Issuu

Letter from the Editor

Dear Patriots,

Please don’t go outside, it is quite cold. Stay inside where it’s warm, make some tea, and open up and enjoy this fine issue of The Patriot with someone you love.

The past week has been busy for not only us, but a lot of other people on campus as well. The return of the beloved campus-wide singing competition “Spotlight” came back to Gatliff this week, bringing a mix of new and recognized voices to the stage. The weather has been playing tricks on our mental stability, having a warm, almost 60 degrees day to begin the week just to plummet us into an icy punishment the next day. Also, your staff here at The Patriot just attended the annual Kentucky Press Association Awards, bringing home a number of certificates and hardware.

It’s hard to put into words the pride and excitement that my staff’s hard work brings not only me, but many other people. Knowing that a small staff at a small school in a small town in Kentucky can have a significant impact on the rest of the state is nothing short of amazing, especially in a world where journalists are constantly under siege. I may be biased, but I think it’s safe to say we have perhaps the hardest working staff in the state.

Yet, we are nothing without you guys, the readers. Every issue that is picked up and read gives our work purpose and an identity, which is a central theme in this issue. We all have a purpose, and we are all seeking identity every day we are here together at this school. That is essentially one of the most important things you will take away from your college years; you will not be the same person leaving as you were coming in.

So thank you for taking the time to pick up a copy, recommend us to a friend, interact with us on social media, or just say hi and chat with any of us when you see us passing by. None of the small things go unnoticed here at The Patriot, and we are grateful for all of it. As the first month of the new year comes to a close, it is exciting to see how much potential we have to be even better than what we were this past year. Stay warm, Patriots.

Fire it up,

Mike Krzyston, Editor-in-Chief

Editor-In-Chief

Mike Krzyston

Faculty Adviser

Jeremiah Massengale

Staff

Emilee Agee

Haley Bullock

Taylor Duke

Leanne Gregory

Tyler Kohn

Rebecca Lewter

Jessica McFerron

Nichole Nantz

Alex Nunn

Jenna Rose

Tara Todd

Hunter West

Dan Williams

Maranda Young

Front cover by Mike Krzyston

Back cover by Mike Krzyston and Taylor

Duke

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.

Double take

Spotlight returns for season 7

BY ALEX NUNN Staff Writer

“Duets night” kicked off the seventh season of Spotlight on Tuesday, January 29 and to say it started off strong would be a major understatement. All 20 performers of the night were spectacular, each giving a unique take on songs of all ranges of genres that had the crowd roaring.

At the end of the night, a panel of judges came to a final verdict and chose 12 of the 20 contestants to move on to the next round of the popular oncampus singing competition, those being Annalyn Weitekamp, Jaclyn Jewell, Taylor Duke, Smith Pepper, Nikki Patterson, Lydia Barbour, Rachel Scott, Kasey Crockett, Samantha Lay, Gertie Heavner, Cyr Wilson, and Brandon Hurst.

After the judging had concluded, Gertie Heavner, a UC sophomore, reflected on her performance saying, “I enjoyed the performance! Although I wasn’t nervous at all through the song, it was after the song that I started shaking.”

Lydia Barbour, a UC freshman said the night’s performance in Gatliff Chapel was the largest audience she had sang in front of. Barbour adds, “I was so nervous I didn’t think I could keep playing piano, it’s not my first time performing, but never in front of so many people, and while being judged, it was really fun though and I enjoyed it.”

The night’s performances also included special guest performance by Spotlight season six winner Jordan Yaden, who sang Keith Urban’s “Blue Ain’t Your Color” and Bruno Mars’ “Grenade.”

Sing This

The Perfect picks for Opposite Night Song Artist

My Boy

Jolene

Billie Eilish

Dolly Parton

I Wish Stevie Wonder

Almost Hozier

Your Love

Golden Slumbers

The Outfield

The Beatles

Benny and the Jets Elton John Misery Business

Paramore

Closing Time Semisonic

Cherry Bomb

The Runaways

Beyond Leon Bridges

Disturbia Rhianna

If I were a Boy

Fire Away

Beyonce

Chris Stapleton Are You Mine

The Artic Monkeys

Mason Dickson Line Judah and the Lion

Duets night was a big way to start out season seven, and there are a lot of ambitious singers moving on to the next round, “Opposite night,” that will surely keep things interesting throughout this season, so make sure to stay tuned.

Duets night performances included:

• Kaley Wells and Abigail Fletcher: “A Million Reasons” by Lady Gaga.

• Annalyn Weitekamp and Jaclyn Jewell: “Photograph” by Ed Sheeran.

• Taylor Duke and Ashley Hulgan: “1950” by King Princess.

• Sebastian Calmes and Jordan Zecchini: “Yellow Ledbetter” by Pearl Jam

• Savannah Frost and Smith Pepper: “Roar” by Katy Perry,

• Nikki Paterson and Sara Hope: “Make You Feel My Love: by Adele.

• Lydia Barbour and Rachel Scott: “I Know I’m Not The Only One” by Sam Smith.

• Kasey Crockett and Samantha Lay: “When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars.

• Nick Hibbard and Gertie Heavner: “Say Something” by Great Big World.

• Cyr Wilson and Brandon Hurst: “Cry For Me” from the Jersey Boys.

Photo by Mike Krzyston Freshman Kasey Crockett and senior Samantha Lay sing their duet Bruno Mars’ “When I was Your Man”.

Prioritizing yourself on Valentine’s Day

Practicing self-love

BY TAYLOR TDUKE Staff Writer

It’s not a surprise that February 14 is just around the corner once again. The entirety of the holiday is based around a four-letter word: Love. It is simple to highlight the love on Valentine’s Day as romantic love, or our love for the significant others in our lives. But do you ever think, hey, I need to feel love for myself?

“You cannot love others until you truly love yourself” is a phrase that gets tossed around quite frequently. Whether this is your first time celebrating the holiday in a partnership, or this isn’t your last time being in the singles rodeo, everyone is capable of practicing self-love on this Hallmark Holiday. Romantic love shouldn’t be the cornerstone of Feb. 14. You deserve self-love and reverence and of all days, Valentine’s Day is when those things should become a priority. UC psychology professor Jane Whitaker suggests a few ways students can practice love.

Whitaker said, “Celebrate love in lots of ways. Instead of always being romantic love, love can be a close friendship or love with something meaningful. My love towards God and His love for me gave me a feeling of acceptance and love. It’s a long journey toward loving yourself. But, it has to start one day.”

When talking about ways to boost self-esteem, Whitaker continued by saying, ”Look for other places besides social comparison. So in other words, not comparing ourselves to people. Find something you love to do. Something that gives you energy.”

When talking about her self-love boosters, Savannah Wagers, a UC junior, said, ”Honestly, I enjoy going to concerts and working on art because

it actually helps me step into a new mindset or a new space. I also really like talking to my friends. My friends always give me good vibes. Sometimes, I find myself on Twitter a lot and it can get real depressing so it’s nice to have friends to talk to.”

Doing activities like going for a hike, drawing, gaming and hanging out with friends can help boost personal morale. Meditation allows for the most time and space that can be spent by oneself. There is vulnerability in being completely alone and getting comfortable with inner feelings.

Taking a break from social media for a few hours of the day can be positive for mental health. The way social media is currently set up, it allows for instant gratification and social comparison. By taking a break, even a short one, the need for comparison to others through social media will decrease. Instead of wondering what one person is doing, focus will be shifted to what is being done at the moment.

It is important to remember that there is only so much that can be changed in a day. Take the day as it is. As the memes on Twitter say, “2019 Is My Year *insert face with steam from nose emoji*.” This isn’t fake news and 2019 should be about loving yourself more.

Designed by Taylor Duke

Mountain of Sound under new direction

UC’s pep band starts off with a bang

BY HALEY BULLOCK Staff Writer

The year started off with a bang at the pep band’s first performance of the semester at a double-header basketball game against Georgetown where the Patriots took a victory of 76 to 62.

University of the Cumberland’s pep band, Mountain of Sound, is under new direction for 2019, with Ms. Shawn Sudduth acting as UC’s current marching band director. Pep band is a group of musicians who play at games and events to pep up and excite the crowd. The pep band was directed previously under Dr. Steve Sudduth for 10 years with help from Mrs. Sudduth, but now she has taken over control completely.

With her new responsibility of running the pep band, Mrs. Sudduth says, “This first year for me is going great. It is one of the largest pep bands we have had, and they are sounding great. The students who are members this year are fun, positive people who enjoy playing their instrument as part of UC’s #onebigteam.”

With the new director comes a new logo and vibe for the pep band. On the topic of the new logo, Mrs. Sudduth says, “I designed it and really tried to incorporate the UC school identity with a nod to our region (mountains) and our purpose (sound) without putting a bunch of obvious words and musical notes all over it. It seemed like a good time to come out with a fresh look.” This new logo is being incorporated into long sleeved white and gray t-shirts for its members to wear during their performances.

Growth and improvement are important for many things in life, and for the director and students involved in pep band, it is no different. Drew Shannon, a UC freshman, says “I’d love to see the pep band grow. We’ve got a decent size, but it could be bigger. I also think it’d be cool if the student

body voted on songs we could learn. We can always see what music is out there.”

For the pep band, growth could take place in forms of the number of members, or growth in their abilities and relationships. The saying “The more, the merrier” can also be taken away from this because the more members there are in a band, the more even and equal the sound can be.

Mrs. Sudduth says, “As band members and musicians, we spend a lot of time working together in ensembles and classes, so we understand what it takes to be a successful team and we also know how nice it is to be encouraged and appreciated. We are also there to keep the crowd energized. We pay close attention to what is happening in the game and play music or cheers that can reinforce the moment or even change the atmosphere in the room.”

Pep band has went through a few changes with the new director transitioning from one Sudduth to another this year. Though there have been many changes, with the optimism from the members of pep band, the future seems bright and full of promise.

Photo by Haley Bullock

Practical gift giving; gifts to get your Valentine

A guide to UC students on Valentine’s Day gifting

BY JESSICA MCFERRON Staff Writer

Tired of getting a dinner and a movie on Valentine’s Day, or not even getting anything at all? Let this year finally be the year that you give or receive practical gifts that will be used for the rest of the year. Valentine’s Day is all about giving gifts to your significant other, but change the stereotype to gifting to friends and family. College is a time to get that degree and also to make life-long friends. Practical gifts are not only fun, but also a great thing for your friends that they’ll actually use. From electronic accessories, fashionable water bottles, candies, to words of encouragement, everyone can use at least one well-thought-out gift.

Electronic accessories are all the fuss lately. Buy a new accessory like PodPocket, that way, none of your friends, or even your significant other will lose their pricey AirPods. Cube Tracker is a great gift to get that special someone who tends to lose things fairly often. It allows items to be connected to your phone by Bluetooth so you never lose them again. Buy them a sweet phone case or PopSocket so they can have a more personalized phone case.

Fashionable items or accessories are something your friends will appreciate very much. S’ip water bottles are not only cool, but they keep hot beverages at a heated temperature for 12 hours, and keeps cold beverages

at a cooled temperature for 24 hours. Gift your friends, or special someone, with some new apparel to rock throughout the rest of the year.

Candy is an all-time favorite gift for Valentine’s Day. Gift your favorite sweetie something to solve their sweet tooth. Gift your grouchy friend some Sour Patch Kids to hopefully show them how things can be sour, then sweet for just the right turnout. The most popular candy to give is a box, or two, full of chocolates, but make sure it’s some tasty brand or just their favorite because that makes for a sweet treat.

Every college student could benefit from words of encouragement. Gift some sweet words to a classmate, or playful puns paired with glasses wipes for your friends who can’t see clearly how much a great friend you are.

Photo by Maranda Young

33 reasons why

“The Patriot” wins numerous awards at KPA Awards

BY EMILEE AGEE

Staff Writer

On Friday, January 25, The Patriot newspaper was named the best student publication in its class as a part of the Kentucky Press Association’s annual award ceremony. The paper received 29 Excellence in Kentucky Newspaper Awards and three KPA Advertising Excellence Awards during the Kentucky Press Association’s annual awards banquet, including a first place General Excellence award in the student publications class one category.

Additionally, at the awards banquet, held in Louisville, outgoing KPA president Peter Baniak named all Kentucky student journalists as 2018’s Most Valuable Member, giving The Patriot one more plaque to take home.

For 150 years, KPA has been recognizing excellence in Kentucky newspapers. Awards covered the months of October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018 and the student editors from the previous academic year were welcomed back alongside current UC students to receive their recognition. Between the Newspaper Awards and Advertising Awards, members of The Patriot received 12 first place awards. The staff of The Patriot won first place awards for best special section and best front page. A few of the individual awards received include first place in Best Column given to Tyler Kohn, first place Best General News Story to Leanne Gregory, and a first place Best Feature Picture award to Mike Krzyston.

When Megan Willoughby, managing editor of The Patriot from 2017-2018, was asked what she enjoyed the most during the trip, she said, “Watching everyone’s reaction when we won best newspaper in the state of Kentucky in the general excellence category. I am so proud of all my fellow journalists.” She also said that being managing editor was a privilege that allowed her to explore her talents and making lasting friendships.

The staff of Patriot is extremely proud of the effort each member contributed to getting to where they are now and agrees that these awards will further motivate them to do well in the future.