The Patriot- Spring 2024 Issue 1

BY: ALLY KENNEDY STAFF WRITER

How Will UC the World?

Cumberlands’ Study Abroad Program

Many interesting and exciting opportunities are offered here at the University of the Cumberlands. One of the most thrilling opportunities presented to students is the chance to study abroad. While everyone is encouraged to apply, there are specific requirements to be allowed to go. Students interested in applying must be 18 years old, have a 2.5 GPA, be a fulltime, on-campus student, and have completed at least one term before studying abroad.

The University of the Cumberlands has five different countries that students can apply to travel to, including Costa Rica, England, France, Ireland, and Spain. These five options allow students to choose from various cultures and histories to immerse themselves in. Just as students study various fields on campus, students can study various cultures by exploring the history, language, and politics of different nations around the globe.

When partaking in the Cumberlands

BY: SHAYRA CALDERON STAFF WRITER

study abroad program, students will talk to a staff member who helps them plan their trip, contact host families, and gather materials. These staff members help find the location that best fits the student’s needs and discuss financial aid options available to the students. When talking about specific plans, students can even ask about available internships. Different countries have many internships, so if a student wants to travel, study, and gain experience in a specific career path, doing an internship through study abroad is an excellent opportunity.

Students can participate in this academically enriching trip at different times of the year. There are trips available through the traditional Fall and Spring school semesters, but some are available during the summer break. These trips vary in length of stay. The summer study abroad trips are the most flexible, especially since traveling during the school year requires much planning and preparation. UC’s Study Abroad

program has something special for everyone. Whether you enjoy thoroughly planning or want more of a spontaneous adventure, there is a trip for you!

For more information about studying abroad, there are various routes that students can take. The University of the Cumberlands’s website has a section about studying abroad. To get there, go to the Cumberlands homepage, hit the academics tab, and then click on study abroad. It will bring up another page with everything stu dents need to know. There is information and short videos to help students understand what they need to do and who they need to contact.

There is also a section that has extra information about each country students are eligible to apply to visit. At the bottom of the page, resources are available to help students and families understand how to apply for a passport, what to do in emergencies, and other vital information to know before students embark on their overseas adventure. Will this be how UC the world?

Starting 2024 Off With a Bang

The Women’s Wrestling Team Climbs Up the Rankings

CUMBERLANDS ATHLETICS

2024 has just begun, and the Patriot Women’s Wrestling team is already off to a phenomenal start. Within the first month, the team has secured several wins and continues to climb up in the rankings.

The women’s wrestling team went into national duals unseeded and secured eighth place. They beat and placed higher than teams that were seeded, a tremendous feat. During national duals, Micah Fisher beat Life University’s #1 ranked girl, pinning her in the second period.

Following national duals, the team went to the Tornado Open, where they had two first-place winners, MaQuoia Bernabe and Chamira Cooper. Following this tournament, Bernabe was named “Mid-South Conference Women’s Wrestler of the Week.” On January 17, Bernabe was named “NAIA Women’s Wrestler of

the Week.” This week is Bernabe’s second time achieving this title. NAIA released a new set of rankings on the week of the 21. Cumberlands is currently ranked seventh with ten girls in the overall rankings. Elizabeth Dosado ranked fifth in the 101-weight class, Gracie Elliott ranked eleventh in the 109-weight class, Presley Anderson ranked sixth in the 116-weight class, Kaitlin Castro ranked 14th in the 123-weight class, and Micah Fisher ranked sixth in the 143-weight class. While Ariana Pereira ranked nineteenth in the 155-weight class, Saiheron Preciado-Meza ranked ninth in the 170-weight class, Chamira Cooper ranked eleventh in the 170-weight class, Maqouia Bernabe ranked sixth in the 191-weight class, and Naomi Duenas ranked eleventh in the 191-weight class. The women’s wrestling team continues to place girls high up in the weekly rankings. So far, this season has been amazing for the women’s wrestling team. Assistant coach Jesse Kirby says, “I am extremely excited about the success that we have had so far and cannot wait to see how the girls finish out the season. We have a very young team, but we knew our Freshmen and Transfers would come in strong. Our returners have also made huge improvements this season and are performing great on the mat. We started 2024 strong, the first weekend of January at national duals, placing eighth, and we are going 4-0 this weekend at the Warrior Duals. I am so proud of them and cannot wait to see what they continue to achieve.” This week, the women’s wrestling team headed to Indiana for the Warrior Duals, ending the tournament 4-0. Beating Indiana Tech 38-6, Sienna Heights 40-8, Lourdes 40-6, and Rochester 48-2. It is safe to say that the women’s wrestling team has started the 2024 season out with a bang, but the season is just getting started. The women’s wrestling team still has several tournaments and will have a home dual against Life University on January 31. Another home dual against Campbellsville will quickly follow this dual on February 7. Be sure to watch these girls in action; you will not want to miss it!

PHOTO COURTESY OF ABBY CHUNG

PHOTO COURTESY OF KSENIA CHERNAYA

PHOTO COURTESY OF

Letter From the Editor in Chief

PHOTO BY LACIE DEGOUGH

Hello lovers,

How is everyone doing? I cannot believe January is almost over. This month has gone by so quickly. We have been really busy here at the newspaper. This issue is our first one of the semester and we cannot wait to share it with you. We cannot wait to continue releasing content for everyone on campus and in the community.

Our staff has a lot of great stuff in the works. We want to grow our online presence, increase production, and grow our outreach to connect with more people. Our website will see an influx of articles soon, and we will continue to update our social media to keep you all updated and entertained.

We would love to hear from you about any content you are interested in. The content can range in whatever form of media it is. We are open to ideas about print, website, and Instagram articles. Our staff wants your opinion on how we can reach your interests with graphics, photography, and videos. Just contact us and let us know what issues are important to you!

This issue focuses on everything from Gypsy Rose Blanchard, the upcoming presidential election to Valentine’s Day. The wide variety of topics is sure to stand out. We hope that something piques your interest. After reading through the issue, complete our Sudoku and Word Search puzzle at the end. These will be sure to test you and occupy some of your time! Have a great week Patriots!

Love, Summer

The Way to Their Heart

Valentine’s Day

Staff

Editor- in- Chief

Summer Mills

Print Managing Editor

Cage Grubb

Digital Managing Editor

Emilia Martínez Morales

Staff Writers

Ally Kennedy

Kamryn Keith

Shayra Calderon

Sydney Schwenke

Staff Photographers

Brittany Smith

Khebrion Puchoon

Faculty Advisor

Jeremiah Massengale

BY: KAMRYN KEITH STAFF WRITER

Valentine’s Day is almost two weeks away. It is the day you show your significant other love and affection. Valentine’s means “sending affection, a card or gift, usually anonymous, to one’s sweetheart or friend.” Finding the perfect gift for a significant other is sometimes ridiculously hard. Here are some ideas to give to your person. A simple gift can always be a basket with a card, candy, and something you know they will enjoy.

The first thing is simple, know their interests and hobbies. For the girls, find out if they wear gold or silver jewelry. There are many cute necklaces, and when you buy a girl a necklace, she will wear it every day, especially if the necklace has your initials. If the girl likes to read, find her favorite genre or ask what book she wants. That

could be a start. A book bouquet is always possible if she has multiple that she wants. Girls love stuffed animals, too. If they are from their significant other, they will always sleep with it. Make sure to spray it with your cologne before you give it to her. Small gifts are always appreciated if money is tight and on a budget—a box of chocolates, flowers, a handwritten note, or anything handmade. Girls are very sentimental with handmade cards or love letters. Those are small ideas of what you can get your girl for Valentine’s Day. Now, what to get for the guys? Guys are tough to shop for, in general. Valentine’s Day typically consists of pink and red hearts, flowers, and glitter; guys do not usually care for the aesthetic. It does not mean that they should not get to feel appreciated. Again, know their interest. If they like gaming, there are always gift cards. With that, you can make a bouquet for

them too. Substitute flowers with their favorite candy. If they like sports, there is always something in the Valentine’s section with a cheesy sports pickup line. There are also ways to customize baseballs, basketballs, soccer balls, etc., with pictures of your significant other and you on them. If he is a reader, you can get him a book he has wanted. If you need to save money and want to purchase a small gift, then there is always the choice of handmade things and candy. Cumberlands students shared what they would enjoy receiving from their significant other. A senior girl said, “If I had a boyfriend on Valentine’s Day, I would love to receive flowers or chocolate. Oh, I would really love one of those teddy bears made of roses.” She loves the simple things and would be happy with anything. Her statement shows you do not have to overthink the gifts; just be thoughtful. Another student, a junior male, said he would love food gift cards as a gift. He said, “As a college student, I do not have money, and I feel like I am always eating cafe food. So, I would enjoy my favorite restaurant’s gift card to eat something different for once.” If you know your significant other’s favorite food place, then there is another gift idea to get them. Giving can be challenging, especially on Valentine’s Day, since the holiday is not as extravagant as Christmas. There are always small, simple presents to give. If you are lost and have no idea, then there is always candy and flowers available. There are plenty of different gifts to get that can match a variety of interests. It does not always have to be the biggest and best gift; it is the thought that counts. The little things will make your significant other happy. It shows you love and that you are thinking about them. Valentine’s is the day of love, so show you are loving the best way you can.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PEXELS

BY: SYDNEY SCHWENKE STAFF WRITER

Who’s Got Your Vote

2024 Presidential Candidates and Some of Their Stances

With Primary Election Day on May 21 quickly approaching, it is beneficial to be informed and part of the democratic process of choosing the next president.

Democratic candidates running for the presidency are current President Joe Biden, Marianne Williamson, and Dean Phillips. 82-yearold President Biden is running for re-election as the oldest person ever to hold the presidency, causing critics to question his capability. A notable number of Democratic voters indicated he should not run; however, he is expected to win the Democratic nomination easily.

Marianne Williamson will be 72 years old by Inauguration Day and is running for a second time. Williamson is an author and former spiritual adviser to Oprah Winfrey. She has proposed a federal Department of Peace supporting reparations for slavery. Williamson also stated she would try to protect abortion rights established under Roe v. Wade. She entered the Democratic primary calling for “a vision of justice and love that is so powerful that it will override the forces of hatred and injustice and fear.”

Dean Phillips will be 56 years old by Inauguration Day and is a moderate Democrat elected to the House of Representatives in 2018. He left his position in the House to run for president against the wishes of most of the party’s elected officials. Phillips has supported Biden’s agendas in Congress but has some policy conflicts with the president. He also says Democrats need younger voices to prevent former President Trump from winning another presidency.

Republican candidates running for the presidency are former President Donald Trump,

Nikki Haley, and Ryan Binkley. Former President Donald Trump will be 78 years old by Inauguration Day. Trump is still extremely popular in the Republican Party, despite making history as the first president to be tried for impeachment twice and inciting the capitol insurrection in 2021. Trump appointed three judges to the Su-

preme Court, paving the way for Roe v. Wade’s reversal. Trump is the first former U.S. president to face criminal charges, including thirty-four felony counts of falsifying business records and fifty-seven more felonies in three other criminal cases.

Nikki Haley will be 53 years old by Inauguration Day. Haley is a former governor of South Carolina and was United Nations Ambassador under Trump. Haley presents herself as part of “a new generation of leadership” and emphasizes her nationality as the daughter of Indian immigrants. She became Trump’s first primary GOP challenger after her campaign launch in February. She is the only woman in the GOP field. Haley has stated she would “absolutely” sign a 15-week federal abortion ban into law.

Ryan Binkley will be 57 years old by Inauguration Day. Binkley is the president of a mergers and acquisitions firm and the pastor of a church in Texas who has never run for elected office before. Binkley claims he is a “unifying” candidate who can overcome partisan division. Binkley’s central policy proposals include conforming to The Constitution, immigration reform, and balancing the federal budget.

Independent and third-party candidates running for the presidency are Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Cornel West, and Jill Stein. These candidates provide voters with options outside the Republican and Democratic parties. Whether one votes or not, voting is a right that only some have and should not be taken lightly.

American Obsession

Gypsy Rose Blanchard

BY: ALLY KENNEDY STAFF WRITER

The name Gypsy Rose Blanchard has become well-known among the American public. Now more than ever. While many Americans enjoy watching shows and listening to podcasts about crime stories, Blanchard’s story is one of the most controversial cases of the twenty-first century. Her story is so popular because it is unusual and surprising.

While many kinds of families exist in America, Blanchard’s upbringing was unusual because she was brought up in an untraditional way. Before Blanchard’s birth, her mother, Dee Dee, and her father, Rod, divorced, leading Blanchard to live alone with her mother in Louisiana. Rod claimed that he was too young and immature to be a father. While Dee Dee did not force Rod to leave, she supposedly did not allow him access to Blanchard throughout her childhood and teenage years.

Dee Dee, however, suffered from a med-

ical condition called Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Munchausen syndrome by proxy, is a psychological condition in which a caregiver abuses their child by making them believe they are dangerously ill to gain attention from others.

In Blanchard’s case, her mother claimed that she had multiple illnesses, ranging from Leukemia to Muscular Dystrophy.

Due to her mother’s abuse, Blanchard underwent unnecessary medications and surgeries throughout her childhood. In 2015, Blanchard became aware of the abuse that her mother subjected her to. Soon after, Blanchard and her online boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn, plotted the murder of her mother. After the criminal trial, the jury charged Blanchard with Second-degree murder and sentenced to ten years in prison, while Godejohn was charged with First-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

On December 28, 2023, Blanchard was released two years early from prison and reunited with her father, husband, and family. With her newfound freedom, many of Blanchard’s friends and family have become a part of her life. From her social media posts to her interviews on television, many Americans are curious about her, some of whom treat her like a celebrity. This fascination prompts the question: should people be this invested in her?

University of the Cumberlands student Taylor Smiddy says, “I think that the people are overhyping her and giving her too much credit. I know killing her mom was her only way out, but the fact that people are praising her and making her a celebrity is weird.” Another Cumberlands student, Abby Perkins, agrees with Smiddy, add-

ing, “I also think killing her mom was her only way out, but I don’t think she should get all of this celebrity treatment.” On the other hand, student Macy Daugherty disagrees, stating, “I

do think people should be involved in the case. Blanchard’s case is a very rare situation that I think could be very beneficial to study and understand. I think that because so many people are interested in Blanchard’s story, more children who face abuse from parents or guardians with Munchausen by proxy will be able to seek the help they need in their situations.”

Both on campus and in the broader American culture, Blanchard’s case has individuals split on Blanchard’s celebrity-like status. And while everyone is entitled to their own opinion, there are a lot of people who stand firmly on opposite sides of the spectrum.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ELEMENT5 DIGITAL

PHOTO COURTESY OF BIOGRAPHYMASK

PHOTO COURTESY OF TODD TRAPANI

PHOTO COURTESY OF BIOGRAPHYMASK

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Celebrities

Celebrity Word Search

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