Letter From the Editor in Chief
Happy November, Patriots!
Autumn is my favorite time of year, and it is in full swing now. The time for mugs of creamy hot chocolate, cozy blankets, and pumpkin spice treats is underway, and I could not be more excited! I love seeing the autumn decorations displayed around campus; the multicolored leaves make my daily drive to campus ten times better. This season is such an exciting time of year.
Two weeks ago, a few of my fellow staff members and I took a trip to Washington, D.C., for the National College Media Convention. We were able to attend many different educational sessions, as well as hear a talk from Woodward and Bernstein, who broke the story of the Watergate scandal in the 1970s! It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we are all so grateful for the opportunity to hear from such accomplished journalists and experts. We learned so much and plan to apply our newfound knowledge to The Patriot’s future issues! The UC student newspaper is only going to get better from here.
This issue holds many interesting articles, photos, playlists, and more! You can explore our article about the best fall movies this year and maybe pick one out to watch the next time you relax with a warm coffee. Scan the QR code on page 7 to see a playlist of one of our staff writers’ musical top picks, and then head over to her article about the Cumberland Falls moonbow. This rare natural phenomenon is only 30 minutes from our little town in Williamsburg! Check out our back graphic for more details on The Learning Commons’ new Lunch & Learn sessions, which allow you to meet with Math and English tutors—or have a quiet place to eat lunch and study! If you need some encouragement this semester, see our devotional for some thoughtful words from our managing editor, Summer Mills. And that’s not all—you’ll have to keep reading to see what else this issue has in store.
All of us here at The Patriot hope that you are doing well in all areas of your life. Remember that if you need help this semester, many services on campus are in place to give you the tools you need to succeed. The Counseling Center is there for your mental health, The Learning Commons to help you with schoolwork, the Student Success Center to help plan the rest of your college journey, and more! If you need help, don’t hesitate to reach out and find it.
God bless you all!
Lacie DeGough
Editor-in-Chief
Lacie DeGough
Managing Editor
Summer Mills
Faculty Advisor
Jeremiah Massengale
Staff
Izabella Buck
Erica Dick
Nathan Evans
Maddie Furtick
Anthony Cage Grubb
Tony Hensley
Cassidy Howard
Alyssa King
Ashlyn Liddle
Amber Simpkins
Hannah Mae Sizemore
Elizabeth Spires
Front cover photo by Elizabeth Spires
Back cover graphic by Lacie DeGough
Email comments, concerns or tips to:
thepatriot@ucumberlands.edu or call us at 606-539-4172
7000 College Station Drive
Williamsburg, Kentucky 40769
The Patriot is the student publication of the University of the Cumberlands. Our goal is to provide timely and original content by highlighting campus news and views.
Award-winning member of the Associated Collegiate Press and Kentucky Press Association.
Photo by Elizabeth Spires
Relationships Today
How to Manage a Relationship During This New Period
BY SUMMER MILLS Managing Editor
“Ring by spring” is a term we all know, especially here at a Christian university. Young Christians are leaving their homes and finding a new place where they can meet new people. During this time, many feel a sense of freedom and desire. Being away from their parents allows young adults to grow and experience more of life. Amidst meeting new people, students will interact with members of the opposite sex. These interactions form bonds and flowering relationships, which is undoubtedly a beautiful thing.
Going from high school to a university is a huge step. Many pack their things and move into dorm rooms, so they are no longer under parental supervision. These changes alone can be challenging. Adding a relationship into the mix can quickly make things more difficult. You may not truly know the person you are trying to date, or you might be trying to further something with someone you have known for a long time. Relationships take a lot of work from both sides to be successful. You cannot put minimal effort in and then call it quits. It takes many extra steps to maintain a relationship with the stress of classes, studying, work, and extracurricular activities, and it can be too much for some people. It is best to wait for the right moment to be with that person than to maybe lose the connection by not having enough time to spend with them or by being too focused on other things.
If you are in a loving relationship, I hope it is everlasting and God’s will. When you are with the right person, you will truly know. God sent them for you, and it is no coincidence that they will be your mate for the rest of your life. There may be times when things will be difficult. As children of God, do not just give up on one another. Be patient and kind as Jesus would. Love and take care of one another. Shower each other with affection and express your gratitude for them. If you get into an argument, communicate with one another and always be open about everything. Do not keep anything in or let something hold you back. Do not go to bed mad at one another. Pray, do devotions, and go to church with each other.
In any relationship that you are in, make God the center of it. You cannot truly express your feelings for someone until you love God and yourself. God will bring the right person to you; you will not have to go searching or chasing after them. Be a light for one another in your relationship and guide the other to faith. A relationship might not be what God has called you to do. He may call you to be single, or you may not find someone for twenty more years. That is at the discretion of the Lord. So, if you are in a season of singleness right now or struggling with your significant other, look to God. Pray to Him, and He will show you the way.
Graphic by Summer Mills
Exceptional Seasonal Pieces
Five Films To Keep You Warm and Cozy This Fall
BY CASSIDY HOWARD Staff Writer
Let’s face it, shorter days and earlier nights make going out sound like a drag. When the sun bids farewell before 6 p.m., what better way to make the most of the night than watching a movie? With light no longer pouring through your window into the late evening, your room can transform into a perfect, cozy, and comfortable mini theater. The only issue is deciding what to watch. Let us save you the time and energy of endless scrolling. Here are the top five fall films to help you embrace your most autumnal self.
5. Dark Shadows (2012)
This movie stars Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter in classic Tim Burton fashion. Set in an eerie Maine port city, this story follows a newly resurrected vampire, Barnabas Collins (Depp), and his search for the answers and cure to his curse. A healthy mix of family drama, gothic visuals, romance, and thematically appropriate throwback music makes Dark Shadows the perfect spooky-not-scary movie to ease you into that fall feeling.
4. Big Fish (2003)
Okay, we know, two Tim Burton films on the same list is a bit too much—but hear us out. Big Fish is a tale of a man trying to reconcile reality with his father’s impossibly eccentric life stories. This one has all the Tim Burton quirks and charm with none of the spookiness. It is a feel-good movie to make you nostalgic for a life that is not your own.
3. Good Will Hunting (1997)
Few themes are more fit for fall than dark academia, and this aesthetic is what Good Will Hunting brings to the table. Will (Matt Damon) is a janitor at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology who secretly harbors a genius-level IQ. The story follows his journey of mentorship beneath therapist Dr. Sean Maguire (Robin William) as he overcomes his past and navigates his future. A somber sense of restlessness and self-discovery laces this film with bittersweet notes of melancholy, all in a grainy, moody academic setting.
2. Little Women (2019)
There is little to say about the appropriateness and necessity of a period drama on this list. However, Greta Gerwig’s 2019 iteration of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women stands out among the rest. This movie is a complex mesh of familial relations and tensions, love found and lost, rejoicing and sorrow. Although it carries through many years and seasons, Little Women’s sentimentality has the same comfort and coldness as autumn.
1. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
If there is one thing Wes Anderson does well, it is creating a memorable atmosphere. Fantastic Mr. Fox is no exception. Though nothing blatantly autumnal happens in the movie’s plot, its consistent color scheme of yellows, browns, oranges, and reds qualifies it as a fall movie. In addition, the prominence of family, loyalty, and finding “home” knock this one out of the ballpark. With glimmers of sly humor, lovable characters, and powerful driving themes, Fantastic Mr. Fox is a perfectly rounded movie for your fall-time viewing.
Graphic by Lacie DeGough
Motivation Tips for Everyday Life
How To Get Things Done, Stay Motivated, and Reduce Stress
BY HANNAH MAE SIZEMORE Staff Writer
by
Staying motivated can be challenging, especially for college students. Balancing many things like attending class, going to work, pursuing extracurricular activities, and more can be overwhelming and anxiety-inducing. Sometimes it seems better to put everything off, but doing that does not make anything easier. It just makes things feel rushed; students have to do more in one sitting, which can be overwhelming and cause neglect of time-sensitive issues. Plus, no one likes feeling rushed—procrastinating causes unnecessary stress and anxiety. Getting everything done on time can be tricky but not impossible. It may be difficult, but there are tips and tricks that anyone can use to help stay motivated.
Some students like to set goals for themselves to stay motivated. Completing a set goal feels rewarding and can help motivate them to achieve more goals. Setting goals (even if they are “tiny” goals, every accomplishment matters) can help ensure people meet their expectations. Creating a goal also can help start a plan, which is another way to reduce stress. Similar to creating goals, some people make lists of what they wish to achieve. That way, they can complete everything and feel accomplished by checking off what they have done. And these positive emotions accompanying completing tasks can help students want to complete more tasks.
Focusing on the big picture is also a great way to help students get things done. Even when it is more challenging to complete something, knowing why it is essential to complete the task can help make it more manageable. Some students say their big picture is graduating, and some do not know what they want to do outside of school, but knowing they want to graduate is enough. Looking ahead can help students pursue their goals.
Spreading out tasks and not trying to do everything at once is another excellent idea. This tip helps students to have much-needed breaks between tasks instead of trying to do everything at once. It helps minds recharge, ensuring that everyone completes their work and that the result is up to standard. Buying or creating a planner can come in handy. Many people recommend having a planner in everyday life. It is helpful to have a list of what to do and when to do it.
While staying ahead of tasks can be difficult, it is not impossible. Everyone needs to find what works best for them. One will complete their tasks and improve themselves with hard work and patience. UC students are tough. Stay hopeful, Patriots!
Photos
Tony Hensley
spread by Elizabeth Spires
Photo
A Rainbow at Night?
Cumberland Falls Rare Phenomenon: The Moonbow
BY AMBER SIMPKINS Staff Writer
Who would have thought that Kentucky was the home of a natural phenomenon? The moonbow at Cumberland Falls is an incredible sight, and it is only half an hour away from our little town of Williamsburg! If you are not sure what a moonbow is, it is a rainbow that occurs at night and reflects the moon instead of the sun. Cumberland Falls is one of the only places in the United States where you can view a moonbow. According to the Kentucky State Parks website, Cumberland Falls has a moonbow multiple days every month, providing many opportunities for people to view one. Entering Cumberland Falls State Park is free, so no fee is required to view the moonbow.
It takes a combination of specific circumstances for a moonbow to form. There must be a full moon because there has to be enough moonlight for the moonbow to reflect. The sky needs to be clear for the moonbow to be visible so it cannot be cloudy. There has to be moisture in the air. The humidity in the air helps refract the light to create the rainbow illusion. With all those conditions set in place, a moonbow can form.
If you try to spot the moonbow, you should know that it will not look like a typical rainbow.
Moonbows are fainter than rainbows. You will not see the vibrant colors you are used to in an ordinary rainbow during the daytime. Instead, the colors look pale and sometimes even white. Moonbows are also referred to as “white rainbows” for this reason. This nickname comes from the colors in the rainbow being too weak for our eyes to detect. But even though moonbows may not be as bright as you might have thought initially, they still provide light in the sky and can be exciting to view. Just do not expect the moonbow to look exactly like a rainbow you would see in the daylight.
The naturally occurring moonbow made Cumberland Falls into the park it is today. Most people come to Cumberland Falls to view the phenomenon. There are several look-out locations where people can best admire the moonbow. According to online travel sources, the best spot to appreciate this unique occurrence is the Upper Overlook. If you are interested in viewing the moonbow, visit the Cumberland Falls website to see the upcoming dates when the moonbow will be visible. The closest dates are Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 10 at 8:00 p.m., and Dec. 5. Seeing the moonbow is undoubtedly something to consider if you have not done so already!
Amber’s Top Picks
Amber Simpkins, a member of our staff, is giving you an exclusive look into her music taste with this playlist! Shuffle this playlist for an even mix of her top favorites.
Graphic by Lacie DeGough
Graphic by Lacie DeGough
