Apr 6

WEDNESDAY | 4.6.2016 | MACEANDCROWN.COM | Vol. 59, Issue 10

WHAT’S

INSIDE

STUDENTS REACT AFTER FASCIST GROUP FLIERS POSTED ON CAMPUS

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SHEDDING LIGHT ON THE HIDDEN ISSUE OF SEXUAL ASSAULT READ MORE

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CHRIS MECATE: THE TWO-TIME ALL-AMERICAN

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ODU SHOULD CUT ALL TIES WITH CHARLES THE MONARCH

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Face in the m ace

Hashtag #ODU to see your face in the m ace

SOCIAL MEDIA

Mace & Crown Mace & Crown is a newspaper published by and written for the students of Old Dominion once a week throughout each semester and once in the summer. Originally founded in 1930 as The High Hat, the paper became the Mace & Crown in 1961.The Mace & Crown is a primarily self-supporting newspaper, maintaining journalistic independence from the university. All views expressed in this collegiate paper are those of the author, not of the University, Mace & Crown or the editors.

EDITORIAL BOARD Amy Poulter Editor-in-Chief editorinchief @maceandcrown.com Stef Wasko Copy Editor swask002@odu.edu

Ross Reelachart Technology Editor technology@maceandcrown. com Matt O’Brien Sports Editor sports@maceandcrown. com

Jonah Grinkewitz News Editor news@maceandcrown.com

Sabrina Brooks Senior Graphic Designer sbroo029@odu.edu

Adam Flores Arts & Entertainment Editor artsandentertainment@ maceandcrown.com

Jason Kazi Asst. Digital Editor Advertising Manager advertising@maceandcrown. com

Joshua Boone Photography Editor photo@maceandcrown. com

Jugal Patel Digital Editor jpate016@odu.edu

STAFF WRITERS Shannon Jay Ben Maxie Zachary Moeller George Plank Elizabeth Proffitt Megan Snyder Erin Sudek

facebook.com/ maceandcrown

instagram.com/ maceandcrown

twitter.com/mace- linkedin.com/in/ andcrown maceandcrown

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Jonathan Harding Joseph Hicks Shamon Jones Jomar Pablo

M&C

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NEWS

For even more campus crime information, visit maceandcrown.com.

CRIME LOG

LOCAL NEWS Proposal says 25,000 Seat Stadium could open for 2018 Season A proposal to Old Dominion University by construction magnate Stephen Ballard would demolish most of Foreman Field and replace it with a 25,000seat football stadium that would open in 2018. This would be in time for the Monarchs’ first home game against Virginia Tech and construction would not interfere with their 2017 schedule. His proposal would lower the cost and speed up the construction process.

MARCH 30 A hit and run incident was reported to have occurred at 5000 Killiam Ave. on March 30 at 8:00 a.m.

MARCH 27 An assault was reported to have occurred at 1300 West 49th Street on March 27 between 12:26 a.m.

MARCH 26 A robbery was reported to have occurred at 1300 West 40th Street on March 26 between 1:26 a.m.

MARCH 31 A Vehicle Break-in/theft was reported to have occurred at 4100 Colley Avenue on March 31 between 7:00p.m.

Largest-Ever Graduating Class to be honored at Spring Commencement Old Dominion’s largest-ever graduating class will walk across the stage at the Ted Constant Convocation Center this spring for the University’s 124th commencement exercises on May 6 and 7. More than 3,000 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral graduates will be honored. There will be three commencement speakers at the ceremony, including a member of congress, a retired CEO and mentor to young women and an executive with Dominion Virginia Power.

Courtesy of Mace and Crown

Date/ Time Reported

Date/ Time Occurred

Location

Category

Incident Number

Disposition

03/24/2016

03/23/2016 11:45pm 03/24/2016 9:10am

1000 Blk 48th Street

Destruction of Property

16-ODU-00364

Active 03/25/2016

03/24/2016

03/19/2016 12:50am

4900 Blk Killiam Ave.

Shooting into Occupied Dwelling

16-ODU-00366

Active 03/25/2016

03/24/2016

03/24/2016 1:30pm - 5:30pm

4700 Blk Powhatan Ave

Larceny

16-ODU-00367

Active 03/25/2016

03/25/2016

03/25/2016 01:18AM

1000 Blk. W. 43rd Street - Village 6

Destruction of Property

16-ODU-00369

Active 03/28/2016

03/25/2016

03/24/2016 11:47PM

1400 Blk. W. 40th Street

Liquor Law Violation

16-ODU-00370

Clear by Arrest 03/28/2016

Norfolk could have its first microdistillery in Chelsea

03/25/2016

03/23/2016 12:04AM

1000 Blk. W. 43rd Street - Village 5

Disorderly Conduct

16-ODU-00371

Judicial referral 03/28/2016

03/25/2016

03/24/2016 10:15PM 03/25/2016 10:00AM

1000 Blk. W. 45th Street - Village 4

Larceny

16-ODU-00372

Active 03/28/2016

Derek Ungerecht, a 32-yearold Army reservist and ODU graduate, hopes to open Norfolk’s first microdistillery in the bustling Chelsea area. Certain city regulations would need to be changed before this happens, but his company, Dead Reckoning Distillery, would like to capitalize on the growing craft beer scene there. The city code would need to be changed to allow distillery’s to sell bottles of liquor and council could discuss this matter in May.

03/25/2016

03/25/2016 12:30AM - 12:00PM

4700 Powhatan Ave. - Lot 32

Destruction of Property

16-ODU-00373

Active 03/28/2016

03/25/2016

03/25/2016 11:09PM

4100 Blk. Monarch Way

Warrant Cleared by Arrest

16-ODU-00375

Clear by Arrest 03/28/2016

03/25/2016

03/25/2016 12:40AM

4500 Blk. Monarch Way

Assault - Simple

16-ODU-00368

Refused to prosecute 03/28/2016

03/26/2016

03/26/2016 01:26AM

1300 Blk. W. 40th Street

Robbery

16-ODU-00376

Active 03/28/2016

03/26/2016

03/24/2016 09:00AM 03/25/2016 06:30PM

1300 Blk. W. 43rd Street

Destruction of Property

16-ODU-00378

Active 03/28/2016

03/26/2016

03/26/2016 09:52pm

1000 Blk. W. 48th St.

Warrant Cleared by Arrest

16-ODU-00379

Clear by Arrest 03/28/2016

03/26/2016

03/25/2016 06:02AM

4800 Powhatan Ave.

Larceny

16-ODU-00377

Refused to prosecute 03/28/2016

03/27/2016

03/27/2016 12:50AM -12:55AM

4900 Blk. Hampton Blvd

Disorderly Conduct

16-ODU-00380

Clear by Arrest 03/28/2016

03/27/2016

03/27/2016 12:50AM -12:55AM

4900 Blk. Hampton Blvd

Liquor Law Violation

16-ODU-00380

Clear by Arrest 03/28/2016

03/27/2016

03/27/2016 4:22PM

1300 Blk. W. 49th St - Webb Center

Larceny

16-ODU-00382

Clear by Arrest 03/28/2016

03/27/2016

03/27/2016 4:22PM

1300 Blk. W. 49th St - Webb Center

Assault - Simple

16-ODU-00382

Refused to prosecute 03/28/2016

03/27/2016

03/27/2016 4:22PM

1300 Blk. W. 49th St - Webb Center

Destruction of Property

16-ODU-00382

Refused to prosecute 03/28/2016

03/28/2016

03/27/2016 10:30AM - 11:00AM

4100 Blk Monarch Way- Village 9

Fraud

16-ODU-00384

Active 03/29/2016

03/28/2016

03/29/201603/26/2016 11:00PM - 11:30PM

4100 Blk. Monarch WayVillage 9

Larceny

16-ODU-00386

Active 03/29/2016

03/28/2016

03/28/20168:50AM - 12:20AM

1200 Blk. 49th Street SRC

Larceny

16-ODU-00387

Unfounded 03/29/2016

03/28/2016

03/28/20167:15PM - 9:00PM

4700 Powhatan Ave. SRC

Larceny

16-ODU-00389

Active 03/29/2016

03/29/2016

03/21/2016 1:45PM-3:25PM

2400 Colley Avenue

Fraud

16-ODU-00390

Investigation by other Agency 03/30/2016

03/29/2016

03/29/2016 4:20PM

1200 Blk. 45th Street

Destruction of Property

16-ODU-00393

Active 03/30/2016

03/30/2016

03/30/2016 8:19am

1200 BLk. 43rd. Street/Perry Library

Larceny

16-ODU-00396

Active 03/31/2016

03/30/2016

03/30/2016 6:20pm

1000 Blk. 49th St./Rogers Hall

Narcotics Violation

16-ODU-00399

Judicial referral 03/31/2016

03/30/2016

03/29/2016 11:59pm 03/30/2016 10:00am

5000 Blk. Killam Ave.

Hit and Run - Property Damage

16-ODU-00398

Active 03/31/2016

03/30/2016

03/30/2016 9:15 pm

4900 Blk. Bluestone

Larceny

16-ODU-00400

Refused to prosecute 03/31/2016

03/31/2016

03/31/2016

1700 Blk. 49th Street/Whitehurst Hall

Assault - Simple

16-ODU-00402

Active 04/01/2016

03/31/2016 7:17pm

03/31/2016

1400 Blk. 49th Street

Hit and Run - Property Damage

16-ODU-00403

Active 04/01/2016

ODU’s First Minority Dean, Ulysses ‘Van’ Spiva, dies in Virginia Beach Ulysses ‘Van’ Spiva, who was appointed ODU’s first AfricanAmerican dean in 1979, has died in Virginia Beach. Spiva served as dean of the Darden College of Education until 1984, and continued to serve as chair of the Department of Education Leadership and Counseling and advocated for the university long after his retirement in 1994. He was awarded the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial award by ODU in 1994.

FOR MORE CRIME INFORMATION, VISIT MACEANDCROWN.COM/INTERACTIVE-CRIME-LOG

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NEWS

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, visit the Women's Center.

Data in the above infographic provided by AAUW.org and ODU Police.

Created by Sabrina Brooks, Graphic Designer

Shedding Light on the Hidden Issue of Sexual Assault

Erin Sudek Staff Writer On Tuesday, March 29, the Women’s Center and other sponsors held a screening of “The Hunting Ground” at the University Theater. The documentary focused on issues regarding sexual assault on college campuses across the United States.

More than 60 students and community members attended the screening of this emotional, eye-opening film. Afterward, a panel discussed the measures ODU is taking specifically toward improving campus safety.

“We really want to let the students here know that sexual assault on college campuses is a problem, and that there are ways to work towards ending sexual assault or at least decreasing the amount of times it’s happening,” Angel Kearns, a senior and intern at the ODU Women’s Center, said.

“The Hunting Ground” was directed by two-time Emmy Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated directors, Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering. They also directed “The Invisible War,” a documentary which targets various influential social issues.

Dick and Ziering spoke on March 31 about their determination to make impact films like these. They shared their profound experiences during production and interviews, as well as the overwhelming reactions from audiences and the magnitude of influence on society their films have yielded.

Pop singer Lady Gaga showed support for the movement, contributing the song, “Til it Happens to You,” to “The Hunting Ground.”

tunity, experience and a first-class education given by university presidents, which adds to the exhilaration and anticipation college brings.

The mood quickly shifts as the film recounts instances of rape and sexual assault which has crushed students even at their dream universities.

No university is innocent in this country-wide epidemic of mishandling rape and sexual assault, and the film made sure to address this. From prestigious ivy league universities to

only 2 to 8 percent of that number, which leaves 92 to 98 percent of reports real.

The film includes interviews with individuals who describe their heartbreaking sexual assault experiences and the abhorrent treatment they received afterwards. The documentary focused on two rape survivors: Andrea Pino and Annie Clark.

Annie Clark attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was violently raped “before

The film included frightening statistics and facts about sexual assault...

“The Hunting Ground” began with recorded reactions of students getting accepted into their dream colleges, screaming and celebrating with their families and friends. The enthusiasm and excitement could be felt by the audience, and continued into clips from real-life ‘week of welcomes’ and freshman move-in scenes at various colleges across the country.

It showed freshman convocation speeches and the promises of oppor-

small private colleges, almost every higher education institution is guilty of unjust management of rape crimes.

The film includes frightening statistics and facts about sexual assault, most notably the dramatic gap between the high number of reports versus the low number of expulsions recorded at universities.

The film addressed the high number of sexual assault reports, and showed that false reports make up

classes had even started.” When she reported the crime to university administration, she only received blame and nothing was done to address the brutal incident.

Andrea Pino also graduated from UNC and was violently, sexually assaulted during her first few weeks at school. She graduated high school as valedictorian of her class, but the traumatizing experience early on in her college career left her struggling

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to pass her courses.

As time passed, Pino’s mental state and school situation did not improve, and she did not receive any condolences or support from the institution which promised an equal opportunity to education. She reached out to Clark, and together they began tackling the enormous problem young women and men face everyday.

The two spent as much time as they could researching and studying sexual assault, the laws and policies and most notably, Title IX. This is the federal law that “prohibits discrimination based on the gender of students and employees in educational institutions which receive federal financial assistance.” Violation of the law does, in fact, include sexual harassment and sexual violence, because these acts contribute to a hostile environment and therefore an unequal opportunity to education.

Clark and Pino also reached out to college students in the same predicament, listening to hundreds of recounts of rape, personal trauma and struggle and failure of response by universities.

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NEWS Together, they co-founded the organization End Rape on Campus -- www.endrapeoncampus.org -- to support, educate and advocate reforms on policies and legislation regarding sexual assault and interpersonal violence on college campuses and all levels of government.

The unbelievable efforts of university institutions to conceal rape crimes was another focus of the film.

Covering up rape is “in the best interest of colleges” because they are “selling a brand,” and to sell their brand they must look like the most appealing and desirable institution to attend. Colleges will do everything they can to preserve their reputations, which sometimes includes covering up hundreds of violent offenses to falsely decrease their crime rates.

Almost every victim interviewed had similar accounts of what happened, or rather, what did not happen, to their perpetrators, who were often fellow students. The consequences

Take part in ODU's National Day of Silence Candlelight Vigil on April 14 on Kaufman Mall at 6 p.m.

ured, they have extreme difficulty in moving to other institutions.

The protection of rapists at colleges, leads to worse rape environments.

A reason for high amounts of sexual assault cases in colleges is the offenders’ ability to repeat their crimes due to the lack of justice and discipline from the universities.

Only about 6 percent of male college students commit rape crimes.

But these students are often repeat offenders, averaging about 6 or more rapes or sexual assaults each. They are enabled by colleges themselves to rape multiple women, and therefore rape crime is frequent.

The effects of rape and sexual assault are not limited to physical injury. Many victims experience spiritual and/or mental difficulties as well, including, but not limited to PTSD, depression and dissociation -having a constant dream-like mental state which makes it hard to focus.

These issues make everyday activities

tenant Mark Anthony, ODU police officer and liaison for ODU’s Sexual Assault Research Team aka SART and ReNée Dunman, assistant vice president of Institutional Equity and Diversity at ODU. The questions about the S.A.F.E. program, barriers to the prosecution of rape incidents in court, powers of the ODU police versus state police with these crimes, what Title IX is and how the university specifically implements it for their students were all asked during the panel discussion.

“Even though people are becoming more aware of what is going on, I don’t think enough is being done about it.

Just last week I had an experience at a party where I felt violated. At the time, I didn’t know how to deal with it, but it shouldn’t have happened in the first place. Educating women on how to be safe at college is important, but we also need to educate those that are violating others and how they are negatively affecting our college envi-

Director Kirby Dick.

The effects of rape and sexual assault are not limited to physical injury. were almost laughable if not so terrifying.

Universities have a financial incentive to defend the perpetrators. If the rapist is an athlete or fraternity member, they are especially defended by institutions due to the enormous amount of money fraternity alumni donate and college sports brings into an institution. Too often, rapists are given a small slap on the wrist instead of being seriously dealt with.

Even faculty and administrators receive backlash from universities for supporting and advocating justice to rape victims, and are sometimes even denied tenure. If already ten-

a challenge to survivors, especially young college students.

Suicide is also not uncommon for those coping with this trauma, especially with the amount of victimblaming and lack of support. But this is changing, thanks to people like Pino and Clark, university women’s centers and awareness efforts like “The Hunting Ground.”

The discussion panel held after the screening included Joann Bautti, assistant director of ODU’s Women’s Center and Sexual Assault Free Environment Program aka SAFE, Christa Motley, legal advocate with YWCA South Hampton Roads, Lieu-

ronment,” ODU senior and criminology major Kortnie Stukes said.

About one in five women are raped in college and about one in 16 men are victims of rape. If you or a friend have been sexually assaulted, do not be afraid to come forward and talk about it. For directions on how to file a Title IX complaint, contact ReNée Dunman, ODU’s Title IX coordinator. Other contacts for support and information include the ODU Women’s Center, University Police and the Office of Counseling Services found in the Webb Center.

Courtesy: The Hunting Ground Facebook

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Courtesy: The Hunting Ground

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NEWS

Follow the News Editor on Twitter @ODU_MaceNews

Strome College Offering New Tracks for Marketing Students Jason Kazi Staff Writer

This fall, students interested in digital media, analytics and sales will have three new major concentrations for marketing. The new options include digital marketing, marketing analytics and research and professional sales.

Dr. Yuping Liu-Thompkins, chair of the marketing department, said shortly after she arrived at ODU in 2002, she received feedback from students saying they would like more guidance in choosing which courses to enroll in.

“Partially based on the feedback and looking at the demand in the market, we came up with these three new concentrations,” Liu-Thompkins said. “In the digital marketing concentration, students will learn how to use tools like Facebook and websites to market to their customers. In the marketing analytics and research concentration, students will learn how to leverage ‘big data’ to be able to drive customers to their own company to be able to make better marketing decisions. While

the professional sales concentration is designed for students who work for B2B companies.”

Most of the department’s current concentrations have been a 4+4 structure, meaning students were required to take four major-required courses and four electives. The new concentrations will follow a 4+3+1 structure, which allows students to take one elective along with their four major-required courses and three track-required courses. All marketing majors, regardless of their concentration are required to take Consumer Behavior (Marketing 402), Marketing Research (Marketing 407), Multinational Marketing (Marketing 411) and Marketing Policy and Strategy (Marketing 490).

Four new courses are being offered within the three new concentrations including Art of Influence and Persuasion (Marketing 405), Social Media Marketing (Marketing 455), Web Analytics (Marketing 460) and Marketing Analytics (Marketing 475).

Art of Influence and Persuasion is an introductory course on techniques and concepts on how to influence in a variety of business settings. Social

Media Marketing will introduce students to the significance of today’s social media marketing tools, and how to implement and evaluate these tools for a business. Web Analytics will introduce students to web analytic tools and methods and demonstrate how businesses can use them to derive customer insight and improve marketing strategy.

The new concentrations were officially launched at a kickoff event on Mar. 19 held at the Strome College of

Cohen highlighted the importance of students understanding the basics of search engine optimization (SEO), how to manage at least one of the major content management systems such as Drupal or WordPress and the usability of social media marketing through tools such as Hootsuite and Facebook Advertising.

“Persona marketing is a key aspect of marketing. But in the digital world, that has completely changed,” Cohen said. “Before we would have built

Four new courses are being offered Business building. Three local marketing professionals were invited to the event to showcase what students could do with the concentrations in the region after they graduate.

The professionals included Gabriel Cohen, vice president of media at Seventh Point; Geneva Moore McNamara, analytics marketing manager at Dominion Enterprises, and Keith VanderVennet, senior vice president for sales at Ferguson Enterprises.

personas in a demographic. Within digital marketing now, it is a reality that through paid media tactics and organic media tactics that you can actually put your intended content in front of the intended person.”

McNamara explained that analyzing data and web traffic is a large part of the responsibilities an Analytics Manager has on a day-to-day basis.

“You’re going to have to know enough to be able to know how to find

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Students React After Fascist Group Fliers Posted on Campus Staff Report Multiple fliers were posted over the weekend of Sunday, March 27, on monorail poles between the engineering systems building and darden college of education building. The Mace and Crown received a tip via social media from a student who wished to remain anonymous. ODU Police have been notified of the situation and are actively investigating the matter.

Another student removed one of the fliers from the pole to show to their professor. The source, who shares a class with the student, was disappointed that the student chose to take a picture of the flier with her phone and remove it to show her class rather than report it to the authorities.

Mace staff conducted a sweep of all monorail poles from Garage D to Powhatan Avenue and numerous academic buildings in the vicinity. Our staff was only able to locate where two fliers were posted earlier and unable to locate any other locations having similar fliers.

The fliers read “Old Dominion University - You Have Been Visited by the AtomWaffen Division. Join your local Nazis! Find us at ironmarch.org.”

The online forum -- IronMarch.org -- dubs itself as “the Online HQ for

the IronMarch Global Fascist Fraternity and the Forge of the 21st Century Fascist.”

On March 29, the Mace received numerous tips from students that additional fliers had been posted in academic buildings across campus.

A user by the name “American” indicated on the forum website in a post on Feb. 26, 2016, that the Atomwaffen division of Virginia had been established.

In an unrelated event, universities in California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland and New Jersey are reporting that similar one-page fliers were being remotely printed at network computers in offices, referencing the Daily Stormer, another supremacist group’s website.

Student organizations including ODU’s NAACP chapter, ODU Democrats and the Student Government Association took to Twitter in response to the fliers. A joint statement was released by university President John Broderick and SGA President Christopher Ndiritu. The 1ODU Student Inclusive Excellence Advisory Board also released a statement via the Mace’s website. The full statement from 1ODU can also be read in the op-ed section of this issue of the Mace and Crown.

The Mace & Crown

a problem,” McNamara said. “The job involves a lot of reporting, analyzing usage data, SEO use.”

VanderVennet made clear that despite common belief, being an extrovert is not a necessary personality trait to be successful in sales instead, to be a good salesperson, an individual needs to push themselves, plan, execute well and be naturally inquisitive.

“Someone like Kevin Malloy who works for the Outside Sales team, uses his natural curiosity, he understands his customer’s business, he understands where Ferguson can bring solutions to that business. He uses all of that information that we pull from marketing intelligence and puts it to use,” VanderVennet said. “He can understand what the customers’ challenges are and he can actually suggest services and products that they need.”

Students pursuing these new concentrations in the marketing department should talk to their academic advisor or visit the Strome College of Business undergraduate advising & career development services office at 2004 Constant Hall.

Arts &

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E N T ER T A I NM E N T

BITS OF A&E WODU

Presents Showcase’

‘Artist

WODU has gathered up some of the local best rappers, R&B artists and rock ‘n’ rollers to show off their skills in an ‘Artist Showcase’ at Work | Release on April 7 at 9 p.m. Two of the best hip-hop acts will battle for the grand prize. After the showcase will be a late night DJ set for every Monarch to dance the night away. Work | Release is located at 759 Granby St. in Norfolk.

Upcoming Department of Music Concerts ODU’s premier string quartet ensemble, The Russell Stanger String Quartet, directed by Leslie Frittelli, will be in concert April 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Chandler Recital Hall, Diehn Center for the Performing Arts.

The ODU Wind Ensemble and ODU Percussion Ensemble will perform literature from the standard band and percussion ensemble repertoire. Conducted

by Dennis Zeisler and David Walker, the concert will take place on April 10 at 3 p.m. in the Roper Performing Arts Center, Tidewater Community College, located at 340 Granby St. in Norfolk.

The Norfolk Chamber Consort, directed by Andrey Kasparov and Oksana Lutsyshyn will perform works and arrangements by Igor Stravinsky, Ralph Vaughn and others as well as premieres of works by Andrey Kasparov and Mark Chambers. This concert on April 11 in Chandler Recital Hall, Diehn Center for the Performing Arts is in conjunction with ‘Shakespeare 400 Years After: A Public Event.’ Preconcert discussion by Andrey Kasparov will start at 7:15 p.m. followed by the concert at 7:30 p.m. Tickets at the door are $10 for students and $25 for general admission.

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GET IN THE MOOD MONDAYS OPEN MIC AT THE LOUNGE BAR

Star Lablanche Contributing Writer Mood Mondays is an open mic event at The Lounge Bar in Virginia Beach. With an incredibly talented house band and vibrant hosts, Mood Mondays is a professional event enjoyed by performers and audience members alike.

Host Mia Lauray creates an exhilarating, fun atmosphere. She says you can use Mood Mondays to “get your week off to a good start.”

Mood Mondays is a supportive environment perfect for both the seasoned professional and performers just starting out. Lauray advises someone new to open mics to “come prepared with openness” and to be ready to have a good time.

Spoken word artist, It’s Tha Koncept, adds that when performing at an open mic you should, above all else, “be yourself.” These events are a platform for sharing your talent with the world, and that talent has to come from a genuine place.

At Mood Mondays the performers not only get to show off their abilities, but they have the option of a live band accompanying them. This added feature is great for dancers, rappers, singers, spoken word artists and other types of entertainers.

Poet J. Scott Wilson, a local per-

former who regularly attends open mics said, “Mood Mondays feels very welcoming. The venue is wise to the idea that inviting all genres to accept edgy, issues-oriented work as valuable entertainment as well.” He added, “Performing at Mood Mondays is becoming like a new home. Mia challenges you to bring out your best and the crowd really appreciates the energy you put in.”

After the open mic portion of the night, Lauray conducts interviews with up-and-coming and established Hampton Roads artists, giving the event a late night talk show feel. Mood Mondays is also an excellent opportunity for artists to network, get to know their peers and expand the arts in Hampton Roads.

Mood Mondays offers food and drink specials as well as raffles and giveaways. The venue is comfortable, and the food served is yummy. If you’re looking for an enjoyable evening of local artists, Mood Monday is highly recommended.

The Lounge Bar is located at 3972 Holland Rd. in Virginia Beach. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the Mood Mondays open mic event starts at 9 p.m.

Cover charge is $5 at the door. Open mic performances are limited to five minutes. For more information, call 757-961-4731 or visit their website at theloungebarvb.com.

Singer-songwriter Casey Reanna, headliner performance on MoodMonday.

Photo by Mikhail L. White.

The ODU Percussion Ensemble will perform a variety of contemporary and classical percussion works. Directed by David Walker, the concert will take place on April13 at 7:30 p.m. in Chandler Recital Hall, Diehn Center for the Performing Arts.

Models Ciara Charity and Zanya Umpierre during their interview with Mia Lauray teaching her how to take a selfie.

Photo by Mikhail L. White.

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Arts &

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E N T ER T A I NM E N T

MONARCH MUSIC MINUTE Hell YES!

I’ll Listen to it Twice, Even.

ADAM FLORES, A&E EDITOR

We’re Getting There...

Eh...

Face Palm.

K. Michelle

‘More Issues Than Vogue’

Courtesy of Atlantic Records

K. Michelle does have issues. During her formative years, she learned to play piano and guitar. She is the product of Bob Westbrook, a voice instructor who taught Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears. After getting introduced to R. Kelly, he became her mentor. Her first single, “Fakin’ It,” was assisted by Missy Elliot. In 2014, she joined Robin Thicke on the North American leg of his Blurred Lines Tour.

She is also the first African-American to sign an endorsement deal with Jack Daniels and is developing her own drink to be available sometime

during the summer of 2017.

Born Kimberly Michelle Pate, K. Michelle is known as a singer-songwriter and television personality with her show, “K. Michelle: My Life.”

“More Issues Than Vogue” is her third studio release, which dropped on March 25, showing off her multifaceted skill set and most importantly, her vast vocal persona.

Regarded as an R&B, soul and pop artist, she mixes it up with the new record’s lead track, “Mindful,” written and produced by T-Pain, effortlessly displaying an energetic fleet rap style over a sparse R&B groove. She

quickly moves on to her more sensual side in later tracks with a vocal prowess and eclectic musical sound mixing old and new school R&B flavors with a hint of pop.

“More Issues Than Vogue” displays a masterful array of beats, lyrics and production. The lead single, “Not a Little Bit,” and second single, “Ain’t You,” both found their way quickly onto the Billboard Hot R&B/HipHop Songs charts.

“I want to be able to sing ballads that touch the world and not just one demographic,” Michelle said.

Pet Shop Boys ‘Super'

English electronic pop duo Pet Shop Boys have delivered their latest compilation, “Super.” Released on April 1, it’s no joke they are still in full control of their sound which has emanated since their mid ‘80s chart-topping, Billboard Hot 100, club megahit, “West End Girls.”

Pet Shop Boys’ Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe have sold over 50 million records worldwide since they began to pen songs in the early ‘80s. “The Guinness Book of World Records” also lists them as the most successful duo in UK history. The duo has garnered three Brit Awards, six Grammy

Award nominations and an award at the 2009 Brit Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Music.

“Super” is the duo’s 13th studio album. Back in January after they made an official announcement for the new record, they released the teaser track “Inner Sanctum.” It wasn’t until March that they released the lead single, “The Pop Kids.”

At the beginning, the Pet Shop Boys’ were in love with London’s West End. Their sound is still a reflection of the atmosphere the West End inspired in their early songwriting.

They are not afraid of using electronic

music technologies in creating their signature dance club aesthetic. The lead track, “Happiness,” possesses the blunt, yet haunting vocal timbre of Tennant with a dance-floor banger track which is the prelude to the vibe of the record.

Though “Super” continues to elevate and expose the duo’s latest digital underground dance floor efforts, the ethereal landscapes stay on the safe side of musical exploration. It is lyrically where freshness and inventiveness give moments of surprise in the music.

Courtesy of X2 Records

Cheap Trick

‘Bang, Zoom, Crazy… Hello’

Courtesy of Big Machine Records

Veteran rockers Cheap Trick have released their 17th studio LP, “Bang, Zoom, Crazy… Hello,” on April 1. It marks the first record in the band’s history to not feature Bun E. Carlos on drums. Carlos is still enlisted as an official member of band, yet does not record or tour with the band.

Daxx Nielsen, Cheap Trick guitarist’s Ricky Nielsen’s son, is assuming all drum duties.

Despite the change to the band’s roster, “Bang, Zoom, Crazy… Hello” continues to hold close the group’s ‘60s rock foundation with power-pop rock sensibilities. While the Japanese

press cites the band as the American Beatles, they will be soon inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class of 2016.

In Cheap Trick’s formative years, their first three records never saw Top 40 exposure in the U.S. It was in Japan, however, that these records went gold. On their first tour of Japan in 1978, the quartet was received with the same frenzy as Beatlemania. “Cheap Trick at Budokan” was intended as a live record gifting for Japan only, yet with the popularity of the 10-track live set, their label, Epic, released the album in the U.S. in Feb-

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ruary of 1979.

After 40-plus years in rock, “Bang, Zoom, Crazy… Hello” is the heart of Cheap Trick in sound and excitement. Their teaser single, “No Direction Home,” to the Ramsey Lewis classic, “The In Crowd,” continues to display the band’s signature rock flair that formulates their raw, rock Midwestern upbringing.

Cheap Trick will be at Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater in Virginia Beach with Heart and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts on Sept. 13.

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Arts &

Stream Watkins' latest album on Spotify

E N T ER T A I NM E N T

Sean Watkins’ ‘What To Fear’ Gives Political Advice and Life Lessons Lindsey Lanham Contributing Writer

What do you get when you mix homegrown melodies, easygoing guitar riffs and a classic southern backbone?

Sean Watkins’ “What to Fear” brings together all of this and more. Watkins has put together a collection of songs that appeals to any listener looking for something carefree and breezy.

Following his 2014 album, “All I Do Is Lie,” Watkins’ latest solo album, released March 18, has brought a renewed feeling to his classic folk sound. He’s graduated from the basics and made an album that resonates with

familiar fans, while also giving new listeners something to hold on to.

Watkins got his start 27 years ago, when he was 12 years old and formed a band with his sister, Sara, called Nickel Creek. The Grammy Award-winning group featured both Sean, Sara and Chris Thile. Aside from his solo project, his most recent venture was the “Watkins Family Hour,” which included Sara and other friends. The band helped the siblings test out new material, allowing them to bring new sounds they weren’t able to find with Nickel Creek.

In a politically challenging turn of events, Watkins opens

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the album with the title track.

An oxymoron of sorts, “What to Fear” gives a simple, acoustic track, but the listener may become aware of the political undertones. With election season in the air, the song makes a bold statement to the media and what it’s telling the public to fear.

From there, the album takes the listener through the stories of a million lives, all made personal by Watkins. Each song keeps a folky backbone, while entertaining the listener with a unique life lesson. Watkins’ lyrics have remained approachable and relatable. The album pleases fans of Nickel Creek as well as new fans.

“Tribulations” exposes Watkins’ religious background, and “Keep Your Promises II” brings back an old demo redone for the album. The song was written with the help of a few friends, but only stands out with Watkins’ prowess as a musician.

This feel is what sets his work apart from others, making everything foreign and personal at the same time.

Watkins has kept his family values front and center when it comes to his music. Nickel Creek and the Watkins Family Hour have both included family and friends. Without this comforting constant, Watkins has branched out, becoming a solo frontman for

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the first time, which “What To Fear” is all about. It’s his story of getting things done himself, as well as how he is growing and maturing as a solo artist.

The album is honest and open. “What To Fear” is a calm, soulful album. It doesn’t hide anything from the listener and presents itself as an open book. Watkins has simplified in his musical approach, but still provides a rich, layered sound. Between the politically motivated battle cry and the religious anthem, he has presented the listener with a multitude of stories and life lessons to learn.

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Arts &

Watch trailers of this week’s featured movies on our website.

E N T ER T A I NM E N T

MONARCH MOVIE MINUTE Mind Blown

A Must See

Add to my Queue

MEGAN SNYDER

Well, there goes 2 hours of my life

Straight to DVD

‘A Ballerina's Tale’

2015 | Unrated | 83 min.

In 2015, at the age of 32, child prodigy and world-renowned dancer Misty Copeland became the first African-American principle performer in the American Ballet Theater. Copeland has starred in countless solo roles, including Igor Stravinsky’s coveted “Firebird” and endorses several companies, most notably Under Armour as of 2014. As a result of her many achievements, Time Magazine named Copeland one of its “100 most influential people” in April of 2015.

But contrary to the apparent ease with which this young performer leaps, prances and pirouettes across some of the world’s most prestigious

stages, Copeland’s rise to the top has not been without its obstacles. “A Ballerina’s Tale” chronicles Copeland’s early days as a precocious teenager in Kansas City, Missouri, following her on a historical journey to New York City where she continues to perform today.

“A Ballerina’s Tale” was nominated for Outstanding Documentary at the 2016 Black Reel Awards and won Best Documentary at the 2015 AfricanAmerican Film Critics Association Awards. In addition to the consistently disproportionate number of roles offered to dancers of color, the film also sheds light on the threat which

the highly competitive world of ballet poses to female bodies.

With her buxom curves, athletic build and distinctively dark skin, Copeland subverts the aesthetic laws in place that have governed ballet—and barred its access to minorities—for decades.

“We’re not accustomed to thinking of black women’s bodies in that context,” African-American ballet dancer Lauren Anderson says in the film. “We’re accustomed to thinking of black women as athletic and strong.

But all ballerinas are athletic, all ballerinas are strong.”

This film is available on Netflix.

‘Meet My Valentine’ 2015 | PG | 89 min.

“Meet My Valentine” is a film meant to be enjoyed in complete solitude, because no one should be seen ugly crying. It has all the makings of one bad made-for-TV movie and, at times, tries way too hard. But somehow, you become emotionally invested in these really good looking people and their fictional problems and before you know it, your mascara’s ruined.

In spite of the limitations this flick imposes on when and where audiences can watch it, the story of Tom Bishop (Scott Wolf) is undeniably sweet and only a little cheesy. After learning that he has cancer, Tom must

secretly find the perfect match for his soon-to-be widowed wife Valentine (Courtney Ford) and their young daughter. But in the process, Tom winds up falling in love with his wife all over again, making the reality of his impending death increasingly difficult to bare.

An ensemble of D-list actors rounds out a cast of relative no-ones.

Due to poor timing, moments designed for comedic relief provide none whatsoever but rather leave audiences puzzled as to whether this film is a drama and romantic comedy. Sure, it could be both, but then

‘Two Wrongs’ 2015 | TV-14 | 90 min.

“Two Wrongs,” on the other hand, is actually a made-for-TV movie starring Gillian Zinser as Sarah, an in-home nurse and single mother of Lauren (Brooklyn Lax). When Lauren is abducted, the panicked Sarah receives a disturbing phone call from her daughter’s kidnapper who instructs Sarah to commit several “wrongs” herself in order to save Lauren.

As the title would suggest, audiences quickly learn that the perpetrator was also robbed of someone precious in his life and now seeks vengeance.

How Sarah and Lauren became

his victim is the burning question throughout this thrilling mystery.

Netflix reviewers are in consensus on several shortcomings of this generously rated 3/5-star film. For a story that relies on an unexpected twist, the ending becomes easily predictable early on, and while moviegoers collectively agree to suspend their disbeliefs about some things, many just aren’t buying some of “Two Wrongs’” more outrageous choices, such as Sarah’s decision to not involve the police in her vigilante justice-seeking or the fact that no one seems to have a cell phone in this film.

Several glaring plot holes, much unresolved suspense and a poorly written script also make this a tough one to sit through. It’s no surprise then that “Two Wrongs” was originally written for the Lifetime Movie Network.

The real twist is that as this movie progresses, these weaknesses gradually become more exaggerated, making the ending gloriously bad and, therefore, worth watching. “Two Wrongs” is very wrong indeed and should be relegated to background noise while you browse the Internet.

This film is available on Netflix.

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either the serious tone of the former is degraded by awkward attempts at humor or a lighthearted take on a family’s tragedy is dampened by the tears. In short, a balance between the two is not struck.

“Meet My Valentine’s” only redeeming qualities are its original, though slightly creepy, premise and the element of catharsis. So as Aristotle might suggest, do society some good and watch this sad film and have a good weep. Then warn others.

This film is available on Netflix.

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Arts &

Laugh along with Gabriel Iglesias at the Ted Center on April 9.

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Funny, Sexy, Immature and Brilliant: ‘Deadpool’ Rocks the Hero Genre Terrod Dillard Contributing Writer

COURTESY OF YOUTUBE

DC Comics Prequel:

‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ Tyler Passarge Contributing Writer The blockbuster movie season kicked off early this year with the release of the eagerly anticipated “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.”

The title alone promises an epic superhero showdown for the ages, but instead, audiences are given a loaded 151-minute slog which fails to live up to expectations.

Eighteen months after “Man of Steel,” the world is divided on Superman. Should he be trusted or feared? Henry Cavill is back as Superman, or Clark Kent to the people he works with at the Daily Planet. Clark struggles with saving the people of a world who have made him out to be a public enemy.

One person weary of Superman is Bruce Wayne, portrayed by Ben Affleck. Bruce dons the identity of the vigilante Batman to take down the criminals who plague the city of Gotham by brutally serving up his form of justice. When Clark gets wind of the vigilante, he takes it upon himself to stop him.

Meanwhile Lex Luthor, played by Jesse Eisenberg, is in town with an elaborate plan to pit the two forces

against each other and to put an end to Superman once and for all.

With this entire plot, surely the movie has enough to fill within its full runtime. The movie also crams in the setup for future DC Comics movies including a Justice League film in 2017. While much of this set up comes comically out of nowhere, it does offer some interesting tidbits of what is hopefully to come in better movies.

Ultimately, the film ends up a bloated mess devoid of anything fun and taking itself too seriously. Director Zach Snyder took a dark and gritty approach, such is used in “The Dark Knight,” but Snyder failed to understand “The Dark Knight” was still entertaining and captivating, while this movie is dower and boring for the first two hours.

The movie finally gets going in the last half hour, but by then it feels too little, too late. It’s especially problematic when the last 30 minutes became a loud and blurry explosion fest.

When all is said and done, everything the movie worked toward feels cheap and unearned.

The movie is not lacking of all good qualities. When Ben Affleck was first

announced as the Caped Crusader, he was met with backlash. Affleck, however, turns in the best performance of the movie, and possibly the best rendition of the character yet. You find yourself not only understanding his motive, but also enthralled with every moment he’s on screen.

Henry Cavill returns to his role as Superman, but still has nothing more to offer than his brooding. Cavill does well enough in the role, but sadly, the script he is given offers him nothing to work with other then grimacing throughout while saving Louis Lane.

What about the fight between Batman and Superman? Two popular heroes like these have to make for an awesome fight, right? While there is a lot of promise for a great duel, everything exciting about the battle is overshadowed by a laughably anticlimatic conclusion.

“Batman v Superman” offers some interesting action and a great performance from Ben Affleck, which make the movie worth seeing. Because of a dreary and dull script filled with forced sequel setup, however, perhaps the movie is worth a look once it arrives to Redbox.

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Take everything you love about superheroes in their spandex galore and load it with sassiness, debauchery, snark and a lovable protagonist. What you get is the enchanting hero, Deadpool. And with a market saturated with superhero movies, “Deadpool” is sure to be something never seen before, which revels in glorious execution.

Wade Wilson is a mercenary and hired gun whose dangerous jobs are supplemented with snarky humor and training as a former Special Forces operative.

This changes when he meets Vanessa, a girl just as deplorable as he is. Their relationship is challenged by Wade’s diagnosis with cancer. To be cured, he offers himself to partake in a covert experiment, which wants to create super soldiers.

He is abused, tortured and left permanently disfigured, but the experiment leaves him with an accelerated healing factor. With this, Deadpool is born and begins his personal tale of hilarious vengeance.

Deadpool is a remarkably unique superhero movie and takes its R rating to heart.

The movie does not shy from using vulgar words and profanity at every opportunity.

In fact, every major character curses every other time on scene, and each time is just as funny.

Sex and love is shown in all of its dirty awkwardness.

The perverted relationship with Vanessa is strikingly believable. The action is more visceral than any superhero film ever released, and the high-octane opening sets the stage for the rest of the film. Deadpool takes what we love about superheroes, and throws it out the window. Yet the end product

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is better than what we have seen.

The storytelling doesn’t try to be unique, but rather simple. Starting with a high-octane action highway fight scene, Deadpool will not bore with its periodic transition from the present to flashbacks of the past.

The flashbacks are concise and to the point, revealing much about the origins of Wilson in a way that makes the character relatable. The story is compelling enough to draw you in, and has the right amount of seriousness and comedy to keep the audience engaged.

The highlight of the film is Ryan Reynolds’ portrayal of Deadpool, which stays true to the comics. Deadpool is a lovable smartass, and he lets the world know it. He will joke no matter what the situation and makes inappropriate jokes in the direst of times. Savvy persons will catch all the quips and puns, which are relevant to today.

Other superhero movies are ridiculed, celebrities are made fun of, nothing is safe from the humor of Deadpool. Humor and action, normally, are separated to keep a balance of tone, but in this movie, the two are combined. It works exceptionally well. It is not juvenile humor which gets old, but sincere humor makes even the most reserved adult laugh.

As Deadpool says himself, “I am no superhero.” But what he is, is a real world hero who uses his powers not for great responsibility, but for whatever fantastical reason he sees fit. If you get in Deadpool’s way, he won’t hesitate to crack immature jokes before he precedes to kabob you.

This is an oddly charming movie and a breath of fresh air in the stale and stagnant superhero genre.

It triumphs in its ingenuity.

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Arts &

Look for our review of Work Release's new exhibit - Writing Lightly in next week's edition!

E N T ER T A I NM E N T

MONARCH STYLE

Students Resurrect the ‘90s Style

Kimberly Bering Contributing Writer

Sophomore Moriah Morrison was spotted en route to class wearing a ‘90s looking faded grey, flannel button-up over a T-shirt, paired with lightly distressed American Eagle jeans and blue high-top Vans. Her makeup and hair were simple, yet elegant and put together.

Trench coats, sneakers, mom jeans, plaid, leather and crop tops were the ‘90s in a nutshell. This decade produced an edgy, yet subtle style that can be easily replicated. Several trends are being reused and sold depicting the laid back vibe of this decade. Celebrities and students imitate the iconic street style which emerged from the ‘90s.

Celebrities and fashion icons like Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid, Candice Swanepole and Suki Waterhouse can be seen on city streets with a ‘90s inspired ensemble. They flaunt their high-waisted jeans, sneakers, crop tops and oversized sweaters proudly.

As faithful followers of these icons, students recreate their own version of the ‘90s trend.

Sophomore Moriah Morrison was spotted en route to class wear-

ing a ‘90s looking faded grey, flannel button-up over a T-shirt, paired with lightly distressed American Eagle jeans and blue high-top Vans. Her makeup and hair were simple, yet elegant and put together.

When asked to take a picture, Morrison modestly tousled her hair to the side, smiled and said “Yeah, sure!”

Morrison admits her outfit inspiration was not based off celebrities’ style, but the ‘90s sitcom “Friends.”

Her reliable go-to pieces always fall back to casual and stylish apparel.

“I also try to keep things comfortable and casual, while at the same time looking like I put some effort into it,” Morrison said.

Morrison also keeps the fluctuating seasons in mind. She gets cold in class quite easily. By wearing layers, she can be warm and stylish at the same time. Layering flannels with T-shirts, tank tops or crop tops is a quintessential style which imitates

the ‘90s perfectly, especially paired with distressed denim and sneakers, which give a vintage flair to the modern day street style.

“Probably alternative and casual, at least I try to be,” Morrison said when describing her style. She attempts to recreate an alternative look, without being too trendy. Morrison avoids mainstream fads that come and go quickly. She sticks to her reliable classics and essentials. Morrison can always be seen wearing her goto pieces: jeans and cardigans.

Recreating a ‘90s outfit is exceedingly simple. Dig out your old distressed jeans, lace up your sneakers, put on some round-framed sunglasses and a grungy band T-shirt or crop top! The ‘90s was all about relaxation, subtle edginess and recovering from the madness of the ‘80s. An edgy ‘90s ensemble is the perfect vintage outfit and is comfortable for class.

Dad Hats Everywhere

Anika Williams Contributing Writer

Armani Gladden in the popular distressed My Melanin hat.

Photo by Anika Williams.

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Whether it’s to keep your head warm, shield you from the heat, aid a bad hair day or strictly for fashion, hats always have a place in society.

The specific type may change depending on the times, but hats will always be relevant.

You’ve got plenty of styles to choose from. Beanies to five panel, snapbacks and bucket hats have all held their spotlight, but if you’re currently on trend, it’s all about the ever-so-appealing dad hat. Yes, that’s right, dad hats. You probably have one or more of this popular accessory to add to the day’s attire.

In simple terms, dad hats are baseball caps. The term “dad hat” was coined by the popular celebrity blog The Shade Room who sells a few of its own and has helped launch the viral trend. Almost anyone has one with or without knowing it as a revived and revised staple. It is inescapably timeless.

A dad hat is a simple item that can pull together an outfit. Versatility is definitely a positive attribute. You can wear them casually with a pair of sneakers and sweats, or in order to add an edgy touch to a previously refined look. They currently are the wave in street wear, and you can often spot celebrities wearing them.

For example, Kim Kardashian can be casually seen dressed in all black, a fur coat and a dad cap to top it off.

These classic caps can be traced back to the ‘80s and ‘90s. Dad hats can be anything you want them to be.

They can display a company logo, a viral popular phrase or symbol, slogans or something as completely random as the word “Internet.”

If you’re wondering where you can get some special dad hats, there are a few places.

If you can’t find something in your own home or are in search of something fresh and different, consider the thrift store for a hat you’re sure not to find anywhere else, and can possibly hold a vintage appeal. Also, you can’t

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go wrong with a search on Amazon, which with some luck, will give some impressive results.

If you are one to wear something that has meaning and is representative of something positive, you should check out the popular melanin hats from ODU Junior DeMontaz Brown who started his own brand this year called My Melanin. These caps are distressed to represent the wear and tear we go through in our everyday lives, and bear an undeniably bold and attractive font.

Whether it’s simply blank canvas, stitched or distressed for a bolder look, dad hats command attention.

It’s a style anyone can pull off. The dad hat has a massive everyday appeal and promotes comfort in today’s fashion. Although worn by many, it exudes individuality and identity, and its aesthetic is complimentary to anyone’s look. I challenge you to take on this trend by customizing it to your interest and make it a part of your own style.

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Arts &

Look for Megan Snyder's review of Zeke's Beans and Bowls in next week's issue.

E N T ER T A I NM E N T

‘LONDON HAS FALLEN’ TESTS NATIONAL SECURITY ACROSS THE ATLANTIC Becca Barnett Contributing Writer Explosions, gun fights, car chases, double agents, spies, terrorists and a lot of strong language. London Has Fallen has it all.

The film starts with all the leaders of the Western World attending the British Prime Minister’s funeral in London. It was the most protected event in the world, or so they thought.

Tension escalates and the wellprotected funeral turns into a blood bath. Gerard Butler as Mike Banning, a secret service agent, must protect the President of the United States (Aaron Eckhart) at all costs. The villain, Aamir Barkawi (Alon Moni Aboutboul), is a terrorist who is number six on the FBI’s most wanted list.

He will stop at nothing to get his revenge and assassinate the president on a live, worldwide broadcast.

This 99-minute, action-packed film first went into production on Oct. 24, 2014 with the return of “Olympus Has Fallen” featuring ac-

tors Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Angela Bassett, Melissa Leo, Robert Forster and Radha Mitchell.

There were a few bumps along the way with directors. The director of “Olympus Has Fallen,” Antoine Fuqua, could not return for the sequel due to prior directing commitments.

Fredrik Bond was going to take over directing duties, but he left the film six weeks before filming.

Finally on Sept. 28, Babak Najafi, nominated Best Director at the 46th Guldbagge Awards, signed on to direct the film. The cinematographer was Ed Wild, who has been filming since 1998.

The movie was filmed in London, as the title suggests, but also in Bulgaria and India. Production wrapped up in April 2015 and received an R rating by the MPAA for strong language and violence.

In comparison to its predecessor, “Olympus Has Fallen,” the sequel is less emotional. There is less torture

and no hostages to worry about. Connor (Finley Jacobsen), the President’s son, did not play as central a role in London Has Fallen.

Another factor for the film being less emotional was its location in England instead of the United States. The first film was more relatable; it was almost crushing to watch the American flag fall. The audience did not feel the same connection in London Has Fallen.

The only major difference between the movies, however, was that the sequel took place in London and there was a different villain. Most of the plot points and events in the movie played out the same as the first.

The basic structure of both movies was similar: Something intense happened in the beginning. Then the action slowed down until something crazier happened and more information was gathered. The battle began and the President needed to be saved.

Both films in the now established franchise are solid action movies.

Courtesy of Lions Gate Entertainment

The Green Cat Juice Bar & Market Offers More Than Just Juice

Megan Snyder Staff Writer

With the recent improvements made to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, a drive down Pacific Avenue feels more like it did a decade ago.

The addition of the vibrant Green Cat Juice Bar & Market in May 2015 certainly helps the aesthetic. Opened by mother-daughter duo Jackie and Paige Welch, The Green Cat offers a rainbow of coldpressed juices, smoothie bowls and more, made from locally sourced, organic, raw, vegan and 100 percent gluten-free ingredients.

Located where the Bank of Tidewater used to be on 38th Street, this quaint and unas-

suming café is within walking distance of the beach. Its relaxed, coastal style and laidback staff are reflective of its proximity to the water. Swing by on the weekend, and you just might be greeted by the Welch’s family dog, a friendly Australian shepherd.

Indoor seating is limited to a sun-drenched bar and a couple of larger tables, but doesn’t feel cramped, thanks to sky-high ceilings. Venture to the enclosed patio, though, where space is more plentiful and a fireplace keeps diners warm on chilly mornings.

Menu items are displayed on a colorful chalkboard behind the counter and are also available online. Choose from juices, smoothies, smoothie

bowls, oatmeal concoctions, salads and wraps, among other creations, all made fresh to order.

With a name like “The Facelift,” how could one resist a blended beverage made from creamy banana, coffee and coconut oil? Similarly, the “Youth Potion” smoothie promises results with pitaya (dragon fruit), banana, orange, almond milk and a squeeze of honey.

Smoothie bowls are a little thicker than their slurpable counterparts, as they are meant to be eaten with a spoon. They also include toppings, making these a more substantial breakfast and interesting option.

Choose from the classic

“Acai Bowl,” which packs antioxidant-rich berries, banana, almond milk and agave nectar sprinkled with dried coconut flakes, pineapple chunks, oats and fresh banana slices. Or enjoy a “Pitaya Bowl,” which gets its hot pink hue from the sweet fruit it’s named after. Topped with mango, this tropical treat tastes more like ice cream than a healthy snack.

If you need a cup of joe before even considering a meal, try it bulletproof style. It combines brain- and heart-healthy coconut oil with fair-trade coffee, plus whatever fixings you like, resulting in a frothy, energy-sustaining latte-style drink.

Named after a handmade pillow the owner’s grandmoth-

"Pitaya Bowl" with pitaya (dragon fruit), banana, almond milk and agave topped with mango, oats, banana, dried coconut and strawberries.

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er gave to her as a child, The Green Cat is a locally owned and operated small business the entire Welch family has had a hand in building. Customers feel at home as they eat, drink and shop The Green Cat’s market, featuring jewelry and other trinkets, which make unique gifts for locals and excellent souvenirs for visitors.

The Green Cat is located near the Virginia Beach Oceanfront at 3801 Pacific Ave. and is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The Green Cat is closed on Mondays.

Photo by Megan Snyder

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M&C| WEDNESDAY | 4.6.2016| MACEANDCROWN.COM

Sports

For updated Monarch sports coverage, visit maceandcrown.com/category/sports/

SPORTS RECAP Baseball Monarch baseball will take on FIU Friday April 8 at home. The team sits at 19-7 so far this season and is coming off a 5-4 victory against No. 20 Virginia.

The Monarchs are 4-0 against the Cavaliers over the last two seasons. Kyle Beam stared the comeback in the eighth inning by driving in two runs. Connor Meyers got an RBI single to secure the win.

Sailing The Old Dominion sailing team is back in action. On Saturday, April 9, the team competed in three separate events, notching top-five finishes at the Aaron Szambecki Team Race in Norfolk and at the MAISA/ SAISA Regatta in Hampton.

Tennis The men’s tennis team will take on William and Mary Saturday, April 9. This comes after a 12-match win streak was snapped in heartbreaking fashion to the no. 50 ranked Harvard. The Monarchs currently hold a 14-4 record and got another top notch performance from Adam Moundir who made quick work of his singles opponent in three straight sets.

Lacrosse Women’s Lacrosse takes on Stetson Friday April 8. This comes after one of the biggest wins in school history, a 19-2 victory over VCU. Connor Carson scored three of her four goals in the first five minutes of play.

Golf Women’s Golf is set to play in the River Landing Classic Saturday April 9. Maggie Simmermacher was named Conference USA Women's Golfer of the Week on Wednesday after turning in a fifth-place finish at the highly competitive Henssler Financial Intercollegiate last week.

Chris Mecate at the ODU vs. Central Michigan match on Feb. 21 at the Jim Jarrett Athletic Administration Building.

Photo by Jonathan Harding

CHRIS MECATE: THE TWO-TIME ALL-AMERICAN Matt O'Brien Sports Editor It’s the first week of Chris Mecate’s collegiate career. He is going up against then captain John Nicholson. Nicholson is borderline beating up the freshman and Mecate is so tired he can barely stand. After being double leg takedown off the mat on to the floor in the wrestling room, before he could stand again, Nicholson pushes Mecate out of the double doors into the hallway of the wrestling building.

“He took me down again right there in that hallway. Administrators and other athletes were just passing through. My back was killing me, I was hurting so bad,” Mecate said.

A beaten down Mecate is on his back and starts to throw his legs up ready to fight. He knows he’s not going to win. Nicholson towers over him and says, “You better get off your back.

The tile is cold.”

“That was my welcoming to college wrestling. I thought I was in way over my head,” Mecate said.

Five years after being thrown into the hallway of the Jim Jarrett Athletic Administration building, there is a poster hanging, honoring Mecate as a two-time all-American.

He is the first Old Dominion wrestler to do so since Nicholson’s younger brother Jake Nicholson in 2011.

“It’s a great honor. It puts me in an elite class, and I’m very proud of my accomplishments. It stung a little to lose in the quarterfinals. My goal going into that tournament was to be

a national champion,” Mecate said.

Mecate secured his All-American victory in the consolation blood round in front of nearly 18,000 fans at Madison Square Garden. He took down Nebraska’s Anthony Abidin in just one minute and 34 seconds.

“I was so focused. I was more zoned in than ever before. If I won, I was an All-American if I lose? Tough season,” he said.

He capped off his decorated wrestling career with one last victory at the end of NCAA weekend. Mecate downed Solomon Chisko from Virginia Tech 5-3 earning himself a fifth place finish at the 2016 NCAA Wrestling Championships.

Mecate had some fun in his last wrestling match of his career and finally took a second to take in the arena and the sold out crowd before him.

“I thought, ‘I’m going to go out there, have some fun and in front of 19,000 people?’ I felt like I was a gladiator in the coliseum,” he said.

His final victory gave him a career record of 115-37, putting him at eighth best in school history.

It wasn’t always easy for the 141-pounder. Ironically, his first two seasons wrestling were his most consistent. His two All-American campaigns were up and down, riddled with injuries and weight struggles.

Early this season, Mecate beat the No. 2 wrestler in the country, N.C. State’s Kevin Jack.

Soon after, he began to struggle with his weight and had to make many sacrifices on and off the mat to

stay at 141.

“It was so hard on me, I had to be so mentally focused. That took up almost all my time, and I had to focus on wrestling and school on top of that,” he said.

The Highland, California native started to feel the wear and tear from his workouts and his fluctuating weight. After a seven-point loss in mid-February, Mecate finally earned a day of rest. Feb. 14 was his first day off since early October.

“I took two days off in a row after that loss. I started getting more recovery days, and then I beat two top 15 kids going into the conference tournament. The time off made a huge difference,” Mecate said.

Mecate spoke very highly of his coach for the last five seasons. Steve Martin helped guide Mecate through his ups and downs of the year. Mecate and Martin have known each other since he was in first grade. He attended Martin’s Granby wrestling camp every summer since he was six years old.

“It’s been a good relationship. One thing Steve has taught me is you can’t be afraid of conflict. I trust him, he trusts me. We are both intense dudes, and we both like to win, and luckily, we were able to accomplish a lot,” he said.

He also gave credit to his teammates for helping him along the way.

One in particular was 148-pounder Lenny Richardson. Like Mecate, Richardson also has more than 100 career victories for the Monarchs.

“When Lenny and I wrestle in that

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room, I don’t have battles with anyone like that. We don’t give each other an inch. We butt heads, and we scrap hard, and it pushed me to another level,” he said.

Coaches and teammates have certainly played an important role in a prolific college wrestling career for Mecate. As it comes to a close, he reflects on the success he has had. He is ODU’s 7th two-time All-American and had four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances.

“Absolutely have no regrets.

Zero,” he said. “It’s such a hypothetical thing, hindsight is 20/20. I just wanted to go out wrestling as hard as I could. I always moved forward and never dwelled on past victories or defeats. That would have been my downfall.”

As far as the future goes for Mecate, he is scheduled to graduate in May. He will spend next year in the wrestling room as a coach’s assistant.

He will work with redshirts and the younger wrestlers on this team.

Mecate also hopes to one day pursue mixed martial arts professionally.

It has been a passion of his since he was a young kid. He hopes his wrestling background will give him a good base and style in the ring.

“I’m really good on top and taking guys down. I would need to get boxing and kickboxing down. Just because I’m a good wrestler, doesn’t necessarily make me a good fighter,” he said. “If I pursue it, all my chips will be in. I’ll attack it with everything I have just like I did on the mat.”

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Sports

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Forward Brandan Stith at a recent ODU basketball game

Photo by Joshua Boone

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON: THE STITH FAMILY Michael High Contributing Writer A young boy sits in his class with headphones hidden inside the sleeves of his shirt. He rests his head on his hand so he can hear the first game of the 1990 Atlantic Coast Conference basketball tournament without being caught by his teacher. The dismissal bell rings just as the game comes to an end.

When the school bus finally reaches his stop, the boy races home, making it to the television just as Bryant Stith and the rest of the University of Virginia Cavaliers take the court against one of the blue bloods of college basketball, the University of North Carolina Tarheels. Despite defeating the Tarheels, the Cavaliers would lose in the championship game, which was

the closest Stith would get to a ring.

After that season, Stith played on the United States National team, where he competed in the Federation International Basketball Association World Championship in Buenos Aires. Later that summer, he played for the national team at the Goodwill Games in Seattle.

That is about the time the connection between Old Dominion Monarchs and UVA started. ODU head coach Jeff Jones was an assistant for the legendary Terry Holland when the elder Stith arrived on the UVA campus. Jones took over as head coach after that season. Flash forward to 2012, when Jones accepted the position of head coach for the Monarchs. Once again, he went back to Lawrenceville to recruit Stith– this time as his assistant coach.

“We are not just a team, but we are a family,” Stith said. “I trust Jeff. My boys have known Jeff since they were little, and they trust him.”

After two more seasons at UVA, Stith left as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 2,516 points and leading the next closest player by 199 points. He played 10 seasons in the National Basketball League with three teams. He was the No. 13 draft pick of the Denver Nuggets in the 1992. He spent eight seasons with the Nuggets before spending one season with the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers. According to basketball-reference.com, Stith was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, however he retired before ever playing a game with them. He played in 586 games throughout his career and averaged 10.1 points, 3.4 rebounds

and 2.0 assists per game.

After his playing career ended, Stith and his wife Barbara Dilworth, an ODU alumna, returned to their hometown of Lawrenceville, Virginia with their two sons, Brandan and B.J., both on the basketball team.

They also have two daughters, Bria and Brook.

“When I was playing basketball, I never wanted to be a coach,” Bryant said. “I had opportunities to be on an NBA bench, I had opportunities to work in a NBA front office. However, I wanted to spend time with my family.

That was what was most important to me. The NBA travel schedule is a grind – the NBA is a hard grind. Being able to coach my sons in high school and now college has been an added bonus.”

In 2005, Stith was approached

by the administration at Brunswick High School, where he led the Bulldogs to back-to-back state championships his junior and senior years of high school. After talking it over with his family, he accepted the coaching position. Coaching his son’s Brunswick team, they won three consecutive state championships, from 20112013. Current Monarch, Stephen Vassor was also on those teams.

“Dad would always keep us humble,” B.J. said. “Anytime we started getting a big head, he would remind us what he did in his playing days.”

Bryant did not think he and his sons would ever be on the same sideline after their high school careers were over. However, when he accepted the position on Jones’ staff, Brandan and B.J. each played one year of college ball before transferring to ODU. Cntd on C3

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According to 247-sports, the 6-6, 200-pound, power-forward Brandan ranked 83-of-100 for his skill level, which was 55th at his position nationally and 16th in Virginia for the class of 2013.

He committed to East Carolina, months before his dad accepted the coaching position with Old Dominion. He honored his commitment and played for them during the 2013-2014 season, then transferred to ODU. “I had already committed to East Carolina when dad accepted the coaching position here at Old Dominion,” Brandan said. “I would have had to sit out a year anyway, so I went on and honored my commitment.”

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With less than five minutes to go in his third game at Old Dominion and his team ahead by nearly 30 points, Brandan fell in a heap as a teammate crashed into his right leg.

After transferring and sitting out the entire 2014-15 season, due to NCAA rules, his sophomore campaign would be put on hold, with a MCL sprain in his right knee.

“I had a similar injury in high school,” Brandan said. “It could have been a lot worse, but I am rehabbing and will be back soon.”

When he returns to the lineup, he will need to capitalize on his size and athletic ability as he tries to replace a fan favorite, Richard Ross, in the Old Dominion lineup from last season.

His length should help the defense, while his athletic ability should open up lanes for the guards to penetrate around his screens. He should be an important part of the rebounding game as well. Ross played in 128 games during his career and averaged 7.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. During Brandan’s freshman year at East Carolina he averaged 4.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. In three games this season he has registered 8.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and .33 blocks per game.

B.J. had a different experience when he was being recruited. Virginia was the only school he ever thought about playing for when he was grow-

ing up.

“I would pile recruiting letters unopened in a stack,” B.J said. “I always wanted to go to Virginia. I left there because they have a lot of great players at the guard position.”

It was not a surprise, B.J. a 6-5, 180-pound, shooting-guard followed in his father’s footsteps. He fulfilled his dream of becoming a member of the Cavaliers basketball team, after attending a year at the prep school Oak Hill Academy. According to rivals, he was the 65th best player in the country for the class of 2014.

“Virginia is in their blood,” Bryant said. “I would always dress them in the blue and orange when they were younger.”

B.J. was not able to help the Monarchs on the court during games this season. He had to sit out due to NCAA transfer rules, after just one year at Virginia. He is currently going through the daily rigors of practice and learning the system. B.J. saw limited action as a freshman, but will be a key piece to the future of Old Dominion basketball, with the team losing three guards due to graduation. He will also have big shoes to fill, with the departure of National Player of the Year candidate Trey Freeman.

“It is one thing to be wanted, and something completely different to be needed,” Bryant said. “Old Dominion needs Brandan and B.J. just as much as they both need Old Dominion.

MONARCH BASEBALL FALLS TO NO. 17 FAU Matt O'Brien Sports Editor After losing a hard-fought 10-7 game on Friday night, ODU baseball took on No.17 Florida Atlantic at home on Saturday. FAU (20-4) came out on top over the Monarchs (19-10) 3-1. The team's offense was held to just three hits, the fewest in a game this season. FAU cut a seventh inning rally just short.

“Their starter was doing a great job mixing his breaking ball, and we weren’t doing a whole lot with him,” head Coach Chris Finwood said.

The Owls starter Marc Stewart turned in a stellar performance on the mound, going seven innings.

Stewart had a no hitter bid going until the seventh inning, while also striking out five.

Victor Diaz was saddled with the loss for the Monarchs and is now 3-2 on the year. Diaz settled down after struggling early. One hanging, breaking ball proved to be the difference after he gave up a two-run home run to FAU’s CJ Chattam.

“I was really proud of Vic Diaz. He was kind of laboring early. He hung one breaking ball Chattam hit out,

but he gutted it out for us after that and kept us in the game,” Finwood said.

The Monarchs went three up, three down for four straight innings. The offensive struggles were uncharacteristic of the Monarch team, which averages five runs a game.

The momentum finally shifted in the seventh inning and a career milestone was reached by shortstop Zack Rutherford. Rutherford crushed a ball off the center field fence. A misstep by FAU’s outfield and hustle from Rutherford attributed to an insidethe-park home run. The homer, while

unorthodox, was the first of his career.

“He hit it really well. The wind was blowing out, and I thought it might actually get out of the park,” Finwood said.

A single by Kurt Sinnen kept the pressure on, and it seemed the Monarchs were going to come surging back. Will Morgan came in as a pinch-hitter and doubled down the line. Unfortunately, the ball skipped over the wall. The ground rule double forced Sinnen to stay at third keeping the lead at two.

Reliever Morgan Maguire shut FAU down in the eighth inning, but

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it wasn’t enough. One of the C-USA’s top closers Cameron Ragsdale got his eighth save of the season. Ragsdale secured the win by striking out Turner Bishop.

“This is a great FAU team and we have played them hard. We still have plenty of season in front of us and now everyone else has to play them,” Finwood said.

Monarch Baseball is back in action Wednesday at the Bud. They take on William & Mary.

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M&C| WEDNESDAY | 4.6.2016| MACEANDCROWN.COM

Technology

Join the video gaming community for Pixelfest from April 8-10 at Slover Library!

TECH IN A SEC FBI Already Unlocking Other Phones After dropping the case against Apple and cracking a terrorist’s iPhone on their own, the FBI is helping to unlock a criminal’s phone in an Arkansas case.

This sets the precedent that FBI can and will break into an iPhone. More distressingly, the FBI is not alerting Apple to whatever security vulnerability they exploited, which would help Apple fix the security flaw.

A Mini Computer for Every 11-year-old As part of the BBC’s “Make It Digital” campaign, over one million Raspberry Pi’s will be distributed to UK schoolchildren age 11 to 12 for free. The Raspberry Pi is a small, cheap computing unit that can easily be used to create small smart gadgets. The BBC hopes this campaign will help “inspire a new generation to get creative with coding, programming and digital technology.”

“The Screening Room” Co-founder of Napster and original president of Facebook Sean Parker is pushing an idea called “The Screening Room”, which will allow people to watch newly-released movies at home on the same day as the premiere in theaters.

While there are criticisms from the National Association of Theatre Owners, it has received support from the likes Spielberg, Ron Howard and J.J. Abrams.

A Step Closer to Quantum Computing Researchers at Griffith University and the University of Queensland have developed the Fredkin gate, which is a kind of logic gate that can make quantum computing more feasible. Where the function of Fredkin gate used to require five regular logic operations, the new gate accomplishes the same task with one operation.

Congress Introduces Bill to Protect Encryption Representatives in Congress have introduced a bill that would make it illegal for states to demand backdoors to digital communication. This runs counter to most legislation that seeks to weaken or ban digital encryption. Perhaps this is because only four members of the House have computer science degrees, including one of the introducers of this bill.

Left to Right: Allan Cahill, Andrew Dearhart, Michael Darnell, Timothy Clarke, Richard Stinson,Darryl Sampson, Matthew Staley, DaquanStyles, Alfredo Delos-Santos Source: ODU VEXU website

ODU VEXU ROBOTICS CLUB: FROM SCRAP TO CHAMPIONS Ross Reelachart Technology Editor When Richard Stinson and Daquan Styles rebuilt the ODU Robotics team back in 2013, they had little idea just how far they would go on their shared interest in robots and engineering.

Stinson, a mechanical engineering major, and Styles, an electrical engineering major, wanted to join a robotics club while in their sophomore year. Their desire stemmed from more than just wanting something to do outside of class. They wanted to be able to mentor other roboticallyinclined students from their previous high school in Portsmouth. Unfortunately, the previous robotics team had practically disbanded the year before, so they started it up again themselves.

With the help of a professor, they performed all the necessary administrative work to form the ODU VEXU Robotics club, with Stinson as the club's president and Styles as the vice president. The two would also share the duties of project lead when it came time to start designing and building robots. The goal for the club was to be able to enter their robotic creations in competitions. They face the same problems all new clubs face: a lack of funds. Fortunately, the club’s academic adviser was willing to provide them with starting capital, given generously from part of their own PhD grant.

The club began designing and building their competition-ready robots. They went through many designs and iterations as they attempted to make a functional robot. Along the way, they grew to include mechanical

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engineering majors Darryl Sampson and Michael Darnell and electrical engineering major Matthew Staleg, the self-professed “head of all things electrical.”

In 2015, they had their first competition in Maryland. This was not their first robotic outing, however. In 2014, they built a robot for the homecoming parade that launched candy into the hands of parade-goers. The competition was the first true test of their building skills. The lab became their home for a few days as they prepared their robots in a “mad dash of trial and error” over winter break.

pursue future competitions. They also learned some of their weaknesses. They focused so much on their robots, the team neglected to write up an engineering notebook, which was essential in the competitions.

They also learned how to better plan and test their robots.

This time, ODU VEXU entered in a competition at Purdue University for the VEX Regional Qualifiers.

Competing at Purdue gave them a chance to learn from both the prestigious university and from other top-ranked teams in attendance. It was here drivers Staleg and Samp-

"In a mad dash of trial and error..."

The competition was centered around a game called “Nothing But Net,” where robots are tasked with picking up balls scattered around a field and lobbing them into nets situated at the corners. Teams are allowed to bring multiple robots, but only two are allowed to compete in two different size categories. The first category only allowed robots that fit within a 15-inch cube, and the second only allowed bots that fit within a 24inch cube.

The team managed a successful run in Maryland, coming in fourth overall. They were particularly emphatic about their victory over Virginia Tech. In two rounds of direct head-to-head competition, ODU VEXU beat Virginia Tech in a separate robotic challenge of picking up and stacking cubes.

With their first victory at Maryland behind them, ODU VEXU achieved legitimacy in the eyes of the university and received more funding to

son faced the stress and obstacles of controlling their robots against the opposition’s own robots. ODU VEXU came in a respectable fourth place out of 10, though Styles insisted it should have been a “technical” third place. More impressively, they won a ranking of second in the world for programming skills.

ODU VEXU secured even more funding and an even better idea of what their robots needed to do for the next competition. Former robot “Djanky: Unchained” was rebuilt into “Peyton Manning,” and new robot “Cam Newton” played alongside.

ODU VEXU’s most recent competition was at the College of Southern Maryland. As was usually the case, their entry was not without problems.

“Cam” did not qualify initially because he was too big, but three hours of shaving and tweaking managed to get him within size requirement.

“Peyton’s” launching mechanism wasn’t working properly, but that

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too was fixed before the match. For this competition, “Cam” and “Peyton” were to score as many points as possible, completely autonomously without any control from the team.

One of the main rivals was “North American Robotics,” the No. 1 team at the time, composed of members from across the U.S. and Canada.

This top team managed a score of 315 before leaving early, but that was their mistake. ODU VEXU stayed the entire time and managed a top score of 321, which was even more impressive considering “Cam” was essentially the only robot making points with a perfect shot record. With that, ODU VEXU won and was, not officially, the No. 1 ranked in the world in programming skills.

ODU VEXU has qualified for the World Championships in April in Louisville, KY. They are currently designing four different robots to take with them, including “Cam Newton” and a redesigned “Peyton Manning.”

If they win, not only will they garner more recognition for ODU VEXU, but they hope to grow the club to include a secondary team for any nonengineers interested in robotics.

Starting from a rebuilt club and going all the way to the VEXU World Championship, ODU VEXU has taken a love of robotics and hard work a long way. As Matthew Staleg put it, “We started with a bucket scrap and then built a mobile bucket of scrap that works.” But not only does it work, it wins. ODU VEXU can be found in room 1125 of the Engineering System Building, or contacted at oduvexu@ gmail.com.

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Opinion

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Stef Wasko receiving an award from previous world championship winner Ciara Sexton.

Photo by Melanie Wasko

Irish Dance and My Final World Championship Natalie Painter, daughter of Charles the Monarch's owner Daniel Painter Sr., pleas for custody of the Big Blue look-a-like on Facebook on April 2.

Photo courtesy: Charles the Monarch Facebook

ODU Should Cut All Ties with Charles the Monarch Rob Blizard Executive Director, Norfolk SPCA It is unclear what relationship ODU has with Charles the Monarch, the Labradoodle whose owner is apparently so unwilling to keep his dog safe that he lets him roam. However, my hope is that the university and associated individuals and organizations will disavow a connection.

A Google search shows that three years ago Charles was honored at a basketball game half-time shortly after running through the streets, generating 911 calls from residents thinking a lion was running loose and making national news. A Pilot article from yesterday shows the dog was picked up by animal control after running free again. The same article notes that Charles has been brought into the city shelter by animal control four times since 2010. Such wandering throughout the city of Norfolk puts the dog at risk for being hit by cars and other fates; we do have leash and confinement laws in our city.

The Pilot also states that owner Daniel Painter will be charged with having a nuisance animal. But it seems to me that in this case the owner is the nuisance.

One evening three years ago while entering Fellini’s restaurant, I saw Charles sitting in the doorway with no one else around. When I posted the above-mentioned Pilot article on my Facebook page, friends responded with not only tales of seeing Charles running loose all over the place and huddled in doorways of local restaurants, but also one story about the owner laughing at people’s upset over the issue.

This is irresponsible pet ownership in the extreme. Please, ODU, if you have any connection with Charles, discontinue that connection as a statement in support of proper treatment of pets. Perhaps soon a judge will remove Charles from Painter’s ownership such that the university’s relationship with a dog who is, by all accounts, very sweet and certainly beautiful can continue.

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In addition to finishing my double major and working as copy editor of the Mace and Crown this semester, I have been training for the World Championships of Irish dance, which took place March 20-26 in Glasgow, Scotland. This past Saturday, I pinned on my blonde curls, danced in my bedazzled dance dress and claimed 12th in the world out of 200 qualified competitors in the “over 21” age group.

Last week marked my seventh and final world championship for Irish dance. The event was held in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, which brought back memories from my first venture overseas in 2010, when I competed at the same venue.

My mom, sister, boyfriend and I arrived in Glasgow on Sunday. I took the week off from school and copy-editing and cheered on my sister, dance students and friends from my dance school who competed throughout the week. I practiced in the evenings and spent the days touring Scotland.

We visited local pubs in Glasgow, ate greasy fish and chips, toured the Scottish castles in Edinburg and Sterling, paid homage to William Wallace, sipped scotch and road tripped to the breathtaking views of the Scottish highlands. We crammed each day and moment with new sights and tastes, until our last day in Scot-

land and my last day as a competitive Irish dancer.

I woke up early Saturday morning and began the long, glamorizing routine of fake tanner, false eyelashes and of course, the famous curly wig. I danced through the first two rounds of the competition, trying my best to avoid collisions with the other two dancers on stage with me. I watched regional, national and previous world champions take the stage for their two minutes before the panel of seven judges.

After the 200 competitors finished the first two rounds, I was “recalled” along with the other top 49 dancers to participate in the final, solo round.

By 6:30 p.m., the results were tabulated and I happily accepted my world medal for 12th place.

For those who aren’t sure what Irish dance is, you may be more familiar with the shows. Riverdance was the first Irish dance troupe. The company formed in the late ’90s and became popular with the star leads Michael Flatley and Gene Butler. A few years after Riverdance’s formation, Flatley left the show to start his own dance company called Lord of the Dance, which recently finished a tour on Broadway. Busch Gardens in Williamsburg also has its own, small Irish dance show called Celtic Fyre.

These companies use traditional Irish dance — with some non-traditional arm movements and choreography — to create exciting, full-

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length, live shows and have changed and grown the Irish dance community over the years.

Although I have some show experience, dancing for a summer in Celtic Fyre, I have spent the last 11 years primarily in the competitive world of Irish dance. I’ve trained under Heather Mailey Esposito at a dance school in Virginia Beach called The Reel Thing.

At 11 years old, I first learned my “soft shoe” dances, which are similar to ballet, but high-energy with jumps and spins. (See this video of me dancing a soft shoe dance called a slip jig.)

Then I moved on to the “clickityclackity” dances in “hard shoes.”

After a couple years of practicing anywhere from eight to 16 hours a week and competing at local competitions, I began attending regional championships and eventually qualified for the national and world-level competitions.

My highest accomplishments include winning the Southern Region Championship — which includes states from Maryland down to Florida and over to Texas — two consecutive years, placing 3rd in North America and coming 9th at the 2013 World Championships as the highest ranked American in my age group.

Irish dance has given me many great opportunities. I will miss competing, but will continue to dance for fun and to support my teacher.

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Opinion

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Dear Campus Community -

Last night, our campus community came together in two really beautiful ways. At 7:30 p.m., our students gathered together in front of Webb University Center to hold a vigil hosted by the 1ODU Student Inclusive Excellence Advisory Board to remember the lives lost during the recent terrorists attacks in various parts of the world. We came together in solidarity and were able to share one very important commonality - that we are Monarchs.

Being a Monarch Citizen has a duty to have one’s back and share concern and support for other fellow Monarchs.

While we paid respects to the friends and families affected in such tragedies around, we came together against a separate incident as well. Most of the campus community was made aware later in the evening of a flier depicting a Nazi group that made contact with our campus.

In these two instances, we could not be more thrilled with the quick reaction from our students to denounce the wrongdoing and promote a loving environment for all. Our campus community is very diverse and is working to ensure it is becoming more inclusive each and every day. In the last year alone, we have seen a substantial amount of events and programs that address topics such as gender identity and equity, Islamophobia, and #BlackLivesMatter.

With these recent incidents that have occurred, we are here to ensure that the community feels reassured of the welcoming community ODU creates and has sustained over many years. On behalf of the student body, we encourage you to continue to demonstrate the value we bring to each other's lives her on campus.

This senseless bigotry and hatred is not welcomed on our campus, and we hope to have your support as we continue to build a more inclusive campus! #ProtectThePride Best, Christopher Ndiritu Student Body President Bret Folger, Student Body Vice-President Rachael Edmonds, Director of Legislative Affairs and Diversity

Creative

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E NC L AV E Weebees For more work by Sky Welkin visit his website at Skywelkin.com

A Sonnet of Love Found

by Adam Flores I don’t know how you came into my life.

I was searching for you but unaware That you were before me this whole time.

I was looking in the great distance Not knowing what to see. Like a lost soul In need, wandering through the forest Walking in circles finding no way.

Through a kind act, simple and free, you gave Hope through action in thought and kindness To this lost soul who did not deserve.

Life is full of uncertainties. It can Be the perfect poem never seen.

My fear clutching me, this feeling alone, Now you are my lifesong, my love, my home.

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