Letter from the Editor
Dear Patriots,
Welcome back from Spring Break! I hope you all are rested and ready to tackle these last seven weeks of the school year. Letâs be honest, the second half of the spring semester can be even more stressful than the first, so we hope you can find some time to relax and enjoy this weekâs issue.
March is International Womenâs Month, which is going to be the theme of this issue. Coming from a family background that is predominantly comprised of women, celebrating this month is important to me, as well as many other people. I grew up with two little sisters, the most important things to me, and seeing this world slowly evolve into a place where more women can succeed gives me a lot of hope for those two. My sisters, mother, grandmother and aunt deserve to be celebrated every day, not just during one month, and Iâm sure many of you would agree with me.
Luckily for me, growing up surrounded by awesome women has really benefited me, and I continue to be surrounded by inspiring women here at The Patriot. If you look at the staff list, youâll realize that almost the entire staff is comprised of strong, independent, and great women. I get to tell them every day, but if you see one of these ladies on campus, be sure to thank them for their hard work every week, because Iâm sure working for a dude like me isnât always a great time.
Rather than trying to find one picture that totally encompasses the female student body here on campus, I decided to ask for as many volunteers as I could to let me take their portrait. At UC, we may be #OneBigTeam, but that team is comprised of many different people from many different backgrounds. The diversity of UC is one of my favorite things about this campus, and Iâm glad I got the chance to try to represent what that is like on this cover. Thank you to the 60 women that let me take their photo!
Please enjoy this issue, and power through these next few weeks. Do nothing without intention yâall, weâre almost there!
Fire it up,
Mike Krzyston, Editor-in-Chief
Editor-In-Chief
Mike Krzyston
Faculty Adviser
Jeremiah Massengale
Staff
Emilee Agee
Haley Bullock
Taylor Duke
Abigail Fletcher
Leanne Gregory
Jessica McFerron
Alex Nunn
River Phillippe
Jenna Rose
Dan Williams
Maranda Young
Front cover by Mike Krzyston
Back cover by Taylor Duke
Email comments, concerns or tips to: thepatriot@ucumberlands.edu or call us at 606-539-4172
7000 College Station Drive Williamsburg, Kentucky 40769
The Patriot is the student publication of the University of the Cumberlands. Our goal is to provide timely and original content by highlighting campus news and views.
Award-winning member of the Associated Collegiate Press and Kentucky Press Association.
Innovative inventors
A look into some of the most prominent inventions created by women
BY LEANNE GREGORY Staff Writer
The twenty first century is an era filled with comfort and convenience. From washing machines, to automobiles there is relatively little manual labor left for human beings to do. Many of these modern conveniences, however, would not have been possible without the influence and creativity of intelligent, and goal-oriented women.
Computer Software-Born in 1906, according to Yale University, Rear Admiral Dr. Grace Murray Hopper was the pioneer behind programming the FLOW-MATIC compilers, programs designed to translate language into computer code, computers use to understand mathematical computations. Hopperâs drive to create the technology stemmed from her desire to bring the complex world of computer applications programming to a general audience. Because of this she helped encourage the development of a cohesive code library, from which programmers around the world could share completed portions of computer applications for use in other programs. Likewise, Hopper was responsible for extensive programming work on the Mark I, II, and III and UNIVAC I and II series of computers.
Telecommunications-Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, Black Past reports, was the first African American woman to receive a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Her interest in science was fostered at a young age, an interview with C-Span revealed, when she would collect and study the behavioral patterns of bumblebees. An avid researcher, Jackson specialized, MIT Technology Review explains, in researching the electrical properties of layered materials, and how the electrons within those materials would react when placed under varying temperatures.This research, according to Famous Black Inventors, led to the creation of fiber optic cables, caller Id, solar cells, and the portable fax.
Circular Saw- Around 1813 in a small Shaker community located in Massachusetts, How Stuff Works elucidates, Tabitha Babbitt created the prototype for a circular saw. She was inspired the create the machine while watching other villagers use a pit saw, a double handed blade that required two men to push and pull. Babbitt noticed that the saw would only cut wood when pulled forward, essentially making the rocking horse motion required to work the blade, and the effort utilized, useless. To remedy this problem, York Saw and Knife reports, Babbitt first fashioned a notched, circular plate, that she then attached to her spinning wheel, setting the make shift blade inside the machine so that it would spin in time with the press of the spinning wheels pedal.
Kevlar-Created by Stephanie Kwolek in 1965, Kevlar is most notable, NPR reports, for its use in bullet proof body armor and other impact resistant, safety equipment. After earning a degree in chemistry in 1946 Kwolek aspired to go to medical school, but instead choose to work for DuPont, a company known for their dietary supplements, construction supplies, and biotechnology, among other products, as a chemist. While working for the company, the Science History Institute explains, Kowlek was tasked with discovering a polymer substance which would be capable of handling extreme conditions. During her experiments she found that a specific solution of the polyamides would cause their molecular components to form parallel, crystalline structures which could then be woven into steellike fibers.
Photo by Taylor Duke
The woman behind CAB
Insight on an influential woman on campus
BY HALEY BULLOCK AND ABIGAIL FLETCHER Staff Writers
Planning events to near perfection is in Lisa Bartramâs blood. Between her fatherâs gospel music festivals, to her mother and her sisterâs catering business and restaurant, Bartram has plenty of experience with the fine-tuning of executing events that have led to her many successes being UCâs Director of Student Activities. Family has always been important to her. Her love for her nephews is unmatched with the joy that they bring in her life. Bartramâs passions do not lie only with her family but they also lie with the students at Campus Activities Board (CAB). Her job involves more than just scheduling Spotlight and other events, but it also involves bringing students together to form friendships that go beyond their time at University of the Cumberlands.
Lisa Bartram is a family-oriented woman through and through. Bartramâs close relationships with her nephews in West Virginia are shown through her actions of affection towards them. She shares many lunches with her nephew in medical school and adores the artistic creations of another nephew. Bartramâs mother and sister share the title of being the most influential people in her life. â My mom didnât go to college and my sister didnât as well. They own a restaurant and catering business at home. They are always on the go, always working which has been instilled in me. My sister is in the catering business so she is always setting up, cooking, and planning. Event planning is in my blood.â
Not only does Bartram share a close relationship with her blood family, but with her UC CAB family as well. Bartram says, âYou always remember youâre here for your college degree. Youâre here to get that education and everything, but is the things you do outside the campus that you remember and reflect on. I am just happy to make those memories.â Bartram enjoys the experiences that she allows students to make with her meticulously planned gatherings.
One of CABâs well-known productions that they host is Spotlight, UCâs singing competition. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes that many students may not realize. Between covering up the painting to Mr. Gatliff, working with the Digital Media Studio (DMS) to fix the sound system, and setting the stage up despite the many technical difficulties they face, Bartram seems to do it all. âSpotlight does impact the whole campus. It takes a village to make to happen. It is a good way to bring everyone together, whether it is athletics or music. Everyone has someone they know or is rooting for someone.â
Lisa Bartramâs impact on the students at CAB is something that many of staff members wish they could have with their students. Her good-heartedness and passion for others is seen on a daily basis throughout her work on UCâs campus. Her legacy does not just reside on the physical campus and events like Spotlight, but in the heart of others that she touches through her wisdom and ability to connect with others.
Photo Courtesy of UC Communications and Marketing
Strength through struggle
Student Katie Brewer reflects on her journey
BY MARANDA YOUNG
Staff Writer
âStrength comes from struggle. When you learn to see your struggles as opportunities to become stronger, better, and wiser, then youâre thinking shifts from âI canât do thisâ to âI must do this.ââ - Toni Sorenson
This quote is one of the strongest representations of Katie Brewer, a UC psychology major, one of the many empowered female student leaders on campus. Some people might know her through lacrosse, where she is positioned as an attack; others might know her through FCA. Brewer has had a difficult back ground that has encouraged her to grow up to become a strong female leader; not only for UC, but for her community, her family and for herself. Some of her struggles range from family problems, lifestyle problems, and self-realization. âI grew up in a Christian home, sort of. My dad was abusive throughout my entire life. Iâve always dealt with trying to live up to his expectations because he wanted everything to be perfect. Obviously, I canât ever be perfect, so that put me in a bad place,â Brewer said, âIn high school, I tried to walk the Christian walk, but of course I slipped up occasionally, so I started playing lacrosse and putting all my effort in the game. Itâs where I put my words in, so when I earned a lacrosse scholarship, I was like, âheck yeah letâs do this,ââ Brewer explained. A very important part of Brewerâs life is her faith in God. Like most Christians, Brewer has struggled at times with her faith, but through all of the struggles Brewer has become a stronger leader in the Christian community.
âA turning point in my life was in middle school. I had done self-harm. At one point I almost tried to take my own life. My friends got really worried and called the high school pastor, who contacted my mother, sat down and spoke to her about me, and then he spoke to me about how my life is important. In high school I definitely wanted to walk the Christian walk. I thought I was doing good, but I didnât even know what it meant to walk as a Christian. I was really hoping I could come here, to college, and be a good role model. Instead, I started trying to find my self worth in boys, doing whatever I had to do to keep their attention. At one point this was the other place where I put all my worth besides lacrosse. My freshman year here, I was in a bad relationship. I started to hang out with the wrong group, just being plain dumb. Eventually, I got to a point where I realize thatâs just not the life I want to live anymore. I could not do what I wanted to do, share the gospel and be a disciple for God, if I was out partying with the very people I was wanting to be reach.â
Through all this negativity Brewer had to face, she still had people who helped her in a positive way along her journey.
âMy sister had a really big part and inspired me to become the woman I am today. She struggled a lot in life, and I wish I wouldâve learned from mistakes she made, but I still continue to make a lot of the same mistakes that she did. Even though those mistakes were made, my sister was still there to encourage me through it,â Brewer explained, âI feel like I can relate to her on a different level now that we are so much closer because she has been there picking me up when Iâm down. My best friend, Jessie Truelove, doesnât go here anymore, but she was always super honest with me, would tell me I know this is not the way you want to be, this is not what youâre trying to accomplish in life. She always fought with me and sometimes I hated that, but that was something I needed to strengthen me. She is an expectation I wanted to live up to.â
Coming to college is a time of growth. Learning who you are. It is possible to broaden the type of activities that are enjoyed by just volunteering to help with programs around campus.
âBeing a part of FCA has given me a platform to not only share the gospel, but to be vulnerable to people. I wear who I am on my sleeve and I wish I could change the past, the things Iâve gone through, the decisions Iâve made and more. I like being upfront about that because I feel it will empower people to do the same thing. Iâm one of the leaders on my team and I just want the girls to know how important it is to know you donât have to hide your feelings and emotions. They are important and thereâs a reason for you having them. Iâm hoping that I get an RA position because I feel it will help me reach more people on this campus. I believe the resident life on campus has become such a good ministry. And having the ability to just sit and watch people come in the dorm doors all day, gives multiple chances for me to share the gospel. I hope to leave behind a legacy that I am a respectful person, a hard worker, dedicated and determined.â
Brewer has learned many lessons in life through her experiences.
âI wish I could say âdonât let negative experiences affect you.â Itâs easy if you just ignore the bad, but how do you? I like being vulnerable like this. I think itâs important for other people to know that they are not alone. When you understand that, find the people who are going to encourage you, who want to build you up and want to confirm you. If you hang out with the people who are struggling with same things youâre struggling with, youâll end up just bringing each other down.â
Photo by Maranda Young
Womenâs wrestling places fifth at NAIA Nationals
BY JESSICA MCFERRON
Staff Writer
On March 16th, 2019 the University of Cumberlands womenâs wrestling team travelled to Jamestown, North Dakota to compete in the inaugural National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics National Invitational. The ladies left with seven All-Americans, four of whom are repeating: senior Anna Naylor, sophomore Bridgette Duty, junior Maddie Angelito, and freshman Jesse Kirby. There were also three women who earned their first All-American honors: freshman Bella Richiazzi, senior Jessica Rodriguez, and senior Payton Rigert. The womenâs wrestling team finished just shy of fourth place.
The sport of womenâs wrestling as a whole is one of the few collegiate sports that does not have a governing body like the NCAA. In other words, until this year, there were no set collegiate organizations that host national tournaments for womenâs wrestling, such as how the NAIA hosts the national championship for other varsity sports. Team captain Anna Naylor says, âThe tournament was very well run, I definitely give credit to Jamestown. Itâs amazing how fast the sport is growing. There used to be very clear leaders but now that everyone is becoming so good the gap has disappeared.â
While many of the graduating starters have waited their whole college career to see the NAIA recognize women wrestling, the freshmen on the team
are excited for the future of the sport and the Patriots team. Freshman Jesse Kirby says, âIt was exciting to go to nationals because it was a change to compete against all of the best women wrestlers in the country. It felt really great to be able to place because it showed that all of my hard work was paying off and hearing my teammates cheering me on was motivational.â
Although there isnât a âprofessionalâ future in the sport of wrestling, many of our womenâs wrestlers are looking to continue their wrestling career after college. These women wrestlers would be placed on a list of contenders who could make it on to the United States team to represent in the World Championships in October, through the competitions they partake in throughout the summer. Naylor says, âThe collegiate season is over but some of us will be competing later in the spring to try and make United States national teams.â
With a history of excellence, the Patriots womenâs wrestling team has a bright outlook of what is to come. This season, they achieved to win their first ever Mid-South Conference championship as well. Naylor says, âOur team has graduating starters, so Iâm excited to see how good weâre going to be next year. Weâve had a couple of good starters, but we were able to come away as one of the best team in the nation.â
Photo courtesy of UC Womenâs Wrestling
Review: Captain Marvel
BY ETHAN MANUEL Guest Writer
âCaptain Marvelâ is the latest movie in the Marvel cinematic universe. It was directed and written by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. Boden and Fleck are known for their indie film âHalf Nelson,â so their first step into Hollywood was a massive one. âCaptain Marvelâ comes at a rough, but appropriate, time in Hollywood as many women are pushing for equal rights in film making, so the buzz around this film is the message it sends for female empowerment. The hype surrounding this film involves people wanting to see it flop, people wanting to see it succeed, and then a flurry of agendas trying to shove their opinions in many directions. This review is purposely ignoring all agendas surrounding the film and focusing on the film itself, so make your own opinions. Donât worry, no spoilers ahead.
Carol Danvers, a.k.a Captain Marvel, played by Brie Larson is a former United States Air Force soldier who has no memory of her past life. The film begins with Captain Marvel being named Vers, pronounced Veers, who is a solider in the Kree forces, a alien race sworn to eliminate and destroy the transforming terrorists known as the Skrull. After starting a mission that goes completely wrong, Vers finds herself back on earth in the 1990s. Soon she is met by S.H.I.E.L.D agents Nick Fury, played by Samuel L. Jackson, and Agent Coulson, played by Clark Gregg. Teaming up with Fury, Vers goes on a mission to figure out what the Skrull are after, and meets her friend from Earth, Maria, played by Lashana Lynch. Teaming up with S.H.I.E.L.D, her past friend, using her own self will and a cat named Goose, Veers figures out her past and rises to become Captain Marvel, warrior of the galaxy.
7.5/10
the film that screams, âThis is Captain Marvel!â but there are many visual references to other films in the Marvel universe, the biggest being âGuardians of the Galaxy.â The highest praise that can be given to this film is the seamless de-aging CGI used on a young Fury and Coulson. The de-aging is noticeable at first because the entire world knows what these two look like in the present, but to see them look twenty years younger is outstanding. Their faces are perfect when compared to films they were in in the 1990s with just how well the CGI work has been utilized. It is almost completely unnoticeable which means the CGI directors did their job well.
Looking at the movie score, it is forgettable mostly, outside of the main theme, which was shown off in âInfinity War.â The film did use two pop culture songs that fit the time period extremely well, but it felt more like how James Gunn had directed his musical cues for âGuardians of the Galaxyâ instead of being its own thing. Combining the music and visuals, many fight scenes felt rushed and confusing, calling back to the fact that Veers doesnât know her full capabilities. The choreography felt sloppy and messy which actually fit with how crazy and confused that Veers feels every day.
âCaptain Marvelâ takes place before most of the other films in the cinematic universe and, luckily for viewers, it helps place the story within the universe in an easy way to understand. To understand this film entirely it would be beneficial to watch âCaptain America: The First Avenger,â âCaptain America: Civil War,â âGuardians of the Galaxy: Vol 1â and of course âAvengers: Infinity War.â The plot borrows assets from each of those films and can be a bit confusing, and surprising, when certain plot points and characters make an appearance. Marvel has done well with integrating this film into their expansive universe, however it makes the film feel like it is lacking something. Coming from the ending of âInfinity Warâ we are left with a symbol and beacon calling to Captain Marvel from Nick Fury himself. The film excels in explaining how they get to know each other, but as far as Captain Marvel being the defender of the galaxy her powers are left ambiguous. This could be so that her eventual fight with Thanos in âAvengers: Infinity War, Endgameâ will be huge, but the film leaves the audience wanting more. The whole story itself feels like it is building up to something that never actually comes to fruition, like there is more to the story than we know. This could be on purpose to explore Captain Marvel in a potential sequel, but it does hurt the film in terms of pacing.
Visually the film is standard. There seems to be no specific style to
The dynamic between Larson and Jackson was fantastic. If there is any other reason to see this movie, it is because of their character interactions. Every moment Jackson is on screen, it feels fun. His range of emotions is a great contrast to how stoic Larson is acting. Larsonâs performance is much different than many other Marvel heroes or villains because she doesnât display her emotions constantly. Her character has a web of mystery around her as Captain Marvel and the audience learns what makes her, her. Other critics have been comparing her acting to that of Kristen Stewart in the âTwilightâ saga, but I would have to disagree. Veers is a person with a damaged memory and does not know how to act on Earth. She does things that scare regular people, like slapping a Skrull disguised as an old woman on a subway train. Veers doesnât show emotion because she doesnât have any Earth mannerisms, and it calls to the fact that despite being human, she is an alien.
Overall, I would rate this film a 7.5 out of 10 stars because despite doing things really well the movie feels too much like what it actually is: a stepping stone connecting to âAvengers: Endgameâ in April. The film felt rushed much like âAnt-Man and the Waspâ as just to get audiences familiar with the characters they will be seeing soon in the upcoming main movie in the universe. The film is in no way a bad film, but it could stand to see a bit more care in the development. The directors did a decent job of making a coherent and meaningful story, and each actor brought their A game, but for me the film struggled visually and audibly. For the film to be set in the 1990s there could have been so much more nostalgic visuals, sounds, and editing tricks. The message that the film gave felt very real, so if any of you have the chance to go see it, check it out. âCaptain Marvelâ is not a disappointment but will leave you wanting more.
