A Q&A w ith th e Ed itor
BY A SH T ON R E C T OR StaffWriter
As a freshman, Natasha Jones was an assistant editor at The Patriot, but this semester she took over as editor-in-chief of the award-winning campus newspaper
In this brief interview, she discusses her experience as an executive staff member at The Patriot and how she deals with controversy that comes with her job.
Q: How was your experience being an executive as a freshman?
Jones: It was really good I felt kind of like I was winging it the whole time because I was like “I don’t really know what I’m supposed to do,” but I had some great people to look up to. It was very exciting because it just felt nice being with people; I knew I worked with people who knew what they were doing and that was nice learning and I like[d] learning as I went because I was an executive staff member which held a lot of responsibility, but at the same time I was just getting into my journalism classes. So it was fun using everything I learned in class and applying it and seeing how you could adapt the paper, as I knew it and I how I could help it So it was nice having that correlating kind of system, but it could be overwhelming at times but I had great people to help me out.
Q: How is being editor-in-chief different than being assistant editor?
Jones: It’s a lot different because there are a lot of things that used to just always be there just to support and now I have to run it. As editor I have to double-check all those things because if it doesn’t get done it’s on me So that’s new because before it was just like “well I need to ask this” and offer to do it if I have the time or if it’s just something I can do, I can do it. Now, I need to be like, “Is this getting done?” with more open communication and being available to do things Basically just double-checking, making sure everything is going well, and I have to plan. I didn’t realize how much planning went into it. Jeremiah [Massengale] was like, “You have to date where you assign articles and you have to have the date those are due and you have to have a picture date where those pictures are due Then you have to do layout and say, ‘We are going to send it this time,’ because even if you change it you still have everything planned.”
It’s like a blueprint having it set up and we’ve still not settled into all that, but that’s something I do next semester differently. I’ll lay it out and be like, “This is when we are going to have our first meeting, this is when things are going to be due, this is when we plan to send.”
That’s just something I didn’t see before and how important it was
3 5 7 10
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
UC reveals new I ntegrated Digital Co mmunica tio n mino r
BY N ATA SH A JON E S Editor-in-Chief
A new minor in Integrated Digital Communication was approved by the university Catalog and Curriculum Committee this spring and will be available to students this coming fall semester The minor, as a part of UC’s department of communication, journalism, and theatre arts, is intended to focus specifically on digital media and strategic communication. The main objective of the minor is to give students a set of marketable skills dealing with contemporary communication and the Internet to further help them pursue careers after graduation
Some of the jobs students can get with this minor, and these skills, are communication specialist, integrated marketing manager, community relations specialist, account executive, public relations manager, digital marketing manager, digital media manager and social media coordinator. UC adjunct professor of communication arts Jordyne Gunthert, who will be teaching many of the new classes, said, “I think it’ll be great in a variety of majors, including business, psychology and human resources. It’s adaptable to any field; it doesn’t matter if you’re in health care or criminal justice. We want to provide students with actual skills in the workplace that are not only going to have them leave Cumberlands with a degree, but with the skills they need to succeed.”
Integrated Digital Communication, which will be abbreviated to IDC when used in class codes, will have five core classes: IDC 131 Introduction to Integrated Digital Communication, IDC 230 Audience Insight, IDC 231 Creative Strategy in Advertising, IDC 235 Introduction to Video Production, which was previously known as COMM 235 Introduction to Television Production, and JOUR 430 Media, Technology, and Society.
Three of those five classes will be new to UC curriculum. IDC 131 Introduction to Integrated Digital Communication will introduce fundamentals of integrated digital and strategic communication efforts. Students will look at audience analysis, branding, advertising, social/digital/interactive media and public relations This course will be offered in the fall semesters Gunthert, who will be teaching the class, said, “The intro course will be a survey of case studies, situation analysis research and contemporary communication strategies in advertising, and external threats for companies ”
IDC 230 Audience Insight will explore emotional branding, internal and external influences on consumer behavior, and group identity within the context of media development for a variety of audiences Students will get a fundamental understanding of market research principles and the systematic study of people and culture.
“If you like psychology, sociology, it's going to be a lot of the research and find what makes people tick, and what makes them purchase,” said Gunthert, who will be the instructor of this course as well.
In IDC 231 Creative Strategy in Advertising students will take a comprehensive look at the fundaments of conceiving and executing an advertising campaign that uses both traditional and digital media. The focus will be on the study of exceptional campaigns of today and on student-designed creative pieces based on a creative strategy
In addition to the five core classes students will also need six hours of elective course work from 11 courses. Some of those courses are: 21st Century Communication, Social Media, Screenwriting in a Digital Age, Advanced Video Production, Documentary Film, Advanced Creative Strategy, Graphic Design and Media Law.
Assistant professor of communication John Varley, who will be teaching the video production courses for the new minor, said, “We thought it was a good program to start a minor with because it really applies to anyone's job that’s coming out of school Anyone could take this and incorporate it into whatever they're job is going to be, because so much communication is happening online.”
Varley is excited to see students have hands on work in addition to the concepts they will learn in class, and believes that being especially Internet savvy will give UC students an added bonus when they take the skills they’ve learned outside this campus.
Any students who have taken these courses prior to the development of this new minor will be able to have their credits count towards completion. Ideally, students adding this minor will be able to complete the required coursework in two years by taking just two or three classes a semester
UC hit by extreme weather, closes campus
BY T R EN T ON CA N A DA
AssisstantEditor
A recent string of winter weather resulted in campus closures at the University of the Cumberlands February 16 and 17, the first time the university has consecutively cancelled operations in over 20 years The weather also placed the university on a delayed schedule for the remainder of that week.
WBIR.com reported snowfall at about 6.5 inches on Monday, February 16, and snow showers continued well into Tuesday evening The snow covered much of the main roadways, making travel nearly impossible. Though the road conditions had not improved much by Wednesday, UC alerted students and faculty that it would be operating on a regular schedule
Kyle Gilbert, vice president of support operations, stated, “Late Tuesday afternoon we evaluated the conditions of campus, the given forecast at the time, consulted with others throughout the county and took into account that the bulk of our undergraduate population live on campus and determined that we would probably be okay to have class on regular schedule.”
Gilbert went on to say that by the time the snow started to fall again on Wednesday morning, the majority of students and faculty were already on their way to classes and work, making it too late to schedule a delay. He asserted that every precaution was taken to ensure the safety of UC’s students. Yet, because the university has a strict absence policy, many commuters felt obligated to attend classes despite the hazardous conditions, and while some professors notified their students that individual classes would be canceled for the day, many others were regularly held
Cortni Cox, a commuter to the university, said, “I wasn’t able to make it to class on Wednesday, so I had to email my professors and let them know that I wouldn’t be there Due to the weather, I wasn’t able to make it to campus until Friday, which means I missed two days of classes. When I finally did make it on Friday, it was only because I had to rely on one of my parents to bring me out ”
This account seems the same for every commuter required to attend lectures despite road conditions. Along with the absences, many who could not drive to campus also missed important instruction and coursework
“If there was an assignment given that day, I wouldn’t know about it until the next class,” Cox said.
The delays that resulted from the snow also pose a potential problem for students. The question now is how this will affect those that are enrolled in those first and second period classes that were cancelled Dr Barbara Kennedy, vice president of academic affairs, has been at work contacting the different department chairs in order to construct plans to ensure that needed curriculum is not lost She credits the strength of the faculty and the readiness of each professor to handle this situation.
“This institution has the ability, should this happen again, to go fully online for 8 and 9 o’clock classes and not skip a beat,” Kennedy said “We don’t want to lose precious instructional time ”
Currently, the university does have a specific policy for extended periods of delay “Due to the unusual winter, the University of the Cumberlands is in the process of reviewing the policy and procedures regarding weather-related closures.” Kennedy stated. “After consulting with other administrators here at the institution, including chairs, we are exploring avenues for ensuring uninterrupted learning opportunities In addition, we are reviewing our enhanced capabilities through iLearn that provides opportunities for professors to upload assignments, and offer both synchronous and asynchronous sessions, which many of them did "
In regards to the absences accumulated by students who could not travel to class due to hazardous roads or other circumstances, Kennedy stated, “We certainly do want students to use discretion as they make travel decisions and we do not want them to take unnecessary risks. The faculty here at UC is very strong, and I fully entrust the education and well being of our students in their care We have encouraged professors to be accommodating to students in this situation and most professors provided alternative assignments to those students who were absent."
Kennedy offers this assurance, "As we move forward, we value each of our students and will endeavor to serve them through a variety of means and circumstances."
The day the Ko hn s to o d still
BY J I L L I A N CA R PEN T ER AssistantEditor
Did you know that when you step onto the Kohn Theatre's stage, you share that stage with a star? It's true! None other than Patricia Neal graced the stage the day it opened February 2, 2001. The actress, who played alongside Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and had many of her own starring roles, offered some her time at the open of the theatre
Born in 1926, Neal began her career in her early adult years, much like any ordinary actress would do. But, the ordinary stops there. Unlike many actors of her time, she was from a low-income, coal town formally known as Packard, KY, which is now the part of Whitley County just south of Williamsburg. After studying theatre for two years at Northwestern University, she moved to New York, where she caught the eye of the reputable Eugene O' Neill, who became her mentor. This mentorship got her the role as an understudy to Vivian Vance, who she soon replaced in "Voice of the Turtle." This began her glamorous road to success, with two offers to star on Broadway, a seven year contract with Warner Brothers and a contract with Fox. She starred in several movies, including "John Loves Mary" made in 1949, "Diplomatic Courier" made in 1952, and "The Day The Earth Stood Still" made in 1951
Unlike many actors, Neal's road to stardom was very short, lacking in failing roles, and without discouraging events. However, her career was not without tragedy Her life came with many struggles Throughout her life, she suffered through a troubled marriage, the death of one of her children, the devastating brain injury of another of her children, and a series of strokes that left her in a coma for three weeks All of these things she went through at the peak of her acting career, yet she was still able to obtain several lead roles, an Oscar for
Best Actress in "Hud" (which co-starred Paul Newman), a Golden Globe for Best TV Actress for "The Waltons," and a Tony for Best Leading Actress in "Another Part of the Forest."
After the Grace Crum Rollins Center was built in 2001, the grand opening of the building and the Kohn Theatre took place with Patricia Neal giving a speech. Dr. Keith Semmel, chair of the communication arts department, was present at the speech given by this performing inspiration.
Semmel recently reflected on meeting the legendary actress by saying, "I had just shown ‘The Day the Earth Stood Still’ in my film class the week before. I said, 'I just wanted you to know that people still look at your movies, I just showed ‘The Day The Earth Stood Still’ in my class,' and she just giggled And she said, 'You just wouldn't believe that I couldn't keep a straight face during that movie.' It helped to personalize the movie for me."
Patricia Neal was an inspirational actor and person She offered some of her inspiration and kindness to the Kohn Theatre and the people who were present at the opening. She is inspirational to small town actor hopefuls, such as UC senior Liz Guillermo
"She's fantastic and it's amazing to think someone from Whitley County became such an icon in film and on stage." says Guillermo.
Anyone who wants proof that someone from a small town can still have big dreams needs only look at the door of one of the dressing rooms in the theatre, where she signed her name.
Directing Appalacian Ministries
Advice about long-distance relationships
BY LY DI A JA Y StaffWriter
Magan Atwood is the director of Appalachian Ministries at the University of the Cumberlands. She also works as an adjunct professor within the Christian ministries department In this interview, we talked about how she got involved with Appalachian Ministries during her time as a student at UC, her thoughts on how to have a successful college ministry, and some of her favorite things about being in the field of ministry
So, what was it like being in the ministry when you were a student to coming back as the director?
It’s been neat getting to see growth in the ministry from a student perspective and then from a staff perspective It’s been neat watching the growth of myself. I was involved in these ministries as a student. I was a volunteer with Appalachian Ministries, and I never once thought, “Oh, maybe one day I’ll direct this.” That was not on my radar at all. So, God shaped me through those ministries, and now I get to watch and see how God is shaping other students, and to be a part of that shaping has been really neat. My favorite thing about my job is watching students grow in Christ and getting to be a part of that with them.
In your opinion what are the key ingredients to a successful college ministry?
I would say clear vision is number one. What’s your goal? What are you trying to do? Our mission statement here with Cumberland’s BCM is “To grow as disciples by making more disciples throughout the relationships ” So, our vision is that we’re growing by helping others to grow, but that we’re doing that through just really getting to know the person. A clear vision I think we focus on is discipleship, and it’s not just about evangelism Obviously, it is im-
portant It’s not just about sharing the gospel but it’s about helping those people who’ve come to believe in Christ to really know what it means to follow Him Then I would say community- a deep sense of connection among the Christians that are in the ministry that feel like they are being supported, loved and growing The community helps enable them to do what were asking them to do.
How did you get involved with the ministry when you were a student?
I got involved when I started coming to the worship service on a weekly basis I accepted Christ when I was ten, and then I started to get really serious about my faith in high school and knew that I wanted to serve God and learn more about Him I knew that I wanted to do some type of ministry with my life, but I didn’t really know what that looked like, so I just started coming to our weekly service, and I heard about all the opportunities. So, I tried out Appalachian Ministries and a little bit of everything. I liked them all, so I chose a few to invest in and throughout my years as a student, I served in leadership, and in my junior and senior year, I served as our BCM president, and from there, I just got a glimpse of what really goes on behind the scenes and what it means to administrate a ministry. I just kind of fell in love with that and fell in love with collegiate ministry.
What advice would you give someone going into ministry?
It is probably going to sound cliché, but keeping your eyes fixed on Christ is absolutely the key It is easy for ministry to become like any other job, and I think all jobs are ministries, but it’s easy for it just to become like okay, “I lead this Bible study; I preach this message; I disciple this student,” just
like it would be checking off something else on your checklist. So, making sure that you’re motivated by the love of Christ, and once you get into it, you recognize you’re not just doing it because it’s your job. You know stepping back and giving yourself the time and space to really be re-motivated, reenergized to come with love and the motivation that you started with. So just kind of keeping a check on where your heart and motivation are Are you really fixed on Christ or is this more about the stuff your doing?
What are your favorite things about the ministry?
There’s a lot I get to do what I love, which is serve Christ and love on people. I love to watch people be transformed. I meet with a lot of students oneon-one for discipleship and watch those moments where they recognize what was holding them back, and I feel like I can really move forward. Watching students really discover who they are, walking in freedom and confidence and not being held down by shame from their past. And then, just getting to do ministries, teach the word, love on kids- all those different things that I would be doing at some capacity whether I had this job or not.
An Inter view with Magan Atwood
T Talks
BY ER IC F OR D EDWA R D S GuestWriter
The University of The Cumberlands has employed David Threlkeld, known to the music students as “T,” since 1990. Threlkeld earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Morehead State University and later his Master of Music in performance degree from Northwestern University. Threlkeld is a woodwind specialist along with coordinating the instrumental studies for the music department and orchestrating UC high school jazz clinics. He recently attended the KMEA conference and he elaborated about his experiences with that, and what the students who also attended took away from the conference. He also went on to explain his time playing with the Temptations
Q: So, tell me about KMEA.
A: KMEA is the Kentucky Music Educators Association conference and that’s everybody for school music associations around the state, and that’s from
Talking with Dr. Threlkeld about KMEA and playing with the Temptations
elementary to university level. We meet in Louisville It’s usually the first weekend in February, and it lasts for close to half the week. There are lots of things that go on: concerts, clinicians teaching presentations- teaching things from how to play an instrument to a child, or how to be a jazz musician. It’s a largely cast net. Then there are seminars for all different types of music education There’s a lot of things going on, but it’s fun too because you get to see a lot colleagues of from around the state. After a period of years you get to know a lot of people my specific involvement this year is I'm currently the college university representative for KMEA the main thing that person is in charge of is the composition contest among college and university students. So I have to send it all in every year and collect all the applications and I send it all off to judges and then the judges choose, and whoever wins gets their composition performed. And I go onstage introduce that person and hand them a check
Q: How did KMEA influence the music students?
A: I think it’s very important for students to participate in this type of thing because what they do is it gets them out of the Williamsburg bubble to see the bands that are here in the county They see bands from all around the state they hear the best from all around the state. So, what they think a middle school band could sound like may drastically change They are really top-notch high school choir and they realize that high schools can do that. They hear all the best of the best, and they get to listen to educators that have been out there and doing this for a long time. Have answers to questions that the students don't even realize are questions yet. Kind of get a jumpstart and think about things and have some strategies. But then I think that one of the biggest things is just to meet people from the profession. One of the biggest and most important things is they'll meet both experienced teachers and students. They'll establish connections.
Q: I heard you directed a jazz ensemble?
A: This was the ETSBOA, which is East Tennessee band and orchestra association, and they get together every year in January on two different weekends. These are audition groups, and the students get placed in one of three bands; red, white, and blue. They have clinicians come in and direct these bands. I had the middle band the red band The top guy was Jeff Coffin, who is actually the saxophone player for the Dave Matthews band, and it was fun for me to meet him It’s a crazy situation because you meet them at seven the first night and have a concert at seven the next night, and you try to work up four or five tunes we did four You have to get them all matching style and matching balance and understanding rhythmic feel. Then you choose solos and try to throw that together in a day, but these guys are really motivated. Their rehearsal schedule is really grueling for the students and the director, but you have to do that in order to get that all done in a day It was a great experience. They had fun and I had a good time.
Q: So, I heard you also played with the Temptations?
A: This was a lo-o-o-ong time ago What they’ll do is- bands that have been around a long time like they have- they’ll take their core group and bring their rhythm section But, horn players, typically they realize that you can find, in any given region of the country, a pretty good horn player. So, they don’t have to pay that guy what they pay everyone else. They’ll come into a town and they’ll contract with whoever the local horn guy is, and what you do is you get together that afternoon of the concert and site read through the whole music You’re not even playing with the band there’s just a guy and he’s beating on a cowbell. He’ll talk through the forms. Then that night you go up on stage You don’t even talk to the guys or go out and have dinner, so it’s not like I traveled with them or anything, but I did play a couple show with them, so that was fun Yeah, it’s always a neat experience to do things like that.
I’ll be th ere for yo u
Friends, a famous sitcom originating in the late 1990s and early 2000s, has finally made its way to Netflix Being avid watchers of Friends, having it on Netlfix makes us want to do nothing other than binge watch every single episode. But, who has time for that being a full time college student, too? That is when you pick just a few favorite episodes a week to watch such as one a day. Here are our top five favorite episodes What will your top five episodes be for this week? Get on Netflix and get to watching!
1. “The One Where Ross Moves In” - Season 5, Episode 7
Plot:
After the failed relationship between Ross and Emily, Ross has to move in with Chandler and Joey. Chandler remembers how horrible Ross was as a roommate in college, so he and Joey attempt to kick him out Also, Phoebe is dating a health inspector who tries to shut down every restaurant they visit. Rachel plays hard to get with their neighbor Danny, because she thinks he is playing games with her
Why it’s our favorite:
Joey builds a fort in their apartment with Ross’s entire move in boxes. Ross annoys his roommates, by telling them to quiet down, changing the answering machine greeting, and using his air purifier, to make Joey and Chandler want to kick him out Rachel overanalyzes Danny’s motives, which makes her act foolishly.
Favorite Quote:
Joey- “You’re fake-laughing too, right?” Chandler- “Oh, the tears are real!”
2. “The One Where Phoebe Runs” - Season 6, Episode 7
Plot:
Joey finds a very attractive dancer from Australia and realizes he can’t flirt with her. Joey thinks that living together and flirting at the same time will cause too many complications between them In the meantime, Rachel and Phoebe decided running would be a good way to bond and spend time together After Chandler moves things around, he tries to figure out where Monica had everything to get it all back in order before she returns
Why it’s our favorite:
Rachel is straight up with Phoebe after feeling embarrassed to go running with Phoebe Phoebe shows Rachel how letting go and acting child-like while running actually makes you feel better and more carefree. Phoebe doesn’t care what others think. Monica is OCD and doesn’t like her belongings being messed with or moved. Joey realizes that living with someone and flirting just isn’t going to work and may not be all it is cracked up to be.
Favorite Quote:
Phoebe- “Me, I’m more free. You know, I run like I did when I was a kid because that’s the only way it’s fun. You know? I’m mean, didn’t you even run so fast you thought your legs were gonna fall off, you know, like when you were running towards the swings or running away from Satan?”
[Rachel looks confused]
Phoebe- “The neighbor ’s dog ”
3 “The One with the Jellyfish” - Season 4, Episode 1
Plot:
While at the beach, Monica is stung by a jellyfish. Monica is in excruciating pain and the only choice was for Chandler to pee on Monica’s leg to relieve her of some of this pain Monica is very dramatic after this After Ross kisses Rachel, Ross breaks up with Bonnie. Ross then decided to take full blame of what happened between him and Rachel They then get into another fight shortly after because Ross tells Rachel he doesn’t believe that it was all him to blame Why it’s our favorite:
Chandler is forced to urinate on Monica’s jellyfish sting, and they are very reluctant to tell the rest of the group When Ross chooses Rachel over Bonnie, Rachel decides to write Ross an eighteen page, front and back, letter telling him how she really feels. Ross falls asleep reading it, so when Rachel asks him “does it?” he unknowingly agrees with her This quickly blows up in his face when he actually reads the letter, and realizes she wants him to take full responsibility for the failure of their previous relationship. Ross tries to hold it in, but the conflict is too much He shouts the famous line, “we were on a break!”
4 “The One with All the Resolutions”- Season 5, Episode 11 Plot:
All the friends make New Year ’s resolutions for 1999. Joey wants to learn how to play guitar, so Phoebe tries to teach him with an unconventional method. Rachel plans to stop gossiping, while Chandler says he will not make fun of his friends for a whole year. Monica wants to take more pictures, and Ross wants to be happy and do something he has not done before everyday Rachel accidently listens in on a secret, intimate conversation between Monica and Chandler, but still tries not to break her resolution.
Why it’s our favorite:
Ross, keeping his resolution, wears leather pants on a date but they make him sweat When he excuses himself to the restroom to try to air them out, he is unable to put them back on and calls Joey for advice Joey tells him to put powder and lotion on his legs to absorb the sweat and help them slide back on. This plans fails and Ross is left with a lotion, powder paste on his legs and no pants
Rachel hears a conversation between Monica and Chandler, so she now knows about their secret relationship. Rachel tries to tell Joey without gossiping, but eventually she figures out Joey already knows Phoebe tries to teach Joey how to play guitar by naming cords by the shape her hand makes such as “old lady.” Also, Chandler is in excruciating pain when he is not making fun of any of his friends
Favorite quote:
Ross- “I’m gonna go out on a limb and say, ‘no divorces in ’99 Whoo ’”
Rachel- “But your divorce isn’t even final yet.”
Ross- “Just the one divorce in ’99. WHOO…”
Favorite quote:
Monica- “Alright, alright I got stung I got stung bad I couldn’t stand I couldn’t walk.”
Chandler- “We were two miles from the house. We were scared and alone. We didn’t think we could make it ”
5. “The One with the Dollhouse” - Season 3, Episode 20 Plot:
Monica and Ross’s aunt dies, and in her will she leaves Monica with her dollhouse she never let Monica play with. Phoebe and Monica decide to play together, but when Phoebe brings some of her toys Monica tells her they “just don’t go ” Phoebe leaves but returns with her own dollhouse. Joey struggles when his fellow actor doesn’t like him back. Chandler goes on a date with Rachel’s boss but is too afraid to tell her he doesn’t want to see her anymore
Why it’s our favorite:
Monica is very controlling when it comes to her new dollhouse, and leaves no room for imagination. Phoebe’s dollhouse is much more fun compared to Monica’s traditional one, but sadly Phoebe’s entire dollhouse catches on fire. Ross finds the fire and is forced to put it out by throwing the house in the shower, while Monica is in it. Ross reveals to Phoebe the “aroma room” started the fire. Most of the toys survived except for the “foster puppets.”
Favorite quote:
Ross- “Wait a minute. The house is built on radioactive waste and an ancient Indian burial ground? That-that would never happen ” Phoebe- “Okay, so you obviously don’t know anything about the U.S. government.
Th e gi rls are b ack:
The inside scoop on
FIFTH HARMONY 5
BY CH R IS T I N RO T T EN BERGER Design Editor
The Spice Girls, Destiny’s Child, and The Pussycat Dolls are surely just a few of the names that come to mind when someone mentions girl groups However, it’s been quite some time since a girl group has really taken people by storm. All of that is beginning to change with Fifth Harmony. The girl group consists of Lauren Jauregui, Ally Brooke Hernandez, Camila Cabello, Normani Hamilton, and Dinah Jane Hansen, ranging in ages 17 to 21 years old and originating from Florida, Texas, Cuba, Georgia, and California. Each girl auditioned by herself for the popular singing competition “The X Factor” in 2012 but they were later formed into a group to save them from being sent home The girl group placed third in the competition and was instantly signed to SYCO Entertainment, setting their career into motion.
Once Fifth Harmony were signed with SYCO, they began working on their debut EP, “Better Together,” which was released in October of 2013, selling 28,000 copies in its first week and reaching number six on the Billboard Top 200 “Better Together” is a very bubblegum pop, typical “young girls having fun” sounding record. Following the release of the EP, the group was the opening act for British artist Cher Lloyd’s “I Wish Tour” as well as Demi Lovato’s “Neon Lights Tour ” Being the support act for these two tours opened Fifth Harmony up to a wider audience and their fanbase, or “Harmonizers,” continued to grow.
The group’s debut album, “Reflection,” was released on February 3 of this year selling 62,000 copies and reaching #1 on iTunes almost instantly after it
was released. The last girl group to have such high first week album sales were the Pussycat Dolls back in 2008 This album is very different from their debut EP, having more of a mature R&B sound to it To keep adding to their success, Fifth Harmony have won seven out of the 15 awards they have been nominated for, including a MTV Video Music Award in the Artist to Watch category. This made them the first girl group since 2008 to win a VMA The group recently kicked off “The Reflection Tour” on February 27.
Fifth Harmony have partnered with different charities and organizations such as the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, Girl Scouts of America, and Aréopostale’s “Do Something” campaign to help empower today’s youth as well as disadvantaged teens. The group is also very vocal about women empowerment and feminism They believe that girls and women across the world are able to do anything they set their mind to, which is shown through a handful of the tracks on “Reflection” as well as stated in numerous interviews.
If you like pop music, catchy sounds, and are looking for music to blare through your car speakers while driving through town with your friends, Fifth Harmony is the group for you. Be sure to check out their debut album “Reflection” on iTunes
Acomic byAutumn Cooney
