April 7, 2016

WHAT’S SO FUNNY? HOW HAVING ASPERGER’S CAN AFFECT HUMOR IN JOKES

OPINIONS Pg. 5

Tearing up the track

Two-sport athlete Marissa Coombs becomes VWC’s first female track and field All-American. SPORTS page 7

THE MARLIN CHRONICLE THURSDAY 4.7.16 || MARLINCHRONICLE.VWC.EDU ||

VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE

College aspires to expand amid extensive turnover in admissions

BY ASHLEY KLINE aakline@vwc.edu

As we look to the class of 2020 and the many other classes to come, Virginia Wesleyan college set in place multiple large-scale plans for extensive expansion and change. The question remains: will these plans come to fruition?

Change was the motto the past few months in admissions, now referred to as enrollment services, with the sudden departure of Dean of Admission Nelson Davis and other enrollment staff members and the arrival of Vice President for Enrollment Services David Waggoner. With such vast changes, is the school equipped to make its immense plans a reality?

President Miller said that Davis accepted a position elsewhere.

“Anytime there’s a new president, there are changes in an organization,” Miller said. President Miller said he has faith in Waggoner and confidence in his decision to hire Waggoner.

“I was familiar with his work over the last twenty years from a number of institutions that competed with him for students… He brings to Virginia Wesleyan a skill set that we think is compatible with our philosophy on the enrollment program here. A talented individual with tremendous experience who we think will lead the program the way we want it to be led,” Miller said.

David Waggoner boasts an extensive history in college admissions and enrollment as well as a great deal of experience with small liberal arts colleges. Waggoner worked with the College of Mount Saint Vincent, which had a student population of less than 1,000 during his time of employment, and Upsala College, which also had a student population of less than 1,000. The college where he first got the opportunity to serve in a director of recruitment capacity was Monmouth University. There were 1,795 students attending Monmouth upon his arrival. By the end of his six-year career at the university, Monmouth’s undergraduate population doubled in size. The average SAT score also increased by approximately 50 points and the average GPA increased as well.

Waggoner said approximately 129 enrollment deposits were received from freshman in the class of 2020 and 11 were received from transfer students for this upcoming year. According to Waggoner, this puts the college ahead of last year’s rate. While enrollment is ahead on deposits, Waggoner also stated that they are slightly behind on acceptances. However, Waggoner said that the acceptances the college received are of high quality. The Center for Enrollment Services’ goal for the class of 2020 is 400 freshmen and 100 transfer students.

1,400 to

2,000 in 3 to 5 years SEE ADMISSIONS Pg. 2

Marlins go dark in campus-wide power outage New graduation

ticket limit gets students fired up

BY RYAN BREEN rmbreen@vwc.edu

Kayla Skeete| Marlin Chronicle Maintenance staff waits for further instructions to fix the broken power line outside the Fine Arts Building.

AN INSIDE LOOK History intern’s art displayed at Chrysler Museum page 4 LiveSafe app abused, students say page 6 Amazon debuts new delivery service page 6 Clarification: 3/10/16, News, page 2, “Apple of the FB Eye”: Android smartphones can be used with fingerprinting, iCloud and tracking features. A source was quoted saying that the phones do not have those features.

BY JUSTIN SMITH jrsmith2@vwc.edu

Virginia Wesleyan College suffered from a campus-wide power outage the morning of Tuesday, March 8, when the college’s maintenance staff accidentally struck an underground power line outside the Fine Arts building. The power was restored later that afternoon.

The maintenance staff was digging to repair a collapsed sewer line, according to Vice President for Facilities and Operations Bruce Vaughan.

“This is in an area that is very tight and where tree roots have invaded the sewer line in the past. We dug in an area that, by original drawings, should have been clear,” Vaughan said.

The maintenance staff conducted past digging in that location to repair broken sewer lines, so difficulties were not expected.

“We were at fault for the power cut,” Vaughan said. “Strict line-identifying rules have been established for future issues.

However, due to the proximity of the sewer lines to the power lines, there is no guarantee this cannot happen in the future.”

A Miss Utility ticket was not issued for this dig and this law requirement has been

reemphasized with appropriate disciplinary actions outlined to the VWC maintenance staff, according to Vaughan.

Miss Utility of Virginia is a part of the “Call-Before-You-Dig” system outlined in the Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act. This state law, established in 1979, requires that anyone who wishes to dig must call the Miss Utility hotline at least 48 hours before the scheduled dig.

Upon requesting clearance, Miss Utility will notify the appropriate utility companies to come to the excavation site to locate and mark the underground equipment.

According to the Miss Utility of Virginia website, following this law can prevent possible damage to underground utility lines, injury, property damage and service outages.

The blackout left Wesleyan students with dark dorms, cold showers and no Wi-Fi. Faculty and staff suffered from relocated classrooms and delayed daily operations.

The power outage was of most inconvenience to the Fine Arts building, according to Associate Professor of Theatre Dr. Travis Malone.

SEE POWER OUTAGE Pg. 2

Starting this year, graduates are now only allowed seven tickets for their guests to attend graduation. This issue caused an uproar among students and their families.

On Saturday, May 14, 2016, at 11 a.m., the 52nd class of Virginia Wesleyan College students will finally have a chance to display their fires to thousands of family, friends and colleagues.

Preparing for graduation can be a very trying and stressful time in one’s life, but this year can perhaps prove to be even more stressful than normal because of the new ticket limit.

“Worrying about the inability of not having our family and friends in attendance to celebrate with us is an added stressor to an already overwhelmingly hectic time,” senior Madison Carroll said.

“I understand that the school has to follow the fire marshal’s codes. However, I think the time in which this matter was brought to our attention was unprofessional and unsympathetic,” Theresa Yunger, a member of the class of 2016 said.

Yunger’s mother wrote a strongly-worded email to the school. In the email, Yunger’s mother expressed some very important aspects of the school’s decision.

“My daughter, Theresa Yunger, has a very large family (seven siblings) and will be the first to graduate in our family. I am highly disappointed in the late notice regarding the seven-ticket limit. Our family has already made flight and hotel reservations which cannot be cancelled without penalty,” Yunger wrote.

Additionally, Yunger’s brother arranged his deployment with the Army to coincide with her graduation so he could be in attendance.

In an email sent out to the graduates, Elaine Aird, accounts payable coordinator, pointed to some solutions for students who may have similar concerns to the Yunger family.

SEE GRADUATION Pg. 3

2 Thursday April 7, 2016 The Marlin Chronicle marlinchronicle.vwc.edu

NEWS

POWER OUTAGE CONTINUED FROM FRONT “The Fine Arts building was out of power for the entire day,” Malone said. When the sewer lines were finally being repaired, bathrooms and other plumbing were out of service for over three days.“That had consequences for the art classes who need the water for their classes,” Malone said.

Although being the biggest facility on campus, the Jane P. Batten Student Activities Center was not as heavily impacted, according to Dean of Freshman and Director of the Batten Center Jason Seward.

“Some areas, such as the pool and fitness room, were impacted the greatest,” Seward said.

Aside from the normal effects a power outage has, the Batten Center continued to operate and serve the Marlin community. Seward and the rest of the Batten staff were active in making sure no one was in harm’s way.

“Whenever a power outage occurs that affects the Batten Center, the first thought is the safety of students, faculty and staff within. Our staff is trained to circulate the building on a more frequent rotation to make sure there are no issues present,” Seward said.

Unlike most of the panic and inconvenience that ensued upon students, Seward said the power outage was a blessing in disguise.

“In all actuality, the power outage was a breath of fresh air,” Seward said.

“I thoroughly enjoyed being able to unplug from the everyday technological restraints that we have become accustomed to.”

Seward said this allowed him to better connect with students on a personal level, and the change of pace from seeing students consumed by phones and laptops to personal conversations was well-needed.

“It was nice to see some good old fashioned face-to-face communication,” he said.

Although it is not guaranteed that future issues similar to this power outage will not reoccur, precautionary steps are in place by the Virginia Wesleyan maintenance staff.

“If there is any doubt of what is in the ground or if mechanical equipment is used for digging, the area is to be marked for all utilities,” Vaughan said. “If an area is known to be congested with utilities, hand digging will be required.”

Vaughan said that if these steps were followed, this particular power cut would not have occurred.

The costs of damages have not been determined by Dominion Virginia Power, according to Vaughan.

Kayla Skeete| Marlin Chronicle Virginia Wesleyan College maintenance crew works on restoring campus electricity.

Food trucks weren’t craved enough

Thomas Mills| Marlin Chronicle Bro’s Fish Tacos food truck visits campus and serves students in Batten parking lot during the fall of 2014.

BY HARRISON KIRKLAND hdkirkland@vwc.edu

Virginia Wesleyan students continue to seek alternative food options on campus, especially for nighttime hours.

In the past, students expressed interest in bringing food trucks to campus to offer different food sources other than the dining options that are available to students currently.

Food trucks provide convenient and different food choices for students to alleviate the pain of leaving campus to eat.

“Food trucks coming in on weekends and other times when neither the caf nor grille is open would give students who do not have the opportunity or means to leave campus a chance to find food more convenient to them,” President of the Student Government Association (SGA) Cassandra McEwan said.

Other schools in Hampton Roads such as Old Dominion University (ODU) and Norfolk State University (NSU) offer other food options on campus. ODU has a Tropical Smoothie on campus for students to enjoy, and NSU has a Chick-fil-A on campus. The greater food options provide a sense of community to the students. Some VWC students believe food trucks can have the same effect on the Virginia Wesleyan campus.

“I believe that food trucks coming to campus benefits the community,” McEwan said.

The SGA led the food-truck initiative and requested special permission from Sodexo about two years ago to have the trucks on campus. Past permissions were granted by the director of dining services on a case-by-case basis.

Last year, the Wesleyan Activities Council (WAC) brought several food trucks to campus, including Bro’s Fish Tacos, Sofrito and Twin Tiger.

“In each case, WAC was required to pay the vendors a guaranteed come-out fee to cover overhead expenses and guarantee that they would make a profit; those fees materialized as the food coupons that were distributed to students,” Director of Student Activities Kate Griffin said.

Those costs were substantial. When WAC reduced the amount of coupons, relying more on students to make purchases, sales dropped significantly.

The dropping sales made VWC less desirable to vendors due to lack of profit. Many food truck businesses have an established schedule at large local businesses where they know they’ll make a larger profit than they would here on campus. Additionally, food truck businesses were hesitant to come to campus in the evenings because that is their prep time for the next day.

In order for Sofrito to make a profit, they would need to deliver 50-75 orders in one day. They make fresh food, which goes to waste if not sold. As a result, it costs them money to go places where they can’t sell that many orders.

One of the issues with food trucks not earning enough revenue on campus centers on the fact that students do not know they are there. It seems there is a large need or want for food trucks, but when they actually come, students don’t buy from them.

“It needs to be a partnership. The students need to want us there and the school needs to support us by letting the students know we are here,” Cassandra Ayala, employee of Sofrito said. “We need someone with a voice, someone who wants the food trucks on campus and will make it happen.”

Food trucks also face problems getting the permission from food services at schools and working around their food contract.

The lack of food options available on campus after 9 p.m. is causing many students to find ways to travel off campus during the late hours of the night. For those who cannot drive or do not own a car, acquiring food becomes more difficult still. The cafeteria typically closes at 7 p.m., and the Grille is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. There are no other food options available on campus after this time, and options become slimmer on the weekends.

According to President Miller, Virginia Wesleyan must increase the on-campus student population to 1,000 students before most companies will consider locating on campus. However, food trucks do not require these numbers.

Students say they miss the food trucks and wish they had the opportunity to have other food options on campus.

“Bringing food trucks to VWC works better for the vendors when we bring them on large special occasions (ex. Homecoming Tailgate 2016) or when organizations or offices can subsidize their costs. Student Activities is in talks with a vendor about a potential Reading Day visit,” Griffin said.

ADMISSIONS CONTINUED FROM FRONT Waggoner confirmed that on Thursday, March 24, two enrollment staff members were let go. One of these members supposedly gave her two-weeks notice at the time her employment was terminated. Waggoner said this was part of his effort to build a stronger and more unified team in enrollment.

The approach enrollment is taking towards acquiring and retaining students is different than any other used previously at this school. A call center to reach out to prospective students was established in Eggleston and operates 5-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The school is also communicating with prospective students through a greater number of electronic means.

President Miller said his desire is to increase the school’s enrollment from approximately 1,400 to 2,000 over a three-to-five-year period, 1,500 being full-time students. This is a goal President Miller said he feels confident the school should be able to reach by 2019 or 2020.

Although the growth will present substantial change to the college, VWC will still operate with a small school mentality.

“We’ll still be small by design. We’ll still be very customer-oriented. We still want every student to feel as if it’s a personalized relationship,” Miller said.

Additionally, there is a desire for 1,000 students to reside on campus as opposed to the current 840.

“Studies point to the fact that if you have 1,000 students living on campus, that that’s a magical number for critical mass at student activity events to provide increased dining services and create a campus atmosphere that’s more collegial in its approach,” Miller said.

Miller discussed the school’s plans to introduce a Master of Arts in Education program as well as a Master of Business Administration program, which would be exclusively online, in the next year in addition to three certification programs. The Master of Business Administration program will hopefully be instituted by next fall and the Master of Arts in Education will hopefully be instituted by next spring. President Miller said he believes that the addition of these graduate programs and certificate programs will work to make the school more attractive to prospective students.

In order to accommodate the ambitious growth the school is projected to experience over a relatively short period of time, plans are in the works for developing apartments close to campus immediately across Wesleyan Drive. It is the school’s hope that these apartments will appeal to older students, graduate students, faculty, staff and coaches.

Furthermore, there are aspirations of developing another dormitory on campus within the next three years. A firm will be coming to the school as part of a comprehensive master planning process. This will allow the college

Anthony Dellamura| Marlin Chronicle Pictured from left to right: Heather Campbell, Daniel Rollins and Rachal Weaver.

3

COMMUNITY The

MARLIN CHRONICLE Editor-in-Chief Courtney Herrick clherrick@vwc.edu News Editors Brian Le btle@vwc.edu Sarah Antozzi scantozzi@vwc.edu Community Editors Kaci Parker klparker@vwc.edu

Thursday April 7, 2016 The Marlin Chronicle marlinchronicle.vwc.edu

GRADUATION CONTINUED FROM FRONT similar concerns to the Yunger family. “If a graduate anticipates a need for more than seven tickets, he/she can request additional tickets beginning today, March 30, by going to the Business Office to log their request for additional tickets.

The deadline for requesting additional tickets is Friday, April 15, 2016,” Aird said in her email.

This short notice gave on- or near-campus residents a serious advantage in signing up on the list first but put commuters in a tough spot. It was noted around campus that students will only be granted just a few extra tickets if they sign up on time. This may come as a

huge shock to many other Wesleyan families.

“Graduation is not only a day to celebrate our great accomplishments, but to also make my family proud, as I am the first person in my family to go to college and graduate,” senior Kaitlyn Clunan, a member of the class of 2016 said.

There are many first-generation graduates that will be graduating from Virginia Wesleyan College.

“If only this announcement was brought to our attention earlier, then I feel parents and future graduates would not be so upset and frantic how they are going to have all of their loved ones to see them

graduate,” Yunger said.

This is the first year the ticketing rule was put in place. Last year’s high attendance count proved to be concerning for the school and the authorities.

The school has set up dates and times for students to request extra tickets. According to Aird, as additional tickets become available during the week of May 9, requests will be filled on a first-come, firstserve basis as indicated by the log in the business office. Graduates will be contacted about the opportunity for additional tickets via e-mail.

Val Miller| Marlin Chronicle

Jasmine Driggs jtdriggs@vwc.edu

The Marlin Prestige

Opinions Editor Michael Willson mnwillson@vwc.edu

Presents

The Weekender

Life Prep:What You Weren’t Taught in Class

Troy Aubut taaubut@vwc.edu Sports Editor Jamie Crawley jjcrawley@vwc.edu Photo Editors Anthony Dellamura aadellamura@vwc.edu Kayla Skeete krskeete@vwc.edu Illustrations Editor Britani Daley badaley@vwc.edu Val Miller vgmiller@vwc.edu Online Editor Maurice Reed mreed@vwc.edu Copy Editor

Samantha Small stsmall@vwc.edu

Advertising Representative Courtney Herrick clherrick@vwc.edu Social Media Jasmine Driggs jtdriggs@vwc.edu

The Marlin Chronicle is the official student newspaper of Virginia Wesleyan College. Staff meetings are held every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in Batten 217.

Signed submissions are welcome, but subject to the discretion of the editor. Letters are not edited for content, but may be edited for length. The views and opinions expressed in this newspaper may not necessarily reflect the views of the entire staff of The Marlin Chronicle or Virginia Wesleyan College.

The Marlin Chronicle Virginia Wesleyan College 1584 Wesleyan Drive Norfolk, VA 23502 757.455.3311

Each semester at Virginia Wesleyan there is a Marlin Prestige Business Conference held on campus that is hosted by the MBE 301 Management class. This class is in charge of all aspects of the conference.

The class is split into teams such as, marketing, finance, operations, informations, and human resources. C- Suite positions are also available. Among the C-Suite is the coveted CEO position. This semester, junior Mario Thourogood was elected the conference’s CEO. Mario is a youth minister at Faith World Ministries located in Norfolk.

Crystal Lunkin, Marketing Director of the conference, sat down with Mario to discuss the contents of each position.

that you have a vision. Not only do you have to have a vision in both roles but you have to be able to communicate that vision clearly. Also each role involves working diligently with people toward a shared goal. You also have to invest in the people that you’re leading, which involves looking past their flaws and looking into their heart.

1.How does it feel to be the first minister to be elected the CEO of the Marlin Prestige?

Ans: My initial reaction was shock. The candidates that I was up against were definitely skilled in numerous areas including experience in leadership positions. To be honest, I felt like the underdog.

5.Do you believe that your faith is compromised by the objective, results driven-nature of the business world?

Ans: Not at all. In fact, I’ve used what I’ve learned in ministry to help produce results in this business conference. Certain aspects such as my personality and speaking abilities have furthered the direction of this conference. I haven’t compromised anything. I’ve held fast to what I believe in but also to the objectives of this conference.

2.How would you describe your leadership style?

Ans: I would say that I am very direct and detailed. I’m always open for suggestions and ideas from my team. While I am easy going and laid back, I will put a fire underneath my team if things are not being accomplished effectively and efficiently.

3.What are some similarities between the 2 roles of CEO and minister?

Ans: Both positions require

“As a former collegiate student newspaper editor, professional journalist and long-time advisor for the Society of Collegiate Journalists, I understand the role and value of student media at a liberal arts college. Virginia Wesleyan College proudly supports the editorial independence and press freedom of student-edited publications.

We believe that student editors have the authority to make all content decisions and consequently, assume full responsibility for decisions they make.”

--Scott D. Miller, Ph.D President

4.Is one role harder than the other, if so how?

Ans: I would say that both roles has their own set of challenges.Being a minister centers around being a spiritual guide while being a CEO centers on guiding others toward a more carnal, objective goal. I think I do a good job of balancing both.

6.Have you gained skills/ knowledge from the conference that you plan to apply to ministry?

Ans: I would say I’ve utilized the marketing functions of the conference in spreading the word about church services and events. I’m an avid user of social media, flyers, and word of mouth to promote ministry

events which all have been used by our marketing department to advertise our business conference.

7.What can we expect from the business conference this semester?

Ans: You can expect this semester’s business conference to be fun, interactive, and informative. Our aim this semester is to equip our attendants with the necessary tools needed in everyday scenarios. We want our audience to be well informed individuals who had a enjoyable time furthering their knowledge.

Practical skills are taking precedence this semester-Why look like a million dollars but have a welfare state of mind?

8.What is your favorite movie?

Ans: The Lion King This year’s theme for The Marlin Prestige is Life Prep: What You Weren’t Taught in Class. There will be an invite only Kick-Off Dinner on April 18th. During the week there will be speakers for the following topics: Life Insurance, Health Insurance, Car Insurance, Credit Cards and Loans, Real Estate, Home and Renter’s Insurance, Retirement, Investment, Banking and Taxes. The conference will begin April 19 and end April 22. There is a full list of details on the Virginia Wesleyan website.

Get updates on The Marlin Prestige Facebook Page: The Marlin Prestige Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: PrestigeVWC Follow us on SnapChat: MarlinPrestige Advertisement

4 The Marlin Chronicle | marlinchronicle.vwc.edu

Thursday, April 7, 2016

CAMPUS Audrey Thames countdown April 7th Flavius Josephus: Judaism for a Roman Audience Time: 6 p.m.- 7 p.m.

Location: Clarke 118

Rabbi Michael Panitz will deliver this year’s Classics Department Lecture on the complicated and fascinating historian Flavius Josephus, author of an account of Titus’ and Vespasian’s Jewish War.

April 9th Marlins Make A Difference Day Join fellow Marlins for a day of service on Sat., April 9 at one of five agencies in our community that serve the elderly, homeless, animals, hungry and/or environment.

For more information, contact Diane Hotaling with the Office of Community Service at 757.455.3216.

Communication Virginia Beach, Virginia

BY JASMINE DRIGGS jtdriggs@vwc.edu

Q: “What is your most memorable experience at Wesleyan?”

A: “This is probably not the most ‘politically correct’ answer, but my entire first week and a half of freshman year was unforgettable; everything from my friends at the time to the parties (yes, they actually existed at one point). Also, I could never forget the day I came out for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., freshman year. That moment was so special and indescribable.”

Q: “Knowing what you know now, what would you have done differently as a freshman?”

A: “I honestly can’t say there is anything I would change because as cliché as it may sound, I’ve learned so much from past experiences and truly grown. However, I WISH that I had been surer of my strength and abilities because that entire year would have been much more enjoyable.”

Senior Isis Percell | Courtesy

Q: “What is your favorite thing about Wesleyan?”

A: “My favorite thing is that although VWC is filled with so much tradition, we still manage to progress and remain current. Each year, I see a little bit more diversity and appreciation for the arts, which warms my heart.”

Q: “What are your plans after you graduate?”

A: “After graduation, I’ll be moving to Georgia to attend the Savannah College of Art & Design to study luxury and fashion management. My dream job has always been to work in the fashion industry but more specifically on the business side, so this will set me up for that career.”

Q: “What advice would you give to the rising seniors?”

A: “I would tell them to not be afraid to fail. Even though you’re so close to the “end,” you’re still so young and still learning, so you have time to figure it all out. Our college years are only the preface to a book full of many chapters and multiple stories, so seize the moment.”

April 13th Etiquette Dinner

Time: 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Location: Shafer Room Students are invited to participate in a four-course meal to learn proper dining etiquette and table manners. The dinner will be facilitated by Paullette Reed, owner of the Intercultural School of Etiquette. For more information, contact the CDIP at 757.455.3337.

April 14th Revisiting Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood

Freshman Audrey Thames | Courtesy

Time: 12:00 p.m.-12:50 p.m.

Location: Blocker Auditorium This collection of essays discusses the impact of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” on a mass audience of young people. VWC professors and essay contributors will discuss how Fred Rogers used his show to promote pro-social messages.

CRIME BLOTTER

Courtesy|Thinkstock March 9 11:36 p.m. |Assault Village I No description.

March 13 12:07 a.m. |Controlled Substance Village III No description.

April 2 1:50 a.m. |Liquor Law Violation Village III No description.

April 2 10:45 a.m. |Liquor Law Violation Village I No description.

Britani Alyse | Marlin Chronicle

Dream internship with Chrysler Museum of Art Stephanie Deach is one step closer to achieving her childhood ambition of becoming a curator.

BY LAURISSA SENECAL ljsenecal@vwc.edu

During her internship at the Chrysler Museum of Art, junior history major Stephanie Deach had what might be called a well-decorated workspace. A large percentage of her time was spent looking through the Chrysler’s expansive storage rooms, all while trying not to bump into various masterpieces as she worked as a museum curator coordinating a new exhibit.

Deach’s experience was unique in comparison to most internships. Far from being treated like a coffee-fetching errand runner, Deach was presented with a museum badge and told that for the three months she worked at the museum, she would be treated like any other paid curator.

“They treated me at the same level as everyone else,” Deach said.

For Deach, this internship was nothing short of a dream come true. Since she was a child, it has been her dream to become a museum curator at the Neues Museum in Berlin. After taking an internship prep class on museum monuments with Assistant Professor of History Kathleen Casey, she entered the internship at the Chrysler Museum, acquiring a resume-boosting experience that may help her achieve her dream job in the future.

The Chrysler Museum gave Deach what at first felt like a daunting task. She was instructed to work alongside the Brock Curator of American Art Dr. Crawford Alexander Mann III to put together an exhibit of about fifty photographs taken by a twentieth-century Norfolk photographer named Harry C. Mann (1866-1926).

While working to achieve this goal, Deach was surrounded daily by artwork so valuable that most people would be rendered speechless. Overwhelmed by the monetary value of the works surrounding her, Deach said she often worried she might damage important historical pieces. She remembers how one day while walking through the storage rooms, Dr. Mann picked up a painting and tried to pass it to her saying, “Here, do you want to hold this Picasso?” A startled Deach replied with “No! I do not,” shrinking back from Dr. Mann’s generous offer.

“I had lots of funny encounters like that,” Deach said.

One of the benefits of Virginia Wesleyan College’s small student population is that students have a greater chance of landing life-changing internships. Deach’s experience is just one example.

“Reflecting on it now, I could probably write down a lot about what I had to do,” Deach said. “I had one semester to learn how to be a curator and build an exhibit.”

Deach had to learn about different aspects of photography, go over Mann’s pictures with a magnifying glass noting advertisements and faces in the background, make dozens of wall texts describing each pic-

Val Miller| Marlin Chronicle ture and become an expert on Mann’s life through hours of individual research.

Research, it turns out, that did not come easy. Mann was from a time when artists were not valued and, as such, there is very little information on his life. However, the information Deach was able to find should be enough to make any Norfolk resident proud of his or her city’s history.

Harry C. Mann was a pioneer in photography. His stunning photographs of Hampton Roads harken back to a lost time when Nor-

folk was in its early stages of development.

Winning awards in both France and Great Britain in the early 1900s, Mann became one of the first world-renowned photographers. His work was so fascinating that it inspired other photographers like Carol Walker, leading to many innovations in the field of photography.

The rosy-colored photos that Deach became so well-versed in captivate a wide audience. They capture life in the early 1900s in a way that not many photographers have been able to. Mann’s work focused on two main categories: his pictures of nature, specifically beaches, and his pictures of Norfolk in her infant stages. According to Deach, he loved to document Norfolk’s changing landscape. He took pictures of buildings being built and others burning down. He marked seasonal changes, sometimes returning to take the same picture at different times of day, noting how light changes with different exposures.

For Norfolk residents, his pictures walk the line between familiarity and unfamiliarity. Mann’s “View of Ghent and the Botetourt Street Bridge” depicts a well-known cityscape missing key buildings and monuments. His photos are like baby pictures of loved ones. They capture glimpses of what Norfolk once was, but cannot ever depict who she is now.

The photographs are a monument to a changing Norfolk and a reminder that the world we live in now will never stay the same. Mann captured the spirit of Norfolk at a time when William Howard Taft was president and the United States only consisted of forty-seven states. Women didn’t have the right to vote and World War I hadn’t even begun.

The exhibit will open on April 16 in the Willoughby-Baylor House in Ghent. Deach said she is overwhelmingly grateful to Virginia Wesleyan for the experience she had at the Chrysler Museum of Art. As a result of her experience, she hopes she will be able to someday work at the Neues Museum in Berlin, fulfilling her lifelong dream.

5

OPINIONS

Thursday April 7, 2016 The Marlin Chronicle marlinchronicle.vwc.edu

Humor from the perspective of having Asperger’s Syndrome

BY STEPHANIE SINGER smsinger@vwc.edu

Is there anything more universal than humor? Through most of human history and in just about every society, humor has played a major part.

The ancient Greeks were masters of comedy. They held drama festivals dedicated to funny plays and the follies of human nature.

Classical Chinese philosophy, especially Taoism, featured tongue-in-cheek anecdotes to illustrate significant tenets. Buddhist monks employed verbal brainteasers to free their disciples from ordinary thinking. For example: “If only one hand is clapped, what sound does it make?” Elaborate motifs on ceramics often hid a riddle and a clever answer.

Today, humor is used to comment on current events, such as on Saturday Night Live. Jokes among friends, stand-up acts, parodies, satire and running gags in sitcoms… see where I’m going? Humor is ubiquitous. It can’t be avoided.

However, every now and then, there’s

someone who doesn’t understand the jokes. People view him or her as a killjoy, say “lighten up” or even resort to ridicule.

Then, when the person dares to take a few shots at being funny, he or she misses the mark.

Before anyone starts laughing in a mean way, take a step back and think. What if this person just doesn’t get humor as a part of her personality? How would you feel if instead of understanding the joke, other people think you’re a joke?

Now step forward again. You’ve thought this over a bit, right? Good. Now, here are seven more words for consideration: welcome to a life with Asperger’s Syndrome.

Doctors came up with the standards for Asperger’s Syndrome in the early 1990s, which means it’s fairly new in the handbook. Many characteristics of Asperger’s Syndrome overlap with high-functioning autism and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Because of the overlap, it is often in-

correctly diagnosed.

People with Asperger’s Syndrome are highly intelligent. They solve difficult problems that leave “normal” people confused. Their sensory input seems heightened all the time.

So what could go wrong with extreme smarts, finding solutions and super-senses? Well, the experts didn’t tack “syndrome” on the end without reason. Problems range from below-average social skills to sensory overload. And there’s yet another problem that the general population overlooks: people with Asperger’s Syndrome frequently misinterpret humor.

So should we stop using humor in case someone misinterprets it? Abolishing humor won’t help. Instead, here are ways you can make humor more accessible.

Explain the basics of the joke. Don’t explain it in a condescending manner; they’re too smart for that. Once they understand, they might find it funny.

Encourage them to practice using hu-

mor. A good starting point could involve a story joke or a one-liner. People with Asperger’s Syndrome can be great storytellers. Their directness can make for welltimed zingers.

Some take offense to humor. Apologize, and politely explain that it’s a joke.

Finally, try to foster understanding and celebrate differences. It seems impossible when people become the butt of jokes.

Break that habit and encourage others to follow your lead. When everyone shows respect, we can all laugh and smile together.

Why it is important to get vaccinated

BY ANDREW DELUCA amdeluca@vwc.edu

Britani Alyse| Marlin Chronicle

Okay, so let’s get some stuff out of the way; I’m not a doctor. I hope I will be one someday, but I’m not one now.

However, I am someone who’s done enough research about vaccines over the past few years to be somewhat qualified to scream and yell at people when they say inaccurate information that sounds like the first result on a Google search of “Do vaccines cause autism?” This search will subsequently lead to Google searches like “My child’s coughing his lungs up, what do I do?” or “I’m too embarrassed to tell my doctor that my child is sick because I didn’t follow his instructions, how can I say that this is their fault?” or “How much are infant coffins?” You can tell how savage this is going to be from the start, right?

In the time that I have existed on this planet, which is less than two decades, I have experienced anger: I’ve had toys taken out of my hands by older relatives, people have left me when I needed them most and I have seen injustice dealt. All of these feelings are valid and they cannot be ranked, yet one of the most common and most specific forms of my anger is specifically concentrated and defined toward those who debunk centuries of research through experimentation via trial and error. Those who effectively smother the contributions of lives toward the saving of others. Those who do not vaccinate their kids because they think that it will mess them up in some way, shape or form. Let’s discuss what these ways, shapes and forms are, along with why they’re not true.

One of the major discussions that I hear about vaccines is that they’re not necessary because we have an immune system. We can do this on our own; we don’t need vaccines to help us out if we have an immune system to stomp on any diseases that come by. Well, we do need vaccines because of the nature of our immune system. Our immune systems are essentially comprised of two parts: the adaptive system and the innate system. The innate system is what everyone’s referring to when they discuss how we don’t need vaccines because something is stomping out the diseases already, as the innate system’s job is to remember the disease that infected the human body and produce the antibodies necessary to combat it. But this can only happen in the first place with the contribution of the adaptive system. The adaptive system is the system that first sees the infection and produces the antibodies to counter the infection. Only after being exposed to the disease can the antibodies be produced to stop it, and only after the adaptive system has been set into motion can the innate system also be set into motion. We need vaccines because our immune system can’t do it on its own.

I’m sure that everyone has heard this phrase at least once in their lives: “vaccines cause autism.” Yeah, they don’t. How could that even be possible in the first place? Sure, there’s an increase in children getting vaccines. And sure, there’s an increase in children developing (notice how I didn’t say “contracting”) autism. But we’re all forgetting one of the biggest rules of scientific experimentation and analysis of data to determine a result: correlation does not imply causation. This means that just because some data points may be similar, they do not imply that one directly impacts the other. There’s been an increase in internet usage as well as an increase of vaccine usage. Following the logic of vaccines causing autism, we could also argue that the internet causes autism.

We have yet to discuss why the parents of America had their panic attacks about vaccines causing autism in the first place, so let’s do that now. Dr. Andrew Wakefield, whom I am ashamed to share my first name with, is the main person responsible for all of this mess. He almost single-handedly created the biggest medical hoax of the 21st century by convincing a portion of the world that vaccines cause autism in infants and adolescents.

However, he neglected to think about how the scientific community would respond to this “discovery.” Dr. Wakefield was found to have used invasive and inappropriate methods while conducting this experiment, and he ended up falsifying most of his data, therefore making it impossible to reproduce. When he was discovered, he was stripped of his license to practice. But the damage had already been done. The rumor among the scientific community and among parents began to spread: vaccines might cause autism.

So let’s neglect everything for a moment. Forget everything I just said for the next thirty seconds as you ponder this question: even if vaccines did cause autism, would you prefer your child to die from completely treatable and potentially curable diseases than see them become mildly autistic?

Let’s say that you would prefer your child to die. What about the other children that your grimy little kid will be around?

Viruses and diseases spread quickly. They evolve quickly. Herd immunity is very much a real thing that you’re contributing to or hindering when you vaccinate or don’t vaccinate your kids. So let’s talk about it.

Herd immunity is the concept of protection of the weaker thanks to the fortification of the stronger. Say your child has cancer and is currently undergoing chemotherapy and can’t have vaccines because they would literally kill your child because his or her immune system is mush from radiation. Or, say it’s something simpler, like your child being allergic to one specific type of vaccine: meningitis, tetanus or even polio. Your child cannot be vaccinated for that virus/disease, and you’re afraid for your child’s life when flu season comes around because his or her body is incapable of producing antibodies to prevent the death of this virus. But, all the children in your child’s class got vaccines, and they’re protected. They won’t get sick, so your child also won’t get sick. It’s the same deal the other way around: your child was vaccinated, so another child won’t get sick.

I would like to conclude by saying a few things about the morality of vaccines. For over 200 years we have been vaccinating children and adults in at least some way. People gave their lives toward the prevention and cure of diseases that have kept the human race alive today without any major epidemics. However, there is a rising fear now of children contracting measles again (when we had almost eradicated it) because parents aren’t vaccinating their children for it. Let that sink in. Children are dying of completely preventable diseases because their parents refuse to vaccinate them, and then they spread that disease to other children who also weren’t vaccinated, and before you know it we have another epidemic on our hands that could have been easily prevented.

I understand if you don’t want to poison your children with the advancement of Western medicine, so allow me to make a suggestion: pull your children out of school, homeschool them and prevent any disease they will contract from getting around any other children by keeping it in your household. If the disease comes, pray it away. Also, if you’re going to that length, don’t pay for health care. Just don’t. And don’t listen to the evil apothecaries who are your doctors and pediatricians. What good do they know? They make mistakes, too. They haven’t gone to school for 4+ years to be qualified to say these things, and they don’t have a community of medical professionals behind them to prove/deny anything that they say.

So, if you picked up on my sarcasm in the last paragraph, good for you. Here’s something you can do if you’re still concerned: go and talk to your doctor/pediatrician. Tell them that you’ve heard about the danger that is linked with vaccines and request some external reading or data from some studies about vaccines. Ask to be told about how vaccines work, what they do for the human body, the contents of the vaccines you’re being injected with and what they do. Don’t be afraid to show signs of curiosity. They’ll probably be happier that you’re asking them about it rather than Google.

People smarter than you and I have been working to develop vaccines, antibiotics, treatments and cures for centuries. Please don’t be stupid by skipping your vaccine this year, or spreading false information that spreads fear or stop taking your antibiotics because you feel better. Bacteria evolve when people don’t take their antibiotics for the full period of time. Not all the bacteria were killed, and the bacteria that remain now have the genetic coding to resist that antibiotic in the future so another type of antibiotic has to be developed, which could take a while. Do be a concerned member of your society by taking action about vaccines and by requesting information to make a more educated conclusion, but do so appropriately and responsibly by talking to the people in your area that know more about it. Please, I’m begging all of you. Let’s end this discussion now.

We’ve known the correct answer for decades. Just let it go and vaccinate your kids.

Letter to the Editor

Want to voice your opinion? Disagree with an article? Do you want to address an issue that we haven’t written about yet?

We will be accepting letters to the Editor for the upcoming issue! Please submit all letters to the Editor-in-Chief, Courtney Herrick, via email at clherrick@vwc.edu Policy: Letters must be submitted by 12 p.m. on April 19, 2016 to be considered for publication. Student, staff and faculty are eligible participants. There is a 350 word maximum, and it must include your name, email and phone number for verfication. All entries will be reviewed, but unedited.

6 The Marlin Chronicle | marlinchronicle.vwc.edu

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Amazon offers speedy new delivery service

BY RYAN BREEN rmbreen@vwc.edu

One of the world’s most popular companies, Amazon, is known for its quality, lower priced and easily acquired products. Amazon opened its virtual doors in 1994.

Since then, Amazon has created many different selling ploys in order to improve sales and customer satisfaction. The company recently implanted a new marketing strategy called Amazon Prime Now. Amazon Prime Now is not available in all areas. However, if you would like to have speedy one-hour or two-hour delivery and you live in a certain zip code, you are in luck! On their website, Amazon states, “Two-hour delivery is FREE and one-hour delivery is available in most areas for just $7.99.”

Prime Now is available from early morning to late night, seven days a week. The service is currently available in select areas including: Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Los Angeles/Orange County, Miami, Minneapolis and St. Paul, Nashville, New York City, Phoenix, Portland, Raleigh, Richmond, Sacramento, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle/Eastside and Virginia Beach, according to the website.

This seems like a very practical option if you need something quickly and can’t stand to wait for it. For example, did your running shoes kick the bucket? Do not fear, you’ll have new ones within one to two hours! This will certainly make life easier and, if successful, will allow Amazon to revolutionize productivity.

This new service also allows for speedy delivery of food from your favorite restaurants in certain areas. With that being said, I can’t help but think of the potential longevity of the service. There are many factors that contribute to this service surviving including branching out to different areas, expansion of products and the continuation of low costs.

In the comments section on Amazon.com, customers described their experiences with Prime Now. One user mentioned the limited selection of items.

Another mentioned his or her excitement about the service, but reeled about the $10 suggested tip amount. Both customers seemed to think the traditional free two-day shipping was better than the Prime Now service due to the limited items and layers of additional fees. It is advised that you tip the Amazon drivers for their service, but this cannot be done in cash.

This is just the thing that I was Val Miller| Marlin Chronicle worried about. The shipping is advertised to be $7.99. However, this is not accurate because that does not include other fees, such as a tip.

I am honestly not shocked about the extra money for the tip. Just like everything, it is not always how it seems. However, is the driver being paid minimum wage? Do they just rely on tips? These are important factors to consider. I look forward to learning more about this service and seeing if it proves to be popular.

Open-source software provides new opportunities

BY STEPHANIE SINGER smsinger@vwc.edu

Let’s face it: most college students don’t have a lot of money. Even when they get out of college, they rarely find a good job right away. In this technologically-centered world, it’s almost impossible to avoid purchasing some gadget or another. As anyone knows, comparing options causes headaches. Then when it’s time to decide, be prepared to cough up the cash; lots of it.

Computers, tablets and smartphones all have one thing in common: they need software to fully function. Unfortunately, software is another beating on the budget.

Any digital artist will tell you two sobering facts. One, they do not get to “sit around and draw all day.” Creating is hard work. Two, they’re a new breed of “starving artists.”

When the required software costs hundreds of dollars, digital artists can’t afford other essentials. Not to mention most graphics software has a steep learning curve.

Even basic productivity software such as Microsoft Office starts more problems than it solves. It’s notorious for high prices and low cross-compatibility. If one person is making a presentation in Keynote and another is using PowerPoint, wish them good luck with collaboration. They’ll need all the luck they can get.

It seems hopeless, doesn’t it? Well, never fear! Open-source software is here!

What exactly does open-source mean? Open-source means users can view, edit and re-publish the source code. Copyright regulations are either loose or non-existent. In other words, anyone can tinker with the innermost workings of the software and share it with the world. Since there’s virtually no licensing, open-source software is free of

charge.

Not a programmer? Not a problem! Aside from being free, both in cost and in options for development, open source-software has other benefits.

Crashes happen. Open-source software can remedy that. It’s known for higher security and fewer code errors. The numbers speak for themselves: Linux, a major developer of open-source software has an average of 0.17 bugs per 1000 lines. Proprietary software has an average of 20 to 30 bugs per 1000 lines.

“Effective collaboration” is a phrase that’s easier said than done. Using different computers adds to the problem. It doesn’t have to be that way. Open-source software allows you to save your project as a file that can function on everyone’s computer.

Few people have time to watch and read lengthy tutorials to figure out proprietary software. Open-source software is much more user-friendly in this aspect. If you do have time for tutorials, usually they’re not too long. I speak from experience on this point.

There are open-source equivalents to most proprietary software. Not a fan of Adobe?

You’ll love Inkscape and GIMP. Ready to part ways with Microsoft Office? Make the switch to LibreOffice. Are browsers such as Safari and Internet Explorer not working for you? Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome will do the job.

Try at least one type of open-source software. It’ll be worth it. However, if you suddenly dislike proprietary software, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

LiveSafe app is now known as SnitchSafe

BY CYNTHIA GRIFFIN cigriffin@vwc.edu

Britani Alyse| Marlin Chronicle

Download LiveSafe. Use it but don’t abuse it.

LiveSafe is an app students can use to connect to campus security and stay safe. Users can report crimes, assaults and even send noise complaints. Tips may be submitted anonymously.

Students can even use the app to contact security if they need an escort when walking across campus at night. While you can use the app to send in reports and tips, you can also use it to make sure your friends are safe when walking around campus at night.

The Safewalk section affords students the option to ask friends to watch them walk to their destination. The LiveSafe app makes staying safe at your college much easier.

In the past couple of months, some students on campus abused the LiveSafe app. This abuse happens on the weekends with different socials occurring on campus. Some students used the app to shut down socials prematurely.

The fraternity Sigma Nu received most of that abuse. Most of Sigma Nu’s socials in the past month or so were shut down because someone made a false noise complaint. Most of those noise complaints were for loud music. It often takes more than one complaint for a social to get shut down, but when they do, it happens fast.The security officers on campus take LiveSafe tips

and reports very seriously.

It is horrible that Sigma Nu is getting targeted like this and having their socials shut down. I do not know why someone would target Sigma Nu specifically, but I do know that it is hard to find out who has been targeting the fraternity since most of tips sent into LiveSafe are anonymous.

When I first heard about the LiveSafe app, I thought it was a pretty cool idea. I hoped that I never would have to report anything to LiveSafe, but it was comforting to have the ability to report something anonymously right on my phone. I have only put in a tip to LiveSafe once or twice, but it was very quick and simple. Finding out that the LifeSafe was being abused is not surprising. A lot of students have the app but never use it, and some students have never even downloaded it at all.

With the way people abused the app recently, I’m afraid the school might get rid of it altogether. LiveSafe is a great app with a good and easy concept. It is very convenient and helpful, so I would hate for something so good to be taken away because some people are taking advantage of it. Let students and anyone else who holds a social enjoy it in peace without unnecessary interruptions.

CORRECTION In the March 10 issue, the piece “The lesser debate: which was worse,” reported that Hourigan Construction was responsible for the power outage that occured on campus on March 8. This information was incorrect. The power outage was caused by the college’s maintenance staff. We regret this error.

Check out our online issue at marlinchronicle.vwc.edu

7

SPORTS

Thursday April 7, 2016 The Marlin Chronicle marlinchronicle.vwc.edu

Coombs runs into history DUGOUT the

Coombs became the first women’s track and field athlete to achieve All-American status

The Dynasty We All Ignore

JAMIE CRAWLEY is a senior majoring in communication

Facebook |Courtesy

Aimelie Ronquillo |Courtesy

BY ALEXIS PLATT amplatt@vwc.edu

Sophomore Marissa Coombs trained six times a week and gave 100 percent every practice. Her hard work and dedication were catalysts for her being named an NCAA AllAmerican in the mile event during the NCAA indoor championships held in Grinnell, Iowa.

It was a historical moment for Virginia Wesleyan athletics as it marked the first time a female track and field athlete accomplished such a feat.

For an athlete to be recognized as an All-American, he or she has to finish in the top eight in the event at the national meet. Coombs crossed the tape in seventh place, which preserved her spot in school history.

Coombs, while being a member of the track and field team, also plays midfield for the VWC women’s soccer team. Originally, Coombs saw track as a way to keep her conditioned for soccer. She didn’t start running track until her junior year of high school at Kittatinny Regional High

School in Sussex County, New Jersey. She ran track her senior year of high school as a way to stay in shape for soccer, not realizing that she would come to college and become an AllAmerican track star.

“I am truly honored to be the first woman All-American at Virginia Wesleyan track and field. I know there are going to be girls down the road from now to follow in my footsteps, and I’m happy that I could pave the way,” Coombs said.

Coombs set a new personal record running a 4:56.45 mile at the Old Dominion Conference track meet in the mile. She is one of three people in the Old Dominion Conference who ran a mile under five minutes.

“After the race, I was so ecstatic not only to be named AllAmerican but to have broken the five minutes in the mile,” Coombs said. “I had this goal in the back of my mind going into the season. I knew I needed to work hard in practice, fuel my body right and make sure I was taking care of my body

before and after practice.”

Coombs said she goes by the motto of never settling.

“I’m always looking forward to the future and always pushing myself beyond my comfort zone,” she said.

Teammates have also praised Coombs’ effort and they believe it has made a positive impact not only on their team, but for the school as a whole.

“She is setting great standards for other mile and longdistance runners. She showed everyone that you can go all the way without having a facility or anything else we need to be successful,” said mid-distance runner/jumper Alexis Coverton.

Sprinter Tiffany Lennon also voiced her support for Coombs and appreciates what she brings to the table.

“I am extremely proud of all of the things that Marissa has accomplished in her short time at this school. She consistently gives her all in practice and it is apparent in her dominant performances in our meets,” Lennon said.

“I feel like VWC has tremendous female athletes across the board in every sport, and Marissa’s success, as well as the performances of other female athletes, will give the proper exposure that the women’s teams deserve,” Lennon added.

Now that Coombs has competed in the NCAA Championship meet, she is hungry to make it back again during outdoor season and during future seasons.

“It feels great to be named an All-American. I’m filled with such a genuine sense of accomplishment having the honor to run in the NCAA championship meet,”Coombs said.

With Coombs’ success, she will become a part of VWC’s athletic history and be a role model for many other athletes who seek to make history.

FOR MORE SPORTS FOLLOW: @MarlinSports

The humble face of Virginia Wesleyan women’s lacrosse

BY COREY KING ckking1@vwc.edu

Many people on campus know the name Megan Schallock. You can count on seeing her smiling at the Rec-X desk during the day, in the dorms or, because of her stellar accomplishments, on the lacrosse field.

You may know the name, but you may not really know her.

Schallock from Waukesha, Wisconsin, describes herself as a laid-back, funny, adventurous person who loves to have a good time.

This laid-back sophomore Marlins lacrosse player turned many heads as a freshman. Her freshman campaign consisted of her landing in the record books in two key offensive categories. She is second all time in goals scored in a season with 72, and she is tied for third place in goals in a game with eight. Schallock led not only VWC, but the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) in goals scored.

She also took home a plethora of postseason honors, which include ODAC Rookie of the Year, First-team All-ODAC, Second-team All-Region and All-State Rookie of the Year.

Schallock making first-team AllODAC and being named AllState Rookie of the Year was a first for the women’s lacrosse program at Virginia Wesleyan.

Throughout the season,

Schallock said she tries to put the thoughts of breaking records on the back burner.

“My parents do, and they constantly bug me about it but I just play to play the game that I love. All that stuff will come with it if I work hard and put

has superstitions that have become an integral part of her craft. For example, before her games, Schallock goes through her pre-game rituals. Many athletes in general have their rituals. Some athletes wear the same socks every game. Other athletes have to

eat Ant e l c in certain i hon hron y De l l a the work things or mura |Marlin C necessary to set do certain things or break records,” she said. the night before the game.

Schallock possesses a specific Schallock is no different. talent that sets her apart from “I listen to throwback many of her counterparts in the music—the type of music that game of lacrosse.

I can sing along to because that “I’m good at placing my gets me the most hype. I clean shots,” Schallock said. my stick and my shoes before She, like many other athletes, every game,” Schallock said.

In today’s sports world, many athletes are said to be self-motivated. For Schallock, this is not the case.

“My favorite aspect is playing lacrosse and playing with my best friends out there on the field every day,” Schallock said.

Her teammates admit that they enjoy having her on the field as well as what she brings to the table as a player and as a teammate.

“Megan is a great player! I was super impressed when she came to play at school. She has a super humble soul and is always willing to help and make her teammates better. Like every player, she does have her moments, but it is only because she loves the game and cares about the team that much,” junior Jaquelyn Gabaldon said.

There are other things in life for Schallock than just lacrosse.

“I like to go on adventures, hang out with my friends, play lacrosse and go to the beach,” Schallock said.

This college athlete is not cutting her college experience short. Coming from Wisconsin, Schallock never had the beach at her disposal, so she said she is taking full advantage of it now.

Schallock looks to continue her success at the collegiate level as well as balance the social life and academic aspects of school.

In the world of sports the term “dynasty” is one that isn’t thrown around senselessly. For a team to be considered a dynasty, the pivotal tenets of extraordinary and legendary have to be present. Consistency is also a key factor. Teams like the New England Patriots from 2001 to 2005, the Los Angeles Lakers of the 1980s and early 2000s, the New York Yankees from 1996 to 2001, and John Wooden’s UCLA Bruins from 1964 to 1975 are just some of the teams that are considered dynasties in their respective sports and embody the term “greatness”. These teams are celebrated in sports history, but there’s one sports dynasty that doesn’t get the credit they deserve. That team? The lady Huskies of the University of Connecticut’s (UConn) women’s basketball team.

A team led by the charismatic Geno Auriemma produced championship season after championship season with a plethora of All-Americans and future WNBA stars such as Rebecca Lobo, Diana Taurasi and Maya Moore, just to name a few. Auriemma, since taking the job in Storrs, accumulated 10 championships (tied with UCLA’s John Wooden for most all-time in collegiate basketball regardless of gender), made the Final Four 17 times and won their conference 20-plus times. His success with the University of Connecticut has also afforded him the opportunity to coach the women’s national team, which, to no one’s surprise, contain many of the players that have come up through his system at UConn. With all this success, you would think the UConn women would be celebrated more, but this proves to not be the case. There are even people who use their success to disregard the team.

Recently, Dan Shaugnessy, a writer for the Boston Globe, tweeted, “… Hate to punish them for being great, but they are killing women’s game. Watch? No thanks.”

The teams I mentioned, above all, showed similar dominance in their sports. As I previously mentioned, UCLA went on a similar run during the Wooden era and people praised that team highly.

So why when this team does it, people feel as if they are killing women’s basketball? I don’t have a particular answer for that, but what I do know is we need to stop hating and appreciate the job Auriemma has done and the talented women that have come through that program.

This season hasn’t been any different, in regard to UConn stealing the show. Led by AllAmerican Breanna Stewart, who averages 19.2 points per game to go along with 8.7 rebounds, the Huskies steamrolled their way to another Final Four appearance with the opportunity of securing the program’s first four-peat and the first four-peat in Division I basketball (men or women) since Wooden’s historic UCLA teams of the late sixties and early seventies. The Huskies, as a team, are leading the NCAA in scoring offense, scoring defense and scoring margin, with the latter statistic being the most impressive, considering they average 88 points while only giving up 40.

These numbers prove that this team is elite.

The work done at UConn is awe-inspiring, and it’s a shame many people don’t care and discredit the team’s success.

Overall, the women at UConn aren’t killing the game; they are making the game better because they give female athletes something to look up to and strive to be. They are coached well and play the game the right way, while being pretty good to say the least.

In the words of Auriemma, “Ignore the UConn women if you want, but don’t demean those who appreciate it.”

THEWEEKENDER

APRIL 7, 2016

T HE

PAGE 9

LAST OF IT S KIND

Troy Aubut|Marlin Chronicle The arcade has been around for decades, with the front sign having changed recently in the past few years. Just like its classic games, the arcade endured time.

Flipper McCoy’s is an arcade at the Oceanfront that offers new and old arcade games for everyone TROY AUBUT taaubut@vwc.edu

While chilling at the beach, walking on the boardwalk and checking out the shops on the Oceanfront, one place worth stopping into is an arcade called Flipper McCoy’s. While it isn’t on the same scale as Dave & Buster’s, it is a small, family-friendly arcade with enough games to keep everyone of all ages entertained. Located between 22nd St. and 23rd St., this arcade offers a variety of games to play with friends and family alike. Operating in all seasons, the arcade opens at 11 a.m. every day and closes at 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and Sundays and closes at 12 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

The arcade has a fun and exciting atmosphere as soon as one enters the building, with bright neon lights and the sounds of multiple games filling the air, calling out to players. For just $20, converted into a pound of quarters, the arcade offers an hour of fun with claw games, skeeball, pinball machines and, of course, classic games like PacMan and Centipede. There is a diverse selection of recent and traditional games that blend together to give people of any age the opportunity to show off their handeye coordination and skills with buttons and joysticks, toy guns, touch screens or steering wheels.

“I love Flipper McCoy’s and their classic arcade games. The service is great and good time is always spent there. They had PacMan, my favorite game, and I’m glad that I went there

with some friends one day. It was a spontaneous trip, but it was totally worth it,” junior Brenna Gonzales said.

There are rows of games that allow multiple people to play the same game together in a cooperative or competitive style, such as racing games and shooting games. Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Deal or No Deal and Batman are just a few of the many brand-name games at the arcade. There is even a shooting game in the back of the arcade that interacts with players: whatever objects the players shoot, such as bottles and boxes, the objects move around and may even spray water at the players. On separate sides of the arcade, there are a few pool tables and air hockey tables to play.

Most of the games can be played for less than a dollar, and after reaching a certain score, players receive tickets to redeem for a large selection of prizes from toys and candy to cameras, gaming consoles and TVs. Win or lose, players still win tickets for playing any of the games. Some of the claw games and other toy machines also have prizes worth winning, from stuffed animals to tablets and gift cards; however, those prizes are for the players with the skills to win. The arcade also has a bathroom, open to patrons only, with a few vending machines offering drinks and snacks nearby.

Flipper McCoy’s was founded back in the early ‘70s by John Lineberry, the former president. There used to be a to-

tal of three Flipper McCoy’s in Virginia.

The other two were in Norfolk near the Military Circle Mall and in Virginia Beach right next to the Lynnhaven Mall.

However, both of them closed because of the economy of the past decade, according to Dwayne Furlough, the current president of Flipper McCoy’s. The Flipper McCoy’s at the Oceanfront is currently the only remaining location.

The arcade can be reserved for

birthdays and other special events. To reserve the arcade, call 757-502-8810 to schedule an event.

Flipper McCoy’s is a place to relieve some stress and have a good time, especially as the weather warms up and as this semester comes to a close. The arcade offers something for everybody, so grab some friends, family and quarters and have a great time at the Oceanfront.

Troy Aubut|Marlin Chronicle Players enjoying a few of the many arcade games to win tickets and prizes.

LASER TAG IS BACK AT THE BEACH

Hayley Heath| Marlin Chronicle iTag is located in the Birdneck Shopping Center, less than two miles from the Oceanfront. It opened up this year and is worth the visit as beach season comes around.

iTag provides a fun, unique and inexpensive laser tag experience just 20 minutes away from campus

BY ROBIN PETERSON rapeterson@vwc.edu

Tired of going to the Oceanfront and not having anything to do? Thinking of going to the Oceanfront with a large group of people? Have an urge to re-live your childhood with a group of like-minded sort-of adults? Then iTag Virginia Beach is the place to go.

Located at the intersection of Virginia Beach Boulevard and Birdneck Road, iTag is only a short walk down the boardwalk, making it the perfect place for students and visitors to break the monotony of visiting the Oceanfront. iTag in Virginia Beach sets itself apart from other laser tag places in Virginia Beach by being affordable and catering to many types of customers. While its main clientele appears to be made up of families, teens and young adults also fill the arenas. iTag not only boasts a laser tag arena, but an indoor arcade of sorts as well. It

also offers spaces for birthday parties and corporate events, making the location not only extremely family-friendly, but appropriate for adult groups to join in on the fun.

As Junior Raven Chivers says, “It’s fun for all ages, especially since it looks like a videogame.”

For all the laser tag aficionados out there, one of the things that iTag advertises is a realistic and “Call of Duty” style game. From the moment you walk into the arena, this image is cultivated.

Players start their games by gearing up. The gear is somewhat different from the gear that you would use at a similar place such as Laser Quest. The gear lined up against the wall is lit before you even put it on. The entire arena looks like it could have been ripped from a video game like Halo or Call of Duty.

The game itself is out of this world with stunning special effects and twists and turns for players to hide and attack each other from. This goes along with the video game-like atmosphere that iTag encapsulates, which adds to the appeal for older players.

One of the drawbacks of being located on the Oceanfront is that iTag closes relatively early. Those hoping for a midnight game of laser tag will have to find another location, since iTag closes at 9 p.m. on weekdays. However, on weekends the hours are greatly extended to accommodate more people. iTag is open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Compared to similar locations around the Virginia Beach area, what makes iTag a place of note is its competitive prices. For individual games, prices run from about $9 a person for the normal

“iTag” game as the website dubs it, and rises to $14 per player for birthday parties, large groups and corporate events.

If you really enjoy your experience at iTag, you can purchase a membership, which drops the price of your games to seven dollars for normal “iTag” games and twelve dollars a game if you are a part of a larger party. iTag Virginia Beach is open yearround, Tuesday through Sunday. iTag is open from 4-9 p.m on weekdays, noon until midnight on Fridays, 11 a.m. to midnight on Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays.

If you’re willing to try something new, or if you’re bored with the same activities found on the Oceanfront, then iTag Virginia Beach may be just the place to go.

For more information, check out iTag’s website www.itagva.com.

THEWEEKENDER

PAGE 10

APRIL 7, 2016

KEEPING THE SOUL IN SURFING The employees of DirtBag Surf & Board Co. are known for both repairing used surfboards as well as customizing them for their customers.

Nickolas Halleran | Courtesy

Dirtbag Surf & Board Co. offers their services to both new and seasoned surfers, showing and teaching them how to make and repair their own surfboards

BY BECCA LAZZERI ralazerri@vwc.edu

Dirt Bag Surf & Board Co. brings the surf culture of Virginia Beach to a new level. Not only can surfers purchase customized boards, but they can help make them.

Nick Halleran, a Virginia Beach local, started the business because he had a passion for making surfboards. When the waves are bad, you can catch him in his workshop off of Birdneck Rd., cultivating foam blanks into handmade, quality surfboards.

His company offers board-making classes where customers can actually learn how to make a board under Halleran’s supervision and experience everything that goes into the process.

“If you come in and shape a board, you’ll know more about surfing than most surfers. We can work with people who have surfed for their whole lives or people who have never touched a

board,” Halleran said.

Halleran said that before the commodification of surfboards, all surfers had to make their own boards because there was no other option. Even still, many surfers try to make their own boards as an affordable alternative.

“A lot of people still try to do it themselves to save money, but with all of the tools and chemicals that you need, you end up more in the hole than if you just went to a surf shop,” Halleran said.

When the board-shaping industry exploded, surfboards became much more uniform when sold in surf shops and online.

Halleran said this diminishes the value of boards.

“When you build a board, you definitely are way more invested in it,” he said. “Price wise, it’s less or the same

Nickolas Halleran | Courtesy

A surfboard is worked on using tools, like sanders, as well as other equipment.

amount to build a board with us. The personal investment is way greater and you gain the understanding of what it takes to make a board. All the things you know you’re supposed to do with a surfboard you find yourself doing with a board you’ve actually made.”

A handful of VWC students were able to learn how to shape with Nick’s help.

“It was a great experience to see all the details that go into making a surfboard and having an awesome person like Nick explain every step made it even better,” alumna Maureen Luerssen said.

Dirt Bag not only makes customized boards, but also provides board repair services and surfing lessons to beginners.

“I bought a board last fall online and the deck had a huge bubble. Nick fixed it within a week and usually it takes a lot more time,” junior Trey Queen said.

“It’s cool that Nick made Dirt Bag a local business because it gives customers a tangible person who they can go to to get a board and removes the big corporate aspect of factory made boards,” Queen said. “It keeps the soul in surfing.”

“It has been an absolute pleasure to watch Dirt Bag Surf Co. grow from the very beginning. When Nick started the company, he did not know the exact direction he was going but he always knew that he wanted everything he did to be relational, soulful, meaningful, and impactful,” alumnus Scott Westfall said.

Halleran said that although he loves shaping, he would much rather do it with people than spend 40 hours every week making surfboards alone, which is why he loves to teach board making classes.

The time spent in the board-making process ranges. A custom-made board can take up to 20 hours, but sessions may range based on a customer’s avail-

ability.

Halleran said he usually teaches people shaping and tries to refrain from glassing with people because it is toxic.

“Shaping with people is usually an average of 8 hours typically split into two sessions,” he said. “I’ve also done marathon sessions on a Saturday, or split up on week nights for people with a school schedule.”

Halleran said that he only makes estimates after sitting down with someone to talk about what they need so that he does not overcharge them.

“If somebody is interested or has questions, I love getting together with people at a coffee shop or something to talk about what they want,” he said.

The essence of Dirt Bag was born when Nick and his buddies were getting ready to surf in the early hours of the morning.

“We were eating cold hot dogs at four or five in the morning before we went surfing. One of the guys said ‘this is dirty’ and after that we started calling ourselves the North End dirt bags,” Halleran said.

When Halleran started shaping boards, he wanted this grungy essence to be the heart of his company.

“I don’t want to get in the rat race of cranking out a bunch of boards rather than making the right boards for the right people,” Halleran said.

“I think it’s good because each board he does personally. I’ve been in the shaping room with him and when he works on a board it’s the only one so that it gets done well. He really enjoys it, and it’s something he’s passionate about” Queen said.

“It’s not for everybody. But I think it could be. Should be,” Halleran said.

Dirtbagsurfco.com Dirtbagsurfco@gmail.com 757-716-8118

THE MARLIN UNDERTOW / By Courtney Herrick UPDATE THIS:

LISTEN TO THIS:

EXPLORE THIS:

Snapchat released a new update late in March that is sure to please snapchatters around the world.

With the new update users can call, video chat and add more text to pictures. The app still requires data usage or wifi, but with the new features, users practically don’t need a phone plan anymore!

Dangerous Woman, a newly released hit by Ariana Grande, is a seductive pop song that has reached spot no. 12 on Billboard’s Hot 100. With the beautiful flow of lyrics and soothing melody, Grande created a song that did not miss the mark with listeners.

Need a sugar rush to get you through your remaining assignments of the semester? It’Sugar, located under the Funny Bone Comedy Club and Restaurant, is sure to give you the rush you need. Plus, it’s a candy lover’s dream. From five-pound gummy bears to a giant toxic waste gift box (don’t worry, it’s candy), It’Sugar has what you are looking for to give you just the right amount of energy…Maybe a tad more.