Looking Back & Moving For ward
Dear readers,
We’ve reached that point in the year again; finals week! It’s been an incredible year and we’ve hope you’ve enjoyed it too. The upcoming fall semester will be a time of transition for us all here at UC. We’re excited to see the changes Dr. Cockrum will make to our campus and institution.
There will be a few changes that are coming to our staff next fall As we say congratulations and farewell to our assistant editor, Jillian Carpenter as she graduates this week! We also congratulate Ashton Rector who has been promoted to assistant editor next semester. We also want to thank all of our staff and the volunteers we’ve had to contribute this school year
But before we get too far into the future, let’s remember to reflect on the journey that’s behind us. This time of year is sentimental to so many of us, as we pack up our dorm rooms and prepare to say goodbye to our friends, some for the summer and some till we meet again after graduation. In addition to saying goodbye to their friends and their home here at UC, seniors will say goodbye to the faculty members who have helped them along the way. In this issue we have several senior profiles that look into the lives of some of our graduates and what they’ve accomplished during their time here.
Remember to take what you’ve learned this year, both inside the classroom and outside the classroom, with you this summer Finish your list of Netflix series you planned to binge watch and look forward to sleeping in past 10, or in some cases 8 a.m. Most importantly, get plenty of rest and come back ready to have another great school year.
Congratulations to the class of 2015, from all of us here at The Patriot Thank you for letting us be a part of your experience. We wish you all the best in your future plans and goals!
Sincerely,
Editor-in-Chief
Natasha Jones
Senio r Pro file: Elizabeth Dav is
BY SH A N NON COL EM A N
She’s perched behind a creaky old desk, her bare feet tangled up underneath her. A history book is spread out in front of her and a laptop is balanced on her shaking knee. The security door slams and she looks up with a grin on her face “Hey!” she says to the girl walking past The girl doesn’t respond but her smile never falters. She looks back down at her book, answers a question on her computer and looks back at me. “You can start,” she says. “It’s just a quiz ”
Elizabeth Davis, a fifth-year senior at the University of the Cumberlands, has known exactly what she wanted to do with her life since her first day of kindergarten Teaching has been her dream since day one and she’s never allowed anything to stand in her way.
“The possibility of changing my major seemed impossible, even when things got hard, because it is so engraved in me that teaching is what I am supposed to do,” says Davis.
Davis completed a double major in social studies for secondary education and middle school social studies in special education in December and is awaiting graduation in May Shortly after graduation, Davis plans to marry her fiancé Matt and move to Dayton, Ohio where she will begin her teaching career.
Davis was born and raised in Van Wert, Ohio, a small town just west of the Indiana border, with two brothers and two sisters The family of seven made frequent trips to Gatlinburg, Tennessee growing up, traveling right past the University of the Cumberlands each and every time.
“My mom actually went on a mission trip to Ecuador with some people who were involved with Mountain Outreach here on campus,” says Davis. “When she came back after hearing about all that Mountain Outreach does our family immediately started taking part in the ministry ”
Davis spent the summers after her sophomore, junior and senior years of high school working with Mountain Outreach’s summer programs and that’s what lead her to UC as a student She started on the swim team as a walk on
her freshman year and then received scholarship her sophomore through senior years.
Beginning August of her sophomore year of college Davis worked as a Resident Assistant She has worked in Archer, Moss and Harth dormitories but says Archer is her home.
“I lived in Archer my freshman year and now I’ve worked here for almost four years,” says Davis “I love working for Becky and the girls I’ve met are amazing.”
Davis has cherished every opportunity to meet and build relationships with the girls in her dorms and they feel the same way
“She’s really compassionate and always seems genuinely concerned about us,” says Hannah Blevins, a UC junior and resident of Archer Hall. “Last year I was working in the game room when a kid got hurt and Elizabeth was the first one there and the last one to leave She wanted to make sure he was okay and I think that will make her a great teacher.”
While working as an R A is an incredibly rewarding job it’s also very challenging Davis has seen everything from bloody hands to flooding bathrooms and her job requires staying calm in every situation.
“One of my teammates broke a mirror in her room this year and ended up with a huge chunk of glass in her hand and Elizabeth was the RA on call when it happened,” says Lakin Crum, a UC sophomore. Crum adds, “It was bleeding everywhere and she stayed so calm, even when my teammate was panicking. We spent all night in the E R and as soon as we got back on campus Elizabeth was there checking to make sure everything was okay; she’s just really sweet.”
Davis closes her laptop and looks up at me with a smile that starts in her eyes Talking about her future has excited her and there’s a new sparkle in her eye as she packs up her books. “If there’s anything at all you need, don’t hesitate to ask,” she says as she walks with me out of the office. The security door slams again and her smile turns to focus on another girl in need of guidance
GuestWriter
Pho t o by Ly d i a Jay
The ma n I am beco ming A profile of UC senior: Kasey Malone
BY L A N DR Y WO OD S
GuestWriter
The jingling of keys can be heard followed by the shutting of an office door as a man dressed in a large black t-shirt and baggy blue jeans leans over and sits down As he sits down he sighs a little, gathering his thoughts before shooting his grin across the beat and battered table to anyone who will look his way. Energetic and fun loving, he never is at a loss for words, or for encouragement In his uniquely relaxed way he can pull off a look that can only be described as “The one and only, Kasey Malone.” He seems totally comfortable in his own skin, but it hasn’t always been that way.
Born and raised in Monticello, Kentucky even as a child Malone was exciting and fun to be with. As he grew older his electrifying personality grew with him, a trait that accompanies him still today. The difference in then and now, however, are the motives behind that infectious smile Struggling to put into words what he feels, Malone’s smile slowly fades from his face as he disgustingly mutters the word “depression.”
“I am very much a ‘Chandler Bing’ type of guy if you have ever seen Friends ’ I like to laugh and cut up with people I did a lot of things to make up for what I didn’t think I had,” said Malone.
Admittedly, Malone confesses he has struggled with depression his entire life, but in his second year as a student at UC he finally came to grips with seeking help. “I’ve sought counseling; I’ve talked to people. I made efforts to really just improve that and really just rely on God,” says Malone in his again one of a kind upbeat positive tone
The youth and family ministry major ’s faith in God has not always been there either. Being raised in church, Malone always knew about God, but it was not until he was 17 did he accept Christ as his savior
On April 9, 2009, on a Chrysalis Walk, his life changed forever as he became a Christian. But, it was August 15, 2011 that he finally knew what he was meant to do, or at least in part On this day Malone accepted his call into full-time ministry. That was put on hold, to start anyway, because that was six
days before he moved into the dorms at UC. “I wish I would have found a church here. I hate that I was a junior at UC before I really became involved at First Baptist I wish I would have realized the people didn’t have to accept me, I had to accept the people,” says Malone.
Malone is now a ministry intern at First Baptist church in Williamsburg, Kentucky He focuses with the youth Often on the weekends he can be found coaching his Upward Bound basketball team made up of members of his youth group. When he is not at church, he can usually be found in Siler Hall where he is the Senior R A
Justin Durbin, Malone’s roommate and close friend, says, “Kasey is one of those guys you can always count on to be there. He is so energetic. He is a ball of energy ”
Malone would have to be with a full schedule he has Siler Hall dorm director Mark Hensley describes Malone by saying, “He is hardworking, dedicated and loyal ”
This Malone UC knows is a far cry from that sophomore version struggling through depression, who thought it “was a weakness,” as he put it. But, through counseling and much prayer Malone was molded into the man he is today A man he can say he is proud to be and others are proud to know Malone says, “There is a greater love in the world in God and we have to love ourselves enough to want to tackle that and face our fears.”
As Malone’s interview came to a close, he left me the same way he always does on WCCR 94.5 FM, which he has been a part of during his time at UC.
He says, “This is the one and only Kasey Malone, signing off.”
Senio r Pro file: Joa o G omes
BY S T EPH EN MCCOIG
GuestWriter
Joao Gomes, a business major and varsity soccer player at University of the Cumberlands, is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet If you saw him walking down the sidewalk and do not know him, you would have no idea he was from Brazil. He is very pale in complexion, with short, dirty-blonde hair, and, almost always, a University of the Cumberlands Patriots men’s soccer shirt on. It is only when you really start to talk to him that you begin to pick up on his accent. Gomes is from Florianopolis, Brazil, a city of about 500,000 people located on an island in the southern part of Brazil
Gomes, like most international students, was hit with a culture shock when he first moved here. Gomes says, “When I first came to America, it was really hard The first two nights were horrible, but as I got to know people it got better. I would Skype my parents every night my first semester here, but now they have a hard time getting a hold of me.”
Gomes was a little better off than some of the other Brazilians when he moved here because he already knew the English language pretty well. He also tried to integrate himself into American culture by hanging out with Americans instead of only other Brazilians Gomes came to the U S to get a higher education and to perfect another language He knew that he could not obtain either if he didn’t learn American culture. “As soon as I came here, I tried to make friends with some Americans,” he said “I was fortunate enough to find some really good friends that really took me in and treated me like family ”
“Joao really came here and wanted to learn about the American culture from day one,” says Joe Partin, Gomes’ roommate for two years Partin added, “The first day at practice, he walked up to me and introduced himself and we hit it off immediately. We have been friends ever since and it’s been amazing to see how he has changed and taken on some of the American culture.” There were several things that really stood out to Gomes regarding cultural differences. Gomes says, “Everything is different here. From soccer, to the city, to how the people interact.”
He said that soccer was very different in the way we play
“American soccer is very physical and tactically strict. Fitness is a big focus here, but in Brazil it is very lazy and relaxed. Players do what they want and they do not really care what the coach says In Brazil, the coach would tell us to play a specific formation and, after ten minutes into the game, we had four or five guys playing
striker and only two defenders.”
He says that his style of play was more similar to the American style, except for fitness. Gomes says, “I’m lazy man. I do not like all of that fitness.”
The biggest difference in the culture that he pointed out was how much the average American interacted with our families He says, “In Brazil, my family is all spread out and we may get together once every two months, but here, people go to church together and then go over to their grandma’s house to eat. Family is a very big focus in America and that was a big shock to me ”
Partin said, “When I took him home for Thanksgiving for the first time, he was shocked at how many people were there. He had never celebrated a holiday where all of his family came together like that ” He said that it was very annoying to him at first because he felt like families were way too involved in people’s lives, but he now says, “I value family now. Family is super important, and living here has really helped me learn that ”
A big thing for Gomes is helping others. He stays after soccer practice to help people with their shooting and free kicks. He helps other business students with their homework But, maybe most importantly, he helps other Brazilians with their English and fitting in with other Americans
Joao Souza, a UC sophomore from Brazil, said, “He told me that I can’t be afraid to go out and talk to Americans He told me that talking and interacting with Brazilians is the only way to really learn their culture and it is the best way to improve my English.” Gomes knows that the transition is tough for international students, but he knows it is important to go out and get incorporated into their culture
Gomes says, “The biggest thing is you can’t be afraid to make mistakes. You’re going to mess up, but you have to accept that and move on.” Gomes said when he first started interacting with Americans he made several grammatical errors. He added, “I struggled with how to correctly say a lot of words.” He said the only way he learned was, “through making mistakes and having people correct me and tell me how to say it properly ”
Gomes emphasizes, “If you don’t go out and meet people from other cultures, then you are going to struggle here. You have to go out and talk to people, and you will quickly find out that people want to learn our culture too ”
Senio r Pro file: Tyler Smith
BY IS A BEL L A DA L E
GuestWriter
Tyler Smith drifts his red and black Camaro into the Correll Science Complex parking lot. The time on his Franck Muller wristwatch reads 8:02 a.m., which means he is late
As the car lopsidedly grinds to a halt in between the white lines of what you’d call a failed attempt at parking, he rushes to assemble the textbooks and notepads that are scattered in the back seat somewhat like wrapping paper under a Christmas tree
“I literally run all the time. I run everywhere, and I run constantly,” Smith says “Yes, it’s to sometimes stay fit, but it’s mostly because I’m always late ”
As a biology major with a strong emphasis on pre-medicine, as well as having the position of senior captain and assistant men’s and women’s coach for the tennis team at the University of the Cumberlands, time is a luxury Smith cannot afford After four years of undergrad, he admits that lessons are still to be learned of time management, lessons he hopes will be strongly established by the time he has to leave for University of Louisville School of Medicine in 16 weeks
“I’ve always wanted to be a doctor of some sort,” says Smith. “It has always interested me because, like the old cliche saying, ‘you get to help people’ but that’s honestly the very thing I do it for ”
Although having five half-siblings from his parents’ previous marriages, all of whom are married with children, Smith is an only child in his immediate family at 22 years old He claims being raised within a family with such extreme age gaps provided him with the extra structure that he needed to succeed both academically and in sport.
“Having them around me when I was young gave me the best of both worlds,” he says. “I was doted on as technically being an only child, and the youngest, but I also got to grow up in a very mature environment which had a hand in my becoming disciplined and prioritized ”
Smith claims his parents are the most important factor in all of his successes thus far, from being a 4.0 student to getting accepted into medical school, as well as playing tennis at a collegiate level and holding up the number
four position on the team for three consecutive years, they have always been around to support his every decision.
“Well something you won’t know about Tyler is that he plays the saxophone,” says Smith’s friend, teammate, and fellow senior Daryl MacLeish “He plays it quite well too, which you’d think would be impossible for someone who never has the time ”
For Smith, extracurricular activities, or simply free-time, are few and far between. He admits his decisions early on to prioritize school before other things have become the sole reason to his pristine GPA It’s his strong point, a quality in which his time-consuming major depends on, yet it sometimes becomes his biggest concern.
“I’m always asking myself if I’ll ever miss out on things and never get the chance to compensate for the loss,” says Smith “Like moments people just can’t get back because I’m too busy reading some book. It’s silly, because I am actually doing something worthwhile, something that will safe lives down the road, but I do get very sentimental still ”
Being sentimental, in fact, has given Smith a wealth of friends as well as earned him respect that comes very rarely to some.
“Tyler is a one of a kind,” says head YC tennis coach Chin Tan “There were times in recent years that I struggled to manage and hold up my team; I will always have the utmost respect for him, because he was the person who truly helped me through that struggle ”
For the next seven to eight years, Smith’s life from the outside resembles the appearance of constant routine. For anyone else it would be a source of dread, but for him it’s more like a calling It’s something he is truly passionate about.
As he finishes off the last two weeks of undergrad, and readies himself for medical school, Smith is overwhelmed with pure gratitude
“I’m so thankful,” he says. “For everything, for all the experiences I’ve had here at UC, and for all the experiences that await in my future.”
Senior P ro file: Co dy Perkins
BY CE JA Y JON E S GuestWriter
He is a graduating senior with four years on the football field combined with four years in the classroom That’s just college though Outside of that he’s a part-time cowboy/sheriff department worker. Cody Perkins has lived in Williamsburg, Kentucky his whole life with the University of the Cumberlands a few miles from where he grew up His parents own 3R Arena in Williamsburg. Since Perkins was very young he worked with his parents, taking care of the horses and the arena. He fell in love with the horses an began riding and participating in rodeos at the arena
Christopher Lowrie, Perkins’ best friend since the age of 4 when they ran into each other trying to catch a pop fly in wee ball, says, “A cowboy he is and always will be but he has become so much more as he’s grown up ” Perkins is an extremely upbeat and enthusiastic person Just talking to him about the things he enjoys and his eyes light up. He cracks a smile, and this big bearded man becomes a child again Football is one of his favorite things to talk about He refers to his high school football memories as the greatest time of his life.
Perkins says, “Something like high school football is way different than college football in many ways; at my high school you saw your teammates everyday through the hallways and classes. You become a family because you’re spending more time with them then your actual family.” He talks about playing in the NAIA National Championship in college as his most enjoyable moment as a college football player. You can see Perkins’ passion about football as he talks about it. But it’s not his favorite.
His favorite subject to talk about is his friends and family, if that tells you anything about the person he is. Lowrie says, “Family is always the most important thing to Perkins; his sister, his mom and dad, and his friends. He sees
all as family. He is a loyal, funny, big hearted, God-fearing redneck who will always have your back ”
Brent Martin was Perkins’ roommate for three years. He says Perkins is really easy to get along with and live with. Martin says, “We were pretty close before our freshman year in college, but having a crazy experience and forming a lifelong bond that’ll never be broken. I know Cody will always be one of my closest friends.”
Perkins is graduating from UC in 2015 as a criminal justice major For the past year, he has also been working for the sheriff ’s department as a community service officer (CSO). That job entails everything from bailiff to transporting federal inmates
Perkins says the toughest thing about college was being discipline and taking on new responsibility. “Just little things like checking my email or checking blackboard, technology and I don’t get along so it wasn’t easy checking all of that stuff every day ”
Perkins has recently made another stride in the growing up aspect of life too. He proposed to Sarah Estes and she said yes. They are now remodeling their newly purchased home and planning the wedding
Both Martin and Lowrie both said nearly identical things about Perkins’ future. They said no matter what Perkins decides to pursue he will be able to accomplish every goal he sets for himself, because he refuses to give up and settle. Best of all, he’s a dreamer and anybody that refuses to give up on their dream will always be successful.
Senio r P rofi le: Haley Damro n
BY ER IC F OR D EDWA R D S GuestWriter
She stands 5 feet tall, but she has a personality of someone twice her size. When God made Haley Dawn Damron’s freckles, He may have given the youngest angel a brown Crayola marker and said “Go wild,” and he did To accompany these freckles she has wavy auburn hair that curls past her shoulders. Damron is senior at the University of the Cumberlands and a business administration major with a management information systems minor
Sara Jo Hampton annunced as the Spotlight season 3 winner
Jessica Villegas performing “Don’t Speak” by No Doubt
After graduation, she plans to begin her master ’s in teaching with a specialization in business. She plans to continue her education at the university next year as a graduate assistant working towards a master ’s in teaching with a specialization in business. When she’s not playing sand volleyball with her roommate, painting, taking photographs, or talking with friends in McDonalds, she’s volunteering at the Hutton School of Business and working for UC’s multimedia and athletic services department. Dedicated to everything she goes after, caring for people she meets on the way, and always thinking about her next move, Damron is continuously working toward reaching her goals and then finding new ones to conquer.
Coming from Carrollton, Kentucky, Haley Damron (Little “Hay Hay” to her elementary school friends) was never without a friend at her side in school
These friends, along with her tight-knit family, helped to push her to be the individual she is today. When talking about her life, Damron says one of her earliest memories is “[playfully] wrestling with her family ”
A person that has been very influential in her life is her father. Coaching
teams like: soccer, softball, baseball, T-ball, basketball, and even a little cheerleading, while helping her with her elementary spelling words, Damron says her father is someone she can always see eye to eye with (though not physically because she comes up to his chest). Talking about her early academics, Damron says, “They’d make me spell words over and over and over again… They expected at least a B if not A’s ”
Her parents not only made sure that Damron succeeded while she lived at home, but they also instilled in her a drive to learn and succeed at whatever she attempts Damron became emotional when reflecting back on the devotion her parents dedicated to her.
Starting sports in third grade her sport-centric lifestyle began with basketball, softball, T-ball, and cheerleading Continuing her athletics on into middle school, Damron dedicated a big portion of her life to basketball.
Damron says, “I remember going to school at 7:30 in the morning and being there till 8 at night ” Later in her eighth grade year, she played basketball for the high school team, but she also played freshman soccer. Not only did she juggle sports with academics, she also was a part of the “pep club,” yearbook, drama club and the Young Leaders Institute She was chosen for the YLI because she was seen as a potential business leader in the future, and this was what helped Damron define what is now her major.
Former contestants bring the house down with a medley
Starting college, Damron began working at the HSB as a work-study but was later offered a position in multimedia. During the last semester of her freshman year, she actually worked in both locations She now volunteers at the HSB doing the same things she would do as a work-study but without pay. Damron’s work-study supervisor William Turner, UC’s coordinator of photography, says Haley is “outgoing, fun to be around, able to take a joke and give it right back, and an all around well-rounded person.”
Damron has been like the photographer ’s right arm, doing anything he asks and jumping into it head first This helpful spirit is something that Damron hopes she can always convey Her boss also bragged about her for the work she does with Relay for Life on campus.
Turner said, “[She’s been] raising money for it all year long, selling t-shirts, taking pictures and staying more than 12 hours making sure everything goes off without a hitch.” She does this without asking for thanks or even expecting recognition
Damron’s roommate, Rebecca Heinrich, a junior at UC, is quick to point out Damron’s obsession with Elvis Presley. Heinrich says, “She’s probably the biggest Elvis fan I’ve ever met in my life…she goes to every kind of Elvis
event. She does Elvis photography; her dad paints Elvis!”
Not only do they share a room, and a birthday, Damron and her roommate also share a tattoo After month of planning, Damron and Heinrich went together to get matching tattoos, and this makes them feel even closer. Heinrich says, “We share something no one else has with her.”
In their dorm, the windowsill is lined with temper paint and the walls are covered in both photography and paintings. When talking about Damron’s personality, her roommate says, “She’s a person you can go to with anything.”
Making friends easily, people gravitate to Damron because she is a driven, funny, quirky, talented, smiling, dedicated friend These traits and the people who have imbedded them into her have helped to create this fast-paced person. No matter what occupation lies ahead of her, she will attack it with all her ability and work to adapt to it if need be When looking at any job or task in her life, Damron sees it as an opportunity to rise and better herself, and those around her
Senio r P rofi le: Jillian Carpenter
BY A SH T ON R E C T OR StaffWriter
“Zip Zap Zum,” echoes from the circled group gathered center stage of the Kohn Theatre. Swiftly, each individual compiles the rhetoric with turns of their torso and smack of their palms as they signal another to continue the pattern
“Zip. Zap. Zum,” a phrase tempting to twist the tongue of the next chosen. “Zip. Zap. Zum.” The words all from different mouths, but seemingly escape each set of lips as if they are one chorus
Suddenly, one member from the group bare footedly leaps onto the ground below stage and the gathering disperses. On the lower level, she snatches her master script and redirects the focus of the room from the group exercise onto the task of rehearsal
She wears all natural curls with her hands placed on her hips and observes the actions and dialogue the actors deliver
“Let’s go ahead and run that one more time,” she says
An actress herself, she responds with further instruction and advice to enhance each and every scene of the performance.
“Good, good,” she reassures
The system of communication employed is used to tweak and fashion every component as the production of her very own making comes to life. Jillian Carpenter, a University of the Cumberlands senior, stands in her commanding position as director of her senior theatre production, “Superhero Support Group.”
Jillian Carpenter is very involved as a student on campus at UC She has
been an active member of the dance team, The Patriot newspaper, and UC Theatre as a Patriot. All the while, pursuing a double-major in theatre and psychology.
Carpenter says, “It kind of feels like home here ”
Carpenter has held major roles in nearly all productions of the UC Theatre since her freshmen year. This includes: “Into the Woods,” “Seussical the Musical,” “King Lear,” “Drood,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” and “Eurydice ” Also, she has starred in two student-directed shows named “The Whole Shebang” and “Don’t Fear the Reaper.”
Dr Kim Miller, artistic director of UC Theatre, says, “She’s the kind of actor who, you can give her a direction and she can pursue it If she has a problem with it she’s mature enough to say ‘Hey how do I handle this,’ and she just seems to perform things without effort ”
Fellow UC Theatre member, Sarah Petit, says, “She’s always willing to help out other people with anything they might need.”
While she is taking on a new role as director, this is not her first time in this position Carpenter wrote and directed a play titled “The Choice ” The play was based on the somewhat controversial subject of teen suicide. At first, she hesitated in moving forward with the production, but shortly after she had a friend commit suicide
Carpenter comments, “Having that experience of loss and knowing firsthand how that affects you, made me get the courage to use it as my colloquium ”
In “The Choice,” she pushes the envelope and aims to make the spectators think while at the same time providing them with an environment to talk openly about the issue and realism of suicide
The production contained two on stage actors, who were on the verge of suicide, and two voices that converse with the characters to demonstrate the thoughts that are flowing through the minds of the characters The spectators are enabled to simulate the feelings of being affected by suicide personally or that of somebody they know.
Carpenter recalls the experience, “I remember making the audience uncomfortable and that was exactly the point.”
after being placed into the court system.
Carpenter recounts, “Just watching these kids grow, be more comfortable, and talk about problems that they’ve had really made me interested in using theatre and psychology and bringing them together to help kids.”
She adds, “If you’re comfortable being a ridiculous character with 20 people you don’t know very well, you’re more likely to be more open to saying what is really on your mind.”
Trickett says, “It really causes people to get in touch with those things that cause them the most distress ”
Phot o subm n itt e d
Her future plans include coupling her bachelor ’s degree in theatre arts and psychology to employ them into her upcoming profession where she hopes to become involved in theatre therapy.
NYU Steinhardt’s describes drama therapy as the employment of theatre techniques to sponsor growth while treating those with mental heath issues or cognitive and developmental disorders.
Dr. Dennis Trickett, psychology department chair, says, “It does work for a large segment of the population, but it is a difficult thing to do because literally you act out the drama, trauma, conflict, anger, and frustration.”
Carpenter recalls being lead to a career path of theatre therapy after taking the theatre and diversion class at UC In this course, college students are joined with adolescent students who are required to participate in a type of diversion
Some influences in deciding Carpenter ’s professional path were ones she has been shown from being raised in Whitley County, Kentucky.
“You see a lot of kids, even growing up and seeing them now, there are a lot of kids who have it rough. Being exposed to that makes you want to reach out a hand if you can.” states Carpenter.
Carpenter will be leaving UC and plans to work her way toward a Ph D in child psychology.
Trickett states, “She is a bright, intelligent, talented, creative person. So, anything she puts her mind to; she’s not going to be limited by anything ” Miller adds, “I see her using her talents to help people, and to make their lives better.”
I ’ m from the countr y, and I like it that way : John Tyler Morgan
BY BR I-A N N T OK A R I W SK I
GuestWriter
When I first met him, he wore a red UC shirt with what could be his signature design of a camo Under Armour, a red UC hat and normal light blue jeans. He was sitting on the blue and white plastic cooler in the University of the Cumberlands’ golf office when my mother, father and I arrived There were probably 10 other people in the already cramped golf office. My father was making a joke about how people in southeastern Kentucky spoke with thick twangy accents and used really strange words My dad was making fun of the word “Bubba,” when John Tyler Morgan spoke, with his country drawled out accent, "I call my brother bubby and here we call our sisters 'sissy'". Once he said those words, he and everyone started laughing because it sounded very country. That is when I first learned Morgan was a country boy though he describes himself and his family as "redneck.”
John Tyler Morgan is a kind-hearted senior who would do anything for anyone on campus. His nickname is "JC" but many refer to him as a teddy bear (even though he has no hair on his scalp). Morgan will be graduating in May with an undergraduate degree in public health and criminal justice Morgan lives on campus where he goes to class, works out and is a part of the UC golf team.
But off campus, his true passion is back in his hometown of Jackson County, Kentucky. This is where he gets his nickname. His family has lived and tended to the same farm for generations. The 200-acre farm is the home to a cattle farm in which Morgan refers to it as "work that is not work " Morgan's heart is being outside, tending to different parts of the farm which includes planting corn, looking after the chicken coop and caring for the cattle. Morgan is in charge of watching the cattle market for his family, in order to know when a good time would be to take the cows to the market to be sold. "I don't get attached to the cows, I see dollar signs when I see them," said Morgan when asked if he thinks of them as pets
He says his favorite part about where he lives is "having your neighbours drop by and talk for hours and then go back to work." He describes the town
as a circle who always helps each other out and is always dropping by to catch up with his family.
Morgan dreams of one day owning a farm where he will fully sustain himself He will not need to get a job because his farm will be his source of income He enjoys the work and feels like he could “never sit behind a desk all day, because that would be boring.”
Morgan has learned many things from his farm but he is always trying to be the best person he can be. Cameron Branham, a UC junior and Morgan’s roommate, recalls a conversation between Morgan and a freshman on the UC golf team saying, “Gustav (a freshman from Sweden), Tyler and I were on the golf course when Gustav was complaining that the girls in America wouldn't talk to him. Tyler turned around to him and said, ‘You want the easiest way to get girls? Say you're from Sweden and yet you are still the prettiest girl I've seen.’”
Morgan’s help and sense of humor comes through in every aspect of his life
McKenzie Price, the graduate assistant on the UC golf team and former teammate of Morgan, describes Morgan as “hard working, light hearted, funny, and kind ” Price said, “He possesses leadership qualities that many of his friends and teammates look up to. I’ve never been around him and him not have a smile on his face. He’s always looking on the bright side of things and make things fun for those around him despite negativity ”
Price added, “Tyler and I have been teammates, coworkers and friends and it has been an honor to coach him too. We worked together over the summer, travelling and helping with a junior golf tour and he always made it fun for everyone around him.”
Morgan’s experience of growing up on the farm has shaped his personality into the ideal of a good country boy He is hard working, caring to humans and animals, and willing to give the shirt on his back to anyone who needs it. He is also proud to call himself “redneck.”
A sma ll girl with a big vo ice: a Q&A with Shantel Butcher
BY N ATA SH A JON E S Editor-in-Chief
This year ’s Spotlight audience was blown away by the incredible voice of a petite blonde sophomore named Shantel Butcher. Butcher is a double major in human services and Spanish On campus she participates in Appalachian Ministries, Baptist Campus Ministries and International Ministries Butcher made it into the top seven of this year ’s singing competition and was one of the only contestants to get a standing ovation Ever. Just like everyone else, we were curious to see what she thought about the competition, what was her favorite performance, her reaction to being eliminated and most importantly, will she be auditioning again? In this interview, I asked Shantel Butcher all these questions and more.
What pushed you to audition?
It was a short process for me honestly. Last year, I saw people do spotlight, and attended and watched and it was a lot of fun to watch. So this year I kind of thought about it but it was kind of a split second decision, ya know if I don’t do it now, when am I going to do it?
What song did you audition with?
“You Found Me” by The Fray
What was your reaction once you had made it through auditions?
I was really, really nervous after I made it through just cause I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it through
I had never really done anything close to this competition It was really surprising and then I thought about what I was gonna do when I actually was on stage performing
What did you think about duets and performing with two partners instead of just one?
It was fun. It was definitely a challenge just because it was all of our first time
What did you learn from that challenge?
I think that it definitely showed me a lot about doing, duets. It was definitely a challenge to figure out who’s gonna sing what and how it’s gonna sound. And we obviously couldn’t do a love song cause there was three of us and that would be weird. Just fitting everybody in.
What was your favorite performance?
Probably the first one just cause I was so, so nervous and everybody gave me a standing ovation and that very encouraging That was a lot of fun
Was it nerve-wrecking, it being just you on stage?
Yes, for sure. It was nerve-wrecking but I’m glad that I did it. I didn’t know how people were going to react It was a ton more rewarding after I was so nervous, than if I would’ve been fine
How did you come to pick the song “Someone Like You”?
It was British Invasion night. So, I was trying to think of songs that I would somewhat know the chorus to, just because I don’t really listen to a lot of popular music. So, I was trying to pick a crowd pleaser and one that would fit with my voice well. I think somebody suggested an Adele song and so I looked at those and I thought oh, “I actually know this song somewhat so I’m gonna practice this one.”
What was your least favorite performance?
I think it was probably ‘Man in the Mirror,’ not because I don’t like the song but because, I just didn’t feel as good about it when I came off stage as I did those other songs.
What did you gain from your experience in Spotlight?
I think I gained a lot of confidence throughout it I was so scared at first, but afterwards I just stopped worrying about what everyone would think of me and just started doing my best
What was your reaction to getting eliminated?
I was okay with it. I honestly didn’t expect to get as far as I did; I didn’t expect at first, so by that point I was getting more confidence and I thought maybe ya know I could make it somewhat far So when I did get out, I
thought , “It’s okay cause I didn’t know I was gonna be in this place ” It also gave me encouragement cause afterwards people came up and said things like, “I’m so sad you didn’t make it,” and that meant a lot more to me than actually making it.
How did you feel about the finale, and coming back to perform with everyone again?
I thought it was a lot of fun We struggled somewhat with the mash up, getting everyone together and having a time to meet and figure it out But I thought everybody liked it and we got a lot of good feedback.
Will you audition again in the future?
I might audition I’m thinking about it. Next year would actually be my last time if I did because I’m graduating a semester early So, I guess I got to make a decision before next year.
What will be anything you do that was different from this time?
I’ll definitely start out trying to get other peoples opinions on the songs first. My piano player she was with me every week, she helped me with someone like you and I think that’s why people like it so much cause she was able to help me change it up a little bit Being able to change up the songs and having fun.
What are you listening to ?
BY A SH T ON
StaffWriter
Whether on a lunch break or lounging outside on a warm, sunny day, music is almost always a part of any outing There are some pop music favorites of the 2010s decade such as “Blurred Lines” and “Happy” that are collectively enjoyed among the masses and are repeatedly streamed on the radio. However, for certain songs, people are sure to switch their Spotify accounts over to a private session before indulging in secret audio pleasure. University of the Cumberlands students and professors weigh in and mention songs they hide from their peers when in the middle of their secluded jam sessions
UC student, TJ Campbell says via Twitter, “‘Blank Space’- Taylor Swift #thebest.”
Alternative Press named “Blank Space” as the number one guilty pleasure hit of 2014 “1989 has several strong tracks but it’s the more subtle “Blank Space” that has remained burned into our brains for weeks on end, slowly shifting from ‘nice song’ status to ‘biggest guilty pleasure of 2014 ’” Campbell adds, “It’s a fast upbeat song, makes me wanna dance in any situation #icantdancethough.”
UC communications professor, Dr. Michael Dickman, claims his song of guilty pleasure is “S O S” by Abba “As a teenage boy in the ‘70s, admitting that you liked a song by Abba would have been cultural suicide.” Dickman reiterates, “The song is just so darn catchy, I can’t help myself. Every once in a while I sneak it into my radio show on WCCR, whether it fits or not ”
Dr. Jeff Smoak also enjoys a song by Abba titled, “Dancing Queen” along with a wide range of musical interests that include “Sugar” by Maroon 5, “I Want it That Way” by Backstreet Boys and “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley.
UC students, Emma LeMaster and Kortlyn Campbell, offer more songs to the guilty pleasures list through Twitter
LeMaster comments her favorite is from Lady Sovereign’s track from their 2006 album “Love Me or Hate Me.”
“I think it’s a lot of nostalgia over when I first heard it and the laughs I get when other people hear me singing along,” says LeMaster.
Campbell prefers the country hit “Girl Crush” by Little Big Town. “It just makes me happy,” Campbell says about her guilty pleasure
Ms Marianne Worthington, associate professor at UC, also chooses to listen to country music. Worthington states, “I listen to classic country music, but I NEVER feel guilty about it: Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, George Jones, Tammy Wynette ”
Dr. Melissa Gibson, adjunct professor at UC, prefers to listen to Celtic Women, Coors, and Simon and Garfunkel, while Mr David Threlkeld, professor of music at UC, jams to “Love Shack” by the B52s and “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free” by Sting.
Mr. Jeremiah Massengale, assistant professor at UC, also has some guilty pleasure songs of his own He even has a designated playlist on Spotify label “Guilty Pleasures.” Songs featured on the playlist include “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen, “Señorita” by Justin Timberlake and “Desert Rose” by Sting
No matter one’s musical preference, guilty pleasure songs are present in all generations and styles. Whatever shameless tunes blast from your radio speakers or IPod, enjoy!
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Summer Cents
How to have fun on a budget
BY AU T U M N COON E Y
Tick tock The countdown beings for the break that every student looks forward to year after year. Summer break. Even as college students, we countdown and watch the clock each day waiting for when we can finally catch a break and have summer fun to rid us of our school time blues Fun in the sun is all we wait for as the countdown beings and finals week is upon us. But as we all know fun isn’t free, because it’s very rare to find things in life that are free As college students most of us work over the summer to help support the cost of our school expenses, and anything we make must be saved for just that. So how can you have fun if the fun you want to have costs so much money and you can’t spend any money?
Simple. Most things in life are not free but there are ways to have fun in the sun and help you save your money. There are multiple things you can do and if you think about your hobbies and what you like, you’re sure to come up with something. But in case you can’t, here’s a quick list of five simple, fun things to do over the summer and still keep your cents.
1. Make a 100 Goals in 100 Days list; then start them.
Goals are modifiers within your life that can help you improve your everyday life style They motivate you and encourage you; now imagine how much you’ll accomplish if you have 100 goals. Make the list realistic so that way you can accomplish all of them. This is a great motivator, it’s free and it will keep you active along with preventing a dull moment within your summer break.
2 Grow a garden
It does not matter if you don’t like flowers or even vegetables, the fulfillment you receive when successfully growing a garden is outstanding. You don’t even have to waste money on seeds; ask a friend or a neighbor to uses their seeds to begin your garden You’re bound to find someone to help But growing a garden takes lots of work and effort. It requires care each day so it
will keep you busy and by the end of the summer, if you work hard enough, you’ll have a beautiful garden.
3 Go to the lake instead of the pool
If you have a body of water close to your home, use it to your advantage. Yes luxury pools are nice but there are other ways to enjoy play time within water and not have to spend money If it’s a pond, lake, or ocean, use it! Just be cautious and make sure it’s safe before just jumping in.
4 Go on a wandering walk
Grab a group of friends, pack a lunch and just pick a direction. A wandering walk is where you have no specific location that you are walking to, you just walk You never know the thing you’re going to come across so the adventure is truly exciting. This is a great way to spend time with our friends and exploring new places. Just pick a day, pick a direction, start walking and enjoy the adventure
5. Go park jumping
You’re never too old to play at a park Make a list along with a map of all the parks within your area. Then, with a friend, visit every park in one day. Everyone deserves to be a child at least for a day, so make playing at multiple parks your day Embrace your inner child along with having laughs and memories to share with a friend. No park is exactly the same!
The possibilities are endless, you just have to know yourself to find what you would enjoy You do not have to spend money in order to have fun; sometimes the most important memories someone can have is spending time with those they hold dear So enjoy your summer, make memories, share laughter and remember to save your cents
can wait:
Doing productive things over the summer
BY J I L L I A N CA R PEN T ER AssistantEditor
By the time we reach summer break, three months of lounging on the couch and watching Netflix sounds like the best things we could ever do. However, it's probably not. There are lots of productive things you could do with your summer and still have time for the lounging part of your plan Not only will you be making your parents happy knowing you aren't wasting away this summer, there are a lot of benefits for you as well.
You can make money Of course this is the first one on the list! You have all this time on your hands, why not get a job so you can have money to do some really fun things before your break is over? Why sit in front of a computer all day for three months when you could be making money to take a trip to the beach with your friends? Or, if you don't want to take a trip, you can save that money to use during the school year, also known as the nine months out of the year that you don't have time to be anything but broke
You can get experience. Some students don't try to get a job until they're out of college and searching for a career. If you do that, you'll be hit with an army of new things to learn on the first day of your career Why would you want that? Having a summer job or internship gives you the opportunity to learn how to work with others in a job environment and how to really conduct yourself in the workplace It's better to learn the basic things that are similar in every work-
place now then wait until you get a long-term job or career
It looks awesome on a resume. Employers know that every student wants to spend their summer break doing absolutely nothing. Seeing that you took away from your relaxation time to do something productive shows that you have drive and motivation. Doing internships looks better, because it also serves as training in your field. What looks the best- even though you wish it didn't-is an unpaid internship It shows that not only are you willing to do work, but you are so dedicated to your field of work that you are willing to work without pay just to get some training.
You could spend your summer glued to your couch You wouldn't suffer any consequences from it, really. But, the rewards you can get from doing something productive over the summer will not only help you in the short-term but also help you get hired in the future
Summer time in the mo shpit: Tips for the perfect concer t experience
BY CH R IS T I N RO T T EN BERGER StaffWriter
Summer break is a time to kick back, relax, and make as many memories as you can. For some people, summertime might mean going to see a concert or two Picture it: the lights go down, the band starts playing, and the stage lights slowly come on. The anticipation of waiting for your favorite artist to walk out on stage is almost unbearable. You feel the bass flowing through you as the music keeps picking up Finally, the person you’ve been waiting for- for what seems like forever- comes out onto the stage and begins singing their heart out.
All of this is just a small aspect of the concert experience Besides, before you can even leave you have to get ready, right? Make sure you take all of these necessary steps to ensure that you have the time of your life
1. Wear Comfortable Clothes
Style is very important to people, but comfort is even more important You’re going to be standing for at least three hours, so wearing your most expensive pair of shoes that have no support might not be a good idea. Also, dress for the weather but make sure you’ll be comfortable in the venue. It might be a little chilly outside, but once you’re in the concert all the jumping around and being in a large crowd of people will start warming you up.
2 Pack Chargers/Batteries
If you’re the type of person who likes to take lots of pictures during a show, it would probably be the worst thing ever if your camera or phone died halfway
through the opening act. Make sure your phone is fully charged and you have fresh batteries ready to go. It’s also smart to invest in a portable charger for your phone They typically are small enough to fit comfortably in a pocket or bag and are a concert-goer ’s best friend.
3 Plan Ahead
If the concert you are attending is general admission, it’s a smart idea to get to the venue pretty early. If you’re bound and determined to get front row center, you should try to get to the venue as early as you possibly can If the show isn’t general admission, it’s still a smart idea to get to the venue early, especially if you have to travel. This guarantees you’ll be at the show on time and that you will have a nice parking spot
4. Make an Awesome Playlist
Nothing gets people more pumped up than listening to great tunes before a concert Make a playlist on Spotify or iTunes that will get you in the perfect mood for the show you’re about to see. Listen to it while you’re getting ready, as well as on the way to the venue. It will get your adrenaline pumping.
H ow to stay healthy during the summer
BY LY DI A JA Y StaffWriter
Summer comes with all sorts of challenges One of those challenges is staying healthy. These are some ways, fairly doable ways, to being successful at staying, and being healthy throughout the summer. However, it is your choice on how you what you feel is the best way for you to stay healthy; these are just some suggestions on how to point you in the right direction.
Healthy Foods to Eat
The best types of food to eat during the summer include a balance of vegetables, fruit, and meat. The vegetables to eat are avocados, cucumbers, mushrooms, tomatoes and bell peppers The fruits to eat are watermelon, berries, oranges, peaches and pineapples As for the meat instead of having a burger, or hot dogs try to switch up your meat choices with fish, turkey, grilled salmon, tuna, or skinless chicken. These portions of tasty protein are much healthier than hamburgers or hot dogs, and they leave you feeling fuller longer
Stay Hydrated
It is important to stay hydrated Although the best beverage to drink is water, let’s be honest every now and again we like to drink something sweet. A Way to quench that sweet taste bud instead of choosing a high-calorie beverage like soda, among other things, is to go for water with lemon or mint, or perhaps green tea or unsweetened iced tea. Sugary iced tea and other similar beverages we love can add unwanted and under-appreciated calories. Be sure that you drink more water if you are going to be outdoors for more than a few hours Again keeping a nice balance with your beverages is a way to be healthier during the summer.
Stay Active
Staying active doesn’t necessarily mean you have to hit the gym to stay fit, although there is nothing wrong with going to the gym. However, going to the gym is not everyone’s first option So here are some other options to take into consideration. Try involving an outdoor activity throughout your day such as going on a hike, taking a nature walk, playing games, riding a bike, roller blading or swimming Doing any of these activities helps to shed that cooped-up feeling
of gym workouts Doing these activities doesn’t mean that you have to do it alone; you can enjoy these outdoor activities to do with your family, or friends. It creates a great way for having bonding time.
Being Emotionally Happy & Healthy
Staying emotionally stable and healthy is also important to be successful at being healthy and happy during the summer Even though being essentially in a good space emotionally, here are a few ways to maintain in positive emotionally Practicing staying in the present is a power tool along with the benefits of helping us to see clearly and minimize emotional reactivity In other words, don’t allow what happens to you define how you feel and go throughout your day or the summer. Don’t allow the negative things that take place control and dictate you or allow yourself to stress. Instead choose to focus on the positive things that occur rather than the negative Practice self-care in your relationships Whether it be friendships or romantic partnerships, to be the best you can be for others, it is important to establish time for yourself and to make sure you are okay
Know when it's time to put the focus on yourself: do things you enjoy, set reasonable boundaries and keep the negative at bay. The more you focus on the positive, the more you are able to relax and enjoy your summer
Get Enough Rest
It is hard to resist the urge to stay up later during long summer days But instead of staying up late throughout the entire summer instead, get plenty of rest by keeping the same bedtime and wake-up schedule. Having a routine coordinated with sleep is part of having a health-filled summer
Although it is your choice on how you what you feel is the best way for you to stay healthy, these are some options.
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A closer walk with C hrist
BY SH YA N N NOR R IS StaffWriter
As things end and new beginnings approach us in the months and days ahead, it’s hard to see the path that far ahead or maybe even hard to see the next day. As this semester ends and a new school year approaches or your career is starting, I encourage you, no matter what step is next after this, to take a step back from everything and a step forward to Christ Growing closer to Christ is not rocket science. There is a way to come out of the valley and dark days that you have been in and to end up on the mountain top.
What better time to start growing closer to Christ than the most beautiful and warmest time of the year, summer? It is hard to get to the spot maybe you feel that you need to be but God has already made a way and is just waiting for you to take that one step forward in His direction One of my favorite things to do to have conversation with Christ and start walking closer with him is to take what I call a “prayer walk.” A nice walk in the park where you can knock out all of society’s hindrances and embrace God’s beauty is perfect to start your conversation with Him. I first heard about “prayer walks” on a mission trip last summer and I knew that was what I could start with and what would work best for me
Another way to embrace God and draw near to Him is listening to that still, small voice. With this comes being patient and being anxious for nothing. It took me forever to realize that I can’t always just pray or do my daily Bible
reading and expect to hear from God that second. Learning to be patient and waiting upon the Lord is a big part of getting closer to God It takes all of your patience and all of your focus to start your closer walk with Christ. According to Scripture, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way ” –Psalm 37:23 (KJV)
Going out of my comfort zone was the hardest part of wanting to grow closer to Christ for me. My nerves wanted to tell me I couldn’t do it, but God reassured me I could Whether it is going out of your comfort zone on a mission trip or something as small as witnessing to a friend or singing in church, any little thing counts in God’s eyes. Being comfortable with God’s grace and assurance is something we, as Christians, should not get used to In the Bible it states that, “The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.” – Job 17:9 (KJV)
After I surpassed all of my fears, my anxieties, my hurt, overcame my pride, and set my foot on the firm foundation, which only Christ could give me, my walk with Him grew immensely. When I got my closer walk with Chris, it didn’t stop there It takes a daily battle and giving up everything to stay in that walk with Him
