundation. When she found Liberty, she knew it would be a Nathan Spencer - Liberty News Service

HUSTLE —Senior defender Lindsey McNamara sprinted with the ball as she looked to make a pass.

Leah Seavers - Liberty News Service

LEADING — Senior Lindsey McNamara was named Big South defensive player of the week April 17.

good fit.

“I really wanted to find a school that had really good morals and values and I wanted to get out of my home state,” McNamara said.

“I was also looking at a different Christian college, but I’m glad this worked out because I fell in love with it and it was such a great experience to be here.”

McNamara is grateful for her opportunity to play lacrosse at Liberty, but she is even more thankful for the family she has developed while playing on the team.

“Just being around this group of girls, they all have different personalities that are very unique, but still awesome to be around,” McNamara said. “It’s a joy being around them every day and working with them and having new people come in every day can really help you grow in your faith and as

a person and in your school work and as a player.”

McNamara has become an integral part of Liberty women’s lacrosse during her four-year career. During the Lady Flames record-breaking 13-4 season, McNamara was awarded with the defensive player of the week award.

“It is a team sport,” McNamara said. “But it was awesome getting that. But I’m just happy we got that win against Winthrop.”

As a captain, McNamara reaches out to the underclassmen and tries to make them feel as comfortable as possible with them going into the Big South tournament.

“I’ve been trying to work with them and talk with them,” McNamara said. “Just pour into them outside of practice for their school work and personal life and they

are comfortable talking to me in their personal (lives) and comfortable on the field.”

Going into the Big South tournament the Lady Flames sit comfortably in second place, which earned them a first round bye and they will not play until the Semi-Finals May 4.

“We do have two weeks off, so it is just basically preparing our bodies and making sure we’re preparing at practice and going all out the entire time because that is what’s going to get us better prepared,” McNamara said. “Just making sure we eat right, we hydrate and just like mentally prepare as well because we do have two weeks off, it’s a good thing and a bad thing, but I think we are ready.”

PIRRO is a sports reporter.

sports

B4 | May 1, 2018 | Liberty Champion

On the Fly Jacob Couch jtcouch@liberty.edu

The batter hits a baseball into the air while several players from the other team swarm underneath and try to track the ball…together. As the quarterback drops back to pass, five linemen block for him… together. The defenseman kicks the ball to the mid-fielder as the forwards attempt to find openings near the opposing team’s goal… together…

And then you have basketball. With the exception of the player passing the ball in bounds, the player who dribbles the ball down the court sometimes drives to the basket without passing the ball once.

Am I saying that basketball is the most selfish out of the primary team sports? That is exactly what I am saying. Let me clarify that it does not always have to be, but rather has the potential to be. And when potential lies in front of some of the world’s most talented athletes, they typically give in to it.

Let’s go over the major team sports and give them all a fair chance at being the most selfish.

Baseball is almost immediately eliminated from the conversation. The reason is because the team batting has a batting order that is in place to prevent players from coming to bat whenever the manager decides he wants a home run.

On the defensive side of the game, no one knows for certain where the ball is going to be hit. Granted, some defensemen can predict accurately due to a batter’s consistency in the past, but generally no single defender is going to catch all of the balls hit on a regular basis. I think it is safe to say that baseball has no potential to be the most selfish team sport.

Football. Well, maybe we are getting somewhere now.

Once the ball is snapped, it is quite possible for the quarterback to take the snap and run every play. He could hypothetically never throw the ball and never hand the ball off.

To take the scenario a step further, the quarterback could finish the game with 300 yards rushing and four touchdowns on the ground. But something in this scenario has been missing this entire time. The entire offensive line, as well as the other five players, must be blocking in order for the quarterback to gain a single yard.

Soccer maybe? I’m just going to call this one as it is.

A defenseman receives the ball from the goalie and takes the ball down the field. There is no way that the defenseman takes the ball all the way down the field and single handedly scores without passing the ball.

For the sake of those who don’t understand, I’ll say this: if a defenseman succeeds in kicking a ball past 11 men and into the net, then that man is worthy of recognition. And if he repeats this tremendous feat again, then his number should be retired forever and he should be dubbed the world’s greatest athlete.

This, however, is almost impossible. The game of soccer is enjoyed by those who play it primarily because it is an unselfish sport. Passing the ball and playing unselfishly is a necessary part of playing soccer.

Let’s look at hockey. In hockey, if a single player was to attempt to maintain the puck for the majority of the game, that player would be laid out on the ice. Due to the physicality of the game, hockey players would never be able to consistently single handedly control possession of the puck.

Having eliminated every other option, it is now time

Nathan Spencer | Liberty News Service

ACCOMPLISHMENT — The men’s tennis team ended their season 12-12 and 4-3 in the Big South Conference.

More than tennis

Men’s tennis reflects on first season with new coach Siani Null snull@liberty.edu

The Liberty men’s 2018 tennis season was defined by navigating changes in leadership and learning to overcome adversity.

The team ended the season April 16, falling 3-4 to No. 5 seed Longwood University in the first round of the Big South Conference Championships.

But, according to junior Eddie Gutierrez, the season was characterized by much more than how it ended. It was about the lessons the team learned at each point along the way.

The Flames underwent changes in the fall when Liberty hired a new head coach, Derek Schwandt, and assistant coach, Beck Pennington. Senior Diego Castano said the fall semester was a unique time of adjusting to the new coaching styles.

“I think it was a good transition and it was definitely better than my last three

years,” Castano said. “It was something that the team needed, the program needed. It definitely was challenging at first but at the end we’re all in the same boat, going towards the same goal, so it was pretty smooth afterwards.”

Gutierrez said a new dynamic was born and a shift in atmosphere was created this season as a product of the coaching transition.

“Coach Schwandt is very focused on developing a winning culture and a culture that responds to adversity,” Gutierrez said. “No matter how badly you’re losing, no matter how high the mountains might seem, you’re going to look right at them and respond to that adversity. I think it really showed this past season that we are a team that has a lot of potential and a lot of talent.”

The team started off 4-0 in conference play record, winning against Radford, Gardner-Webb, University of North Carolina Asheville and Longwood.

But looking at the way the game is designed, basketball, without a doubt, has the most potential to be the most selfish team sport.

— Jacob Couch to look at basketball. I think it is important to understand that I am not saying every basketball team or player is selfish. But looking at the way the game is designed, basketball, without a doubt, has the most potential to be the most selfish team sport.

What do I mean by saying that? “A single basketball player can have a bigger impact on their team than any player in any other team sport,” DearSportsFan.com said. As I stated earlier, a basketball player can keep the ball in his own hands for the majority of the game and still successfully score.

Due to the sport not allowing contact, which enables a player to keep the ball for however long he chooses or the clock expires, basketball (The National Basketball League especially) gives teams the opportunity to create more power teams than other sports.

Having thoroughly covered the sporting world’s primary team sports, it is now time to face reality. The examination did the work for us, leaving the game of basketball to stick out like a sore thumb as the world’s most selfish team sport.

You will likely find a handful of team players within the sport, but you will also find the players who gladly accept and take advantage of the individual liberties that basketball offers.

That is just reality. Reality can be summed up with the term: “That’s just the way the ball bounces.”

I think that term is fitting for our topic.

COUCH is a sports reporter.

Nathan Spencer | Liberty News Service

HEAD-ON — Senior Diego Castano wound up to return the ball.

TOWN continued from B1 “It was really a tough one to get over for a few days, but we moved past it and will use it as fuel for summer training,” Schwandt said. “We’ve stayed in the process all season and that’s not going to change.”

Since then, Schwandt said that he has met with each of his players individually to create a vision for this summer and next season.

One of Schwandt’s goals for next season and the years beyond is to increase the intensity and volume of work as he seeks to build a perennially successful men’s tennis program.

“There’s no way around hard work and being physical,” Schwandt said. “We’re definitely going to step up and

“A favorite moment I think I will always remember from this year would be the times that we won very serious matches,” Castano said. “Whether it was Vince (Salas) clinching against Gardner-Webb, or it was me clinching against Kennesaw State, I was super hyped.”

According to Gutierrez, it was the best start to a season the team has had in the history of the program, and things looked promising heading into the championships.

But then came the adversity that they had been preparing to face all season.

“Maybe everybody expected to go out into the championship and come back with a title and with the trophy in our hands and I guess things didn’t really go as planned,” Gutierrez said.

“It stinks that we had such a great start and that we weren’t able to continue on with that streak. But, at the end we all talked about the experiences we had as a team throughout the season and we promised each other that next year the result is going to be different.”

Already looking forward to next season, coaches Schwandt and Pennington have the goal of building a top-25 nationally ranked program with the hopes that four incoming freshmen will help them get there.

“I think we really need to make sure that the new guys buy into the winning culture of the program,” Gutierrez said.

“Besides working hard on the court, we all know we have the capacity to go out into the conference matches and start beating all these teams. The next step is to, yes, be reminded that we have the ability to do that, but then once we have tasted victory, don’t feel comfortable or be complacent about it.”

Castano will be leaving his team with the positive outlook that they will win a Big South Championship in the near future.

“I think ever since I’ve been here, one of my teams could have easily done it,” Castano said. “So, hopefully next year they will do it and within a couple years they will get at least one or two Big South Championships, and from then on, take it step by step. I know coach Derek has big goals for this team so I’m definitely confident that he will take it where he wants it to go.”

NULL is a sports reporter.

continue to build the intensity at which we’re practicing and training.”

For his first year Schwandt said he was pleased with the fight his players and coaching staff brought and the team bonding that occurred.

“Whether it was practices or the gym or matches, I thought we had really good energy,” Schwandt said. “The guys enjoyed it, which is big.

For how hard we work them and all the matches, you’ve got to enjoy it. While it wasn’t the end that we were shooting for, we definitely had some positive momentum this year.”

Leah Seavers | Liberty News Service

GOOCH is a sports reporter.

RECOGNITION — Schwandt was named Big South Coach of the year during his first season with the Flames.

feature

Liberty Champion | May 1, 2018 | B5

Overcoming joyfully Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month Sydney Runyon srunyon@liberty.edu

Photo Provided

GROW — Grant Ketron’s struggles with Cystic Fibrosis have brought him closer to God.

Deanna Drogan ddrogan@liberty.edu

Liberty student Grant Ketron has got the ripped jeans, checkered flannel and slicked hair of a typical pastoral leadership major.

Yet Ketron is far from just an average pastoral leadership major.

Ketron suffers from a life-threatening disease called Cystic Fibrosis. For most, a dangerous illness such as this would cause sorrow and feelings of hopelessness; but for Ketron it only creates hope, joy and most importantly, opportunity.

Ketron is a junior from Harrisonburg, Virginia. On top of his pastoral leadership major, he has four minors that include biblical studies, theology, youth ministry and expositional preaching.

Ketron’s plan as a senior in high school was to attend the College of William and Mary or the University of Virginia to study biomedical engineering. However, the Lord had other plans.

“I got saved at 18 and got called to ministry a few weeks after,” Ketron said. “The Lord meant very clearly that I was supposed to go to Liberty University to train to be a pastor.”

Ketron came to Liberty the fall of 2015 and has taken just about every opportunity the Lord has given him to impact people.

Ketron is an active member on Liberty’s Youth Quest team. Youth Quest is a traveling ministry team that seeks to build disciples through worship, creative elements such as acting and improv, and preaching.

Ketron currently serves as the discipleship team leader.

“For me, it was an opportunity to get plugged in and kind of put rubber to the road, in ministry,” Ketron said.

On top of Youth Quest, Ketron has his own ministry called Grant Ketron Evangelism.

With his ministry, Ketron essentially gets paid to travel to different churches to speak to their congregations. Though he has only traveled to three locations so far, he has already seen lives changed through his preaching of the gospel.

At the age of 16, Ketron received news that would change his life forever. Doctors told him that he had unknowingly had Cystic Fibrosis since he was just a baby.

“There is a liquid bilayer that separates your lung tissue from your ciliary hairs which usually move mucus out of your lungs, and in my body it is dried up completely,” Ketron said. “So, the mucus that is in there dries and builds up bacteria and causes lung scarring.”

Because of Ketron’s sickness, life for him has not always been easy. He has to do several lung treatments each day. His daily routine involves two nebulizers and a vibrating vest that shakes the bacteria off of his lungs.

“I put on this thing called the vest and it basically shakes me for 30 minutes,” Ketron said. “What it does is it knocks the stuff off of my lungs so that I can expel it or cough it up.”

Ketron recalls being diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis to have been a huge wake-up call in his life.

Growing up, life was not necessarily hard for Ketron as he was fairly popular in high school. From being the football starting quarterback to president of student government, to the homecoming king, Ketron was a very well rounded high school student who

did not struggle with popularity.

Ketron recalls his diagnosis to be the first time in his life where he really felt weak and powerless. It was in this time that he really learned to lean on Christ, which ultimately began to help him grow deeper in his Christian walk.

This time of growth brought Ketron to the realization that strength and satisfaction only truly comes through Christ.

Ketron recalls John 9 as being a life changing passage for him as he dealt with the realities of his illness. John 9 tells the story

Looking out at the group of people before her, she takes the stage. She adjusts the microphone, lowering it to suit her small frame, and fidgets with her short brown hair in anticipation. The music she requested begins playing over the speakers and she shuts her eyes for a brief moment, hesitating.

She takes a breath, something that has not always easily come to her.

Faith Miller was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis in the fourth grade.

While Miller received a later diagnosis than many, she explained that she had been sick for most of her life leading up to her Cystic Fibrosis diagnosis.

“Even before the diagnosis, I remember always having to visit various doctors in order to try to figure out what was wrong with me,” Miller said. “For the longest time, we thought it was chronic cough asthma, but closer to the diagnosis, I got worse.”

Miller experienced frequent “cough attacks” that resulted in her coughing so hard she could not breathe for several seconds after. The experience which she describes as “agonizing” was one of the definitive factors in her receiving an actual diagnosis.

When she was first diagnosed, Miller says she spent most of her time in hospital rooms. Over the course of the following year and a half, Miller was admitted to the hospital eight times, with each stay lasting close to three weeks. Another visit, Miller included, lasted seven weeks and almost took her life.

“Once I was in middle school, the visits finally stopped until my junior year of high school when I contracted pneumonia,”

What is Cystic Fibrosis?

Cystic Fibrosis is a life-threatening autoimmune disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs, digestive system and other organs in the body.

According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis is a progressive genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over time. In people with Cystic Fibrosis, a defective gene causes a thick buildup of mucus that coats the lungs, pancreas and other organs. Most people who suffer from Cystic Fibrosis are diagnosed at birth.

Not only does this sickness cause harm to the lungs, but also to other vital parts of the body such as the pancreas, liver, small intestine, large intestine and bladder. According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the disease affects approximately 30,000 people around the United States.

In honor of National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month, these two students have been featured for their struggles in dealing with the disease. of when Jesus healed a man who was blind since birth.

Ketron is also inspired by the apostle Paul’s “thorn” that is mentioned in the New Testament, that allows him to serve efficiently.

“I don’t view illness as something that makes me lesser than others,” Ketron said.

“In fact I think it elevates me on a platform that others can’t experience.”

Because of his Christ-like confidence and character, most who come in contact with Ketron are not aware of his sickness. He has gotten the opportunity to share his inspiring story not just within his own ministry, but also in classes such as Evangelism 101 at Liberty.

“Looking at Grant, you wouldn’t know anything was wrong. His strength truly comes from the Lord and God is going to use him in mighty ways,” his friend Rebekah Seymour said.

Ketron encourages others struggling with this disease to press on and use it for God’s glory. He challenges them to seek out the joy and the opportunity that comes along with having an illness like this.

Though life is a constant challenge, Ketron’s inspiring story is an encouragement to all who face not only illness, but any type of suffering throughout their life times.

“Yes, I have Cystic Fibrosis. Yes, that affects my every day life,” Ketron said. “Yes, that affects my life-expectancy, but I get to wake up every day knowing that the works of God are displayed through me.”

DROGAN is a guest feature reporter.

Miller said. “For someone with already damaged lungs, it made everything so much worse and I had to be admitted to the intensive care unit for about two weeks until I was stable enough to go to the main floor.”

Miller, who was raised in a Christian home, admits that Cystic Fibrosis once took a large toll on her relationship with Christ.

She slipped into a major depression, admitting that she often felt powerless as a result of the debilitating disease she had been diagnosed with.

Miller felt like her life had come to a complete standstill and that she was stuck watching others live the life she had once

dreamed of for herself.

Miller is now a senior at Liberty University, where she is an Interdisciplinary Studies major with concentrations in Theater, Cinematic Arts and American Sign Language.

Miller says she chose to come to Liberty after touring the campus for the first time.

“After I toured, I didn’t want to go anywhere else,” Miller said. “Everyone was so helpful and incredibly kind, and I could sense the kind of Christian community that I so desired to be a part of.”

Miller is a full-time residential student, which is no small feat considering the extensive routines she follows daily. Round-theclock medications and noisy machines often make it difficult for Miller to live in such close quarters with other students.

“Roommates are certainly a unique problem when living with Cystic Fibrosis,” Miller said. “In the words of my doctor, ‘It would suck to be your roommate,’ and I can’t say I disagree with him.”

Miller starts her day with her first round of chest physical therapy, which involves her wearing a vibrating vest for 30 minutes.

The vest works to shake up built-up mucus stuck in her lungs, making it easier for her to cough out following the treatment.

Miller also receives early registration from Liberty to help accommodate her in getting the classes she needs. Miller explained that she cannot have classes early in the day because she needs to work through her treatments in the morning.

In light of a hectic schedule centered around medications and therapies, Miller’s advice to others with Cystic Fibrosis is not to do it alone.

“If you try to go through this alone, it will just make things harder,” Miller said. “Find someone who will be there for you throughout the hardest times, during the hospital stays, and during the sick days.”

Miller says she takes part in Cystic Fibrosis support groups. One, she describes as an open forum for questions and advice.

“During a small bout of depression in college after a hospital visit where my body was sprinkled with bruises and injuries which affected my already rather fragile self-image, I posted on the page and asked who was married with Cystic Fibrosis, wondering if there was really someone out there who was willing to put up with something so difficult,” Miller said. “Over 30 people responded to me… telling me that while it can be very hard, they would not change anything.”

Miller describes the experience as encouraging, knowing that there are people struggling in the same way she is. As Cystic Fibrosis is an autoimmune disease, those who have it are at a greater risk for catching or spreading viruses.

“Because Cystic Fibrosis is a ‘no contact’ disease due to risk of cross-contamination, Cystic Fibrosis is a pretty lonely disease and all our communication must be done online,” Miller said.

Other than support groups, Miller finds refuge from her daily struggles of Cystic Fibrosis, through singing and performing.

Miller pursues these passions at Liberty, performing for Open Mic Nights every semester.

Risking one last glance at the group of students before her, she begins singing to the crowd collected for Open Mic Night.

She smiles through the song at the bright faces in the audience.

All things considered, she couldn’t be happier.

RUNYON is a guest feature reporter.

Photo Provided

SHINE — Faith Miller continues to perform and sing despite her Cystic Fibrosis diagnosis.

feature

B6 | May 1, 2018 | Liberty Champion

SONGS OF LOVE — Samantha Vasquez sang original songs from her EP “Love Record” as well as covers of popular numbers during her concert on April 24.

Atang Agwe | Liberty Champion

A ‘Sam’-tastic show

Songwriting major Samantha Vasquez stuns crowd with musical performance

Rachel Estes reestes@liberty.edu

The Lahaye Event Center was a space for easy listening the night of April 24 as School of Music senior Samantha Vazquez performed her first live concert.

Hosted by Student Activities, the singersongwriter performed six of her own songs— four from her recently released EP “Love Record” and two unrecorded originals—and covers of jivey classics “Old School” by Josie Dunne and “Love Song” by Sarah Bareilles.

“Being my first show, it kind of felt like a milestone moment for the years that I’ve been working on music,” Vazquez said. “I’ve been writing songs since sophomore year, so to see myself actually doing a concert my senior year felt like hard work paid off. Seeing that people actually like your music is something that’s very special.”

Although Vazquez has been singing since age three, songwriting was not something

she had envisioned herself doing before.

“It was definitely something I stumbled onto,” Vazquez said.

Vazquez said the writing of her first song was fashioned out of experience and emotion as she walked through a knotty passage in her sophomore year. Doubting the song would become much more than a simple release, she shared it with a few friends who encouraged her to trade in her artist development major for songwriting.

After some prayer and contemplation, Vazquez made the switch.

She never looked back.

“Since that day I have not stopped songwriting,” Vazquez said.

While each of the songs on Tuesday night’s set list are special to her in one way or another, one of the songs from her EP, “Father Daughter Dance,” is particularly special because of its biblical meaning and the way it was divinely revealed to her.

“As over-spiritualized as this may sound, I know that it came straight from God,”

Vazquez said. “I was literally just in a practice room and wrote the song in 30 to 40 minutes. Even though I changed the lyrics to the other songs (on the EP) a thousand times, I did not change them once for ‘Father Daughter Dance.’ That song is really special to me because it felt like I genuinely did not write it on my own.”

As a child she dreamed of being a pop star, but as her faith has grown in the last two years, so have her aspirations.

“I realized that it’s important to be a voice of hope in the secular music industry and not just another person that was talking about bitterness or anything like that, (but) have a biblical worldview in my music, even if it’s not as obvious as worship music is,” Vazquez said.

According to Vazquez, writing and recording songs about love in its different seasons for “Love Record” has taught her transcendental lessons about those very things.

“It’s taught me that it’s important to cherish every season,” Vazquez said. “I think

often we want to live in only the really great moments and not take the heartbreaking moments for what they’re worth and grow from both. We want to rush toward happily ever after, and there’s nothing wrong with wanting that, but love’s not always the greatest thing. Sometimes there’s heartbreak, and it’s important to not be overly optimistic about it, but not be bitter about it either. There’s always a balance.”

Although Vazquez is graduating in a few short weeks, we have not heard the last of her music.

Vazquez said she is considering releasing a single later this year with the hopes of releasing a full album next year.

“It’s really cool to see something you’ve worked on in a physical form and not just in your notebook anymore,” Vazquez said.

“Love Record” is available on iTunes and Spotify.

ESTES is a feature reporter.

BU Y 1 GET 1

FR EE

A DM I S S ION DURING

L I B E R T Y DAYS AT T H OM AS J E FFE R SO N ’S

DAI LY T H RO U G H M AY 21 Just mention “Liberty Days” when purchasing tickets at the Museum Shop

P O P L A R F O R E S T.O R G / L I B E RT Y

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Liberty Champion | May 1, 2018 | B7

Just a figure of speech

Forensics team ends year with Spring Showcase and memorial performance Jordan Jarrett jjarrett4@liberty.edu

Valerie Pors | Liberty Champion

WELL-SPOKEN — Kay Wills gave a persuasion-based speech about vaccine hesitancy for the showcase.

AFTER CURFEW continued from B8 “We expected it to be just someone who brought the mail out, not a big deal,” Cook said. “The loudest claps we got from the audience, on any night, was when T.J. Scott walked on stage, and I think it was because of his legs, honestly. He hated it so much, but he got the loudest claps every week.”

“After Curfew” has grown and evolved since it began. It is officially registered as a nonprofit and has some local sponsors (perhaps none match the sponsor of that first episode—a creamery who brought a live calf on stage).

The cast and crew has multiplied from the original handful to around 100, all students and alumni—camera crew, editing team, social media team and

“Telling stories that matter.” This is the simple goal of the Liberty University Forensics Speech & Debate team. On the evening of April 26, the team showcased just a few of the powerful stories they have told throughout the year.

According to the team coordinator Denise Thomas, this year has been an incredible year for the team.

“Our reach has grown,” Thomas said.

“Two years ago, when I became the team coordinator, we had about 15 members.

We’re ending this year with 20. That may not sound like a lot more, but a few years ago, students were doing one or two events. Now we have students doing four to five.”

The Spring Showcase allowed the forensics team to display certain outstanding pieces ranging from extemporaneous “after dinner” speeches to dramatic interpretations of literature.

The team attended the National Christian College Forensics Invitational

graphic design team among others.

This year the crew is bringing back some old favorites such as the essential oils lady while introducing plenty of new entertainment. They are consciously reducing the number of “youth group-style” games, as Cook called them, and choosing to focus on comedy skits and special guests. They are also upping the pressure by streaming all three of this season’s episodes live on Facebook.

“Before, we would tape it in front of a live studio audience and our editing team would take a week to edit it and then premiere it,” Cook said. “But this season we actually have a broadcasting team which is broadcasting it tonight, live on our Facebook page as we do it. It definitely adds an element of risk for the team.”

At the event space Monday night, the

competition from March 8-10, hosted at Azuza Pacific University in Azuza, California. There, the team won first place in the reader’s theater category with their piece “Edge of Death.”

The team reprised their performance of “Edge of Death” at the Monument Terrace in Downtown Lynchburg on April 27, a day after the Spring Showcase.

Thomas hopes that after the team’s accomplishments and growth this year, students may consider joining for both the academic and personal empowerment that forensics provides.

“We want to continue growing,” Thomas said. “We want more diversity on the team. We want to better represent our student body at Liberty. We want to invite students to tell stories, whether in an original platform speech or to interpret works by great writers.”

Britta Hinten, a graduating senior at Liberty, demonstrated how personal and far-reaching the forensics team’s presentations can get. Hinten performed a dramatic prose interpretation piece

show commenced with only a couple technical hiccups, soon fixed. The audience was treated to “Frat House Hunters,” a sales pitch for some outrageous essential oils, and more. The show concluded with a performance from special guest Dryden Glod, a sophomore at Liberty who wowed the crowd with “America’s Got Talent”-worthy magic tricks.

Cook is graduating this May, but he hopes the show will not stop any time soon.

“We’re hoping to have some students take over the show for us in the future,” Cook said. “I don’t want it to be my show. I want it to be its own entity, for it to continue on from what we have so far.”

MCCLAMROCH is a guest feature reporter.

called “A Plan Gone Awry” by Monica M. LeMoine, about a woman dealing with life alongside her husband after suffering several miscarriages.

“I picked this topic of infant loss because last summer, I nannied for a family in Taiwan whose child lived for only ten days,” Hinten said. “I wanted to find a truthful story to share that would bring light to the issue... I looked through memoirs at the library and found this one. I thought she was so real here.”

Hinten said that among all the improvements she has seen in the team since she joined three years ago, critical thinking skills prevailed.

“This team has been such a great place to facilitate that,” Hinten said. “You hear about all sorts of topics that you didn’t necessarily care about before...

We’re talkers, so we talk about all sorts of political and social issues, so we make each other grow. We ask hard questions.

We know what we believe and why, and how to answer for it.”

JARRETT is the feature editor.

Caroline Cummings | Liberty News Service

A WILD RIDE — Abigail Michael and Stephen Cook have been the hosts of After Curfew since the show’s premiere last year.

The Bible’s two creation accounts are so obviously different.

Why? The book EDEN to EVIL argues that the church has misunderstood the mystery and puzzle of why God gave two very different creation accounts (Eden & 7-Day.) By exposing the truth behind God’s two creations, everyone, including scholars, can now understand the true source of evil, tragedy, suffering, predestination, and original sin.

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FEATURE

B8

May 1, 2018

stunning showcases

Jacob Buwalda | Liberty Champion

YOU KNOW IT — Colony House performed hits from both their first album “When I Was Younger” and their latest 2017 release “Only the Lonely.”

Took Us By Surprise Again

After an electric opening by Liberty-native band Jake Ziegler and the Locals, Colony House took the stage.

“We always take being in Lynchburg very seriously,” lead vocalist and guitarist Caleb Chapman said. He and his brother Will, the drummer for the band, are sons of Steven Curtis Chapman. But their journey in music is very much their own — as is their band and sound.

Colony House performed old favorites like an acoustic take on “Moving Forward,” and new hits from latest release like “1234” and “This Beautiful Life.”

“Pretend it’s the smash hit you grew up listening to with your dad in the car,” Chapman playfully instructed the audience before launching into the song “I Want It All.” Colony House ended the night with “You Know It,” tied with a promise that Liberty University has not seen the last of the band.

Jacob Buwalda | Liberty Champion

ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES — Colony House was founded in Tennessee in 2009.

Sign out for After Curfew

Live improv show returns for second run Rachel McClamroch rkmcclamroch@liberty.edu

It was the evening of April 23, and people bustled in the darkened, echoey event space, testing microphones, positioning props and practicing dialogues.

In a few hours, the audience would stream in to fill the seats and the cameras would go live.

It was the second episode of the second season of “After Curfew,” Liberty’s very own late-night variety show, filmed before a live audience.

“It’s a mix of SNL and ‘Jimmy Fallon,’ a YouTube series and coffeehouse,” said Stephen Cook, a founder of the series and its showrunner. “We have the hosts, we have the sketches on stage, we have the videos and so it all comes together. We try to do something a little bit new.”

From Convocation to construction to ring by spring — if it is a staple of life at college, and especially if it is a quirk of Liberty, then “After Curfew” will have a good laugh at it.

For Cook, the idea of “After Curfew” was planted when he had the opportunity to help write the script for Christmas Convocation his freshman year.

“I thought, this is so fun and it brings stu-

dents so much joy, we should do this more often,” Cook said. “It stemmed from there. I got eight people together and said, ‘Hey, let’s write a pilot episode and pitch it to Liberty and see if they want in.”

Liberty initially loved the idea, but the partnership with the Office of Spiritual Development fell through when they were uncomfortable with some of the content.

The small team thought they still had something great and continued without university affiliation.

Cook said the difficulty of comedy is in determining what will offend and what will amuse.

“My goal is never to make someone hurt by what we do,” Cook said. “But we do want to push the envelope a little bit, to have that edge to make people laugh.”

According to Cook, one of the funniest surprises of the show was the audience’s reaction to a particular cast member. For a segment called, “Have You Ever Wondered?” one student would wear a mailman outfit, replete with messenger bag and short shorts, to deliver mail to the hosts.

See AFTER CURFEW, B7

Caroline Cummings | Liberty News Service

ACTION — Founder and showrunner Stephen Cook improvised a comedic scene.