Must-Win in Winston: NC State Football Descends on Wake Forest — Technician 11/11/21 by Technician

TECHNICIAN N OVEMB ER 11, 20 21

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MUST-WIN IN WINSTON NC STATE FOOTBALL DESCENDS ON WAKE FOREST See page 13

Contents

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WHAT YOU MISSED:

IN THIS ISSUE: page

New vaccine mandate affects some campus staff

A quick look at the headlines in and outside of NC State

Catalytic converters thefts occur on Centennial campus On Nov. 1, NC State Police sent out a WolfAlert notifying students that there had been a series of catalytic converter thefts, mostly on Centennial campus. The valuable metals in catalytic converters make them the targets of thieves, and students would know if their car’s catalytic converter had been stolen because the car would be very loud.

NEWS

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NC State’s health classes need a curriculum change, doing more harm than good

NC museum takes in abandoned bear cub A black bear club, nicknamed “Little Bear” was found abandoned near Asheville in September. On Nov. 9, the Museum of Life and Science in Durham posted pictures of the new cub who had just finished her quarantine. The NC State Veterinary School conducted the original physical for the cub back in October. “Little Bear” has been nervous in adjusting to her new habitat but curious as well.

OPINION

page

SOURCE: TECHNICIAN

Diwali brings some muchneeded light to an NC State winter

SOURCE: THE NEWS & OBSERVER

Epic Games removes Travis Scott emote from Fortnite Following eight deaths and many more injuries at Travis Scott’s ‘Astroworld’ on Nov. 5, Epic Games has removed the Travis Scott emote from the Fortnite Item Shop. Eight people were killed at the concert which was so packed that people were crushed and suffocated.

CULTURE

page

SOURCE: FORBES

NC State football travels to Wake Forest for huge ACC Atlantic showdown

On Tuesday, Nov. 9, Malala Yousafzai announced she married Asser Malik in a small ceremony at her parents’ house. Malala is known around the world for being a women’s rights activist and surviving an assasination attempt by the Taliban. She became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize at 17 years old.

SOURCE: NPR

SPORTS Editor-in-Chief Jaylan Harrington

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Malala Yousafzai, youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner, gets married

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THE RADAR Events to keep an eye on for the week of Nov. 11

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS (DAY OF THE DEAD) FUNDRAISER Thursday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. TALLEY STUDENT UNION Free Join NC State Latinx organizations in celebrating Dia de los Muertos with a fundraiser at Talley Student Union. Students, faculty and staff are welcome to drop by and attend to learn more and participate in giveaways.

KWANZAA 2021: FEAST OF FAITH Friday, Nov. 12, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m COASTAL BALLROOM Free Reflect on the seven principles of Kwanzaa and celebrate time-honored traditions with the African American Cultural Center. Refreshments will be served, and participants are encouraged to enjoy the African dance, drums and music.

LADIES IN RED IN CONCERT: LEFT ON RED Saturday, Nov. 13, 7 p.m. STEWART THEATRE $5 for NC State students, $10 for faculty/ staff/senior, $12 general public Ladies in Red a cappella will be performing for the NC State community at Stewart Theatre this Saturday. Tickets can be bought at the door or purchased in advance online.

DE-STRESS WITH THERAPY DOGS Monday, Nov. 15,1 p.m. to 3 p.m. NELSON HALL, EAST COURTYARD Free Practice some self-care ahead of finals season by petting some therapy dogs with the Poole College of ManageCOVER BY RYAN FARISCHON ment. Hand sanitizer will be provided, and stress-relief coloring will also be available in the Graduate Student Lounge nearby. Technician (USPS 455-050) is the largest student newspaper of NC State University and is published every Thursday throughout the academic year from August through May except during holidays and examination periods. Opinions expressed in the columns, cartoons, photo illustrations and letters that appear on the Technician’s pages are the views of the individual writers and cartoonists. As a public forum for student expression, the students determine the content of the publication without prior review. To receive permission for reproduction, please write the editor. Subscription cost is $100 per year. A single copy is free to all students, faculty, staff and visitors to campus. Additional copies are $0.25 each. Printed by Triangle Web Printing, Durham, NC, Copyright 2011 by North Carolina State Student Media. All rights reserved.

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News TECHNICIAN 3 Jeff Jackson: Rallying for college supporters TECHNICIANONLINE.COM

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021

Jaylan Harrington Editor-in-Chief

2022 U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Jackson visited NC State Wednesday, Nov. 3, as part of an ongoing college campus tour. The serving state senator, vying to replace the retiring Richard Burr, held a town hall at Stafford Commons from 12-12:50 p.m. Jackson stuck around afterwards to answer more questions. “I feel like candidates come to colleges in the last 30 days [before election day] and talk about getting out the vote, but that’s not really earning support,” Jackson said after the event. “That’s just asking and hoping for support. We’re starting early because I want to actually earn people’s support, but there’s no easy way to do it. It means you actually got to show up and open yourself up to them.” Prior to the question-and-answer portion of the town hall, he went through many of his campaign positions including moving to universal healthcare, a regulatory approach to marjuana use and ending gerrymandering through a new voting rights act. According to Jackson’s campaign, attendance peaked at 210 people. “Twice as many people as we expected,” Jackson said. “I’m not sure how many people were here, but I know it was a full crowd, and we love it.” Sam Goetz, a fourth-year studying political science and the treasurer for the NC State College Democrats, said the organization has anticipated Jackson’s visit for the past few months. “I heard about Jeff Jackson, probably six years ago, would have been during one of his [NC] Senate races,” Goetz said. “He is just an incredible guy; he’s super down to earth. He really makes it his job to connect with his voter base because he wants to do the best that he can to represent his voter base, and that’s really what just sold me on him.”

I think this is important, for candidates to actually go out and talk to people. -Spencer Pope

Jackson said his method of continuous town hall events is meant to counter misinformation. Prior to this college campus tour, he visited all 100 counties in North Carolina to create a reputation that could withstand opposing candidates’ attack ads. During the question-and-answer portion,

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Democratic Senate candidate Jeff Jackson introduces himself and his views at his town hall on Stafford Commons on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021. Jackson spoke on topics such as gun control, healthcare, cannabis regulation, immigration and more.

students asked about issues such as college affordability, raising the minimum wage, inflation and federal recognition for the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. Jackson proposed free community college, shifting away from trying to make a profit off student loans and utilizing income-driven repayment plans. Jackson said he supports an increase in the minimum wage and federal recognition of the Lumbee Tribe, and also said some inflation is the result of having to jump-start the economy with areas of concern like energy and automobiles, as well as supply chain issues. There were no disruptions save for a question about Jackson’s position on gun control. A student said Jackson supported red flag laws and background checks and said measures like those violate the due process clause of the Constitution. Jackson said the question contained misinformation, pivoting to his stance on the NRA while the student pushed back before heckling Jackson. Houston Bumgarner, a third-year studying fisheries, wildlife and conservation biology, said that moment stood out to him. Bumgarner heard about the town hall through a politically inclined friend, but was already impressed by Jackson through his weekly COVID-19 update posts on the NC State subreddit. “He did a great job answering all the ques-

tions,” Bumgarner said. “I really liked how when he was kinda getting heckled, he was able to stay calm and provide a good answer that really addressed the question and still got on to the next bit that he was trying to get to.” The student, Spencer Pope, is a fourthyear studying psychology and the president of The Free Pack, a conservative news publication by NC State students. Pope said he heard about the town hall through a painting outside the Free Expression Tunnel, and attended the event to see what Jackson had to say and to ask the gun control question. “I think he was very dismissive of me because he didn’t actually want to answer the question, in particular, red flag laws are very unpopular amongst pretty much anybody who’s a gun owner; I can’t think of anyone that supports them,” Pope said. “I thought it was insulting for him to say I had misinformation when the information I pulled was directly from his website. Was I unprofessional? Yes. But he also twisted what I said and would not answer the question.” Jackson’s website states he’s proposed to “implement universal background checks and extreme risk protection orders and to prohibit the sale of bump stocks and similar devices.” Pope said, for a Democratic candidate, the town hall was “pretty run of the mill,” with

no surprising moments. He said he thought most of the questions were softballs, but he liked that Jackson was staying after the event to continue answering questions. “I do think it’s refreshing to see him doing this,” Pope said. “Even if I disagree with him on a lot [of issues], I think this is important, for candidates to actually go out and talk to people.” Jackson’s NC State trip was just the ninth stop out of the 18 he currently has scheduled. As he stumped, he encouraged students to get involved either in his campaign or in local politics, no matter the level. According to his campaign, 20 students joined up after the event. Jackson has a tough primary opponent in Cheri Beasley, but Jackson’s grassroots campaign has already made an impression on the students there to see it in person. “I wanted to see how he was planning on running, because he’s running against a moderate who’s getting more money from people, but he’s trying to be more personable,” Bumgarner said. “And I really appreciate him coming and talking to everybody, and how he was talking about how he’s been to every county, and it was nice to hear that he’s planning on continuing and doing that more. … I agree with him on more issues than his primary opponents. So I think I probably am sold on him.”

News

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Catalytic NC State engineers give a converter helping hand to kids in need thefts Avery Davis News Editor

Mariana Fabian

Assistant Opinion Editor

On Nov. 1, NC State Police sent out a WolfAlert notifying students that there had been a series of catalytic converter thefts, mostly on Centennial campus. Not only is this an issue on NC State’s campus, but Raleigh Police is also experiencing an increase in similar crimes. “I couldn’t tell you exactly why Priuses are being targeted, specifically, but what I can tell you is that the metals that are in catalytic converters are very valuable,” said Daniel House, chief of police at NC State’s Police. MarketPlace reports that catalytic converters contain metals such as platinum, palladium and rhodium. House went on to describe that the removal of these parts usually happens with an electric saw and people can cut them off very quickly. “You know, [it takes] 30 seconds,” House said. “They cut it off and take it and then what they do is try to sell it to a metal recycler, which is a lot of times where people get caught.” House explained that metal recyclers require licenses or permits, which is why most thieves get caught in the process of selling or soon after. He also detailed that if a student’s car’s catalytic converter was stolen, they would know. “Catalytic converters are hooked to your exhaust,” House said. “If you cut the catalytic converter out, your car will be very loud.” According to House, University Police have recorded about 15 catalytic converter thefts and that they are occurring in NC State’s housing areas. He recommends all NC State students be increasingly watchful of their vehicles and others’ as well. “If you see something, say something,” House said, echoing the Homeland Security slogan. Raleigh Police made a YouTube video concerning these thefts which includes detectives answering questions about these crimes. “Be vigilant; think before you park your car somewhere,” said Bryce Merold, a Raleigh Police detective.

NC State’s chapter of The Helping Hand Project is changing lives one prosthetic hand at a time. The organization is composed of students who work to design and 3D print prosthetic hands for children who have upper limb differences. Andrew Hoang, a third-year studying biomedical engineering and outreach chair of the NC State chapter, said the purpose of the organization is to help children with upper limb differences feel connected to the community. “The purpose of this organization is to raise awareness for kids in the upper limb difference community by bridging that community and connecting them with the overall community and making them feel welcome and not feel like an outcast,” Hoang said. According to Hoang, the organization has four different departments that students can be involved with. The public relations team focuses on advertising, fundraising and branding, and the support team creates care packages for and serves as the liaison between the child’s family and the team creating the hands. Case design teams are the groups of students responsible for designing and perfecting the child’s prosthetic. According to Hoang, the newest division, research and development, focuses on finding new, innovative ways to make designs cheaper and more efficient. Keith Abbey, a third-year studying biomedical engineering and a member of the

outreach team, said there are two different types of case design teams. “There’s just a single team in case design that works with electromechanical parts, and specifically with that, they’re doing a lot of wiring for nerve impulses to finger movements in the hands,” Abbey said. “The rest of the cases that we work on are primarily static built, but dynamic motion, 3D printed devices which are controlled manually by the movement of the person’s difference.” Hoang said membership has more than doubled since last year with the number of students jumping from around 50 to 120 this semester. The organization works on seven to eight cases at a time, and each case design team is composed of eight to nine students and a case leader. Jacob Walker, a fourth-year studying computer engineering and the chief technology officer, explained what 3D printers the Helping Hand Project uses. “We use the 3D printers in the biomedical engineering lab, and there are three of them, and they’re BCN3D Sigmas,” Walker said. “We have access to all three of those, and we have a lot of different filaments in different colors. Those are all supplied through our fundraising endeavors and through the BME department as well.” According to Abbey, though the organization focuses on prosthetic hands, on occasion, they complete special projects. “We do some specialized projects for kids who might be interested,” Abbey said. “The progress of those, it’s a bit slower, because it’s really custom designed. But there have been in the past where a kid wanted, like a flipper. ... We do projects primarily with

hands because that aligns with our name, but we sometimes go out of our way to do a little bit more.” According to Hoang, being a part of the chapter is rewarding because he gets to apply the engineering knowledge he learns in class to real-world applications. “It’s great that I’m using my engineering skills and all of the things that I’ve learned in school so far and applying it to help these kids,” Hoang said. “It’s really rewarding. It makes you feel good when you see the smiles on these kids’ faces.” Abbey said he agrees, and one of his favorite things about being a part of the Helping Hand Project is the impact that he gets to make on the children’s lives. “People who do get these cases are very grateful that they have these devices because they feel like they’re part of society,” Abbey said. “I noticed that for several of the kids that got a hand from Helping Hand. They went immediately to their school and showed it off to everybody. It was really just a powerful thing to know that you’re helping these kids out, you’re making them feel a lot better about their lives and it’s just something that I never would have thought would have been possible when I entered college.” Hoang said he wanted to stress that students of any discipline, not just engineering, can join and make important contributions to the Helping Hand Project. Students interested in getting involved can find information on how to contact the officers here or show up at the weekly meetings held Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. in Engineering Building III on Centennial Campus.

If you feel unsafe or threatened in any situation, contact University Police immediately to report suspicious activities or crimes on campus by calling 911 or 919-515-3000 COURTESY OF JOSHUA WONG

News TECHNICIAN 5 New vaccination mandate affects some staff TECHNICIANONLINE.COM

Cameron Rhinehardt Staff Writer

University employees covered by federal directives are required to get the COVID-19 vaccine by Dec. 8 following President Biden’s executive order 14042. Anyone who is affected by this requirement will receive information in their email regarding next steps. The majority of the University’s faculty and staff are already vaccinated. As of Oct. 29, 96% of faculty and 80% of staff are vaccinated. The University began notifying unvaccinated employees of the new directives Oct. 25, and it is likely that more employees will need to become vaccinated as the University continues to evaluate the vaccine guidance. Employees can receive the Moderna, Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine or the single dose of Johnson & Johnson must be administered by Nov. 24. According to Amy Orders, the director of emergency management at NC State, students will be affected by this requirement if they work closely with, have direct relationships with or work in a space with employees who are required to be vaccinated under the new order. “As there is better application of the federal expectation, we will talk to the differ-

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021

ent parties that are impacted,” Orders said. “For example, if a student works in a direct research space or a lab, then they will get information sent in an email [regarding vaccines].” According to Orders, NC State is using a phase system to figure out who is affected by the new vaccine requirement. The first phase will apply to those directly paid from federal funds or connected to federal contracts. “In this phase, we find out who is directly paid from different federally impacted programs,” Orders said. “That included some students, because if a student has an internship, fellowship or a graduate assistantship and is paid, then that student is under that obligation to be vaccinated.” The second phase required the University to talk to investigators to find out who was in close contact with employees who are federally funded. “The next phase impacts a bigger group because they are in a building space, such as a building with federal funding,” Orders said. “This could include faculty, students or even service employees, and some may not be directly paid to be on a federal project, but they had to be in that space.” The third phase included people who had direct impacts on their jobs based on federal funding. This included facilities, desk

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support in colleges, police and lab safety employees and the research administration team. If students have a paid job relating to these fields, they could be affected by the vaccine requirement. There are University-approved medical and religious accommodations that exempt some employees from receiving the vaccine.

Regardless of University employment status, NC State is encouraging all students, faculty and staff to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations. To receive a COVID-19 vaccine, appointments can be made online through the University’s PackVax clinic.

teaching assistant for the English department. Christiansen was a first place cowinner of the competition. Christiansen said the competition helped her share the research side of fiction writing. “I [am] really focusing on the fact this is a research project,” Christiansen said. “This isn’t just me making up a story. I’ve interviewed family members, I have looked through a ton of artifacts. Fiction writers do a ton of research and I don’t think people pay attention to that or know it.” Shohanuzzaman Shohan, a Ph.D. candidate in industrial engineering and a graduate research assistant for the department of industrial and systems engineering, was also a co-winner of the 2021 Three Minute Thesis Competition. Shohan said he encourages anyone involved in research to try out for the Three Minute Thesis Competition. “Whoever is involved with research or has an idea that they want to convey, they should try to get into the [Three Minute Thesis Competition],” Shohan said. “This not only educates others to understand your thesis, it helps clarify what you are doing and what you will do in the future. When you do any research, there is such a limited scope, you most of the time forget about

why you are doing it. This actually helps you understand why you are doing it and it motivates you.” Christiansen said she saw the competition as a way to challenge herself. “I did it, not because I thought that I had a chance, I really thought I had no chance,” Christiansen said. “I did it because it’s something I’m not good at. I speak around in circles, in writing I’m like this too, to get to the point, it takes me a really long time. I’m a good storyteller, but it takes a while. And so it really was a challenge to myself, like can I be succinct, can I explain what I’m doing in the most direct, economical way possible?” Shohan said more international students should get involved. “I know that for most of the Ph.D. students, especially the international students, language is a really big barrier, and a lot of non-native students don’t even want to participate just because they think that because they are not native-speakers, speaking is a big barrier,” Shohan said. “If you have something that can motivate others, don’t let that issue stop you. Get involved in this and it will help you push yourself so that you can talk with others and have a multidisciplinary opportunity in the future.”

Meet the Three Minute Thesis winners

Abigail Ali Staff Writer

The Graduate School’s annual Three Minute Thesis Competition challenges students in research to condense the details of their projects into a three minute presentation. Three winners were announced on Oct. 26. First place won $1,000. Zack Jenio is a master’s student studying comparative biomedical sciences and a graduate research assistant for the Department of Clinical Sciences. Jenio was the people’s choice winner of the 2021 Three Minute Thesis Competition. Jenio said participating in the Three Min-

ute Thesis Competition helped him practice making research accessible to more than just researchers. “I think research is really inaccessible, and I think being able to communicate research out in a clear, concise and effective way to everybody is a really important skill that a researcher, or any person, needs to know,” Jenio said. “So, it was really nice to have this experience because before it was a bit difficult to concisely explain my thesis to someone who might not have all of the scientific knowledge.” Catey Christiansen is a master’s student studying creative writing and a graduate

Courtesy of Darren White

Opinion

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A pandemic is not the time to cut school funding

North Carolina public schools had a rough time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools had to adapt first to fully online learnDebra Mullis ing, then to hybrid Correspondant education and now to mostly in-person instruction that has to juggle learning and students’ safety. But now, schools may have to find a way to function with almost $132 million in budget cuts mid-year. The reason for these budget cuts is an overall 4.3% drop in enrollment since the 2019-2020 school year. Since 2015, there has been a steady rise in charter, private and home school attendance, but the drop in enrollment at public schools was particularly steep during 2020. Some experts, like director of the Center for Effective Education at the John Locke Foundation Terry Stoops, believe enrollment may never rebound to pre-pandemic levels because of the trend towards alternative schools and the falling birth rate. Instead of seeing lower numbers as an excuse to cut school funding, lawmakers in the General Assembly should see this shift as an opportunity to improve the education experience

for both students and teachers. What attracts many parents and students to charter schools, which have had an 188% rise in enrollment over the past 10 years, is creative teaching, typically smaller class sizes and more educational choices for students. Cutting school funding will not incentivize the students who left the school system last year to return. Even operating on a budget based on 2019 enrollment numbers, schools are facing terrible staffing shortages, specifically support roles. Teachers are giving up their planning periods to act as subs for vacant positions. If the estimated budget cuts go through, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg district will lose $15.2 million, which is equivalent to 220 teachers. When teachers are stretched thin by filling multiple roles, it is much harder for them to provide individualized instruction, creative lesson plans and the varied teaching styles students need in the classroom. Students are also lacking in readily available mental health care or special education. There are entire school districts without a designated psychologist. The effects of these issues are already in motion. Data was released this year from the NC Department of Education showing only 24% of

students grades three through eight passed their end-of-grade reading assessments during 2020-21. While tests do not show the full picture of student achievement, especially in an anomalous year like 2020, they are one of the best and only indicators we have of what students are learning, or not learning. The students in school right now do not deserve any education other than one that is very well funded. Increasing staff pay to solve the staffing crisis in schools needs to be the first of many steps. The shrinking enrollment numbers are naturally reducing the student population at some schools, but this doesn’t mean staff should reduce too. To rebound from virtual learning difficulties, students will need lots of time, which can only be provided by a large, well-equipped staff. In the current labor market, this can only come from increased wages. While this will be an expensive endeavor for the state, students are well worth it. If general compassion is not enough to convince North Carolina lawmakers to pass a sufficient education budget, then economics should. The future workforce of our state is suffering in our schools right now. The manifest function of schools is to create a productive new generation

of employees. If schools continue to fall behind, they will create poor future economic prospects for North Carolinians, especially those who are already disadvantaged. This is not the first time in history North Carolina has been accused of under-funding its education system. In 1994, the Leandro v. State of North Carolina Supreme Court case ruled the rights of thousands of school children had been violated by the state because they were not provided adequate education. North Carolina is still falling below national standards to the extent that a judge had to order compliance with the Leandro Comprehensive Remedial Plan. Already, students have experienced declining mental health and declining test scores; they do not need to also take on a decline in funding just because enrollment numbers are dropping a bit. Classrooms can recover from the detriments of over a year of virtual learning and a highly contagious virus, but it will take money. Schools deserve this money, and if the state makes investments now, there will be long-term benefits. If North Carolina continues to skimp on school budgets, ramifications will follow for years to come.

We need to stop joking about the ‘Freshman 15’ Editor’s Note: This article contains mentions of eating disorders.

Elyse Boldizar

Littered throughout every student’s college experience is a phrase that brings more harm than good. Since the ‘80s, people have used the term “Freshman 15” to describe the general trend of weight gain among college first-years. While it’s usually said as a joke, the term “Freshman 15” harms students by spreading misguided information, adding unnecessary stress to an already overwhelming transition and exacerbating pre-existing eating disorders. Looking back at the origin of the Freshman 15, the first time the term was used was in 1989 in a “Seventeen” magazine issue. The issue was referencing earlier studies that showed a trend in college students gaining weight. The term started with innocent intent: to educate newly independent teens on healthy eating habits. Correspondant

But as more and more publications started using the term, Freshman 15 turned into a running joke. One of the biggest problems with the term is its total inaccuracy. According to multiple studies, college students gain closer to 2.5-6 pounds over all four years. New autonomy over their eating habits and an increase in alcohol consumption has long been blamed as a reason for this college weight gain. The reality is that these 2.5-6 pounds represent the average amount 16-20 year-olds gain naturally each year, whether they attend college or not. The term Freshman 15 taps into the misconception that weight gain is always a bad thing, overlooking how weight gain in college is a natural sign of healthy maturation. Making new friends, keeping up with classes, learning to navigate campus and the transition to college is full of challenges and can be stressful for many. However, as a first-year, I can already tell these are all necessary growing pains. Going through them will eventually make me a better, more well-rounded person. How-

ever, a stressor that won’t add to my personal growth is the fear I will gain weight as a freshman. Instead, it just distracts from the excitement of starting college. There are so many better things to focus on in college. New opportunities, new friends and new independence shouldn’t be overshadowed by unhealthy fear about weight. Sure, Freshman 15 is mostly said as a joke. Nonetheless, it can be especially damaging to those who struggle with pre-existing eating disorders like anorexia nervosa or bulimia. Research shows up to 20% of women and 10% of men experience an eating disorder in college. The phrase may not seem like a big deal, but it spreads a harmful message. According to the Child and Mind Institute, “Eating disorders develop when the need to feel control over a stressful environment is channeled through food restriction, over-exercise, and an unhealthy focus on body weight.” The stressful transition to college can make students especially susceptible to eating disorders. The transition to college in particular is a big one. Leaving your family

and friends can be disorienting. One minute you are a high school senior living at home, the next you are a college freshman, challenged to create a home for yourself in an entirely new place. The obsession over the Freshman 15 throws an unhelpful, potentially dangerous wrench into an already overwhelming experience. There is nothing wrong with wanting to eat healthier. But the term Freshman 15 perpetuates a negative connotation with health, based on fear over facts. If we truly want to live healthier, more balanced lives, let’s spread accurate information. Let’s do away with the Freshman 15 myth. If you or someone you know struggles with eating disorders or unhealthy relationships to food, please visit NC State’s Counseling Center to take advantage of their resources. NC State Student Health offers nutrition counseling for those with eating disorders and disordered eating behavior. Appointments can be made via the HealthyPack portal or by calling 919-515-2563.

TECHNICIAN 7

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021

NC State’s health classes need a curriculum change

Health and fitness are important components of maintaining a balanced lifestyle, which is why it makes sense for educational institutions like NC State to include fitness classes as a part of every student’s coursework. However, having a healthy lifestyle and having the physical fitness of a professional athlete are two very different levels of fitness, a line that appears to be blurred for NC State’s numerous health exercise classes. Anyone who has taken a health class at NC State knows how unrealistic some of the testing standards can be. For classes like HESF 237: Weight Training, the only way to get a 100 on the plank test is to hold a plank for 4 minutes, and the minimum time requirement to pass the test is two minutes. This is a sharp comparison not just to what most people can physically do, but to what is recommended. Eric L’Italien, a physical therapist with Harvard-affiliated Spaulding Rehabilitation Center, says anywhere between a 10-30 second plank is plenty and 2 minutes is about the maximum extent after which a plank isn’t very beneficial. If roughly 2 minutes is considered the maximum recommended length of a plank for physical benefit, why does that only get students a 70% in classes that are simply meant to promote healthy lifestyles, not record-breaking physical abilities? This is not the case for just weight training classes, but others like HESS 239: Self Defense and even 100-level courses. In HESF 105: Aerobics and Body Conditioning, students also are expected to complete a four minute plank for maximum credit. Taught through distance education and in-person, these courses help satisfy the Health and Safety GEP, but at a hefty cost. The class includes a rigorous fitness test that students have to follow a strict protocol for. If this is not followed by even the

The unsigned editorial is the opinion of the members of Technician’s editorial board and is the responsibility of the editor-in-chief. smallest margin — students risk failing the test, and even the course. In addition to setting close to impossible fitness tests, many health classes at NC State promote outdated notions of healthy living, like calorie counting, body mass index (BMI) calculations and the restriction of foods deemed “unhealthy.” Under the student learning outcomes of most HESF/ HESS classes, there is no specific requirement for learning nutrition beyond “sustaining an active and healthy lifestyle.” If the requirements are so vague as is, why introduce problematic concepts such as basal metabolic rate (BMR) calculations and calorie counting? It’s well-documented that BMI, devised in the 1830s, is a long-outdated way of determining body fat content and doesn’t take several important factors into account. BMR, while not as well known as BMI, still takes very cookie-cutter components into its calculation, such as height and weight. Although it’s meant to calculate “the number of calories you’d burn if you stayed in bed all day,” it’s a stepping stone to a second equation: the Harris Benedict Equation, which is oftentimes used to assist in weight loss. Using the Harris Benedict equation, if the number of calories you take in over the course of a day is below the amount calculated, the logical conclusion is that you’d lose weight over time. In HESF 104: Swim Conditioning, students were asked to calculate their BMR and their total daily caloric need from the Harris Benedict equation. From there, they were instructed to determine the caloric contribution of several predetermined foods using a calorie-tracker website. Calorie counting is problematic for

a number of reasons, the least of which being that calories aren’t an exact science and the tools to count them are even less so. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the most common age of onset in eating disorders is between 12-25. The newfound independence, relationship drama and endless opportunities — good and bad — can easily manifest itself in college students of all ages, especially first- and second-years. Since HESF/HESS classes are required across the board, the awareness of less-than-helpful measurements of health such as BMR and the Harris Benedict Equation in impressionable teenagers could lend itself to toxic eating behaviors. Most students are already aware of their eating habits, and if they seek further advice regarding nutrition, they should seek out licensed professionals — not the other way around. Furthermore, there are plenty of things health instructors can implement in their instruction to improve the quality of their lackluster nutrition education. Health at Every Size (HAES), promotes self-care and body positivity by emphasizing inclusivity in terms of body positivity. There are plenty of resources available for instructors to take advantage of in terms of education, including a pledge. The very least the department could do is bring in a licensed dietitian — not a nutritionist — to teach the nutrition portion, rather than leave it up to professors who don’t have a lick of body positive nutrition training. There are a few ways NC State could rework the way health exercise classes are graded. The first alternative is grading based on the percentage of improvement a student shows in exercises. A number

of health classes have a pre-test at the beginning of the semester and then another final towards the end. Instead of having a fixed grading scale for all students based on their performance in the final, the grades should instead be distributed according to how much the student has improved through the course of the class. This takes away a lot of the stress and unrealistic standards from the test, allowing students to demonstrate how they have taken time to prioritize their physical health by being active and practicing the exercises. Another alternative would be to eliminate physical tests entirely. If the main objective of health exercises classes is to equip students with the information they need to maintain a healthy lifestyle, why can’t the grading be based on participation alone? If the student regularly shows up, does the exercises to the best of their ability and then shows a good understanding of the theoretical concepts of the class, shouldn’t that be enough to get them a good grade for a fitness class? We need to consider whether NC State’s current health and exercise studies courses truly effect a lasting change for the better in the students they serve. If not, what’s the point?

NC State Student Health offers nutrition counseling for those with eating disorders and disordered eating behavior. Appointments can be made via the HealthyPack portal or by calling 919-515-2563. If you or someone you know struggles with eating disorders or unhealthy relationships to food, please visit NC State’s Counseling Center to take advantage of their resources.

Opinion

8 TECHNICIAN Don’t Snub Grubhub THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021

When it comes to dining on campus, there is nothing that draws admiration and frustration with equal force from the student Lauren body than Grubhub. Richards As the number of posiCorrespondant tive COVID-19 cases continue to decrease and restaurants begin to resume walk-up orders, some students question the utility of the popular food ordering service. While Grubhub is a source of contention for many students, there are many reasons why it should remain an option at NC State. For starters, you don’t have to be incredibly tech-savvy to use Grubhub. The app’s layout is straightforward: Restaurants are presented in a list that users can scroll through with places most accessible near the top. Compared to the difficulty of choosing a restaurant from the varied listed options, the ordering process is smooth sailing. With just a few clicks, students can pick what appeals to them, pay with either a meal plan or credit or debit card, and place orders in no time — all to avoid the hassle of waiting in line. Students can even reorder their favorites without going through the selection process. Located at the bottom of the app is a tab that says “Orders.” Once selected, a page with previously bought items appears. From there, students can easily reorder a go-to meal by pressing “reorder.” There’s no denying that an hour and a half is a ridiculous wait time for a small coffee, but navigating the Grubhub maze gets easier the more you use it. As an avid coffee connoisseur, it didn’t take long for me to find the right time to order coffee from Starbucks. Although each restaurant prepares orders at different rates, students can expect a notification when their meal is ready close to the time designated by the app — generally speaking.

Often, students complain about Grubhub’s lack of customization. Though it would be easier to be given a choice of what to include in a meal, some restaurants have a limited number of choices you can select from. For instance, Tuffy’s Diner gives students the option of “No Bun,” while Union 51 Burger does not, an issue which particularly affects students with food allergies and dietary restrictions. While the inconsistency of customization options from restaurant to restaurant is frustrating, Grubhub gives students an opportunity to customize orders under “Pickup instructions” on the “View Order” page. Another problem students have with the app is that orders are sometimes dropped or cancelled. According to Jennifer Gilmore, the director of Marketing and Communication for Campus Enterprises at NC State, this is mainly due to improper employee training, which has since improved. Gilmore also says the Grubhub team is receptive to student feedback and recommendations. “We’re really here to try to meet the needs of students...If we had more staff, which we are working on, we would be able to be a little more flexible,” Gilmore said. “In a perfect world, student input and what students want is our top priority.” Because of COVID-19, NC State experienced a labor shortage among dining locations on campus. By transitioning to Grubhub-only, restaurants were not only able to protect students but also ease the burden of operating with less staff. While Grubhub is far from perfect — and questions whether or not I am human by my ability to identify a traffic light sometimes — the service is a convenient option for the on-the-go college student. Though in-person ordering restrictions continue to be lifted, one thing that shows no sign of going away anytime soon is Grubhub, and that’s a good thing.

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“Grubhub Flurry” Emma Reid, a first-year in exploratory studies

“Nova and Comet-Acting Up” Pearl Knight, a third-year studying art and design

Culture Diwali brings some much-needed warmth to NC State winter TECHNICIANONLINE.COM

Shelby Bryson Correspondent

On Thursday, Nov. 4, the Poole College of Management threw a Diwali celebration in the Governor’s Scott Courtyard, complete with a Henna station, dance performances and food. To the average person, Nov. 4 might have seemed like the worst day to throw an outdoor festival, particularly Diwali, the festival of lights. The temperature was in the low 40s, it had been raining most of the day and at 4 o’clock the sun still hadn’t come out. Unbothered by the weather, Priya Sharma, a second-year studying accounting, said she first learned about Diwali when she was younger. The tale follows a god, Rama, and his goddess wife, Sita, while they were in exile from their land in the middle of a forest. “At some point, Sita was kidnapped by

this 10-headed demon named Ravana and basically a war broke out,” Sharma said. “So for a while Rama and his brother Lakshmana are fighting and fighting to get Sita back.” Eventually, Ravana is defeated and Rama, Lakshmana and Sita set their sights on returning back to their kingdom Ayodhya after a 14-year exile. “Diwali is the day where the people lit thousands of candles so the brothers would be able to find their way back home and celebrate their return,” Sharma said. For Sharma, Diwali holds a special place in her heart because it’s the first story she remembers being told. Even in the cold drizzling weather, the significance was not lost on her. This story of Diwali is the last in a series of stories about Rama, all detailed in one of the most famous Hindu epics Ramaya-

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Culture 10 TECHNICIAN Who’s Who at Student Media: Roundabout Editor-in-Chief Charles Smalls THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021

Karsyn Westerbeek Correspondent

Roundabout, a quarterly magazine at NC State that advertises for local businesses and events around campus, has a new editor-in-chief; Charles Smalls. As a third-year studying communication, Smalls took up the job two months ago and has since dedicated his time to growing the publication. Smalls began his journey in Student Media working for WKNC, NC State’s student-run radio station, when he saw the opening for the editor-in-chief position at Roundabout and decided to apply. “When I started working at WKNC, it was an opportunity that I didn’t understand how much I was going to enjoy and something that I never knew I wanted,” Smalls said. “When the opportunity presented itself, I applied for WKNC, and I loved the job. There was also this new position [at Roundabout] that I didn’t know I wanted, I thought it would be a good ex-

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perience as well as a fun position to hold, so I thought ‘Why not apply?’” Like starting any new job, Smalls didn’t know what to expect. Although his parttime job had given him some experience, his ability to work with people was something he looked forward to using in his new position. “I’m not a journalist by trade, Smalls said. “Magazines and journalistic writing are not a specialty of mine, but as a communications major, interacting with people is. Stepping into leadership positions and dealing with people, deadlines and schedules is something that I’m used to … but it was a scary idea to have this big responsibility dropped in my lap. Even though it was scary, I just had to jump in.” Smalls’ communication skills and ability to work with others have proved to be crucial in fulfilling his responsibilities during his first couple of months. Day-today tasks like applications and interviews have been a part of his daily routine, even

before he officially started the job. “Since no one was on campus last year, we lost pretty much all of our staff; we have no one on staff right now other than myself,” Smalls said. “A typical day in the position right now usually entails advertising and reading through applications, as well as setting up and running interviews. Before I was even officially hired, when I was just appointed, I had to hit the ground running. I had to create job descriptions and applications, and start advertising for those positions.” In addition to building a new staff for Roundabout, Smalls also has other plans for the future of the publication. During his time as editor-in-chief, he hopes to develop name recognition for the magazine and get people talking about it around campus. “I’m really excited to help establish [Roundabout’s] own place as part of Student Media,” Smalls said. “Every other publication has a strong identity in what it stands for and what it represents and I

don’t think Roundabout has that yet. In the future that could be one of Roundabout’s greatest points to grow from.” In his new position, Smalls has learned many things he deems valuable both in Student Media and in the real world, like the power of connections. “Being at Roundabout has reinforced something in me that says, ‘You should never underestimate how important connections are,’” Smalls said. “It’s not necessarily knowing who to talk to, but knowing how to get to the person you need to talk to. I don’t know every staff member that works for NC State, but if I can talk to people who can point me in the right direction, eventually I’m going to get to the right person. The more people that I know or the more relationships that I have, the easier it’s going to make my job in the future.” Ultimately, Smalls’ learning has led to his growth, both with Roundabout and himself. His first two months of holding an editorial position have helped him learn more about himself, his interests and Student Media as a whole. The skills he is developing, as well as his work in creating a name for the publication, will surely lead to the growth of Roundabout during his time as editor-in-chief.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021

African American Cultural Center celebrates home with alumni art exhibit Jameson Wolf Correspondent

On the second f loor of Witherspoon Student Center, Black faces fill the walls of the African American Cultural Center (AACC) gallery. Bright acrylic and oil paintings on large canvases alongside overlaid photographs and digital paintings work together to create scenes of joy, connection and reflection. The Kurudi Nyumbani alumni art exhibit, open through Dec. 3, addresses what home means to Black individuals and communities. Kurudi Nyumbani translates from Swahili to “the return home” and is part of the AACC’s yearlong celebration of 30 years of having a home in Witherspoon. The gallery features the work of four alumni artists: Robyn Bess, Jason Franklin, Britney Symone and J Stacy Utley. The exhibit opened during Red and White Week. According to Isaiah Lucas, program coordinator for the AACC, it’s important to intentionally create spaces for Black students during homecoming in predominantly white institutions such as NC State. To this end, the AACC chose to display alumni art that centralized the Black experience. “Being able to walk into a space where you know that every piece of artwork on the wall was made by someone who looks like you, who may think like you, who may have came from a similar upbringing as you, that creates a sense of home, a sense of belonging for our students and our community,” Lucas said. Robyn Bess is a portrait photographer who graduated from NC State in 2020 with

a degree in communication. The exhibit features her series “The Art of Isolation,” which depicts the complex struggle of isolation brought on by the pandemic. The series includes both film and digital photographs, most of which are portraits of individuals, uniquely edited and overlaid. Bess finds home in her artwork through representation. “Being a dark-skinned Black woman, the people that are in my pieces, they’re also dark-skinned,” Bess said. “It feels close to home, because I feel like parts of me are represented. That’s really why I started [photography], to make sure that I felt seen as a dark skinned person. Colorism is a thing, but there’s so much beauty in Blackness and in people of my complexion.” Jason Franklin graduated NC State in 1992 with a BS in mathematics education and in 1997 with a master’s degree in industrial design. He is an art professor at Shaw University and currently serves as the executive director and co-owner of the Triangle Cultural Arts Gallery. Franklin’s colorful acrylic and oil paintings surround the room with smiling faces. Franklin includes stars and stripes in several of his pieces, tying themes of America, Blackness and belonging together into one. Britney Symone is a digital artist who graduated from NC State in 2019 with a degree in graphic design. Symone’s work in the exhibit focuses on Black womanhood and depicts soft faces that are accented in silver and gold. One of Symone’s pieces in the exhibit, “Let Black Women Be Soft, 2018,” represents a point of evolution in her artistic narrative towards depicting Black

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Biographies of each artist are displayed on the wall on Monday, Oct. 25, 2021 at the African American Cultural Center Gallery inside Witherspoon Student Center. The new exhibition featured the works of J Stacy Utley, Britney Symone, Jason Franklin and Robyn Bess.

vulnerability. On her website, Symone writes that “‘Let Black Women Be Soft’ comments on the stereotypes that women of color are faced with, challenging the idea that they cannot be soft, emotional and delicate while standing strong in those traits.” J Stacy Utley graduated from NC State in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in architecture. He works in several mediums to create art that explores the complexities of the African American diaspora. His work featured in the exhibit focuses on the Black communities in Charlotte’s Historic West

End, where Utley is in the process of finishing a sculptural installation that honors the past and present stories within the community. He incorporates his architectural background into his work to depict a sense of home and history through place. “We want to celebrate the power when Black people are home,” Lucas said. “We want to celebrate the power of Black people creating home, to celebrate the power of Black people returning home.” The Kurudi Nyumbani exhibit is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Dec. 3.

Amedeo DeAngelis: Your humor, heart and humility lives on Caleb Jolley Correspondent

At the age of 85, Amedeo “Dick” DeAngelis, founder of Amedeo’s Italian Restaurant, passed away, leaving behind a legacy of passion for his community that reaches far beyond great food. Many NC State faithful would consider Amedeo’s a landmark of the surrounding campus area, with its long-standing tradition of authentic Italian cuisine served in a welcoming and Wolfpack-centered atmosphere. Behind this establishment that multiple generations have come to love is the man Amedeo DeAngelis. Before coming to Raleigh, DeAngelis grew up in Reading, Pennsylvania as one of four children helping to run his parents’ Italian grocery store while excelling in high school football.

Let us look to his hard work and kindness as an example for our own lives as people and members of the Wolfpack.

“He was an outstanding high school football player up there,” said David Parker, DeAngelis’ son-in-law and NC State “museum” curator at Amedeo’s. “He was all-conference and he got a lot of attention from different colleges. He wanted to play at Penn State.” Instead, DeAngelis found an opportunity to play under new NC State head coach Earle Edwards, who had previously played and served as an assistant coach for the Nittany Lions. DeAngelis accepted and came to Raleigh in 1954. “He came down here without a scholarship and worked in the NC State cafeteria,” Parker said. “He worked there his freshman year just to kind of earn his way, and back in those days, you know, freshmen couldn’t play varsity football.” Playing on the freshman football team

and working in the cafeteria on the side, DeAngelis displayed his tremendous work ethic, earning a scholarship and starting spot on the varsity team at the beginning of his sophomore year. At 6-foot-1, DeAngelis was one of the bigger players on the field at the time, playing both sides of the ball as an offensive and defensive tackle. “If you didn’t make a first down, you’d run under the punt and play defense,” DeAngelis always said. “Quarterbacks played defense!” In his senior year in 1957, he helped lead the Wolfpack to its first ACC championship, earning himself a spot in NC State history. “1992 was the 100th anniversary of NC

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State’s football program, and they did a lot of awards for the history of the program,” Parker said. “[DeAngelis] was tagged as being the lineman of the decade in the ‘50s.” After graduating in 1957 with a degree in education, DeAngelis, newly married to his wife Betty, moved back to Reading in pursuit of his dream job as head coach of his old high school football program. DeAngelis served as an assistant coach for a few years but soon found his way back to NC. “When he did not get that head coaching job, he and Betty moved back down to Raleigh to open and start the restaurant because he knew there was an opportunity in Raleigh for good Italian food,” Parker said. “The way he always framed it was that the Italian food in Raleigh at the time was ‘ketchup on bread.’” In 1963, DeAngelis and his wife Betty opened up Amedeo’s at the exact same location it is today. In addition to opening the restaurant, DeAngelis also served as a defensive assistant for the NC State freshman football team, touching the lives of incoming talent as they arrived in Raleigh. DeAngelis helped coach until 1970, the last year freshmen were required to play on their own team before transitioning to varsity. During that time, the restaurant was an immediate success helped by DeAngelis’ close connections with the University and homemade Italian recipes. “Coaches and players and a lot of [people] just kind of flowed through the restaurant,” Parker said. “If you were a student or local alumni and you loved the Wolfpack, even in 1963 if you wanted to rub shoulders with somebody involved in that, there was a pretty good chance if you went to Amedeo’s you could do that.” Serving as a testament to the culture and passion that DeAngelis poured into his restaurant and his community, Amedeo’s has become a tradition for many generations passing through NC State, a tradition that is most apparent on none other than move in day. “Move in day has always been the busiest day at Amedeo’s,” Parker said. “Folks come to Amedeo’s because their parents bring them there, and their parents went to Amedeo’s when they were student It’s not

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na, but it’s not the only one. “We have a lot of celebrations during these winter months when the weather is usually gloomy and cold and we learn so many things through that,” said parent Devika Kathresal. “So in a season of dark and cold, we have celebrations of light and fireworks.” Standing in line waiting for samosas and mango Frooti drinks, Devika Kathresal described Hinduism plainly. “Even though there are thousands and

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unusual to see three generations of families coming to Raleigh to move their children and grandchildren into their dorms, and then they all go to Amedeo’s for dinner that night.” Beyond his football career and restaurant, DeAngelis’ legacy has been described by loved ones in three categories: humor, heart and humility. “You couldn’t help but be drawn to his personality and his humor,” Parker said. “He was very quick-witted, but the thing is, he’d use the same ten jokes over and over again, but to [someone new] it was the first time they had heard it. They would laugh and then we would laugh because they were laughingIt really was funny that he was able to do that.” Beyond the laughs, DeAngelis also deeply cared about people on an emotional level. “He was probably the most empathetic person I’ve ever met, and very complimentary,” Parker said. “If you deserved a pat on the back or an ‘atta boy,’ he never missed an opportunity to do that. That’s rare.” According to Parker, DeAngelis lived his life always saying, “It doesn’t cost a dime to be nice to people,” and, “As long as you’ve got more pluses than minuses, you’re good with me.” “That’s just who he was, he never felt like he was better than anybody,” Parker said. “[DeAngelis] just made people feel very comfortable and drawn to him.” About 15 years ago, after DeAngelis’ wife was diagnosed with cancer, he sold the restaurant to couples David and Ginny Harris and Rodney and Allison Byrd to focus on what was most important to him: his wife and family. Under the guidance of David Harris, the current president and general manager of the restaurant, Amedeo’s has remained very much the same while rising to new heights. A couple years later, DeAngelis’ daughter, Jill DeAngelis Parker, and her husband, David Parker, bought back a portion of the restaurant, bringing the original family back into the business. DeAngelis also lived with them after his wife’s passing, still surrounded by family for the later years of his life. The humor, heart and humility put forth by DeAngelis can still be felt today through his restaurant, children, grandchildren and even the NC State community he was so passionate about. Let us look to his hard work and kindness as an example for our own lives as people and members of the Wolfpack.

thousands of gods, it’s all being created by humans,” Devika Kathresal said. “...We see God in everything. Each festival has multiple meanings and stories behind it to reflect and learn from; you aren’t just worshipping it.” Every Hindu festival is a time to reflect and focus on something different and that reflection has a certain level of reverence to it, seen in the attire and occasional puja. Devika Kathresal’s daughter, Richa Kathresal, was also there. “Diwali is like Indian Christmas honestly, and it’s the most popular so you dress up the grandest for it,” Richa Kathresal

COURTESY OF DAVID PARKER

said. “That typically means it needs to be new as well.” Diwali is a week-long celebration, so not a lot of formal Indian attire was seen last Wednesday, due much in part to the weather, but also to the fact that many had already done their major Diwali celebrations the night or days before. As the weather gets even gloomier and students remain scrambling from exam

to exam, Diwali festivities couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. Aptly put, behind all the dancing and music, was a canvas that read, “This festival of lights symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.” Regardless of religious status, this sentiment is well worth celebrating, and no one can stay unhappy with a samosa in hand.

Sports

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Pack football travels to Wake Forest for huge ACC Atlantic showdown Ben Ellis

Senior Sports Writer

Before the season, most people would probably not have thought that the biggest ACC football game would be on Nov. 13 between NC State and Wake Forest, but that is the case: The two teams meet in WinstonSalem with the ACC Atlantic Division title on the line. The Wolfpack (7-2, 4-1 ACC) and the Demon Deacons (8-1, 5-0 ACC) have the two best records in the Atlantic, and while each team has two more games following this one, the winner will be in the driver’s seat to make the ACC Championship Game on Dec. 4 in Charlotte. This will be the 115th all-time meeting between the two teams, and in the long history of the rivalry, there may never have been more on the line for both teams than this year’s game. “It’s going to be a great game and a great challenge,” said head coach Dave Doeren. “Since we lost that game to Miami, we’ve been approaching every game as a mustwin game. We’ve been in a playoff mode. We have to win this game, the next game and the next game to be in Charlotte.” Prior to last week’s loss against North Carolina, the Deacs were off to their best start in school history at 8-0 and had reached No. 9 in the initial College Football Playoff Rankings. The last time Wake Forest won the ACC Championship was in

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Senior Wide Receiver Emeka Emezie lines up before a play against Louisville on Oct. 30, 2021, at Carter-Finley Stadium. Emezie had 93 receiving yards and a touchdown. NC State beat Louisville 28-13.

2006, and this could very well be the best team the school has had since then. Key to Wake’s success this season has been the stellar play of quarterback Sam Hartman, who is third in the ACC in passing yards and has thrown an average of 419 yards and scored 18 total touchdowns in the last three games. Helping Hartman has been the lethal wide receiver tandem of Jaquarii Roberson and A.T. Perry, both of whom are in the top five in the ACC in

receiving yards. That trio has led the Deacs to one of the highest scoring offenses in the country and will be matched up against the NC State defense, which allows the fewest points per game in the ACC. The Pack has suffered major injuries on the defensive side of the ball this season, including losing redshirt sophomore linebacker Payton Wilson and redshirt junior linebacker Isaiah Moore for the year, and while the unit has held its

ground the past two weeks, it will have its hands full this week. “They’re a high-scoring group and they’re playing with confidence on offense,” Doeren said. “We’re gonna have to play really well in the secondary. We’re gonna have to help our secondary with pass rush, with underneath coverage, with change-ups and we’re gonna have to compete.” On the other side of the ball, the Wake Forest defense has given up a lot recently, surrendering 58 points to North Carolina and 56 in a win over Army. That should bode well for redshirt sophomore quarterback Devin Leary, who recently became the first NC State quarterback since Russell Wilson to pass for over 300 yards and four touchdowns in back-to-back games. “[Leary] is playing really good football,” Doeren said. “His stats don’t lie and the film doesn’t lie.” NC State fans know how much trouble the Pack has had recently at Wake Forest as the team has only won in Winston-Salem once since 2001. Unlike many of its recent trips to Winston-Salem, however, NC State will be a slim underdog this time, while Wake is the favorite. In the past, Wake has played the spoiler for the Pack’s hopes of making it to the championship. Perhaps it is time for a role reversal this year. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. on ACC Network.

Zia Cooke cooks Pack, No. 5 women’s basketball falls to No. 1 South Carolina Tristan Tucker Managing Editor

The No. 5 NC State women’s basketball team fell to the No. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks 66-57 inside Reynolds Coliseum on Tuesday, Nov. 9 in the Pack’s home opener. It was a low-scoring affair, similar to NC State’s win in Columbia, South Carolina last season. This time, however, the Wolfpack was on the other side of the disappointing home loss. NC State had just two players in double figures, graduate guard Raina Perez and junior wing Jakia Brown-Turner, who finished with 18 points apiece. “Gotta give South Carolina all the credit,” said head coach Wes Moore. “That’s why they’re No. 1 in the country. They just really defensively took us out of anything. We looked very lost out there most of the night. … We ended up, maybe because of that defense, we ended up settling too much

for jump shots and step-backs. You look at the stats, we shot six free throws, they shot 19, and I think that was just because again, they were attacking the rim and we ended up settling a lot.” South Carolina guard Zia Cooke had a tremendous outing against the Wolfpack, leading the Gamecocks in scoring with 17 points. Cooke was particularly effective in the second half, scoring nine of her points in that period and silencing the Wolfpack faithful any time NC State tried to make a run back into things. It was a particularly quiet night for the Wolfpack’s star player, senior center Elissa Cunane. Cunane didn’t score a basket until midway through the third quarter and ended the game with just eight points on 4 of 11 shooting. It didn’t help matters that Cunane got

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Graduate guard Raina Perez dribbles the ball up the court against Gamecock guard Destanni Henderson during the Wolfpack’s home game against the top ranked South Carolina Gamecocks on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021 in Reynolds Coliseum. Perez tied with Brown-Turner to have the most points on the night for the Wolfpack with 18 points. The Wolfpack lost 66-57 against the Gamecocks.

Sports 14 TECHNICIAN Pack women’s soccer set for showdown with No. 23 South Florida in NCAA first round THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021

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Nicholas Schnittker Sports Editor

Making the NCAA Tournament for a fifth consecutive fall season as an at-large team, the NC State women’s soccer team will face No. 23 South Florida in the first round of the tournament. The showdown will be the first ever between the two programs as the Wolfpack (8-8-2, 4-6-0, ACC) hits the road to face

the Bulls (12-3-3, 6-1-1 AAC) on Sunday, Nov. 14. South Florida enters the tournament having narrowly missed out on an American Athletic Conference title, losing to Memphis on PKs in the championship game. After two losses against No. 6 Tennessee and then-receiving-votes LSU early in the season, the Bulls have been on a tear through the back of the season. The team’s only other loss on the season came against

SARAH COCHRAN/TECHNICIAN

Freshman midfielder Annika Wohner fights to maintain possession of the ball during pressure from the Syracuse offense on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021 in Dail Soccer Stadium. The Wolfpack beat Syracuse 3-0 in the Wolfpack’s last home game of the season.

No. 25 SMU, a loss it avenged in its conference tournament. Led by junior Sydny Nasello, the Bulls had a very comparable offense to the Wolfpack and scored just two fewer goals on the season. Nasello herself racked up 11 goals and five assists on the season, with the next highest scorer notching just three goals. While she scored the majority of the goals, Nasello also led the team in assists with five. If the Wolfpack can stifle Nasello, it will go a long way to stopping the Bulls’ attack as a whole. While the Pack has a go-to forward of its own in sophomore Jameese Joseph, players like freshman midfielder Annika Wohner, who scored five goals this season, help take some of the weight off Joseph’s shoulders. The Bulls are slightly more stout than the Wolfpack on the defensive end, conceding five fewer goals this season, but neither side has given up more than two goals in any given game. The Wolfpack’s freshman shot stopper Maria Echezarreta has proven to be a game changer this season. Coming up with big games in the important moments, the Spaniard made eight saves in the Wolfpack’s 1-0 win over UNC-Chapel Hill and made six or more in each of the team’s last four games. South Florida’s starting keeper, junior Sydney Martinez had some eight save games of her own and has been a consistent starter since her freshman season. With two solid defenses backed by great

keepers, expect Sunday’s game to be very low scoring. As should be expected in a postseason matchup. What really sets the two teams apart is the strength of their schedules. While South Florida played some solid teams, like Tennessee and SMU, the Massey Rankings have its strength of schedule at 72. By comparison, the Wolfpack had the fifth hardest schedule of any team in the country according to those same rankings. With such a young roster, that tough schedule should benefit the Wolfpack in the postseason as the freshmen have learned to battle in those tough matchups against tough teams. A fact it proved by knocking off two top-5 teams in less than 10 days. Under head coach Tim Santoro, the Wolfpack has had its fair share of postseason success, reaching three Sweet 16s in three of the last four fall tournaments and winning at least its first round matchup in all four. While this Pack roster is overall incredibly young, there are some players on the team, like the center back duo of redshirt junior Lulu Guttenberger and Jenna Butler, who have been part of those successful teams. Should the Wolfpack advance against the Bulls, it would likely face Pepperdine, the No. 4 seed in its bracket and No. 19 ranked team in the country. From there, a showdown with the ACC Champion Florida State Seminoles is the most likely path for the Pack.

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North Carolina at No. 25 Pittsburgh

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No. 9 Michigan at No. 23 Penn State

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Baylor

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Mississippi State

Auburn

Syracuse at Louisville

Louisville

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Purdue at No. 6 Ohio State

Ohio State

Georgia

Minnesota at No. 19 Iowa

Minnesota

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No. 11 Texas A&M at No. 12 Ole Miss

Texas A&M

Ole Miss

Texas A&M

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NC State

Wake Forest

NC State

No. 4 Oklahoma at No. 18 Baylor Mississippi State at No. 16 Auburn

No. 1 Georgia at Tennessee

NC State at No. 13 Wake Forest

Sports

TECHNICIAN 15

TECHNICIANONLINE.COM

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021

WBB

i nto fou l trouble almost imcontinued from page 13 mediately, being pulled for junior center Camille Hobby, who struggled against forward Aliyah Boston. Cunane did have two steals and two assists but stayed in foul trouble all night, ending the night with four fouls and two turnovers. Sophomore guard Diamond Johnson, the crown jewel of the offseason, had a rough first outing with the Wolfpack. The transfer guard out of Rutgers finished the game with just four points on 2 of 12 shooting, a less-than-ideal game for a player renowned for her scoring chops. It wasn’t just Johnson though. Outside of Perez and Brown-Turner, no Pack player had more than six points until the last four minutes of the game. “I thought Jakia [Brown-Turner] and Raina [Perez] both had great nights, hit some tough shots, kept us in the ballgame,” Moore said. “We’ve just got to get some other people [going]. We’re still a work in progress. We added some talent, we have [Kayla Jones] still coming off a surgery, that sort of thing. Probably not a great night to play the number one team in the country, but we’re excited we got the opportunity.” The first half of the game was characterized by ugly offense on both sides. NC

State saw just three players score the ball and shot just 33.3% from the field and 16.7% from deep while South Carolina had a whopping 12 turnovers. Despite the fact that the Gamecocks shot 52.2% from the field, those turnovers, combined with Perez putting up 11 of the Wolfpack’s 19 halftime points, allowed the Pack to keep the contest close in the first half. “I think we beat ourselves,” Perez said. “And it’s not that we ran out of gas, we just couldn’t execute offensively. And we need to do that in order to get over that hump. That was just us.” NC State battled back particularly hard in the third quarter, coming within one point after a Cunane steal and wide-open Perez layup that ignited a rowdy Reynolds crowd. The two top-five juggernauts continued to trade blows in the third period until mysteriously, the Wolfpack offense completely sputtered out. After a Brown-Turner lay-in to bring the game to 37-36, South Carolina went on an 8-0 run and never looked back. Brown-Turner hit a big 3 to cut the lead to six at the end of the third but the ‘Cocks once again shut down any hopes of an upset by going on a 10-2 run that they rode until the final buzzer. “It was tough,” Perez said. “You don’t really see a 6-foot-7, 6-foot-5 post in there all the time, so playing against them was different. I think we kind of picked it up a

little bit, but there were spurts where we were down. Getting to the rim was tough, as players we see that and just kind of work in and out with them. But yeah, it was tough.” Despite playing such a close first half and forcing the aforementioned 12 turnovers, NC State only mustered two more takeaways for the rest of the game. With Johnson and Cunane both having off nights, and the team playing without junior forward Jada Boyd, it just wasn’t in the cards for the Pack to knock off a No. 1 seed. It also didn’t help that graduate forward Kayla Jones still wasn’t at 100%, facing a 20-minute restriction according to Moore. “It makes it tough, especially because of their length,” Moore said. “There are some teams, a lot of teams their forward, four players are going to be almost like a fourth guard. With this team, they’re longer, they’re athletic. … We miss Jada Boyd because she can match up a little bit better size and athleticism with those guys. But still, we, for the most part, held our own on that end of the floor, we just offensively couldn’t get anything going.” Even with the loss, Moore, Perez and Brown-Turner all stated that the energy inside Reynolds was big for the team and is something the program is hoping to build on. NC State hasn’t had fans in Reynolds for a regular-season game since Feb. 27, 2020

due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Yeah, it was awesome,” Moore said. “That adds to the disappointment that we didn’t come through and get it done in that kind of atmosphere in front of people. So disappointing. Again, I think we sold out three of our last four games before COVID. We really had a lot of momentum, and then it all got shut down. So great to start out this way and hopefully we can maintain that kind of excitement and energy.” Next up, NC State will stay at home to participate in the Preseason WNIT in a four-game home event. The Wolfpack first takes on Wofford inside Reynolds on Friday, Nov. 12.

I think we beat ourselves. And it’s not that we ran out of gas, we just couldn’t execute offensively. - Raina Perez

NFL Pack Pros: Hines’ monster performance leads way for Wolfpack alumni Wade Bowman

Assistant Sports Editor

This week’s NFL action saw a return to glory for Indianapolis Colts running back Nyheim Hines, whose monster performance elevated his team to a win over the New York Jets. Alongside Hines, a few other Pack Pros stood out this week as key performers in their respective teams’ matchups. Despite the continued absence of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and a drop-off in play from New England Patriots wideout Jakobi Meyers, there are plenty of former Pack players who stood out in week 10. Nyheim Hines, running back, Indianapolis Colts As previously mentioned, Hines made the absolute most out of his limited opportunities in a matchup against the Jets on Nov. 7. It has become the standard for Hines to consistently turn nothing into something, with the back operating on a scarce workload out of the backfield. While he’s not able to accomplish this every week, he certainly went above and beyond in week 10, rushing six times for 74 yards and a touchdown, as well as adding four receptions for 34 yards. Hines’ lone touchdown came on a 34-yard rush where his explosive speed was out on full display, turning a routine run up-thegut into a foot race down the left sideline for six. In typical Hines fashion, the end zone celebration may have been his best highlight

on the day. He would show off his freak athleticism with a backflip in the endzone before throwing up the “919” to give a shout out to his college town. This game was yet another reminder of how valuable Hines is as a backup threat in this versatile Colts offense, making the most in his first year of a new contract for three years and $18.6 million dollars. His 4.7 yards per carry and 7.8 yards per reception are great marks for a backup in the league, proving how much utility he provides when Colts starter Jonathon Taylor needs a break from his workhorse duties Jacoby Brissett, quarterback, Miami Dolphins Dolphins quarterback Jacoby Brissett was cast back into the starting spot this week with Tua Tagovailoa suffering a fracture to the middle finger of his throwing hand. The news of Tagovailoa’s injury broke later in the week, with many around the league not expecting to see the NC State product thrown back into the spotlight, but as he has done so often in his career, Brissett got the job done. Granted, this matchup was against the 1-8 Houston Texans, but they are a squad that can prove dangerous when quarterback Tyrod Taylor is leading the charge on offense. Fortunately for the Dolphins, Taylor’s struggles in his first game back for Houston would allow Brissett to prevail as the better quarterback in the matchup, throwing for 244 yards on 60.5% completions with a

KAYDEE GAWLIK/ARCHIVE

Sophomore running back Nyheim Hines receives a pass during the homecoming game in Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016. Hines received for 62 yards and rushed for three yards. Boston College won against the Wolfpack, 21-14.

touchdown and two interceptions. Brissett did exactly what was expected of him, hit the underneath throws and methodically worked the ball up field. While his 60.5% completion rate may be a little lower than what head coach Brian Flores would have wanted from his backup, Brissett stayed away from the deep ball and relied on his guys to make plays after the catch. Tagovailoa’s status for a Thursday night matchup against the Baltimore Ravens is still

in question, with there being potential for Brissett to see another start in a game against an offensive powerhouse. Despite the successes of Brissett’s play against the Texans, it’s going to take more than hitting the under throws to keep pace with an offense led by the greatest dual threat quarterback of all time, Lamar Jackson. Visit technicianonline.com to view the entire article.

$500

REWARD

NC State Student Media is offering a $500 reward for information leading to the identification of the person(s) responsible for damaging two newspaper kiosks near Witherspoon Student Center between sundown Saturday, Oct. 30 and 3 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 31. If you saw anything suspicious during that time or have any other information regarding either incident, please contact Officer Andrew Shillingburg at arburkes@ncsu.edu and reference Report Number 21P0001112. Student Media

studentmedia.dasa.ncsu.edu