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Volume 31 • Issue 8
Garden opens
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libertychampion.com Lynchburg, Va.
fall festivities
Students grow crops Jeremy Beale jbeale3@liberty.edu
Dedicating the Liberty University Garden in memory of the late Henry and Elvira Morris, President Jerry Falwell, Jr., and the Liberty University community gathered atop Liberty Mountain in celebration of new life, Friday, Oct. 25. Students, faculty and staff enjoyed food samplings, cooking demonstrations and a tour of the Morris Campus Garden. However, before anyone could take part in the festivities or pay compliments to Executive Director of Sodexo Chef Craig DaSuta for his bruschetta, hot soups and pumpkin pancakes, members of administration participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony, offering kind words toward the Morris family. Henry and Elvira Morris’ son, Chip Morris, and his family were also in attendance. Reminiscing over the campus’ past, Falwell addressed those in attendance about a time before Jeffersonian Architecture filled the campus. “Henry Morris made it his mission to beautify Liberty University,” Falwell said. “Even in the years before we had beautiful buildings, nice architecture and red brick, we received compliments all around campus because of what Henry Morris did to make it beautiful.”
See GARDEN, A3
Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion
PUMPKINS — Students participate in fall activities at the Equestrian Festival. Story on B8.
Panel encourages writers
Keynote speakers talk to students about publishing trends and building an audience Nathan Skaggs ncskaggs@liberty.edu
The Department of English and Modern Languages partnered with the Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary Wednesday, Oct. 23, to host “Writing Culture: A Panel with Christianity Today’s Her.meneutics.” Attendees enjoyed refreshments while a panel of four professionals took turns speaking on various writing topics, which included publishing trends, writing for an audience and building an audience using social media. Dr. Karen Prior, an English professor, said the panel was part of a lecture series that seeks to enhance students’ educational experience. “I began this lecture series … because
when I was a student, I attended a university where lectures were a vital part of the intellectual life,” Prior said. “I have been very pleased to find that there is a hunger among Liberty students for this kind of intellectual engagement with the world.” Prior kicked off the evening speaking on publishing trends and using her most recent non-fiction work “Booked: Literature in the Soul of Me” as an example. Nick Olson, editor and writer for “Christ and Pop Culture,” followed Prior’s lecture by talking about how Christian writers should know their target audience, as it is qualitative to the biblical command to “love thy neighbor.” Olson said knowing the audience will allow a writer to package a message properly.
“We as Christians sometimes struggle with having both good content and good form,” Olson said. “I would emphasize that you care about the form of what you write as much as the content.” Suzanne Kuhn, owner of Suzy Q , an author promotion and retail development firm, provided tips for writers to appropriately use social media to engage and relate with their audience. “We need to be approaching (social media) in a way that is not self-promoting and not pushing an agenda,” Kuhn said. “We want to have a dialogue versus a monologue.”
See PANEL, A3
Daughter honors parents in essay Andrea Giovanetto writes her winning essay about love, grace and second chances Mary Helen Norris mhnorris@liberty.edu
Lauren Adriance | Liberty Champion
DAUGHTER — Giovanetto wrote a story about her parents.
Andrea Giovanetto’s essay about love, grace and second chances was chosen as this year’s winner of the Outstanding Parent of the Year Award. According to Theresa
Dunbar, director of Parent and Family Connections at Liberty, Giovanetto’s essay depicted the “endless grace and love her adoptive parents provided for her.” This is the fifth year for the contest, which ended earlier this month. Ac-
cording to Dunbar, students are given a chance to honor their parents for the love they have received, the example they were given and the sacrifices their parents have made to send them to Liberty. After the deadline, three judges read the 92 essays,
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Liberty now offers a major in Sign Language and A2 Interpreting.
Women’s soccer clinches home-field advantage in the Big South Tournament. B1
Lynchburg hosted the Annual Zombie Walk Saturday, Oct. 26
and Giovanetto’s essay was in the top two, according to Dunbar. When the top essays were selected, a fourth and final judge was brought in to read them and narrow it down to the top three. From there, Giovanetto’s essay was chosen because,
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according to Dunbar, “It was well written and told her wonderful life story.” According to Giovanetto, she was inspired to nominate her parents because of the sacrifices they had made for her.
See PARENT, A2 A1 A4 B1 B8
NEWS
A2/Liberty Champion
OCTOBER 29, 2013
ASLI now offered Signing degree becomes available Kristen Hines kahines@liberty.edu
Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion
INSPIRATION— Sen. Rand Paul encouraged students to defend American liberty despite the cost.
Rand Paul motivates
U.S. Senator visits campus with Ken Cuccinelli, challenges students Mark Tait mtait@liberty.edu
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul and Virginia Attorney General and candidate for governor Ken Cuccinelli spoke to students in the Vines Center Monday, Oct. 28, encouraging them to stand up for their freedom and to vote in the Nov. 5 election. Paul gave the keynote address and challenged students to defend liberty despite the hardships they may face as a result. “What would it take for you to renounce the one you love?” Paul said. “What would it take for you to renounce your rights as free men and women? What would it take for you to renounce your God?” Paul discussed aspects in the government he believes are an intrusion on the rights of Americans. “The Patriot Act allows the most unpatriotic of acts – the government to search and to seize things without a judicial warrant,” Paul said. The senator, who once spoke on the U.S. Senate floor for 13 hours straight in a filibuster protesting Obama’s implementation of drones, questioned what today’s young generation is willing to stand and fight for. Paul told the story of a Christian in Syria who lost his life out of refusal to recant his faith, and Paul asked students if they will stand strong in the face of difficult circumstances.
PARENT continued from A1 “Without my parents, I would not have the opportunity to attend the world’s largest Christian university, to be able to follow my dream,” Giovanetto said. Giovanetto said her parents will be coming to Liberty for Family Weekend. “We are anxious to meet these fine folks who opened their arms of love to a young 12-yearold Columbian girl and made her part of their family,” Dunbar said. Giovanetto’s parents
“Will we allow fear of terrorism to cause us to give up some of our most basic freedoms?” Paul said. According to Liberty President Jerry Falwell, Jr., Paul has not been afraid to defend freedom. “Sen. Paul has been willing to fight to the bitter end in defense of our constitution, and yet he has displayed wisdom and pragmatism when appropriate and necessary for the public good,” Falwell said. The senator also asked students where they will “draw the line” if eugenics begins to interfere with humanity. “My hope is that we don’t lose our appreciation for the miracle that springs forth from tiny strands of DNA,” Paul said. As Paul concluded his address, he said he believes America is spiritually sick, and its future does not rest in its leaders but in Christ. “We must realize that freedom needs virtue,” Paul said. “Laws alone are not enough to civilize a nation. What America needs is not another politician. What America needs is a revival.” Paul’s speech was preceded by a brief address from Cuccinelli, who asked for students’ votes in the upcoming election. “If you elect me as your next governor, I will continue to fight for the principles of this country, which are the core of the values this university itself was built upon,” Cuccinelli said. The Republican canidate said he
gave her an example that she said she hopes to share with others. “The love and strong faith in God that my parents have raised me with has given me a sign of hope for other girls in Colombia to have a chance in life just as I did,” Giovanetto said. While at Liberty, Giovanetto said she is studying to become an adoption lawyer. She said she hopes to be able to help others like her have the same chance she had. “In the future, I plan to build my own house for girls in Colombia and give them another look
plans to propose a tax cut equivalent to $700 per family of four to create 15,000 new jobs, while his opponent, Democrat Terry McAuliffe, promises higher spending, which will result in the equivalent of a $1,500 tax raise for each family of four. Cuccinelli also said he desires to grow jobs by decreasing environmental regulations, a mission he said he pursued as Virginia’s attorney general. “I fought the (Environmental Protection Agency), which I call the Employment Prevention Agency,” Cuccinelli said. “We will continue to fight the regulatory over-dos that have suffocated our economy here in Virginia.” Cuccinelli said he believes that healthcare also needs less regulation and disagreed with his opponent’s belief that ObamaCare should be expanded in Virginia. “Why would we expand failure?” Cuccinelli said. In addition to economic policies, Cuccinelli discussed family issues and said he will fight for pro-life policies if elected. “I’m a proud defender of our families and of marriage, and of life, and I’ll continue to do that as your next governor,” Cuccinelli said. For more information on Cuccinelli, visit Cuccinelli.com.
TAIT is the asst. news editor.
on life,” Giovanetto said. According to Giovanetto, she was astonished when she heard she had won the contest. She said she called her parents first, and they were in disbelief as she congratulated them on being Liberty’s parents of the year. Giovanetto and her parents will be honored at the Family Banquet Friday, Nov. 1. The banquet is part of Family Weekend, which runs Nov. 1-3. According to Dunbar, more than 746 families have registered to attend this year, and more than 3,000 family
members are expected to attend. According to the Parents and Family Connections page on Liberty’s website, the banquet will feature the Sounds of Liberty along with honoring Giovanetto and her parents. For more information about Family Weekend and about the Office of Parent and Family Connections, visit their page liberty.edu/admissions/ parents. NORRIS is a news reporter.
This semester, Liberty University became the first school in Virginia to offer a Bachelor of Arts in American Sign Language and Interpreting (ASLI). Although the first ASLI class was taught in spring of 2012, the degree was yet to be accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), Nicole Thorn, assistant professor of ASLI, said. However, the accreditation was received last spring, and now all students who major in ASLI will graduate under an accredited program. “This achievement means that we are the first in the state, but moreover, I am excited because it was done at Liberty, which is a Christian university,” Thorn said. “Interpreting is a pretty young profession … The very first interpreting class was taught at a Bible school. But since then … it has become a very secular field. So, to be able to offer this major from a Christian worldview is very exciting.” According to Thorn, this achievement makes Liberty the 40th university in the country to offer this degree. Thorn said the process of bringing this degree to life began as early as 2009. “There have been many hands in this, and not always the hands that one would expect,” Thorn said. “But, the biggest set of hands that have been involved have definitely been the Lord’s. Clearly, there are things that should not have been able to happen, there are people who should not have been able to be involved … It was definitely well orchestrated by the Lord.” According to Thorn, the interpreting field is rapidly growing for a variety of reasons. One of which is the American Disabilities Act from 1990, which declares accessibility for all people. Just as a wheelchair ramp is available for people in wheelchairs, Thorn said, interpreters must be available for a deaf person. “Even though the Americans Disabilities Act came out in 1990, as with any kind of bill or any kind of law, it doesn’t come into full swing until a good many years down the road,” Thorn said. “It’s in full swing now. There are deaf people out there who are saying, ‘Hey, I need an interpreter,’ and they just don’t have them. There is a nationwide shortage.” In order to meet the deficit of sign language
interpreters in the community, Liberty recently established Liberty University Interpreting Service (LUIS). According to Thorn, this service provides interpreters to the community and will later provide a unique opportunity for ASLI students to do their practicum and internship work. Hannah Silver, a junior and ASLI major, realized her love for ASL while watching the interpreter signing to the worship songs in Convocation. “I saw that, and I thought, ‘That is really cool,’” Silver said. “It was like a new way to worship, which I thought was really awesome.” Silver said one of the things that drew her to the major was the complexity of it. “Even people within the same town, their signing style is different,” Silver said. “If they are a quiet personality, they may sign differently than someone who is really outspoken… They have different attitudes, they have different accents … and it’s just incredible to be able to see that and be able to understand the different types.” The university, which, according to Thorn, has both hearing and deaf professors, is currently receiving national attention for this achievement. “This is a really unique school anyway, but us having this major shows that we care,” Silver said. “So often, we don’t really think about it … because we have earbuds in all the time, we are listening to music here and there, we are watching TV … but so many things do not apply to deaf people. The lengths that Liberty goes through to provide interpreters for any student that needs it … and the fact that Liberty is willing to create a way to reach out to the deaf people and to train up people that care is incredible.” HINES is a news reporter.
FYI
About 2-3 of every 1,000 children in the United States are born deaf or hard-of-hearing, according to the NIDCD website.
Champion corrections In last week’s article about Dean Anderson and the Student Body Conduct Townhall Meeting, the student named Sean Body should have been Sean Boden.
1. THE WHITE HART RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY WAS OCT. 24.
2. LYNCHBURG BROKE THE LASER TAG GUINNESS WORLD RECORD, OCT. 26.
3. LYNCHBURG GENERAL HOSPITAL SCREENED “BULLY,” OCT. 21.
NEWS
OCTOBER 29, 2013
Liberty Champion/A3
PANEL continued from A1 The keynote speaker of the night was Kate Shellnutt, editor of Christianity Today’s Her.meneutics, a blog for women. Shellnutt quoted her colleague, Andie Moody, who said that it is the calling of Christians to be stewards of language. Shellnutt added that Christian writers should produce quality work. Shellnutt, who has her master’s degree in reporting and online journalism, encouraged students to be active writers. “Working for a campus newspaper, website or blog are great ways to get yourself out there,” Shellnutt said. “I think journalistic blogging and reporting is such a strong skill to have. It’s a good basis to build another writing career off of.” Prior also had advice for young writers. “If students are interested in being writers, then they simply need to write,” Prior said. “And keep writing. Students who are patient and persistent will find doors opening.” Laura Captari, Liberty graduate student and director of professional public relations at American Association of Christian Counselors, was among the many young professionals in attendance. “As a young professional, so much of writing is theoretical
GARDEN continued from A1 According to Falwell, Henry Morris was responsible for much of the horticulture around campus, which included various donations of planting equipment and machinery, the maple trees planted along University Boulevard, the mentoring of current Grounds Manager Randy Johnson and the building of the old 1980s greenhouse, which once resided where the Jerry Falwell Library stands today.
Courtney Russo | Liberty Champion
WRITERS — Students listened to a panel of keynote speakers including Kate Shellnutt (seated left) and Suzanne Kuhn (seated right). — what we learned in school,” Captari said. “Tonight’s event really helped make it practical to give those of us who are new in the field a place to start.” Captari said she believed the speakers also instilled a sense of hope in young writers with their
stories of professional growth. “When you’re just starting out, you have a desire for God to use you, but it can seem so overwhelming,” Captari said. “I’m encouraged to be proactive … and trust God in the process.” At the end of the night, Shell-
nutt announced the first writing contest for Christianity Today’s Her.meneutics that allows student writers to submit an 800word essay reflecting the style of writing Her.meneutics publishes. According to Christianity Today’s website, the winner will be
published on Her.meneutics. For more information on the writing contest, visit christianitytoday.com/go/studentcontest.
Searching for a new place to recognize Morris’ work, Falwell and alumna Alicia Cripe, the garden manager, decided to honor Morris with the name of the garden. Cripe, the original innovator behind the Morris Campus Garden, has been working diligently with her team for a year and a half on a four-phase process to bring the garden to life. “We want this garden to be something that is really honoring to the Lord,” Cripe said. According to Cripe, the garden
is in its first phase and is not scheduled to be completed until spring of 2015. By producing this vision, Cripe’s team wishes to teach students how to work the land and use the knowledge they gain by working in the garden to use toward missions and volunteering in their communities and other countries. “We really want to get connected in with different areas of the university and the community,” Cripe said. “Whoever is interested is welcome to come
up and dabble as they please, whether they have zero experience with planting or a lot.” Cripe also looks to impact the student body by producing fresh crops that can be used in the Sodexo facilities around campus. According to Cripe, nearly everything in the garden is edible. “The idea is that everything we grow that is produce can be taken to the dining halls for students to enjoy,” Cripe said. “Right now, we are growing cold-weather crops such as
broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and carrots.” The Morris Campus Garden will offer students the unique opportunity to get their hands dirty while gaining the necessary skills for ministry and Christian service. For more information, visit Liberty’s Center for Christian/Community Service (CSER) Web page.
SKAGGS is a news reporter.
BEALE is a feature reporter.
OPINION
A4
OCTOBER 29, 2013
OPCW wins 2013 Nobel Peace Prize
The organization responsible for fighting chemical weapons received international recognition for its efforts David Van Dyk dvandyk@liberty.edu
Since the beginning of the Nobel Peace Prize, it has been the source of much controversy. Given the political nature of this award, much debate has encircled the respected recipients of this prestigious prize. This time around, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has been on the receiving end of this highly regarded reward in recognition of its impressive work ridding the world of chemical weapons. According to the official OPCW website, from the time of its founding in 1997, the OPCW has achieved a remarkable feat of signing 190 countries to its cause, making sure that chemical weapons do not scourge humankind. I completely agree with the committee’s choice to reward this quiet and hardworking organization. Yet something happened Wednesday, Aug. 21 that shook the world with a startling truth: Some countries do not believe in contracts. Syria’s use of chemical weapons on the civilians of Ghouta made it perfectly clear
that even with contracts and conventions, those who decide to do evil will do evil. As I watched the news unfold in front of me, I was reminded that there are forces in this world that stop at nothing to inflict harm and pain upon those who are helpless. I, along with the world, recognized that, although the olive branch can be powerful, those who impose their will upon others will pay no heed to it. According to Associate Dean Ronald Miller of the Helms School of Government, the OPCW’s recognition with the Nobel Peace Prize may be premature. “While I respect the role of the OPCW in helping to enforce the provisions of the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention, I think the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to their organization was driven by current events rather than a notable body of work,” Miller said. “The public perception is that they won the award due to their nascent and ongoing activities in Syria, and if that’s not the case, it’s valid to ask the Nobel committee what the OPCW has done this year, other than the work they’ve been doing quietly and without much fanfare for the past 16 years, that warrants such recognition.” No doubt the OPCW has been at the
forefront of enforcing the Chemical Weapons Convention of 1997. Even as Syria reluctantly agrees to the Framework for Elimination of Syrian Chemical Weapons, the OPCW workers are dismantling hazardous weapons in the midst of a war zone. Nonetheless, we must not be too quick in rewarding the OPCW’s efforts. The job has not yet been completed, and the Syrian civil war’s tempo is changing day by day. “Regarding their monitoring activities in Syria, their work is just beginning and is incomplete, and their success is uncertain due to the security situation presented by the combatants in the Syrian civil war,” Miller said. “If this is the basis for their Nobel Peace Prize award, I’d say it’s premature since their ultimate success is still to be determined.” According to Julian Borger of The Guardian, it seems the bestowment of this prize was a nod toward the OPCW’s current mission. “The OPCW’s Syrian mission has just begun, and the Nobel committee’s decision was meant in part as a gesture of support for what will be the most dangerous mission in the agency’s history – dismantling some of the world’s most lethal, non-nuclear
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PEACE — A chemical watchdog receives accolades for its achievements. weapons, while wearing full body armor and trying to avoid being shot in the middle of a war zone,” Borger said. Though the OPCW is right in being recognized for its accomplishments, I hope we are not too hasty in celebrating a mission not yet accomplished. I will raise a toast to their endeavors when the task at hand has been completed. VAN DYK is an opinion writer.
Bullying demands parental attention
Recent death of 12-year-old Rebecca Sedwick has brought increased attention to the problem of cyberbullying Gabriella Fuller gfuller2@liberty.edu
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Though we have all most likely said this catchy rhyme, the words could not be further from the truth. Words do actually hurt. And, as the nation has come to find following the death of 12-year-old Rebecca Ann Sedwick, words can kill. Now, a month after the Sept. 10 death of young Sedwick, cyberbullying has become a topic to add not only to our dictionaries, but potentially to our laws. According to authorities, Sedwick died jumping from a thirdstory cement plant structure after having been bullied verbally and physically. The primary perpetrators, 12-year-old Kaitlyn Roman and 14-year-old Guadalupe Shaw, have been arrested in the death of their fellow classmate and charged with aggravated stalking. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd was responsible for the arrest of the two girls. He later told CBS News that what the two girls did to Sedwick was “criminal because they terrorized her.” I could not agree more. Adolescent or not, actions have consequences. Facebook posts from the bul-
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STOP — Bullying has life effects.
lies included statements such as “you should die, you should drink bleach and die.” Shaw posted that “no one will ever know the truth” because Sedwick “went to hell” and wrote “yes IK I bullied REBECCA nd she killed herself but IDGAF.” The initials mean, “I don’t give a (expletive).” Judd has remained outspoken about his decision. “She forced this arrest,” Judd said after Shaw’s shocking posts. “This went further than bullying. This was stalking. Interventions were tried by the school and by the victim’s mom to no avail. And that’s why we made felony criminal charges, because if this can’t be taken care of at home, certainly, the system has an answer.” According to experts from the upcoming trial, this is the first time
by Greg Leasure The sports world exploded with emotion Saturday night, Oct. 26, when the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Boston Red Sox in Game 3 of the World Series after a controversial obstruction call by third base umpire Jim Joyce. Seemingly everyone with a television and a basic knowledge of LEASURE the sport of baseball soon took to social media to voice their opinions about what happened. The Cardinals scratched out the win in the bottom of the ninth inning when Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia’s throw to third base
that stalking charges have been issued in relation to teen bullying. And though the arrests have certainly brought light to the gravity of bullying, these are only the first steps in the effort to resolve the problem of bullying. Here is my question: where were the parents? According to Judd, the parents involved in the case have remained uncooperative, arguing that there is no effective way to monitor or curtail online behavior. In essence, not only did they not know what their children were doing, but they also either did not care or were incapable of taking care of the situation. Are ignorance and apathy a good enough excuse? According to parental liability laws, in any other case, negligence of a child would be criminal. If a child kills someone while operating a parent’s car, the parents can be held responsible. If a child kills someone with a parent’s gun, the parents can be held responsible. So why, in this case, is operating a cell phone or computer given by a parent any different? Parents need to realize that allowing children to access the Internet comes with incredible responsibility — and liability. Technology is a powerful tool, and as we have seen, it can be used to inflict harm. Just because
bounced into left field, giving Cardinals runner Allen Craig a chance to score. Only a few feet after leaving third base, Craig tripped over Red Sox third baseman Will Middlebrooks, who had tried unsuccessfully to stop Saltalamacchia’s throw. Even though Craig was thrown out at the plate, the run counted because third base umpire Jim Joyce had called obstruction on Middlebrooks. Despite furious arguments from Red Sox players and coaches, the call stood. “… the baserunner has every right to go unobstructed to home plate, and, unfortunately for Middlebrooks, he was right there,” Joyce said in the postgame press conference, which can be found on mlb.com. “And there was contact, so he could not advance to home plate naturally.” Red Sox fans will not quickly recover from the sting of that loss, but at the very least, I think that Major League Baseball (MLB) learned something very valuable after Game
the current generation of parents did not grow up with social media does not mean they are excused from educating themselves about it — even if for nothing else than for their children. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, 78 percent of teens now have a cell phones. Ninety-five percent of teens use the Internet, and 93 percent of teens have access to a computer at home. The risks are too high not to be informed about social media and about a child’s life online. More than cyberbullying programs or school initiatives, children need parents. First and foremost, a parent has a responsibility to raise and to guard. In cases like these, safety trumps privacy and parenting trumps friendship. Though anti-bullying programs have the right intentions, children will most model what they see at home. Parent-to-child mentoring and online monitoring are the only real answers to the dilemma of virtual harassment and antagonization. Emotional injury is as real as physical injury. Children need to learn that, although they can bully online in a detached, almost anonymous way, there will always be repercussions. As Proverbs 18:21 warns, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Our words and our actions have life
3 — people still care. According to Nielsen statistics listed in an article on Forbes.com, the 2013 World Series exceeded last year’s rating by 10 percent and viewership by 13 percent through the first two games. In other words, millions of people spent their time at the water cooler Monday morning not talking about football, but talking about baseball instead. In a world where fantasybased versions of football are arguably more popular than reality-based versions of baseball, that is quite the accomplishment for the sport of baseball. Another possible consequence of Joyce’s call is that it creates yet another opportunity for supporters of expanding the use of instant replay in baseball to plead their case. The MLB has expanded its use of instant replay in recent years to a small degree, a move that I think is a step in the right direction. But ask a baseball fan to look back on the most memorable playoff series in recent
and death consequences. It is time for parents to be parents again and to protect their children, to get involved in their lives and to recognize there is a need for regulation in a platform as boundless as the virtual world. Regardless of what the courts decide for Roman and Shaw, the girls will carry the tragedy that their words caused for the rest of their lives. Whether we believe it or not, our words do have power. Jesus himself warned of this in Matthew 12:36-37. “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned,” Jesus said. To teens who believe their words are inconsequential: Think about that the next time temptation arises to cut someone down. And to parents who are uninvolved: Think about the poor influence you are having on your children by not talking to them about their media habits. Every careless word. There are no rewinds or take backs. And though forgiveness can be given, the harm that is inflicted is permanent. Think before you speak. Think before you post.
FULLER is the opinion editor.
memory, and many of them would involve controversial calls, such as the one made in this year’s World Series. Many Baltimore Orioles fans can still remember watching Jeffrey Maier reach over the Yankee Stadium wall in 1996 and turn a harmless Derek Jeter fly ball into a home run, unseen by the umpire. I, for one, can still remember the anguish of watching my Chicago Cubs go down without a fight after Steve Bartman interfered with a player from his own team’s attempt to catch a fly ball in the 2003 National League Championship Series. Joyce’s decision to call obstruction in this year’s World Series differed from those times. The call he made was correct. All things considered, I would say Game 3 was a win-win result for the MLB. Not only did an umpire make the correct call with the game on the line, it showed just how much people still care about the game.
OPINION
OCTOBER 29, 2013
Liberty Champion/A5
Halloween horror and humor Students voice their opinions concerning one of America’s most celebrated and controversial holidays it is bad for the wallet. For a stupid Halloween party last year, I spent more than $20 buying materials for a costume. That is $20 for about two hours of wearing a dumb disguise. It is gone forever, cannot take it back. And my wallet is hardly the only one that feels the pain of Halloween. Parents must spend money on at least one costume depending on how many rug rats they have running around. That is without even mentioning candy, which runs at least another $15-20. Halloween is also a night for mischief and legitimate evil. Egging and TPing houses are age-old Halloween traditions. And that is harmless compared to the despicable people who mix razor blades into their candy, hoping an innocent child will slice themselves while reaching for their Butterfinger or KitKat. What kind of people do stuff like that? At least Scrooge just hated Christmas and did not go around throwing grenades out on porches as presents. The ghosts of Halloween need to do a little more than scare those worthless people who attempt to hurt children. The only people Halloween really benefits are dentists, who see an uncon-
Alex Tichenor atichenor@liberty.edu
Christmas is a time of year when families get together, be merry, celebrate the birth of Christ and wear ugly sweaters without shame. Thanksgiving is a time when everything is pushed aside, people give thanks for whatever they have and turkey takes front and center as the dominant bird for a day. Halloween – well, much like war, what is it good for? The real question is, what is Halloween bad for? And the answer is everything. The basis of the holiday is dressing up and pandering for candy. Doing this at any other time of the year would make anybody look like a fool. Not to mention that candy is about the worst thing a person can consume. That little triangle at the top of the food pyramid – it does not even have candy in it, that is how bad it is. It burns holes in enamel, which is the hardest substance in the body, and we still mindlessly shove it down our throats without conviction. Not only is Halloween bad for health,
Abigail Bock
Emily Brown erbrown@liberty.edu
It is almost that time of year again, that time every child, parent, sweets company, grocery store chain and dentist loves. And that love stems from one source and one source alone — candy. Kids look forward to the end of October because they can gorge themselves on candy and drown in a sea of sugar. Parents can make their children happy and maybe even sneak a few of those candies — the kids will never even know they are gone. Candy companies and stores make tons of money off the candy-inhaling vacuums called humans. Dentists, well, they may not enjoy the job set before them following the sugar rush, but they stand to benefit as well. With so many opportunities and benefits available because of the holiday, who could possibly deny that we should celebrate it? According to an article entitled “Halloween Fun Facts” on realsimple.com, trick-or-treating, as it is currently known, has been an Oct. 31 tradition for more than 60 years. So why would you want to deprive the children of such an important tradition? Additionally, all Americans should celebrate Halloween because there are no other possible evil ramifications associ-
Emily Webster ewebster@liberty.edu
Ghosts and goblins, witches and devils, and zombies and monsters litter the streets one night every year, the only night that it is acceptable to walk up to a stranger’s house, ring the bell and yell “trick-or-treat,” expecting whoever answers the door to smile, gush over how one looks and then present free candy to grabbing hands. Some Christians look upon Halloween as blasphemous, an easy and unobjectionable way for people to worship the devil openly in the streets. Once upon a time in a land far, far away, this might have been true. The origins of Halloween date back to
ated with the day. It is all about the candy. After all, who really needs to worry about consuming several extra pounds of candy and hundreds of calories every year? Americans eat approximately 24 pounds of candy a year, with most of it probably being consumed around Halloween, according to an article about Halloween candy facts on the Huffington Post. Additionally, Halloween candy contains all of our favorite ingredients and only a few measly calories. According to leanitup.com, more than 10 popular candies, such as Butterfingers, Snickers, Starbursts and Skittles, all contain trans fat. Many of the top chocolates also contain 70 or more calories per funsize bar, such as the 110-calorie favorite Reese’s cup. But who does not like putting artificial colors, hydrogenated oil and hundreds, or maybe even thousands, of calories into their bodies? Or maybe having your teeth “bathed in enamel-corroding acid,” which is the result of eating candy according to livescience.com, sounds more appealing. Halloween is not just about the kids, though. The holiday provides a muchneeded solution to the problem of having way too much money on hand. According to the Huffington Post article, the average American household spends $44 a year on candy for the holiday. With the current
the Celts in Ireland some 2,000 years ago. According to history. com, the Celts believed that one night a year, ghosts would roam over the land, causing trouble by damaging crops, but also allowing for the priests to be able to see the future. Because of such beliefs, the night of Oct. 31 became known as a night to dress up in costumes and tell stories. Coming from this angle, it is easy to understand why Christians forbid their children to dress up like princesses or baseball players in order to protect them from worshiping the ghosts of the dead. Because, naturally, that is what comes to mind for children as their baskets fill more and more with candy. According to history.com, the
state of the economy, it is such a relief to know that we can throw away money so that it does not burn holes in our pockets. Parents can take satisfaction in knowing their children are happy as well. They use this opportunity to exercise skills such as comforting and cleaning up after children who get sick. Parents will be able to learn how to control kids who are a little too hyper from sugar and can even experience the inevitable sugar crash that will follow as well. Halloween is one of those handson learning experiences parents just cannot miss. Outside of the personal benefits Halloween provides exist the corporate benefits. According to the Huffington Post, more than 10 percent of annual candy sales occur in the days just prior to the holiday. That amounts to approximately $2 billion in sales. It is pretty obvious that candy companies and grocery stores benefit from the holiday. Is it not our duty to help these companies by purchasing their candy? And how about the dentists? Without gorging on the Halloween treats, they will inevitably lose patients and be out of a ton of money. We must be compassionate toward these innocent companies and dentists and help them out by celebrating. Think about how your choice to not
ceremonies of pleasing the spirits are not practiced in America these days. Children actually just want to dress up for fun and receive free candy. If Christian parents are worried that their child might begin to worship the devil as a result of chanting trick-or-treat dozens of times in one night, then maybe they are teaching that child that Halloween is all about witches and demons instead of having a fun night with friends. An article from The Christian Broadcasting Network website, CBN.com, points out that parents should teach their children to not fear the decorations, costumes or ideas behind Halloween. Teach children the difference between the fun aspects of
firmed rise in cavities of 30,000 percent. When dentists are the biggest beneficiaries of a “holiday,” that day is doing something wrong. Don’t dentists kill people or something like that? I know when I was eight, I would have gladly traded a giant sack of candy for a get-out-of-dentist-free card. The party store industry also sees a rise in business. Again, not exactly the highest-quality industry. It is safe to say our economy is not going to go further into depression if we axe Halloween. We do not need Halloween anymore. It is not bringing people together, celebrating anything in particular, or offering any real benefit. Plus, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are all within two months of each other. Why not spread the holiday love to the summer when nothing happens? Can it just be gone? Will anyone really miss it? Dentists do not count.
TICHENOR is a sports reporter.
celebrate could lead to the downfall of America’s national grocery store chains and candy companies because they will not make enough money. Americans will not be able to enjoy candy as they once did and will never be able to get the necessities found at grocery stores. Families will not be able to eat, and many may become sick because of it. Employees who worked at the companies will be out of work, and their families will be in anguish. Think about the eventual closing of many dentists’ practices. Many people distressed by dental problems will not be able to get help. And, as was the case with the companies, the families of dentists that are now out of work will suffer. If you still are not convinced, think about the kids and what will happen if they do not get to celebrate. Classmates and friends will ruthlessly mock them because absolutely everyone gets to go trick-or-treating. So, in the end, you can do the right thing and celebrate so that children and parents will benefit, or you cannot celebrate and ruin the lives of thousands of people when stores and dentists close. Is it really that tough of a choice?
BROWN is a copy editor.
Halloween, which are dressing up and eating candy, and the potential dangers of the holiday. “While children know right from wrong, it is our job to teach them and point out things that are not godly,” the article stated. “Yet, again, do not point them out in a way that will frighten them more.” If parents are worried that their children might begin worshiping the devil as a result of dressing up for fun, teach them the falsehood of that concept. Not all involved in Halloween are participating to get in touch with demons. If parents desire for their children to enjoy a night of fun and excitement,
explain to them it is not a night for devil-worship, and let them go trick-or-treating. WEBSTER is a copy editor.
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NEWS
A6/Liberty Champion
OCTOBER 29, 2013
VOTE
Governor election draws near Cuccinelli runs on Republican ticket Mark Tait mtait@liberty.edu
Attorney General and former Virginia Sen. Ken Cuccinelli will represent the Republican Party in the Nov. 5 election for Virginia’s next governor. The 45-year-old from Edison, N.J. is running on a platform of smaller government and social conservatism, according to his website. If elected, Cuccinelli plans to create jobs by reducing the individual income tax rate from 5.75 percent to 5 percent and lowering the business tax from 6 percent to 4 percent, according to his website. In addition to decreasing taxes, Cuccinelli’s written platform includes plans to establish a small business tax relief commission with the strategic goal of eliminating or reducing the negative effects of several taxes and loopholes promoting “crony” capitalism. “There are a lot of people in a lot of parts of Virginia who have just dropped out of the numbers,” Cuccinelli said in an interview with the Northern Virginia Media Services editorial board. “And we want to get them back and standing on their own two feet — and with jobs.” Along with instituting new economic policies, Cuccinelli’s written platform notes plans to increase in-state employment through new energy policies. “We also need to find new sources of energy with nuclear, wind, solar, biomass and geothermal as part of a comprehensive energy program,” Cuccinelli said. “As governor, I want an all of the above energy strategy – one that takes advantage of all of the resources we have here in Virginia and off our shores in an environmentally safe and economically sound manner with as little government intervention as possible.” Cuccinelli believes that less government regulation should be involved in Virginia’s healthcare system as well, according to his website. “Our healthcare system is bloated with rules and regulations that make health insurance more expensive and care less accessible…” Cuccinelli stated in his written platform. “While states are severely constrained by federal law, I believe that state governments can reform their markets in ways that allow more competition and better choices for consumers.” Cuccinelli also pro- CUCCINELLI motes pro-life policies as a candidate. In an interview with The Washington Post Magazine, he said he is against abortions in all situations except for when the mother’s life is in danger. According to his website, while Cuccinelli was a member of the Virginia Senate, he worked to end the procedure known as partial-birth abortion, establish parental consent and improve health standards in abortion facilities. “I believe that all human life is precious, which is why I am a strong supporter of life,” Cuccinelli said. In addition to his opposition of abortion, Cuccinelli opposes the legal marriage of homosexuals in the state of Virginia, according to his website. “An overwhelming majority of Virginians voted in 2006 to include the definition of traditional marriage in Virginia’s constitution,” Cuccinelli said. “As attorney general, I have defended our constitution, and I will continue to do so if elected governor.” While Cuccinelli supports government involvement in the areas of abortion and marriage, he believes that law-abiding citizens should not experience increased gun regulations, according to his website. Cuccinelli will compete against Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Libertarian Robert Sarvis in the Nov. 5 election. For more information on Cuccinelli, visit Cuccinelli.com.
McAuliffe promotes democratic policies Former Democratic Chairman Terry McAuliffe will represent his party on voting ballets for the Virginia governor’s
election Nov. 5. According to his website, McAuliffe’s campaign is focused on job creation throughout the commonwealth of Virginia. His written platform states a plan to create new employment through establishing clean energy jobs in the state. McAuliffe hopes to build on-shore and offshore wind power plants in an effort to create energy for the commonwealth and develop job openings for Virginians. “We also know we can create thousands of more jobs by encouraging energy efficiency and supporting people in making their homes and businesses more efficient,” McAuliffe said. “These kinds of renovations employ construction workers and keep building supplies moving through the economy while saving homeowners and businesses money every month on their utility MCAULIFFE bills.” Along with developing jobs through environmental resources, McAuliffe’s written platform states that he will be committed to protecting Virginia’s environment and its resources through bipartisan effort. According to his website, McAuliffe plans to create a biotech startup program. The concept would involve supplying a total of $2.5-5 million in loans to entrepreneurs, scientists and inventors hoping to attract private capital. “In order to make Virginia a leader in the biotechnology and biomedical industries, we must leverage our academic, industrial research and scientific assets,” McAuliffe said. “The transition from proof of concept to successful business is fraught with uncertainty, and it is often difficult to acquire capital during this phase.” McAuliffe also supports Virginia expanding its Medicaid program, according to his website. The growth of Medicaid will cover nearly 400,000 uninsured Virginians and create up to 33,000 jobs by 2021. “If we don’t accept the money, it will simply flow to other states,” McAuliffe said. “I believe that Virginia taxpayer money should stay in Virginia.” McAuliffe’s written platform also includes support for any form of abortion. “I strongly believe that women should be able to make their own healthcare decisions without interference from Washington or Richmond,” McAuliffe said. Gay marriage is another area that McAuliffe believes the government should not interfere with, according to his website. “I believe everyone should be treated fairly ... I personally favor civil marriage for committed couples of the same-sex,” McAuliffe said. According to his website, McAuliffe spoke at the Equality Virginia Commonwealth dinner where he promised that his first executive order will relate to gay marriage. “I want to make sure we are open and welcoming to everybody,” McAuliffe said. “You cannot do that if you put up walls around Virginia and you.” While McAuliffe is against government involvement for the issues of abortion and gay marriage, he favors greater gun restrictions. According to Politico, Michael Bloomberg’s pro–gun-control super Political Action Committee (PAC) is providing McAuliffe with $1.1 million in ads throughout the last two weeks of his campaign. McAuliffe’s written platform states that McAuliffe “will support mainstream and majority supported gun control measures like universal background checks, limiting the size of magazines and a return to the one-gun-per-month rule.” McAuliffe will compete against Rep. Ken Cuccinelli and Libertarian Robert Sarvis. For more information on McAuliffe, visit terrymcauliffe.com.
Sarvis represents Libertarian views Libertarian Robert Sarvis will challenge Rep. Ken Cuccinelli and Dem. Terry McAuliffe in the Nov. 5 election for Virginia’s next governor. As a Libertarian, Sarvis’ written platform is in favor of lessening government regulation and involvement in a number
of areas. According to his website, if elected, Sarvis hopes to eliminate “all regulations that insulate market incumbents from competition, all government subsidies of specific industries or companies, and all special tax and regulatory treatment of particular industries or companies.” His written platform also notes plans to eliminate discretionary funds and return the money to the taxpayers. “We need to root out SARVIS crony capitalism and return to the rule of the law,” Sarvis said. In addition to decreasing government regulation, Sarvis plans to initiate changes in Virginia’s tax system. He hopes to eliminate several taxes that he believes hide the cost of taxation, burden employers and reduce business activity, according to his website. Sarvis’ written platform also includes plans to eliminate or greatly reduce the state income tax, which he believes lowers employment and take-home pay. Sarvis hopes to revise property taxes by “excluding or lowering the rate applied to improvements on land.” As an alternative form of taxation, Sarvis wishes to create a uniform consumption tax on all final retail sales of goods and services, according to his website. “We need to simplify and streamline the tax system so that revenue raising is transparent and least burdensome to individuals, families and businesses alike,” Sarvis said. Another component of Sarvis’ platform is focused on education. Sarvis wishes to change the education system in a number of ways. He hopes to expand parent involvement through various methods including the expansion of charter schools. “Parents, not politicians or bureaucrats,
should be in charge of the education dollars spent on their children,” Sarvis said. In addition to furthering parental involvement, Sarvis plans to eliminate standardized testing in schools in order to develop “actual learning,” according to his website. Sarvis’ written platform also states that individuals should have the right to choose if they would like to have an abortion. He concludes that high regulation and mandated ultrasounds in abortion clinics should not be required by the government. Sarvis does not support government involvement in the area of abortion, and, according to his website, he is against regulation in the area of gay marriage as well. “I want to lead the fight now—in this election—to recognize same-sex marriages in Virginia,” Sarvis said. Sarvis favors lessoning government regulation and, according to his website, he believes that there is no need for increased gun control. “Proponents of restricting our freedoms bear a heavy burden of showing the necessity, propriety and wisdom of their proposed regulations,” Sarvis said. Sarvis’ written platform states that decreasing drug use regulations instead of increasing gun regulations will lead to a lowering of crime rates. “I propose legalizing marijuana in Virginia, decriminalizing harder drugs and adopting a rational, evidence-based regulatory policy,” Sarvis said. Sarvis will compete against Cuccinelli and McAuliffe for the governor’s seat in the upcoming election. For more information on Sarvis, visit robertsarvis.com.
TAIT is the asst. news editor.
100% of the Lynchburg Sheriff ’s Office Employees and Auxiliary Endorse
RON GILLISPIE RE-ELECTION FOR LYNCHBURG SHERIFF
VOTE: NOVEMBER 5, 2013 The Deputies and Staff of the Lynchburg Sheriff ’s Office support and endorse Sheriff Ron Gillispie’s re-election for Sheriff of Lynchburg. Ron’s extensive experience, integrity, leadership, faith and commitment to excellence make him the most qualified and competent candidate for Sheriff of Lynchburg. Please join us and vote Gillispie for Sheriff on November 5th because: Experience Matters! Thank you for your support and vote. rongillispieforsheriff.com
Donald T. Sloan Scott Gillispie Gene Wade Mark Lacy Timothy White Margaret Rogers Wilfred Dorsett Larry White Gregory T. Berry Keith Sandridge Jennifer Jones Arthur Pedigo Shad Hudson Cody McCulloch Todd Hunley
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PAID FOR BY RON GILLISPIE FOR SHERIFF
NEWS
OCTOBER 29, 2013
Liberty Champion/A7
VOTE
Attorney gen. race intensifies Mark Obenshain Melanie Oelrich moelrich@liberty.edu
The 2013 General Elections are only one week away, and the commonwealth of Virginia is preparing to collect the votes for its next attorney general. The election on Tuesday, Nov. 5, includes those running for Virginia governor, lieutenant governor and attorney OBENSHAIN general. Two contenders are currently running for attorney general – Mark Obenshain (R) and Mark Herring (D). Obenshain’s life goal is to “have a meaningful impact on preserving and expanding the realm of personal freedom in the life of this nation,” according to his website. He adopted this goal after his father, who was a prominent political figure in the Republican Party, died in a plane crash. Obenshain was elected to the Senate of Virginia in 2003, and he currently serves on five committees, according to his website. Those committees include Privileges and Elections, Courts of Justice, Commerce and Labor, Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources and Rules. According to his website, the role of an attorney general is to assist localities in criminal investigations and prosecutions and defend Virginia law when it is challenged, and to enforce consumer protection laws and represent utility consum-
ers before the State Corporation Commission. The Republican nominee’s first of four priorities, if elected, is to change the way that abuse and neglect of elders is handled. “First, I want to establish an Elder Abuse Prevention Center in the attorney general’s office to bring together existing expertise and enhance efforts to provide guidance and technical assistance in investigating and prosecuting elder abuse,” he stated on his website. According to Obenshain’s website, the prevention center will not be the only aspect of the plan. “Second, I will enhance oversight to help prevent and quickly identify abuse,” he stated on his website. “Third, I will improve training efforts to better equip law enforcement and first responders, friends and family members, care providers, and community volunteers to identify the warning signs of neglect and abuse and know how to respond.” Obenshain’s website also said that the plan will include involvement with law enforcement. “Lastly, I will expand partnerships with local law enforcement to help ... effectively respond to them, getting abused seniors the care they need,” his website stated. Additional issues Obenshain will address as his higher priorities include making human trafficking a stand-alone felony offense, ethics reform, transparency, accountability and fiscal responsibility. “For Senator Mark Obenshain, fighting for our rights isn’t just a job — it’s a calling,” his website stated.
Mark Herring
“Problem solving, not politics,” is Democrat Mark Herring’s campaign slogan for the 2013 election season. Herring was elected into the State Senate in 2006 and is still working to bring technologybased economic development to the Northern Virginia re- HERRING gion, secure transportation funding for needed overpasses and local road projects, and make both state and local governments more accountable to the Virginia citizen, according to his campaign website. “I believe that, when we can, we should put aside our differences to move the commonwealth forward,” Herring said on his website. However, he said, in the face of extremism, it is important to stand firm for Virginia’s values. Herring has strongly opposed efforts to take away a woman’s right to choose, roll back voting rights and institutionalize discrimination in Virginia’s laws. After graduating with honors from the University of Richmond School of Law, he established a successful law practice in Leesburg, according to his website. He currently works in the areas of business and corporate mat-
ters, land use and zoning, civil litigation and municipal law. Some of the issues that Herring hopes to address, if elected as attorney general, include women’s rights, ethics, cyber security, human equality and public safety. When it comes to women’s rights, Herring believes that women’s healthcare decisions are personal and should not be interfered with by politicians. “Virginia government is facing an ethics crisis that requires real leadership and meaningful action from elected officials,” Herring said on his website. “I am committed to returning credibility to the office, accountability to our state government and restoring the public trust.” Because of the continuous growth of technology, cyber security has become more of a concern across the country, according to Herring’s website. “As I travel across the Commonwealth, the message is consistent and clear — Virginians are ready for fundamental change in the Office of Attorney General,” Herring said on his website. “That change starts with having an attorney general who will promote equality, rather than sow division. I am committed to an equality agenda because I believe it’s time we had an attorney general who will protect and defend the civil rights of all Virginians.”
FYI The attorney general is also the commonwealth’s lawyer, who is then called upon to advise the governor, the General Assembly, state agencies and others on the legality of policies and the interpretation of laws and regulations.
The Office of the Attorney General is structured like a private law firm, with sections devoted to legal specialties, according to the Attorney General of Viginia website.
OELRICH is the social media editor.
Honesty and Integrity Strong Christian
Elect Kevin Chapman for sheriff Father to 6 children, husband to his high school sweetheart, dedicated public servant for 17 years.
“My education at Liberty taught me to go into the world and be a Champion for Christ. I feel it is my calling and my duty to Liberty University and to the good Citizens of Lynchburg to be your next sheriff. I am asking for your support and prayers to fulfill this calling”.
Please cast your Vote for one of your own November 5, 2013 “If God is for us, who can be against us” Romans 8:31
A8/Liberty Champion
NEWS
OCTOBER 29, 2013
VOTE
Lt. governor race, a close fight to the end Democrat Ralph Northam Sophia Hahn shahn3@liberty.edu
Democrat Ralph S. Northam, who is running for lieutenant governor of Virginia, may live in Hampton Road like his opponent, but he has opposite political approaches and opinions on governmental issues, according to The Washington Post. Northam served as a medic in the United States Army for eight years before becoming a pediatric neurologist NORTHAM and being elected to the Senate of Virginia in 2007, according to his website. The Washington Post reported that Northam is known as a good compromiser between both political parties. “We need people who are moderate — like-minded people who can sit down at the table and think about what our challenges are and what solutions we have . . . and get things done,” Northam said to The Washington Post. According to Northam’s website, he loves his wife and family and could not imagine anyone denying their rights to a happiness like his. “There is no excuse to discriminate against Virginians based on whom they love or to stigmatize the children of samesex couples as unequal because their parents cannot marry,” Northam explained on his website. “That is why I will continue to fight to ensure that all Virginians will be treated equally and fairly under the law.” Furthermore, Northam wants to stand up for women’s healthcare rights, according to his website. “Efforts to put the government squarely in between a woman and her doctor need to stop,” Northam stated on his website. “I will continue to do everything I can to
keep the government out of our private lives and out of personal health care decisions.” According to Northam’s website, he also believes funding for schooling is of the upmost importance and must be restored. “I believe strongly that our children are our future, and that all of them deserve a world-class education,” Northam explained on his website. “In order to ensure that they are prepared to take on the jobs of tomorrow, and to compete in a global economy, we must restore and increase funding for K-12 education, including teacher salaries.” Northam sees flaws with the current Medicaid coverage and would like to make changes if possible, he explained on his website. “We must make the right and prudent decision to expand Medicaid coverage rather than walking away from federal money that could help make sick people well,” Northam said on his website. “Expanding Medicaid means that (more than) 32,000 military and their families will gain an improving economy and jobs.” According to his website, Northam would like to help the economy of Virginia by doing several different things. “My top priority as (lieutenant governor) will be to create jobs by investing in our workforce, building an efficient transportation system and creating an environment that will bring entrepreneurs and businesses to Virginia,” Northam’s website stated. Overall, Northam would like to restore balance to the Virginia Senate, according to his website. “Ralph Northam has a record in the Virginia Senate that uniquely qualifies him to effectively navigate the legislative process and protect our values that have too often been under attack with Republican control in Richmond,” his website explained. For more information on Northam, visit northamforlg.com.
Republican E.W. Jackson With the lieutenant governor seat up for grabs, Republican E.W. Jackson has also put his name on the ballot. According to the Washington Post website, the Lieutenant governor plays an important role in the evenly divided Virginia Senate during tiebreakers. The lieutenant governor holds the tiebreaking vote when this situation arises. Jackson, a native of Virginia, was part of the Marine Corps and JACKSON a minister before he decided to campaign for lietunant governor, according to jacksonforlg.com. Jackson holds strong beliefs in God and Virginia. “Virginians must lead the way,” Jackson’s website states. “God will show us the way. Let liberty light the way.” According to The Washington Post, Jackson wants what is best for Virginians. “The economic situation is terrible,” Jackson said in an interview with GoDanRiver.com “It’s terrible. And it’s even worse here (in Southside Virginia). And I think a lot of times in government there’s this sense of expertise elitism, where we say, we know what’s best, we’ll take care of it. But more often I’ve found the people are smart … So I think the first step is to really listen to people, and to hear their ideas on how we can make things better.” Jackson also supports traditional families. On his website, Jackson said the traditional family is the only family respected by God and is therefore the key to ending poverty. “I believe that if we promote the traditional family, grow the economy and reduce government dependence, then we will begin to break the vicious cycle of poverty that is plaguing so many communities across Virginia,” Jackson explained on his website.
As a Christian minister, Jackson holds a strong stance against abortion, according to his website. “All funding for abortion and the organizations that provide them must be halted,” Jackson’s website said. According to Jackson’s website, he also upholds parental choice as an important aspect of education. “As your next lieutenant governor, I will push for a Constitutional amendment and legislation that empowers parents, not politicians, to choose how and where their children will be educated,” Jackson stated on his website. Moreover, Jackson does not agree with President Barack Obama’s decision to pass the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, according to his website. “Obamacare is increasing costs, causing many businesses to switch full time employees to part time and increasing unemployment,” Jackson stated on his website. “Many premiums have already risen by 30 percent or more, and that is just out of the fear of Obamacare.” Although Jackson may hold strong beliefs and is not afraid to speak his mind, he knows the key to government is working together for the better of the people, The Washington Post stated. “The Founding Fathers said a person’s religious opinion should not be held against him in civil discourse and should not be a disadvantage to him in civil discourse,” Jackson said during a debate in Norfolk, according to The Washington Post. “I will be the lieutenant governor of all of the people of Virginia — black, white, brown, you name it. Rich, poor, no matter their sexual orientation. That’s the role of lieutenant governor. You work with everyone — Democrats, Republicans — and I want to do that, because I think we desperately need to come together.” For more information on Jackson, visit jacksonforlg.com. HAHN is the news editor.
SPORTS
OCTOBER 29, 2013
M. DII Hockey FGCU 7
Liberty
Liberty
3
7
Reston 1
Clean sweep
Field Hockey
M. Soccer
W. D1 Hockey
Coastal
Liberty
1
0
B1
Liberty App. State 6
0
tabrahamsen@liberty.edu
Haley Jones
Football players spread discipline
hjones20@liberty.edu
The Flames (12-1) continued to stay hot over the weekend, improving on their five game home winning streak. Liberty outscored its opponents 11-3 in two games to defeat the Rochester Warriors (4-5) twice, Oct 25-26.
See SWEEP, B4
Liberty 166, Mich. St. 133, Illinois 157, Liberty 142
Living in the word
going all in
Tory Abrahamsen
LU 4, Rochester 2 Liberty came out of the gates looking very “complacent … expecting it to be easy,” according to Head Coach Kirk Handy. “Rochester College played well,” Handy said. “They’re going to battle, and we need to battle for all 60 minutes in order to be successful.” Both teams played good defense and received solid play out of their goalies during the early portions of the first period. However, Rochester broke the scoring drought with 6:45 left in the first period when forward Brock Malatches fed the puck to forward Doug Lindensmith, who put it in the net. The two teams then continued their solid defensive play, bringing the first period to a close with the score 1-0 in favor of Rochester. After 15 minutes had passed in the second period, defenseman Cam Bakker put Liberty on the board. The Flames stormed down the ice and pushed ahead of the Rochester defensemen. The Flames got three quick shots off, including one by Robert Ward and another by forward DJ Dinnison,
Swimming
Derrick Battle dbattle2@liberty.edu
Steven Abbott | Liberty Champion
JUMP BALL — Lady Flames goalkeeper Holly Van Noord tries to catch a ball between multiple Lady Flames defenders and a Lady Chanticleer.
Seniors shine at home Jacob Tellers
jtellers@liberty.edu
The 21st time was the charm for the Lady Flames (12-5-1, 7-2-1 Big South) soccer team, as they scored on their 21st attempt to take a 1-0 lead in their match Saturday, Oct. 26 against Coastal Carolina (9-8-1, 6-4 Big South). Junior midfielder Rebecca Smith placed the ball into the
back of the net after a shot by fellow midfielder Brittany Aanderud hit off the right post. This lone goal was all that Liberty needed for the win in its last regular season home game of the year. The win clinched a top-four seed for the Lady Flames, ensuring at least one more home game this season for the quarterfinal match of the Big South Championship.
“Last year was the first year the conference decided to go to a quarterfinal,” Head Coach Jessica Hain said. “The top four teams in the conference will host a quarterfinal game … All four of the teams who hosted were the teams who won. So, in my opinion, it’s a huge advantage and it was really exciting to get the win today.”
See SENIORS, B2
On the trip back home from Boiling Springs, N.C., the Liberty football team c e l e brated a 24-0 victory over Gardn e r We b b. Exhausted and w e a r y FREEMAN f r o m Saturday’s game the following day, the team prepared its game plan for Virginia Military Institute. After preparation, most players headed home, but some stayed behind. For the entire football season, a group of football players meet on Sunday nights. Tired, bruised and battered from Saturday’s games and Sunday’s practice, they come together for a few hours. During this time, senior defensive lineman Cory Freeman leads the group in Bible study. No matter if the team wins or loses the day before, the group comes together to worship God and keep teammates, friends and family in prayer. “Last week was a struggle (with Coastal Carolina University),” Freeman said. “It was my first (home) conference loss in about five years. We haven’t lost at home since 2006. But regardless, you
See WORD, B4
Beatty, Bulldogs held in check by Flames D Derrick Battle dbattle2@liberty.edu
A complete game is what the Liberty Flames (4-4, 1-1 Big South) strived for after a homecoming loss, and pitching a shutout on the road against the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs (4-4, 0-2 Big South) was exactly that. Last season, GardnerWebb’s redshirt junior quarterback Lucas Beatty threw for 383 yards. But the Flames held Beatty to 200 passing yards and sacked him a season-high six times in a 24-0 victory.
WE’LL SEE YOU AT THE GAME
“We have great leadership on our team,” Head Coach Turner Gill said to Liberty Flames Sports Network (LFSN). “Our coaches do a great job giving our guys the opportunity to show what our team is all about. Our character was revealed after these last two ballgames.” This is the first time Gardner-Webb was shut out two games in a season since 1985. “We were relentless,” defensive lineman Jibrelle Fewell said to LFSN. “We all worked together today, and it showed.”
M. Soccer vs. Longwood Oct. 29 @ 6 p.m.
Gardner-Webb was unable to move the ball during the game, gaining only 230 yards of total offense. They went 3-16 on thirddown conversions. Defensive lineman Toby Onyechi led Liberty with 1.5 sacks. Fewell, along with linemen Cory Freeman and Erwin Dessources, also planted Beatty to the ground, recording one sack each. After allowing 235 yards on the ground to Coastal Carolina, the Flames gave up 30 yards on 29
See CHECK, B3
Volleyball vs. Radford Nov. 1 @ 7 p.m.
Courtney Russo | Liberty Champion
CONSISTENCY — Brandon Apon (82), who had a nine-yard touchdown reception against Gardner-Webb Saturday, grabs a pass against Coastal Carolina.
M. DI Hockey vs. Eastern Mich. Nov. 1 @ 7 p.m.
Field Hockey vs. Radford Nov. 2 @ 1 p.m.
Football vs. VMI Nov. 2 @ 3:30 p.m.
OCTOBER 29, 2013
SPORTS
Liberty Champion/B2
Basketball coaches lead by example Tom Foote
Emily Brown
tfoote2@liberty.edu
erbrown@liberty.edu
After winning the 2013 Big South Championship, Liberty men’s basketball Head Coach Dale Layer said the team’s perseverance after an 0-8 start was the vital element of the team’s season. “It kind of taught us that we had to work and face adversity,” Layer said. “When no one believed in us and no one was really saying anything about us … if we had given up and felt sorry for ourselves, we would’ve forfeited an opportunity all of these guys will always remember.” Learning from misRuth Bibby | Liberty Champion takes has been a staple GUIDANCE — Layer hopes to lead Liberty to its throughout Layer’s ca- second consecutive Big South title. reer, beginning well before he arrived at Lib- tunity to be an assistant development.” Layer relished the operty in 2009 as the head coach at Colorado State University under Ritchie portunity to face highcoach. level competition such After graduating from McKay in 1998. After McKay left as Syracuse University, Eckerd College in 1980, Layer knew he wanted Colorado State to be the University of Louisville to pursue coaching, but head coach at Oregon and the University of he would have to work State in 2000, Layer was Connecticut, but his stint his way up the coaching named the new head at Marquette was shortcoach. lived as an unexpected ladder. While at Colorado opportunity led Layer to “When I graduated from college, I was State, Layer led the Liberty. “(C)oach McKay left sort’ve a janitorial (and) Rams to an unexpected tournament Liberty to be the assogym attendant,” Layer NCAA said. “And after time, a berth by winning the ciate head coach at the (coaching) job opened Mountain West Confer- University of Virginia up, and I was able to do ence in 2003, but the (UVA), and the job (at that in the morning and school and Layer parted Liberty) was opened,” Layer said. do (the other) in the af- ways in 2007. However, McKay and After just nine months, ternoon. It was a good opportunity to get start- Layer crossed paths yet Layer found himself again, this time at Lib- back at Liberty and was ed.” this time the head coach. Layer’s years at Eck- erty. After just two years at “I feel very blessed erd as an assistant eventually led to his first Oregon State and five that (Athletic Director head coaching position years as the head coach Jeff) Barber and (Presiat Queens University of of New Mexico, McKay dent Jerry) Falwell, Jr. eventually became the asked me to come back,” Charlotte in 1988. According to Layer, head coach at Liberty in Layer said. “I was interviewed at the Final Four, those years as the head 2007. McKay decided to and ... am very thankful coach at Queens were bring along Layer as an to be back.” instrumental Last season, Layer led “I learned a lot by trial assistant coach to Liberand error and probably ty, but after just one sea- Liberty to the NCAA made a lot of mistakes,” son, Layer took a job as tournament for just the Layer said. “You’re not an assistant coach under third time in the school’s on ESPN every week, Buzz Williams at Mar- history, but his focus as a coach remains the same and your games aren’t quette. “(Williams) got the — preparing his team covered by newspapers every night. You make job at Marquette, and and himself for the next mistakes nobody knows, he asked me to join him day no matter the cirso I ... tried to learn from there, so we felt like that cumstance. was the right thing to the things I did poorly.” The trial and error at do,” Layer said. “I think FOOTE is the asst. Queens paid off for Lay- (Williams) is a terrific sports editor. er, as his 167-87 record coach, and I learned a over the course of nine lot being under him, and years led to an oppor- it was very good for my
SENIORS continued from B1 Before the game, Liberty honored their three seniors as well as their parents in front of a home crowd of more than 500 fans. “We just figured this is for our seniors, and we are going to go all out,” Smith said. Coastal Carolina opened the game with two quick shots on goal in the first
few minutes of the match, both resulting in saves by Liberty goalkeeper Holly Van Noord. Liberty dominated the rest of the game, outshooting Coastal Carolina 26-11, but failed to take advantage of most of their opportunities. Coastal Carolina keeper Megan Spencer also made many welltimed saves, ending the afternoon with eight saves overall. In the first half, Liberty outshot Coastal
Following his playing career at Liberty University’s rival Coastal Carolina University and a series of other coaching jobs, Carey Green made his way to Liberty, where he holds the title of head coach of the Lady Flames women’s basketball team. Green’s passion for basketball began with a desire to play at the collegiate level. According to Green, although he did not recognize it at the time, God used his desire as the first step toward the position he now has with the Lady Flames. “I didn’t realize … how God could use a love and a passion for the game … as a ministry years later,” Green said. Following a two-year stint at Roane State Community College in his home state of Tennessee, Green finished his college years playing for the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. Although Green wanted to pursue jobs in the oil industry with companies such as Mobil and Texaco, God began to shut the doors to the corporate side and open doors to coaching, Green said. Green coached at a number of high schools and community colleges in Tennessee before moving to Clemson University as an assistant coach. In 12 years with the Tigers, Green helped the women’s basketball team to 11 NCAA Championship appearances, according to liberty.edu/flames. In the summer of 1999, Green began his career at Liberty. However, Green’s decision to lead the Lady Flames was not an easy one. According to Green, he was asked about his interest in taking a coaching job at Liberty during a phone call he made in reference to a coworker. He was half-hearted about the opportunity at first. However, after refo-
Joel Coleman | Liberty University
CONSISTENT — Green has led the Lady Flames to six straight 20-win seasons. cusing and realizing that Liberty was the place God wanted him, Green said, he chose to accept the position. “(A)fter surrendering my heart to what God wanted, it was amazing the love and the atmosphere (I was) walking into,” Green said. “I had no earthly idea of the blessings I would inherit by just following and being obedient.” In 13 years with the Lady Flames, Green has amassed a winning percentage of .754 with a record of 337-110. Green currently sits in the No. 10 spot for highest winning percentages among active NCAA Division I women’s basketball coaches, according to liberty.edu/flames. Green is the winningest women’s basketball coach in Liberty’s history, as well as in the Big South Conference. Green has led the Lady Flames to 12 Big South Conference Championships during his tenure and also has a .907 winning percentage against conference foes. Although Green is proud of his teams’ accomplishments, he said that his job is about more than just on-the-court play. “(Y)eah, you can look at banners and things that are maybe signs of God’s blessings, but it
Carolina 13-4. The first half ended with the Chanticleers nearly taking a 1-0 lead on a ball passed ahead of Coastal’s forwards into Liberty’s penalty box, but Van Noord darted off her line to cover up the ball. Liberty opened the second half with accurate shooting, placing three of their first four shots on goal, but Spencer responded with several saves. As the game entered its final minutes, a
was beyond that,” Green said. “There was no promise that we’d win a championship. It was just being obedient.” According to Green, the most rewarding part of coaching is being able to make a difference of eternal significance in his players’ lives. “I think, no question, to see … players where they don’t know Christ, and they come in and they accept Christ here stands out above all,” Green said. “Being involved to make an eternal significance is why we’re here.” As Green enters his 14th season at the helm, he hopes to lead the Lady Flames to another Big South Championship and NCAA Championship bid. The 2013-2014 Lady Flames were picked to win the conference in a Big South preseason poll despite losing several top scorers. Green said that his team is “untested,” but that the combination of veteran players and rookies should make for a winning combination. The Lady Flames begin their season Nov. 8 at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte before returning home to play James Madison University, Nov. 12. BROWN is a copy editor.
fortunate bounce for Liberty off Aandersud’s shot gave Smith the opportunity to score the winning goal. Liberty is currently third in Big South standings behind Radford (9-1-0) and Longwood (8-2-0) and will travel to Longwood Tuesday, Oct. 29. TELLERS is a sports reporter.
SPORTS
OCTOBER 29, 2013
Liberty Champion/B3
Editorial: Teams challenge Heat’s three-peat Alex Tichenor atichenor@liberty.edu
Everyone has heard the chatter — the 2013-2014 NBA season is supposed to be all about losing. The 2014 draft class featuring Andrew Wiggins, Julius Randle, Jabari Parker and others is supposed to be the best one in more than 10 years. Teams with little hope of making noise in the postseason have already begun their quest for armies of ping pong balls in next spring’s NBA lottery. But this approach should take a back seat to just about everything else in this NBA season, because this season should be one of the best in years. The league is teeming with young stars — guys like Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Derrick Rose are all under 25 years old, and all of their teams could contend for an NBA title. Durant and Rose are probably the most intriguing, with Durant set to play the season’s first month without sidekick Russell Westbrook and Rose playing for the first time tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the 2012 playoffs. Rose, who received incessant criticism for sitting out all of last season, appears to be 100 percent, cutting and jumping without hesitation in the preseason.
Keith Allison|Creative Commons
READY — After a year rehabbing his torn ACL, Derrick Rose has improved his game. The Eastern Conference and Western Conference playoff pictures have both gotten decidedly tougher as well. The Pacers added a few pieces to their weak bench. The Bulls add Rose as previously mentioned. The Nets went out and made the biggest trade of the offseason, bringing in former Celtics stars Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Those three teams, along with a Knicks squad that has been overshadowed, will make things very difficult for the Miami Heat to repeat.
CHECK continued from B1 rushes to the Runnin’ Bulldogs. After a scoreless first quarter, quarterback Josh Woodrum and the Flames offense began to march down the field at the beginning of the second quarter. With 10:08 remaining before halftime, Woodrum capped off a seven-play, 55-yard drive on a three-yard option keeper. Liberty regained possession after a Gardner-Webb three-and-out. Known for running through the tackles, running
There are six teams that could potentially represent the West in the NBA Finals this year. Even with the Harden trade looking worse and worse, Oklahoma City probably remains the favorite, only because of the brilliance of Durant. The Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets all made major moves this offseason that could put them over the top. The Clippers brought in Doc Rivers to replace Vinny Del Negro on the sidelines. The Warriors
back Desmond Rice showed off his arm and delivered a 33-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Darrin Peterson. With 39 seconds remaining in the first half, the Gardner-Webb offense was able to move the ball to the Liberty 40-yard line after Beatty completed passes to wide receiver Kenny Cook for 13 yards and tight end Mike Estes for 24 yards. However, the Runnin’ Bulldogs stalled on the Liberty 40-yard line when Freeman sacked Beatty for an 11-yard loss. “We hit a crossroads,” tight end Bran-
added Andre Iguodala, who will provide top-notch wing defense and underrated passing skills. The Rockets acquired Dwight Howard in the most high-profile move of the offsesaon, giving them arguably two of the top 10 players in the league. Then there are the two teams that made the Western Conference Finals last season, Memphis and San Antonio. Memphis has the best big-man duo in the league in Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. Although still old, the West-
don Apon said to LFSN. “For us seniors, this is it … (and) at halftime, Gill gave the seniors the floor, and we said that we haven’t finished well over the last couple of games, and if we want this season to mean anything, we had to finish the game against Gardner-Webb.” The Flames defense continued to overwhelm Gardner-Webb’s offense after halftime, only allowing one first down in the third quarter. Midway through the third quarter, Liberty started from its own 16yard line. Woodrum went 5-7 for 60 yards
ern Conference champion Spurs will surely be a threat to the title as long Tim Duncan is in the league. Of course, it is impossible to mention the NBA in 2013 without mentioning LeBron James. James has won four of the past five regular-season MVP awards and the past two Finals NBA MVPs, and his team has won back-to-back championships. As polarizing as James is, achievement-wise, it is impossible to deny that he is dominating the league more than anyone since Michael Jordan. If James can win his third straight MVP, Finals MVP, and championship it will put him in uncharted territory. Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell are the only back-to-backto-back MVPs in league history. Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal are the only back-toback-to-back NBA Finals MVPs. Nobody has done both. James could accomplish those feats and still be 29-years-old when he brushes the confetti off his jersey in June. James has forced all other storylines to the back page the past two seasons, and with his impending free agency at the end of the season, he may upstage everyone and everything once again. TICHENOR is a sports reporter.
on the 11-play, 75-yard drive that took 6:56 off the clock. The drive ended with Woodrum connecting with Apon for a nine-yard touchdown pass. Liberty begins a three-game homestand against Big South Conference foe Virginia Military Institute (1-7, 0-3 Big South) Saturday, Nov. 2 at 3:30 p.m. BATTLE is the sports editor.
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SPORTS
Liberty Champion/B4
OCTOBER 29, 2013
Conference wide open after Blue Hose fall Liberty defeats Big South leader Presbyterian, falls to Winthrop, snapping a three-game Flames win streak Courtney Tyree cntyree@liberty.edu
The Liberty University women’s volleyball team started off their weekend with a big 3-1 win over first-place Presbyterian College Friday, Oct. 25 (25-12, 25-16, 2025, 25-21). Junior Gabrielle Shipe posted a matchhigh 21 digs, making her the 19th player in program history to post 1,000 digs. The Flames were able to pull off an easy win in game one, outscoring Presbyterian 25-12. Liberty outhit the Blue Hose .526 to -.050. Senior Lillie Happel posted three aces on an 8-0 run, giving the Flames an 18-6 advantage. Liberty kept the momentum alive heading into the second set. The Flames gained an 11-point lead and pushed to win match two, 25-16. In set three, the Flames were on top with a 17-12 lead, but the Blue Hose came fighting back with a seven-point run. Presbyterian pulled a 25-20 win over the Flames, forcing a fourth-game. The Flames built a 22-17 lead against the Blue Hose in the fourth set. The Blue Hose closed the gap, bringing the set within three, 23-20. Liberty’s Kendle Rollins and Caroline Douglas both posted a block, giving the Flames a 25-21 win over Presbyterian. Liberty hit a season-high .295, while the Blue Hose posted a .123 hitting percentage on the match. The Flames beat the Blue Hose in blocking, 13-10. Douglas recorded 13 kills on the match, and Happel was close behind with 12. Junior Melissa Racz posted a season-high 10 kills. Senior Jade Craycraft posted 42 assists and nine digs. Rollins registered a
team-high six blocks. After the win against Presbyterian Friday night, the Flames were looking to do the same Saturday, Oct. 26 against the Winthrop Eagles. The Eagles were able to end their threegame losing streak, beating the Flames 3-2 and ending Liberty’s three-game winning streak. Set one featured nine ties and four lead changes, but the Flames were able to pull off the win with a kill from Douglas. The second set went in the Flames favor once again with help from Douglas, Craycraft and Rollins for kills, giving the Flames a 25-23 win over the Eagles. The Eagles were determined in set three, pulling off a hard-fought win, 2624, over the Flames. Winthrop registered 17 kills in set four alone, giving them a 2516 win over Liberty and forcing a fifth and final match. Winthrop gained a 10-4 lead against the Flames in the last set. Liberty gained momentum late in the set, but were unable to clinch the win, giving the Eagles a 15-10 win. The Eagles outhit the Flames .242 to .190. Liberty posted 12 blocks to Presbyterian’s eight. Happel recorded 16 kills, placing her in 11th place with 1,161 career kills at Liberty. Douglas posted 12 kills while Rollins had eight. Rollins also posted seven blocks on the match. Craycraft had 39 assists along with eight kills on the night. The Flames will play at home Friday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. against commonwealth rival Radford University. Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion
TYREE is a sports reporter.
MOVING UP — Lillie Happel moved to 11th all-time in Flames history in kills.
WORD continued from B1
Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion
IN THE BOOKS— Freshman forward Brandon Mistal scored a goal against Rochester in a 4-2 win Friday, Oct. 25.
SWEEP continued from B1 before Bakker finally put the third shot past Rochester goalie Zakk Olvin. With 5:44 left to play in the second period, Rochester’s Joe Giordano sent a shot on goal that bounced off Liberty goalie Blair Bennett but was then rebounded by Josh Foster and put in for Rochester’s second goal. Assists were given to Giordano and Doug Lindensmith. The second period ended in exciting fashion as Liberty’s Charles Williams subbed into the game with four seconds remaining and the puck coming toward him. Williams quickly sent a hard shot to the goal, which Olvin saved but then bobbled. The puck was batted around until Olvin finally found it and covered it with 0.7 seconds left on the clock. The period ended with Rochester still up by a goal. The third period was a completely different story for Liberty. Less than two minutes into the period, Liberty tied the game, courtesy of forward Brandon Mistal. Less than 30 seconds later, Kyle Garcia added a goal of his own off a bobbled Rochester save, giving Liberty a 3-2 lead. Mistal scored an insurance goal with 1:33 left in the game to push the final score to 4-2. “We knew that if we came out and played a good, hard period that we would be there in the end,” Mistal said. “Liberty showed great resilience throughout the game, and although it took 40 minutes for something to click, a win is a win. I am sure that is a fact all the Liberty players are grateful for.” LU 7, Rochester 1 Rochester found Liberty to be a force to be reckoned with after los-
ing Saturday in the second game of the doubleheader. Liberty demonstrated offensive prowess in a game that resulted in a 7-1 victory over the Warriors. After scoring the first goal against Liberty freshman goalie Matt Pinel, Rochester College managed to keep the Flames at bay with a 1-0 advantage until the second period began. As was the case in Friday’s game, the Flames got off to a slow start. Despite the shaky start, Liberty bounced back with three goals in three minutes to seize control of the game. Williams scored the first goal for the Flames early in the second period. Williams got the puck past Rochester goaltender Brenden Kruckenberg on an assist from Bram Erickson. “The team was fired up to score such quality shots during the power play,” forward Lindsay LeBlanc said. “Erickson was definitely where he needed to be to feed the puck to Williams for the goal that got the team on the winning side.” LeBlanc said. The second goal came seconds later after Williams shot the puck straight past Kruckenberg on an assist from LeBlanc. “We definitely benefited in this game after getting the guys back who were suspended in (Friday’s) game,” junior forward Ryley Egan said. “(Andrew) McCombe and Erickson both had great games that contributed to the win over Rochester College.” Egan netted Liberty’s third goal against the Warriors moments after Williams’ second goal. Ending the second period with a bang, sophomore forward Kyle Garcia buried the puck on a rebound from Tyson Street with two minutes left in the
period. In addition, Brandon Mistal scored the fifth goal of the game on an assist from Williams with less than 10 seconds left in the second period. Liberty then managed two more goals against the Warriors. In the third period, Dinnison scored Liberty’s sixth goal with 17 minutes left in the game, and Danny Logan finished off Liberty’s seventh goal three minutes later on an assist from Erickson. Pinel had 20 saves against the Warriors, who were outshot by the Flames 45-21. “We definitely played some shutout Liberty hockey tonight,” Williams said. “It was a great weekend building our skills as a team. Each line really worked together to create an all-around winning offense tonight. We look forward to taking on Eastern Michigan next weekend on our home ice.” The Flames will continue their home stretch against Eastern Michigan University Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. ABRAHAMSEN is a sports reporter. JONES is a sports reporter.
FYI
Forward Robert Ward is ranked seventh in goals among American Collegiate Hockey Association Division I freshmen with six on the year.
find strong men that want to be around God and be in God’s word, which makes it better and is encouraging. You have men hungry for the word of God, and that itself brings guys in here.” Four years ago, Freeman became involved in what God had placed on a teammate’s heart. “When I was a true freshman in 2009, Zach Duke transferred this group from his old school,” Freeman said. “Duke said God told him to leave and to take his ministry to Lynchburg. When he came here, he tried out for the team and made it. Since he brought this ministry, we have had athletes such as Brent Vinson and Brandon Robinson that took over the group.” After Duke graduated, Liberty football Director of Spirtual Development Dr. Ed Gomes and other players kept the program alive. While this group is specific to football, other Liberty athletics have started their own programs. Along with Freeman, senior cornerback Kevin Fogg and senior tight end Brandon Apon are leaders of the group. Freeman, who is majoring in biblical studies, has been a part of the program since it began four years ago. He hopes that the tradition and program will continue after he graduates this spring. Freeman said the group focuses on being warriors for God on and off the gridiron. “Over the years, I have spent a lot of one-on-one time with Gomes,” Freeman said. “This year, after the time we spent together, Gomes found it fit to place me as the leader of the group.” With the influence of Gomes and the leadership of Freeman, this group has been able to branch out and lead others in the Lynchburg community to God. “Gomes brings true character to us,” Freeman said. “To me, he has been influential in my life. He sees more than just a football player. … He sees a person
(Gomes) has been influential in my life. He sees more than just a football player. — FREEMAN who wants to bring honor or someone that can potentially bring glory to Christ. His whole outlook on us is to make us into godly men.” This season, Freeman has 19 total tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. Against Gardner-Webb, he recorded his first sack of the year. “During the years, we have seen guys that have grown,” Freeman said. “We have a group that have developed and grown (in) Christ. I believe, through this program, we are going to branch out and show our love throughout the city and state. Our purpose is to bring glory to Christ on a national stage.” BATTLE is the sports editor.
FYI
Cory Freeman has helped lead the Flames to the eighthranked scoring defense this season. In 2012, he was named to the Big South All-Conference Second Team after the 201112 season. Freeman recorded 31 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks.
FEATURE
OCTOBER 22, 2013
Liberty Champion/B5
Lynchburg Bridal Expo offers ideas
Produced by Capture It Events, LLC, the event exhibited many different options for weddings of future brides Melissa Skinner mjskinner@liberty.edu
When women are little girls, many dream of the day they will be able to slip into frilly white dresses and walk down the aisle into their prince charming’s arms. However, before that moment arrives, there is a vast array of tasks to accomplish, including selecting a venue, preparing invitations and deciding on a caterer. The biannual Bridal Expo at the Holiday Inn in downtown Lynchburg, Va., Oct. 20 offered a variety of booths and helpful tips for brides planning their upcoming nuptials. At the event, local brides connected with various bridal shops, cake artists, caterers, florists, premarital counselors, photographers, venue representatives, videographers and wedding magazine representatives. Kim Jennings, owner and producer of the Lynchburg Bridal Expo, started the expo five years ago. “I started this show because I saw the need for a quality bridals show in the area,” Jennings said. “The shows have grown by leaps and bounds every year and vendor spaces always sell out. This event hosts 65 of the areas finest wedding professionals.” According to Jennings, the expo hosts two shows per year in February and October, and these shows always have record attendance. This show had 228 brides registered.
Jillian Springer| Liberty Champion
VOWS —Katelyn Diehl, intern for the Clutch Magazine, helped give brides advice to make their dream weddings a reality.
“
Brides can actually plan their entire wedding in one day by coming and meeting with vendors.
“The whole goal of the expo is to connect brides with quality wedding professionals,” Jennings said. “Brides can actually plan their entire wedding in one day just by coming and meeting with vendors.” Brides who preregistered for the event were admit-
— KIM JENNINGS ted for free, and brides who did not were required to pay $5 at the door. One recently engaged bride, Camille Black, is planning her summer wedding and was seeking tips on venues in the area as well as catering. “I have just started plan-
ning my wedding, and coming to this expo has helped me already decide on a location and a caterer that I would like to have,” Black said. “Every vendor is so helpful in offering tips and advice and with answering my questions.” Black also had her fiancé
Peter Wilson with her. According to Black, Wilson has a strong passion for photography. He attended the event with her to help decide on the best one. “I have loved taking pictures since I have been a child,” Wilson said. “Thus, I wanted to help my fiancé (Black) select the best possible photographer to capture our special day with accuracy and precision.” Each vendor at the event was willing and available to accommodate anxious brides by answering their questions and
reassuring them that they would be the best fit for their special day. Registered brides could also enter to win a free honeymoon giveaway and various vendors gave away door prizes to brides that stopped by their booths throughout the afternoon. For more information on upcoming expos and wedding tips, brides can visit lynchburgbridalexpo. com or email info@captureevents.com. SKINNER is a feature reporter.
FEATURE
OCTOBER 29, 2013
Liberty Champion/B5
The Drowsy Poet closes its doors
Visitors of the cafe will no longer be able to enjoy the famous Milton at the Candlers Station location Kristen Hines kahines@liberty.edu
After years of serving Liberty University’s campus with its infamous Milton, the Drowsy Poet closed its doors Saturday, Oct. 19. The cafe opened in 1994 and was famous for the Milton, a milkshake made with secret ingredients, said the owner Shani Roberts. The cafe was a common spot for students to visit after a stressful day of schoolwork According to Roberts, the iconic Milton milkshake was named after the poet John Milton, writer of the famous poem “Paradise Lost.” A portrait of him hung on one of the walls of the small cafe. The cafe had everything from cupcakes to sandwiches and was known for their unique coffee drinks, such as the Jane Austin and Da Vinci. Roberts shared that the goal of The Drowsy Poet was to create “a relaxed, casual, classy, coffee cafe.” “We closed down this location because we were looking to pursue a different opportunity,” Roberts said. “Our best memory there is meeting hundreds and hundreds of new people and hearing the talents of the college students, as well as other local talent.” According to Roberts, The Drowsy Poet hosted local musicians at least three times a week. Open mic was held every Thursday, live music every Friday and Saturday nights, and other performers visited during the week as well. One of these performers was alumna and singer-songwriter Jane Marczewski. “The Drowsy Poet has been pretty iconic since I’ve lived in Lynchburg,” Marczewski said. “It’s where I went on my first Liberty date — and ordered a Milton, of course. I have some really sweet memories there. It’s strange to think that The
Abby Kourkounakis | Liberty Champion
FAREWELL — Those who love The Drowsy Poet are encouraged to visit the Lakeside Drive location for their favorite treats. Drowsy Poet is no longer in business. I’ll miss the really welcoming people that worked there.” Sophomore William Nott, founder of The Drowsy Poet Society, led a group that met for coffee every weekend to fellowship and worship with one another. “When I first heard that The Drowsy Poet was closing, I thought it was a joke because it is such a big part of off-campus life and common place for students to hang out,” Nott said. “It was definitely the best place to talk, get a Milton and (fellowship).” According to junior Maria Van den Ak-
ker, some students visited the cafe to simply relax and enjoy company over a cup of coffee. “I am sad because it was almost a tradition … I really liked the live music, and (the atmosphere) was always very welcoming,” Van den Akker said. Liberty students will miss the cafe and everything that is had to offer, senior Lauren Oldham said. “I was really disappointed to hear that The Drowsy Poet closed,” Oldham said. “I loved the atmosphere and enjoyed their Miltons especially.” Although this location has been closed,
students do not need to say goodbye to their beloved Milton forever. The Drowsy Poet has another location on Lakeside Drive, which, according to Roberts, remains open. For more information on the other location, visit drowsypoet.com. HINES is a news reporter.
Business Convocation Session included guest speakers from Mythics
Ashley Bunner abunner@liberty.edu
Liberty University’s School of Business hosted a special Convocation, Oct. 25, featuring guest speakers from award-winning Oracle Platinum Partner, Mythics. Held in the School of Law Supreme Court room, three members from Mythics took part in a question-and-answer session and described what Mythics does as a company. According to Mythics website, Mythics is an award-winning Oracle systems integrator, consulting firm and elite Oracle platinum resale partner representing the entire Oracle product line of software, support, hardware, engineered systems and appliances. Jennifer VanGraafeiland, vice president of support and education sales for Mythics, described how Mythics got its start and where the company is today. “We were founded in 2000, so we’re a pretty young company,” VanGraafeiland said. “The founders of Mythics came from Oracle. They wanted to branch out and start this company on their foundations of great customer service … and really just branching out and becoming a partner with Oracle to provide Information Technology (IT) solutions from the beginning of implementation to the end.” According to VanGraafeliand, Oracle has a lot of customers, so it is difficult for them to service all of their requests. But Oracle has a lot of partner companies, and the partnership program was formed to be an extension of their sales force. “Obviously I’ve learned a lot throughout the years that IT initiatives are really important in every organization, whether you are a university or a government agency,” VanGraafeiland said. Throughout the past 13-14 years, Oracle has grown tremendously. But VanGraafeiland says that the company is still relatively small. “When I started, I was the 11th employee, and now with the consultant organization. I think that we’re about 200-plus strong,” VanGraafeiland said. “(We’re) still small, which I enjoy personally working for a smaller company, but it’s been a great experience.” Michael Hart, chair of business management and information systems of Liberty University’s School of Business, headed the question-and-answer session. Throughout the session, Hart asked
several questions relating to IT and the Mythics company. One of the questions, which was directed toward Charlie Gunter, senior sales consultant and information and services at Mythics, dealt with how IT creates value. “When you go to market with your IT, you’ve got to have key performance indicators,” Gunter said. “And to do that, you’ve got to bring it from multiple sources that (you) rely on to make those decisions.” VanGraafeiland added that, regarding the IT initiative, every organization has to make sure that the information is secure and reliable. “People need access to that information 24/7,” VanGraafeiland said. “I think that’s part of what Oracle’s value is, that they go to market and view themselves as unbreakable (and) reliable. I think security and reliability are really big as well when you’re talking about your IT infrastructure and initiative.” John Iuliano, regional account manager of Mythics, expressed the importance of business students being able to communicate in technology and being able to present data and information to colleagues. “I think it’s extremely important to have a strong, general knowledge of IT,” Iuliano said. “I mean, they use (technology) every day … Have a good general understanding no matter what department you’re in. Whether you’re in accounting, whether you’re in marketing, whether you’re in sales or whether you are actually behind the scenes in IT doing the actual development. The members from Mythics went on to describe the positives and negatives of having a firm partnership with Oracle and the importance of data security and trust. The School of Business Convocation closed with a few questions for the Mythics team members from the audience and a drawing for a $400 scholarship for Liberty business students in attendance. For more information about Liberty University’s School of Business, visit liberty.edu/academics. BUNNER is a feature reporter.
Ruth Bibby| Liberty Champion
REVEAL — Fashion show coordinators revealed this year’s theme.
FACS launch party Sara Warrender sewarrender2@liberty.edu
The eighth annual Liberty University Department of Family and Consumer Science (FACS) Fashion Show coordinators announced details about the upcoming show at the FACS launch party Wednesday, Oct. 23 in the Reber-Thomas Executive Dining Hall. According to Fashion Show Director Kristen Goodrich, FACS hosts a fashion show each year. This year, the theme will be “Go Green, Go Glam.” The theme will challenge designers to use unconventional and recycled materials. Final designs must be made up of 60 percent recycled materials, while the remainder of the garments can be comprised of normal materials. “I really wanted to have a theme this year that forced the designers to think outside of the box of conventional design materials,” Goodrich said. “Also, this theme really gives the designers a chance to show different things that inspire them
and incorporate those pieces in their designs. Whether the designer uses recycled newspaper to make the skirt of a dress or an old pairs of jeans to make a denim vest, the sky is the limit for what these designers can do.” According to Goodrich, there are multiple ways that students can be involved in the show. Students can be designers, models or volunteers. Those who wish to be designers should pick up a Designer Handbook in the FACS Department. Students interested in being models should attend the casting Nov. 13 from 5:30-8 p.m. or Nov. 14 from 5-7 p.m. in DeMoss Hall room 4040. A meeting time for those interested in volunteering will be announced next semester. The show helps prepare students for future careers in many ways, according to Goodrich. The show demonstrates to designers the importance of deadlines and the consequences involved with missing a deadline. “This show also gives students incredible portfo-
lio and resume material,” Goodrich said. “From the beginning, we encourage the designers to think of the future. It is our goal that through this show, we can give the designers a leg up on their competition when they leave here and are competing for jobs.” The fashion show will be held April 12, 2014 at 8 p.m. in the new Schilling Center at Green Hall. Ticket prices will be announced next semester as the show draws closer. “Students can expect an incredible show,” Goodrich said. “Each year, the show has grown and expanded to become what it is today. Last year’s show, we had (more than) 15 designers and 36 models and drew in a crowd of close to 1,000 (people). It is my goal to make this year’s show continue on the same path of excellence and help it to continue to grow and expand to the point where we surpass last year’s numbers.”
WARRENDER is the feature editor.
FEATURE
Liberty Champion/B6
OCTOBER 29, 2013
Rita’s brings unique flavor to Forest The newly opened Italian ice and frozen custard shop is a success, Rita’s general manager says Ashley Bunner abunner@liberty.edu
Known for its flavors of Italian ices and frozen custards, Rita’s Water Ice of Lynchburg is making its unique mark among dessert shops throughout the area. According to the Rita’s of Lynchburg website, Sept. 30 marked the first week of operation for the newest franchise in Forest, Va. General Manager Cailer Palladino thought that the opening was a success. “We couldn’t have asked anything more from the community,” Palladino said. “The way the community supported us was amazing. During the first two nights of opening, we had lines going out the door, back to the road a couple times each night. It was nonstop excitement.” Located in the Graves Mill Shopping Center off Forest Road, Rita’s is in a great location that is continuously busy with traffic because of the shops in the area, Palladino said. “(T)he fact that we are a corner store with lots of windows, which is next to a road, is a plus in and of itself,” Palladino said. “Another reason why it’s a great location is because we are in a central location. We are not in a location like Wards Road where it can be so congested with high traffic, and we have great parking.” Rita’s offers a variety of unique desserts and flavors. According to Rita’s official Facebook page, the company specializes in Italian ice and custard, but also serves ice cream cones, mistos — which are French coffee drinks, sundaes, milkshakes, blendinis — which are customers’ blend of ice, custard and crunch — and gelatis. According to Palladino, as people are becoming more aware of what Rita’s is, one of the most popular dessert items is the gelati, a combination of frozen custard and Italian ice. “I believe that it’s the most popular because you get to experience both products at the same time,” Palladino said. Palladino said that different flavors of Italian ice are offered daily at Rita’s, and the most unique of these flavors is pumpkin pie or pumpkin cheesecake. “When guests order the pumpkin pie or pumpkin cheesecake, I recommend ordering it as a gelati with vanilla custard, because it’s like eating pumpkin pie with ice cream,” Palladino said. While there are many dessert places in the Lynchburg area, particularly frozen yogurt places, Palladino is confident that Rita’s will stand out because of its special desserts and family-friendly environment. “At each visit, (when) a guest comes to Rita’s, they can virtually get something different every time,” Palladino said. “(At) frozen yogurt places, you can only get frozen yogurt.”
Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion
WELCOME — Stephen Putney, Liberty’s assistant director for Christian/Community Service, and family enjoy Rita’s, the newly opened dessert shop. because of the different options we have each day,” Palladino said. “Our flavored custards change weekly from coffee (to) orange cream or strawberry.” In addition to its many different dessert combinations, Palladino said that Rita’s is different from other dessert places because the prices are reasonable and the weight of the dessert does not determine the cost. Unlike some frozen yogurt dessert shops, Rita’s is not self-serve. Palladino also believes that Rita’s is more per— CAILER PALLADINO sonable in that employees are able to interact with cusWhile Rita’s has only two main types of products, the tomers. For more information about Rita’s of Lynchburg and Italian ice and frozen custard, the main items can be a menu of the daily dessert flavors, visit ritasoflynchburg. combined to make six different desserts. com. According to Palladino, customers can mix several different flavors of ices, gelati and misto, and the dessert will be similar to a smoothie. “Also, because we have 75 flavors, each visit is different BUNNER is a feature reporter.
Also, because we have 75 flavors, each visit is different because of the different options we have each day.
Montview Mansion nears completion
The recently renovated home was built in 1923 and now serves as a museum and a bed and breakfast Lauren Jackson ljackson19@liberty.edu
The buzz and hum of power drills drift through the halls of Liberty University’s Montview Mansion as the historic home nears the completion of its renovation overhaul. Since Sen. Carter Glass built the home in 1923, the same stone walls and wide windows have overlooked Lynchburg as the city has grown up around it. Until recently, the mansion, which currently serves as a bed and breakfast for Liberty guests and a museum about Glass and the late Dr. Jerry Falwell, appeared to be a time capsule of the perfect 1920s home. “Some renovations were done (to accommodate) Dr. Falwell’s former office,” Paula Johnson, the curator of the Jerry Falwell Museum and caretaker of Montview Mansion, said. “Other than that, the rest has been kept exactly like it was in 1923.” But now, as Liberty has exploded with opportunities and Lynchburg has swelled in size, the time has come for the mansion to grow. In late August, President Jerry Falwell, Jr. gave directions to Johnson and Mark Creasey, the special projects and events coordinator for the mansion, to transform the cottage home into a more modern, tranquil getaway for guests of Liberty. The president hoped that the renovation would not only help bring the mansion up-to-date with the rest of Liberty’s building projects, but would also offer a convenient place to stay for guests with disabilities, according to Johnson. With this goal in mind, Johnson and Creasey converted a downstairs sitting area into an extra bedroom, which now has a private screened-in porch with French doors, a queen-size bed with steps, a private bathroom and a dressing room and is called the Williamsburg Suite. Johnson and Creasey’s designs for the mansion did not stop at just creating an extra room, however. The entire house underwent a major transformation. The first thing to go was the well-worn dark carpeting. Previously, nearly every room had a different shade of carpet with
a mixture of textures. Not only was the look of every room different, but also the upkeep for each carpet required specific cleaning instructions that made it difficult to maintain. Once that carpet was ripped out, it was replaced with a creamy beige carpet that covers the entire public side of the mansion, which Creasey said gives the home a more cohesive feel. Additionally, the yellowing countrystyle wallpaper in the kitchen was replaced by a pale blue, taupe and white wallpaper. The design blends the contemporary with the traditional, suiting the mansion’s new theme of classic-meets-modern. For the upstairs, Johnson and Creasey plan to give all the rest of the bedrooms a brighter, lighter feeling. “We want to freshen the look of the bedrooms and give the house an update,” Johnson said. “(When the renovations are finished), we will have all white linens like a spa room. The linens match with the original 1923 bathrooms’ white tiles. We will have lots of extra pillows and down comforters.” The outside of the home has seen changes as well. The mansion’s backyard already had flowers, a prayer garden, and a weeping cherry tree. New rose bushes have been added to the backyard during the home’s renovations. According to Creasey, the mansion is expected to officially reopen between late October and early November. Johnson and Assistant Curator of the mansion Michelle Marttila will then resume giving tours to visitors and preparing the home for its overnight guests. Creasey believes the renovations will allow guests to feel more comfortable during their stay, and it will reconnect the mansion with Liberty’s students and staff who have grown used to seeing the home in its original state. “Anytime you do a project like this, it brings a new appreciation and light to something you’ve been seeing everyday,” Creasey said. “It breathes a new life into the mansion.” Johnson said that recently, Montview Mansion has become much busier, and the
Leah Stauffer| Liberty Champion
WELCOME — The museum features Sen. Carter Glass and the late Dr. Jerry Falwell. added space will allow for even more guests to be able to enjoy a stay at the home. “We enjoy the chance to give our guests the best of the best,” Johson said. “If you stay at a hotel, you get a nice room and maybe a restaurant, but we offer the comfort of a home.” While the updates to the mansion have mostly been to the look of the house, Johnson and Marttila know that it is not just the physical attributes that attract guests to the mansion. The legacy of Dr. Falwell and the ability to provide a spiritual retreat for guests give the mansion a
second-home feel. Johnson said the hope of the mansion staff is to take care of guests’ immediate needs while ministering to their spiritual needs. “The goal of Montview Mansion is to provide a beautiful place to stay at the heart of the campus for guests of Liberty University,” Johnson said. “We want people to feel like they are staying in a historic and beautifully restored home. Most importantly, we want guests to feel the love of the Lord.” JACKSON is a guest writer.
FEATURE
OCTOBER 29, 2013
Liberty Champion/B7
Leah Stauffer | Liberty Champion
SLOW AND STEADY —The Zombie Walk brought a large crowd and also featured a brain-eating contest, costume prizes, makeup artists and more.
Zombies invade at annual walk Lynchburg’s third annual Zombie Walk benefits the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank and the Lynchburg Dog Park
Melissa Skinner mjskinner@liberty.edu
When October arrives with its crisp air and changing leaves in colors of orange and deep reds, many fall activities begin. People of all ages were invited to participate in the third annual Zombie Walk in downtown Lynchburg Saturday, Oct. 26. According to Patrick Hubble, founder and organizer of the walk, the purpose of the event is to collect canned food and other nonperishables for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank and cash donations for the Lynchburg Dog Park. Individuals who participated in the walk dressed up with face paint, a vast array of costumes and wigs in order to give spectators a great show. “It took me a week to get everything together for the walk,� Liberty sophomore Zachary Dale said. “The looks I got on the way off of Liberty’s campus were priceless.� The walk began in downtown Lynchburg at the community market
where various photographers captured the zombie walkers in action. “The idea for the Zombie Walk is not original to me,� Hubble said. “Many large metropolitan cities have had annual zombie walks to raise money for various charitable causes.� According to Hubble, there were 425 people registered for the event on Facebook, the majority being in their late teens and early twenties. “At the heart of the Zombie Walk is its canned food drive to help local families in need. It plays on the irony that zombies are always hungry,� Hubble said. “The participants have been very generous, and so far, from the two previous years, we have donated more than 1,200 pounds of food for the local bank and about $250 cash last year was given to the local dog park.� Stephanie Austin, a participant in the walk, enjoyed dressing up with various people in the community helping a great cause. “I have done this every year they have had it, and I have had a blast,� Austin said. “The whole zombie thing
really fascinates me, and to dress up with a bunch of people who have the same hobbies as you is a neat way to bring people together.� Austin’s best friend, Sarah Hamlet, has also been participating in the walk since its inception in 2011. “I really enjoy doing this because I love having the opportunity to have fun with friends,� Hamlet said. “And to do it for a good cause like donating food to feed the hungry people in our city makes it even better.� According to the Zombie Walk’s Facebook page, the Lynchburg Dog Park received $240 in cash donations and Hubble delivered the canned food to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Monday, Oct. 28. “I hope participants will always have a lot of fun while also being charitable,� Hubble said. “This is definitely Lynchburg’s most unique food drive with a twist.� Leah Stauffer | Liberty Champion
SKINNER is a feature reporter.
ATTACK — Zombies put on a show for fans.
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Sodexo to match food donations
POUND-FOR-POUND! Leading up to the November 20Úth convocation, we will be accepting early donations in Reber-�Thomas Dining Hall. All food donations are going to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank to feed hungry families this Thanksgiving.
www.sodexofoundation.org
B8
FEATURE
OCTOBER 29, 2013
Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion
1. Pumpkins were offered free to students. 2. SA hosts events that encourage unity among students year-round. 3. The Equestrian Center provided students with a beautiful fall setting. 4. Students played carnival games at the event. 5. Students were given the opportunity to have their faces painted.
Student Activities hosts Festival Liberty’s Equestrian Center brings students together to enjoy the fall celebration featuring festive events
Nicole Steenburgh nksteenburgh@liberty.edu
Sunshine and blue skies greeted the crowd that made its way to Liberty University’s Equestrian Center for the third annual Fall Festival hosted by Student Activities (SA). Families and students attended the event and were encouraged to wander through the barn to see and pet the horses and explore some of the grounds of the Equestrian Center throughout the day. One of the first stops was the hospitality table, where fall goodies such as hot apple cider, doughnut holes and popcorn were being offered. Sprawled across the grounds were traditional fall activities and offerings such as hayrides, sack races and a pumpkin patch. According to Emilee Forner, event supervisor of the Fall Festival, one of the
biggest hits at the festival was the pumpkin painting. “The pumpkins are free, and it encourages all ages to get involved,” Forner said. This year, in addition to the Fall Festival favorites, SA brought in an array of carnival games and activities such as Can Smash, ring toss and sand art. As a part of the carnival games, students won tickets that could later be exchanged for various prizes such as gift cards and snacks. Students also enjoyed lighthearted competition through a volleyball game and a series of sack races as an audience cheered on the contestants. Overall, it was celebrating the fall season and curiosity that brought many of the students to the Equestrian Center. “I like the food and cider and the horses,” Abby Quigg, a freshman at Liberty, said. “It’s what you’re supposed to do in the fall.” For some students, it was the adventure
of experiencing something totally new. “I like the view and the horses,” Evelyn Perez, a freshman at Liberty, said. “I’m enjoying the fall season. I’ve never seen a real fall before. I’m from Miami.” The fall activities also attracted visitors from outside the student body. “It’s fall. You have to do fall things in the fall,” Eric Stermer, a Liberty University Online admissions specialist, said. “I like the free food, and it’s such a pretty day.” The festival also showcased the talents of a group of Liberty students who make up the band Sandbox Scars. They brought the festival grounds to life by treating the festival-goers to a live music performance. While many students enjoyed the food and games, the horses and the trail rides drew others back for a second year. “I love horses,” Liberty senior Brittany Evans said. “It is a lot of fun. I like the trail riding. That is what made me come back.”
And while some students came back knowing what to expect, some students came for the first time expecting a good time. “I came because it seemed like a lot of fun,” Tina Selby, a freshman at Liberty, said. “LU events are always fun.” According to Forner, one of the reasons that the Fall Festival is held at the Equestrian Center is to help promote the center, and the Fall Festival provides an opportunity to do so while the scenery is so pretty. “The property is beautiful,” Forner said. “The Fall Festival is a great reason for people to be up here.” STEENBURGH is a feature reporter.
Published on Oct 29, 2013
Liberty Champion October 29 2013
