The Patriot- March 24, 2016

Issue 3 March 24, 2016

March 24, 2016

Letter from the Editor

Dear readers, During my time here on campus, I got the opportunity to take a course called “Screenwriting in a Digital Age.” In this course, we not only tried our hand at screenwriting, but we also studied the breakdown of what makes a good story and the formula for developing the beginning, middle and end of your plot.

I learned that, much like in other areas of life, there are common factors to what makes a story interesting. One of the steps to get to that beginning, middle, and end is having what’s called an inciting incident. This inciting incident is what sets the rest of your story in motion. In “Legally Blonde” it’s when Elle Woods gets a breakup instead of a proposal from her boyfriend Warren. It’s when Mufasa dies in “The Lion King” and Simba runs away believing it was his fault.

Often these incidents lead to emotions of despair, hopelessness and uncertainty of what to do next. The lead characters often find themselves with anxiety and fear of the future as all their plans have unraveled before them.

As students, we often find ourselves in similar situations when relationships crumble, friendships dissolve or career plans we thought we were meant for take a new path. It’s hard not to get discouraged when we compare the way our plans turn out to what we envisioned they would or what others envisioned for us. But it’s in those times that I think we can most identify with inciting incidents.

If Elle’s boyfriend had never broken up with her because she wasn’t serious enough, she would have never been determined to go to law school and become a successful lawyer who proved an accused woman’s innocence and met her future husband. If Simba had never left Pride Rock, he never would have met Pumbaa and Timon, and we would have never gotten “Lion King 1 ½” or even the “Hakuna Matata” sequence!

Essentially, what I’m saying is not to let your change of plans discourage you!

Embrace them for the exciting opportunities they could be! God’s plans are always better than ours, and His are what will be. Keep this in mind as summer break and graduation loom. You never know what could be your biggest blessings in disguise.

Sincerely,

Natasha Jones

Editor-In-Chief

Natasha Jones Assistant Editors

Trenton Canada Ashton Rector Faculty Advisor

Jeremiah Massengale Staff Writers

DJ Hite Lydia Jay Shyann Norris Leanne Gregor y Staff Photographer

Eric Ford Edwards Jay Sanksakulchai Editorial Review Board

Lisa Bartram Marianne Worthington The Patriot is the biweekly 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 Kentucky Press Association.

News 3

Rock-Slide shuts down Interstate-75 Interstate catastrophe causes commute headache for students and staff

Mark Nagi, Tennessee Department of Transportation spokesman, takes a photo Sunday of the

BY SHYA NN NOR RIS

damage from Friday’s rock slide on Interstate 75 North at mile maker 142 in Campbell County.

Staff Writer

(Shaw n Millsaps/Special to The Patriot. Used w ith permission)

On February 26, 2016, a mishap took place on Interstate 75 around exit 144, which is about 27 miles from the Williamsburg exit, while on my way home from school. It was definitely unexpected and unavoidable. A rock slide was occurring around 3:30 p.m. that Friday evening going north bound. I was going south bound as my heart suddenly stopped and I hit the gas a little harder and headed straight for exit 141 where my house was a straight shot from there.

Cars going north bound were at a complete stand still, others were trying to avoid the situation in the median of the interstate, while TDOT trucks and Tennessee Highway Patrol were doing their best to get to the scene taking every route possible dodging vehicles and falling boulders.

Who would have known then that they would soon be shutting down the interstate both north and south bound? I had just made it home when they shut it down both ways. When hearing this I would have thought maybe this shut down would only be but for a few hours, a day at most. But I was so wrong.

They announced approximately 3 days after the incident that we could expect the interstate to be shut down from Jellico exit 160 to Campbell County exit 134 for weeks, possibly even a month or two. This posed problems as I was driving from Scott County, TN to Williamsburg every day to get to school. This also caused problems for workers in our county, too as about 47 percent of our county’s population works out of town where the interstate is required to get to work.

Recently we had had some very nasty winter weather. I have an alternate route to school by taking Highway 92 in Pine Knot, KY; however, it isn’t the safest or most ideal way to commute. I had been taking the interstate for most of the semester trying to avoid the dangers of that road and the absence of phone service in case of emergencies. When the interstate closed, I had no choice. I had to begin taking Highway 92 again. To and from school.

The first day I took that route after the interstate had shut, an 18-wheeler had

had a horrible accident the evening before shutting down 92 for a brief period which could have caused a halt and potentially resulted in delays for me. Luckily it was cleaned up and traffic was able to pass in a timely manner. Citizens around here that are also having to take alternate routes are being delayed also as 18 wheelers are trying to take these routes in which are unsafe and unpassable for such a huge truck. There have been many wrecks on these other back roads which made them unpassable also and another route had to be taken.

Recently exit 141, the Huntsville/Oneida exit has been reopened for locals coming North bound from work but after that, the interstate is completely closed from ongoing traffic. However, this still doesn’t help me in my commute to school.

I know I am not the only commuter effected by the interstate mishap that caused it shut down for weeks to come.

Dr. Haley Turner states that the incident concerned her when it initially happened. She has two young daughters in which the commute from Knoxville to Williamsburg also affects. Turner quoted, “I really didn't know how long to expect it would take to get to campus on the new detour.” She said that she has found some great podcasts to occupy her on her commute which is currently an hour and a half instead of the normal hour. Overall, the detour has added about an hour to Professor Turner’s "work day."

Professor Warren Headrick also stated that the detour has added an extra 30 minutes to an hour (1-2 hours roundtrip) to his commute to Williamsburg. He does say; however, that this detour has allowed him to see the back country of Campbell County, TN. For at least four more weeks we can expect delays and to take alternate routes going Northbound, but south bound has recently been opened up. Be sure to stay safe and take the best route getting home on the weekends.

4 News

Convocation Reconstruction Convocation transforms into UC ENGAGE

BY NATASHA JONES Editor-In- Chief

Upon returning to campus from spring break, UC students were informed via email that the course known as Convocation will be renamed UC ENGAGE and will feature a new format and attendance options for students.

With the transition to UC ENGAGE, attendances will not be connected to specific categories, like in the past with Convocation. The total number of events students will now have to attend is six rather than eight. Of those six attendances, one will be a required event that all students must attend. In the fall semester that event will be the opening Convocation and in the spring semester it will be the Forcht Leadership Event.

Vice President of Student Services Dr. Emily Coleman says the change was brought on due to feedback received from students about Convocation. She also adds that the change has been a year in the making.

“Student success can be clearly tied to student engagement on a college campus, not just here but nationwide. UC ENGAGE will be another opportunity for UC students to become engaged with campus through the sessions offered and leadership opportunities presented campus wide,” said Coleman.

Students who have a leadership position on campus will be eligible for one attendance fulfillment based on that position per semester. Those students who do hold a position of leadership (such as president of Student Government Association, captain of the debate team, student athletes or resident assistants) will have to complete a form online, which will have to be approved by their advisor on whether or not that student is fulfilling that positon and should be granted the attendance based on their performance in that role.

Jay Bourne, faculty advisor of the debate team said, “If the idea is to engage in areas outside the classroom, these are students who are engaging in activities outside the classroom… it does respect the engagement they are involved in, whether it’s a club, organization or other activity. It is sometimes difficult for these students to fulfill those attendance requirements in the past.”

“

Bourne said he believes subtracting categories and giving students who hold positions of leadership on campus fulfillment should make the requirements for UC ENGAGE more achievable and enjoyable.

”

UC ENGAGE will be another opportunity for UC students to become engaged with campus through the sessions offered and leadership opportunities presented campus wide.

- Dr. Emily Coleman

Features 5

Coleman also says the decision to take out categories, like academic/cultural, faith development, and general interest, was made to simplify the process. The change also gives students the option to focus on programs that are directly related to their major or focus on other skills that the student would like to further develop. Thus, it allows them the chance to really customize the experience of UC ENGAGE.

students will have a more positive outlook and will be more excited to go.”

Compared to the current Convocation schedule, the program schedule for UC ENGAGE will not be changing much. It will allow students a wide array of diverse options to meet those requirements, but will also open seats in events that students might want to attend based upon personal interest.

Paige Cox, a UC freshman, said, “I like the change. I think not having any categories will open up a range for students to get all that they need before the semester is over. It won't be so stressful to get them done.”

The implementation of UC ENGAGE will also alter PASS100, a course all incoming freshmen must take during their first semester on campus. Their attendance requirements will change to six as well, including the required program of opening Convocation of the Forcht Leadership Event. The leadership attendance option will not be available for freshmen enrolled in PASS 100.

Dependents have also been added to the exemption policy. Coleman says she classifies students with dependents as, “the primary caregiver for a child or maybe for an elderly family member, or something along those lines.” Coleman added, “The person would just have to bring me that documentation with justification to show that they are caring for someone and then we would be able to give them their credit for that.”

Joshua Kidder, a UC junior said, “I think the changes are really going to change the way students will view Convocation. Since there are only six required, I think

Attendance will still be available to view online, and the ticket system will remain to ensure available space, but only time can tell if it will be needed long term adds Coleman. She also says depending on the schedule of events next year, programs such as Fall Awakening and Spring Renewal- that take place multiple nights in a week- may or may not count for multiple attendance credits. This decision will be based upon the UC ENGAGE schedule and what best helps all enrolled students meet the attendance requirement.

6 Features

Students reflect on how UC honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy

BY TR ENTON CANA DA, LYDI A JAY, A ND DJ HITE Assitant Editor and Staff Writers

The month of February is designated each year as a time in which we, as Americans, honor and give thanks to the African-American lives that have influenced and shaped not only our nation as a whole but each of us as individuals.

As such, it is also the time that we celebrate the man argued to be the single most defining voice for equality in America. That man is, of course, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and while we each celebrate him in our own way, many universities set this day aside as a memorial for Dr. King. Yet while colleges and universities within Kentucky like Lindsey Wilson, Campbellsville, Asbury, Kentucky Christian and many others chose to schedule this day off in Dr. King’s honor, the University of the Cumberlands, along with 12 other universities and colleges, chose to continue classes as normal. This has left many students with questions about what kind of reverence is given to the leader of the Civil Rights Movement.

“I feel that UC has done a poor job of acknowledging Dr. King and his accomplishments,” said UC student Erico Smith. “Not only do we have to attend class but little is done to acknowledge him on campus. I think that as a role model for not only the black community but for everyone, there could be a better effort to educate people on how far we have come and the things that we can still do to improve today.”

In past years, UC officially began each spring semester with the opening Founder’s Day convocation program, with each speaker traditionally touching on the life and legacy of Dr. King. This year’s speaker, Dr. Kevin Smith, is noted as being the first African-American president of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, according to an article published by the Western Recorder. This was not the first time Smith has spoken at the opening convocation. In fact, according to records found on the UC’s campus website, Smith spoke at the 2014 opening convocation with a specific topic of Dr. King’s legacy. That said, seldom was mentioned about Dr. King during the 2016 convocation, and a very brief moment of silence left some students desiring more.

Dr. Barbara Kennedy, vice president for academic affairs, said of the opportunities to honor Dr. King on UC’s campus, “The university celebrates diversity,

equality, and the achievements of Dr. King. In years past, there have been convocation events devoted to Dr. King, civil rights and diversity. Plus, many departments on campus place a focus on Martin Luther King, Jr. For example, in the school of education, they have created displays and bulletin boards to honor the life and achievements of Martin Luther King and also to celebrate black history month… Additionally, as another example, students in our education program take an entire course called Race and Diversity, which concentrates on these issues.”

Apart from these instances found in past Founder’s Day convocations and those directly related to class events, no specific annual event is held in direct honor of Dr. King. In fact, according to press releases obtained from UC’s website, the last time that an event was specifically held in honor of Dr. King was in 2010 when the UC Democrats sponsored a commemoration featuring several guest speakers. Dr. Mike Dickman, faculty sponsor for the UC Democrats, recalled that the event stemmed from student frustrations that there weren’t more opportunities at UC to honor the life of Dr. King, and while this event focused on voicing the message that Dr. King left behind, it was sponsored by an organization found on UC’s campus and not by the university itself.

One student at the time, Chris Felder, was featured as a speaker at the event and was quoted in a UC press release as saying, “I felt that there was a need to honor a truly great American; one who transcended race and cultures and dared to say that everyone was equal. As a young black man in America, I am keenly aware that there are a lot of obstacles that Martin Luther King, Jr. has toppled, paving the way for future generations to succeed in this great nation."

That sentiment about UC seems to hold true today. UC student Krystal Robertson addressed this by stating, “We don’t really honor Martin Luther King, Jr. at all. I mean, even thought the population of African Americans is low here, there still is no celebration for black history or Martin Luther King at all. We don’t see anything; we don’t even hear about it in class.”

Features 7

UC students share their thoughts on the impact of Dr. King

“Dr. K ing has show n me that you can have a big, impactful voice and influence on people without being pompous and arrogant, that you can have a vision and a big dream, goals and show it in appropriate manner. I really respected that about him.”

“MK impacted my life, simply because in here. I would never have come

-Cor y Crabtree

here if things were as they use to be. It’s the equality, we wouldn’t be able to be here unsegregated if it were not for his leadership and support for us.”

-Jazmine Taylor

Lisa Bartram, director of UC campus activities, addressed the Campus Activities Board’s role in such events by stating, “The campus activities we schedule through CAB are viewed more as entertainment. The focus on Martin Luther King is more educational, so we’ve always left that aspect to the convocation side of things.”

Sara Donahue, graduate assistant for campus activities, recalls, “I don’t think that we have had anything specifically focused on Martin Luther King since 2010. Prior to that, I think there may have been a few events, but I don’t think we’ve had anything scheduled after that.”

Universities similar to UC have either sponsored or hosted events centered on Dr. King.

Within the month of February, Asbury University hosted a lecture from Clint Baldwin, associate global executive director of Word Made Flesh, during which he spoke to students directly about furthering Dr. King’s dream though non-violent protest, suffering, justice and love. In addition, recent years have found Lindsey Wilson College participating in service events in honor of Dr. King, according to articles published by KY Forward. According to press releases obtained from Campbellsville University, the institution has sponsored services held in reverence of Dr. King, featuring guest speakers like the Rev. Marvin Frank Thomas Sr., bishop of the Second Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in the Kentucky-Ohio region.

However, University of the Cumberlands officials understand the response expressed by students concerning opportunity.

Kennedy said, “Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is important to us at UC. We do care about celebrating Dr. King’s life and legacy. We are reviewing this with an expectation of making changes.”

Photo by Kirsten Scholl

“If it were not for him I would be here, to attend a predominant white university. We would still be living in Jim Crow, racial tension would be higher than they already are today. Without Dr. King we would be in a much worse place than we are right now.”

-Erico Smith

“MLK showed me what a true leader is and how you are to reach people and communicate and look past ever yone’s physical appearance and look more towards the person that they actually are.”

-Aneta Elliot

8 Features

What’s the buzz, Brody?

A Q&A with Brody Nolan

BY LEA NNE GR EGORY

For any writer, getting their work published is a life-long dream. For some writers the dream manifests itself in movie manuscripts, and television advertisements. For others, it arrives in the form of novels and magazines. For Brody Nolan, a senior here at the University of the Cumberlands, his dream pixelated itself in an article titled “17 Undeniable Perks of Goint to a Small College,” published to the front page of Buzzfeed’s webpage. Sit down with Brody and me as we talk about what the experience means to him.

LG: What was that like for you, getting your article published on a popular website such as Buzzfeed?

BN: It was pretty exciting. I woke up to the email saying that they had published it to their front page, and I was kind of in disbelief. Then I checked and it was there, so it was very exciting.

LG: How did you manage to get the article on Buzzfeed's webpage?

BN: Well, I have Print and Web Journalism with Jeremiah Massengale and our assignment was to do a Buzzfeed listicle. So what we had to do was make a list of twenty things that relate to a college student. We had to post it to Buzzfeed community so I made mine, and posted it to them, and they emailed me and said they had published it to their community site. I guess it got more attraction because after that they emailed me again and it said, “Hey, we are putting it on our front page.” So I think it was because it got lots of reactions from their community that they published it up front.

LG: What did you enjoy most about writing this particular article?

BN: I think the fun thing about Buzzfeed is finding the little GIFs that go along with them. It's always fun to get that added sense of humor into it. I got to be sassy, and I love to be sassy.

LG: Were you surprised that the article managed to get as much attention as it did?

BN: I was very surprised, I didn't think it would go anywhere because it was more geared towards a small school. The idea behind it was the perks of going to a small campus and a majority of Universities aren't small campuses like ours. So it was 8 shocking and very cool to see that they had published it on their front page. very

Photo by DJ Hite

Brody Nolan, a UC senior, poses in front of his article, published on Buzzfeed.com

LG: What inspired you to write about the specific topic that you choose for the article?

BN: It took me a while to figure out what to write about. I was googling different types of college articles on Buzzfeed, and a lot of them were problems of going to a collage, and problems of small collages, so I said “well let's talk about the perks of going to a small collage” so that's what that was. It was just the opposite end of some of the popular Buzzfeed articles already published.

LG: What was the most challenging part of writing the article for you, besides finding a topic?

BN: I think the most challenging part was finding twenty perks of coming to a small school that weren't already done because there were Buzzfeed articles about perks of going to college. We’re all in college, we know how it is, and there are some universal perks about going to college. So I think trying to find perks that are related to going to a small campus that relates to everyone, not just specifically the Cumberlands, that gave me a little bit of trouble, I’m not going to lie.

LG: Is there anything you would go back and change about the article you’ve written?

BN: I don’t think I would change anything, because I thought it was pretty good because it was funny, but I guess the editor of Buzzfeed, who read over the list and published it, did change some wording and condensed the list. I had twenty perks altogether but they changed it to seventeen. They kind of mushed two of the points together. So they changed some things, but I don’t think I would. I liked how it turned out and im very happy about it.

Features 9 LG: Has anyone from the University, like a professor or a student, who has read and enjoyed the article talked to you about it?

BN: I’ve actually had, not to brag, a lot of people come up to me and talk to me about it, it’s really cool. Their usually students or professors who I know and they’ll congratulate me on getting there, but sometimes it will be a student who I’ve come across in passing and they’ll be like “Hey you wrote the article it’s really cool, I loved it, it was really funny.” So it’s been really cool to see how people related to it on campus. It’s been really fun to hear what they want to say about it. It’s kind of an ego boost im not going to lie.

LG: What kind of a mindset did you go in with to write the article?

BN: The mindset I wanted, was to be sassy. I think I’m hilarious, and sometimes people agree, sometimes they don’t, but I think im always hilarious so I wanted to try and get the humor across and be true to the fact that these perks do happen when you come to a small school. I wanted to emphasize the fact that we are a small campus and that it’s nice coming to a small campus where people know you no matter what, no matter where you are, or what you do. That your professor is able to teach you one on one. You don’t get that on a big campus. I wanted to get the point across that there are these perks coming to a small campus as well as being funny.

LG: Did you enjoy the assignment?

BN: I did, it was very fun. I love Mr. Massengale, he’s a great professor. He is always concerned about teaching you real world applications that you can use beyond college and that’s what this was. It was getting you the experience to write something and then publish it to Buzzfeed. It was very fun because I love Buzzfeed and I love what they do, and I wanted to get published by them for a while I had just never sat down to actually do something to try and get on Buzzfeed. So for an assignment to get me there was really cool.

LG: So you think that this assignment helped you to further your ambitions to get to your career goals?

BN: Yeah maybe, I’m not saying I’m applying for them or anything, but if I had a dream job it would be Buzzfeed or a film director so I think it’s kind of making that dream more obtainable. It’s like hey I can do this because I got published so who knows, maybe in the long run I and see myself there.

LG: Would you work with Buzzfeed again if you had the opportunity to do so?

BN: Yeah, Buzzfeed is probably one of my dream jobs. I would love to work with them. If they offered me a job I would take it in a heartbeat.

LG: Do you have any advice for people who are looking to get their works published in magazines and news outlets like Buzzfeed?

BN: Maybe just try and add some humor, because that's the main thing about Buzzfeed, they try to be witty and sarcastic with some other things, and I think that helped my article gain traction, because some of it was a bit sarcastic, and some of it was actually genuine. I think if you have the added sense of humor then people are going to react to it better than if it was just huge links of paragraphs of reading and dry, boring stuff.

LG: You mentioned that you're dream job would be to work for Buzzfeed, is there anything specifically you would like to do for them?

BN: Probably more of the same stuff. Just writing sarcastic pieces for them because I am a very sarcastic person, and sometimes that gets me in trouble, but Buzzfeed seems to love the sarcasm. Maybe help them with their videos, I love film and stuff so I could see myself shooting a video or two for them. Just the fun stuff, they seem like very fun people to work for.

LG: Where do you plan on going from here in your writing career?

BN: I have no idea. If I could talk myself into it and do another article and get it published on Buzzfeed that would be really awesome, but as for writing there’s just school assignments as of right now. I might think of trying to do another Buzzfeed list eventually but right now there’s no ideas flowing.

LG: One final question for you, what do you think is the most important aspect for writing this type of article?

BN: I think the most important thing is to be yourself. If you try to write in the mindset of someone else it’s not going to happen. You want to write how you normally think or talk. Don’t try and put up a façade and it should all fall in line, and it did in my case.

Im literally always sarcastic, and kind of was in the article sometimes, and it paid off.

10 Features

Student Government Association or Swimmer Government Association?

Photo courtesy of University Comunications

BY LYDI A HUGGINS Guest Writer

News

Instead of thinking about all of the important issues that University of the Cumberlands’ Student Government Association address for the student body to the administration, UC students often think of all of the swimmers who seem to run SGA. The student president, Grace Van Ryckeghem, senior biology and exercise sports science double major with a missions and ministry minor at UC and women’s swim team captain, encourages any student to join SGA. “Others can just as much be involved,” said Van Ryckeghem. “We’re not excluding anyone. Everyone is welcome to join. We would love for our room to be packed every week and need a bigger room with more people in it. If you want to complain about it, then do something and join SGA.” SGA has tried open membership to get more of the student body to get involved. Non-members are allowed to come to their every other Wednesday night meetings. Students can fill out an application (located in the SGA office located in the Mid Boswell Campus Center) and have students sign a petition who want the applicant to be a representative in SGA’s senate. “ SGA is the voice of the students,” said Lisa Bartram, director of student activities. “If students want change on campus or need something for a club they are in, they go to SGA.” Recently, the archery team approached SGA about wanting to send members of their team to the University Championship Trials in Phoenix, Arizona, because they need help getting their members there. SGA is able to help other student organizations or sports teams because they are one of the few student organizations that gets a budget directly from UC. SGA doesn’t fundraise for their expenses, but help others with their funds.

The leather couches in the new Ward Correll Health and Wellness Center were provided by SGA to complete their pledge that they gave for the building project of the Health and Wellness Center. They also fund the recycling program and are considering getting new recycling bins.

At the beginning of the school year, SGA meets to discuss ways to improve student life at UC. Members of SGA as well as non-members are welcome to come

Student Government Association for University of the Cumberlands poses in the lower BCC.

to their meetings and present ideas. Dr. Emily Coleman, vice president for student services, asks them if they have any new ideas to improve campus. Last year, SGA helped to implement new open house hours. Most recently, they have taken proposals for a new meal plan to the administration who are now looking into a new ID system and infrastructure to do so.

“This school is not perfect. No school is perfect. SGA is the place to come if you want to see something changed. If you just complain about it, but if you don’t take it to anybody, than how can anything change?” said Van Ryckeghem. “Even Photo submitted by Tedarrius Teasey if you’re not a member, tell one of the members on SGA so we can bring it to the people who can look into that. Sometimes [the administration] just doesn’t know.

They’re not students living on campus day to day the way we are. They don’t and can’t know everything.”

SGA does more than speak for the students; they also facilitate activities.

Throughout the school year, SGA hosts annual study breaks with food for students to study or relax during finals week, provide students with a free movie, popcorn, and drink during spring fever and homecoming weeks, have a booth at Relay for Life, collect votes for an honored faculty member as well as homecoming king and queen, and have senate members on many committees throughout UC. Van Ryckeghem is currently on the committee for the QEP for the reaffirmation of the school.

“Really there’s a place for SGA pretty much everywhere in school,” said Van Ryckehem. “They really listen to our opinions.”

Aside from Van Ryckeghem, half of the executive board are not swimmers. SGA does their best to involve all of the students that are a part of SGA. “The reason why I joined SGA is I wanted to earn community service hours at first,” said Yuko Baba, senior business and administration major with a minor in history at UC. “Before I joined SGA, I didn’t know what was going on in SGA. After I joined, I realized that SGA is really important for UC students. We can help UC students because we represent them.”

What it Takes to Win Spotlight Past Winners of Spotlight give their advice for success

Features 11

2014 Winner, Brandy Norman (Pictured Left) 2015 Winner, Sara Jo Hampton (Pictured Right)

BY A M A NDA KELLY Guest Writer

A gifted group of young singers gather Tuesday nights to compete for the chance to win University of the Cumberlands Spotlight. Twelve contestants currently vie to be the winner of season four, but only a few people on campus know what it takes me become that winner.

Graduate Brandy Norman and junior Sara Jo Hampton won the past two seasons of Spotlight. The two are talented singers, obviously, but they say it’s more than just singing and pure talent that wins the coveted $1,000 first place prize.

Sara Jo and Brandy both agree that performing and singing are two different things. Having friends and some notability help in the voting. Practice and confidence make the difference to the judges. And visible growth from a judge’s perspective helps keep a contestant in the competition.

For those who want to know the key to success: song choice. Both Brandy and Sara Jo say it can make or break a performance and the prospect of a win.

Both say they made the mistake of choosing songs they liked, but the audience didn’t know or like.

“I made that mistake my first year,” Sara Jo says. “I learned from that my second year.”

Sara Jo won her second year performing in Spotlight. As a freshman, she placed third while senior Jordan Infield placed second and Brandy won. Sara Jo came back stronger her sophomore year and won season three of Spotlight. She says she’s performed since she was three-years-old.

Brandy performed in Spotlight three of her four years as an undergraduate.

She placed third her first year and won her third year as a senior. She’s performed since she was 11-years-old with a showband until she was 18-years-old.

“I love to sing; it was never about winning,” Brandy says. “By college, I stopped singing with the showband and I missed it. The money was obviously nice, but it was never about winning for me.”

Talent, an obvious requirement, goes beyond what it takes to win Spotlight.

Name recognition is important for voting. Brandy’s winning season came down

PHOTOS COURTESY OF UNIVERSIT Y COMMUNICATIONS

to a close vote in the finale between her and Jordan Infield. She was a senior and had a lot of friends by that season of Spotlight. But knowing how to make friends and be outgoing makes a difference in voting.

“I lacked the votes I needed my freshman and sophomore year,” Brandy says.

“You can’t just stay in your room when you’re in Spotlight. It made the difference [between finishing well and winning].”

The accompaniment of live music also helped both singers win Spotlight.

Sara Jo sang with her father, Joe Hampton, behind her on the guitar most weeks.

Brandy learned between her seasons that live music made a huge difference than singing along with a karaoke track.

“My dad played with me every week except a few times when they had the whole band for the performers,” Sara Jo says. “The musicians work just as hard as the contestants.”

Song choice, recognition, and talent are the key ingredients to winning Spotlight that Brandy and Sara Jo agreed on, but the moment they knew they were going to be winners couldn’t be more different. Sara Jo says she knew after she got the reaction she needed from judge Megan Hinkle. Brandy says she didn’t know she was a winner until the emcee called her name.

“The night I sang ‘I Can’t Make You Love Me’ by Bonnie Raitt and the judges’ reactions made me think [I can win],” Sara Jo says. “Megan [Hinkle] said she wanted a raw performance and that’s the night she told me I did it.”

That song was also Sara Jo’s favorite to perform. “Too Little, Too Late” by JoJo was Brandy’s favorite song. She says she gave the song an acoustic feel and got into it during her performance.

Certainly it takes a lot to win Spotlight. Weeks of practice, pressure and performance drop contestants every Tuesday night in Gatliff Chapel until one remains. Brandy and Sara Jo are among the few to win Spotlight and they know what it takes to win.