The Patriot - January 30, 2014

A history of New Year’s resolutions & their effectiveness

• Martin Luther King Jr. • Spotlight • Q & A with UC’s new head football coach •

n a h t s ou r e g n da e r o M

Issue 1 | January 30, 2014

nk i h t y a m u o y

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Keeping The Patriot moving forward:

Join our staff

A letter from the editor

Dear readers of The Patriot, First and foremost, let me take a moment to thank each and

every one of you. Our readers are a very important part of what we do. You’re just as vital to the process of producing this paper

as we are and I appreciate your continuing support.

Spring is generally a time of growth and renewal. This se-

mester is also a time for growing. As I take on the role of editor-

in-chief it’s likely I will stumble a bit as I find my stride (after

all, editor emeritus Christin Miller left some giant shoes to fill),

but with each awkward step I promise to keep moving in the

right direction.

Yet I don’t want all this invigorating energy to end with me.

No. In fact, I want to wish you all the same luck in your own

walk this semester; whatever it may be, however different your

I hope 2014 treats you well, valued reader. Here’s to a quick

semester, hopefully filled with only open-book tests, the most

Giving your time and effort to the

nominal amount of homework possible and completely void

of 10-page essays (looking at you, professors). Seriously though,

campus newspaper benefits you as

let’s make it a good one.

much as it does us. As you know,

Sincerely,

University of the Cumberlands’

Timothy Wyatt

Editor-in-Chief

students are required a minimum of 40 community service hours for

beliefs or lifestyle may be, I hope your pitfalls are minimal.

graduation, which can be obtained

changes, whether those changes be cosmetic, staff related or oth-

by contributing to The Patriot. We

erwise. But through the many changes there was always one

goal in mind: improvement. We believe that we have an obliga-

have a variety of opportunities

tion to ourselves—as well as all of you—to make The Patriot the best it can possibly be, issue by issue. This semester will be no

available that aren’t limited just

exception. We are planning a variety of tweaks that will help

push our paper further into the realm of magazine-style design,

to writing, such as photography,

including new features that will hopefully serve our readers even more, all while keeping with our biweekly schedule.

graphic design, or even original

I want to make The Patriot more of something that students

can relate to. I want to make it more accessible to everyone on

artwork in the form of cartoons

campus without anyone feeling left out or marginalized. I want

it to be the voice of our student body as a direct representation

or comic strips. If you have an

of who they are and what they think. If there is something you

want to see highlighted inside these pages, let me know. I’m open

interest in participating make sure

to any topic, issue or event within reason.

to attend our next assignment

back anyone may have for my staff and I. Letters to the editor

are always welcome and could possibly be included in an up-

meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 5

coming issue. Please direct those to our mailing address at the

top of Page 3 or email them to thepatriot@ucumberlands.edu.

p.m.

In the last year our publication has seen a fair share of

Additionally, I want to strongly encourage any and all feed-

January 30, 2014

What’s Inside

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When the clock strikes midnight

9

Sustaining success: a Q&A with Coach Matt Rhymer

12

The Spotlight

15

Making a case for MLK Day

16

The world race

18

Coming soon: five of the most anticipated movies of 2014

(606-539-4172

/patriotnewspaper

*thepatriot@ucumberlands.edu

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Photo Editor

Timothy Wyatt

Carleen Fletcher

Managing Editor

Graphic Designer

Natasha Jones Hayley Davis Design Editor

Kristina Smith Copy-Editors

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@UCThePatriot

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Social Media Coordinator 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.

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Brandy Norman Jannica Brady

Brad Pearce Staff Writers

Abbey Cherry Alex Williams Autumn Cooney Cody Ellis Ryan Poynter Solomon Whitaker Tanner Yankey

Staff Photographers

Chloe Gu Jillian Carpenter Faculty Advisor

Jeremiah Massengale Editorial Review Board

Lisa Bartram Marianne Worthington

Features

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When the clock strikes midnight

BY NATASHA JONES Managing Editor

& AUTUMN COONEY Staff Writer

In the words of our favorite green ogre, Shrek, why it is always midnight? Midnight,

it’s the beginning and end of every day. The hour of 12 a.m. holds quite a bit of responsibility

thanks to fairytales like Shrek and Cinderella where a character sets out to accomplish a goal

before midnight.

In today’s culture we hold ourselves to similar lofty goals. When the clock strikes mid-

night on January 1st, in America we celebrate the New Year by gathering around television

sets with loved ones, watching a shiny ball drop and last, but not least, making those New

Year’s resolutions.

Parade.com claims that despite it not being timed with our New Year’s Day, the practice

of New Year's resolutions originated in pre-Christian era with the Babylonians, then grew in

popularity during the Roman Empire. History.com reports that Roman emperor Julius Caesar

instituted January 1st as the first day of the year. This change was partly to honor the month's

namesake, Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, whose two faces allowed him to look back

into the past and forward into the future.

Should you make a New Year’s resolution? That is the question that every person faces

each year. The New Year is an ideal time to readjust and recalibrate. Some people set their

goals for a self-change.

According to statisticbrain.com, 45 percent of Americans usually make New Year's res-

olutions, but only 8 percent of people are successful in achieving their resolutions.

Dr. Haley Turner, an assistant professor of psychology at UC, says, “I definitely think

they [resolutions] can be helpful. The research on enduring commitments is fairly clear in the

psychology literature; commitments are more effective if they are made public. If the person

making the resolution tells others (or in our world posts the resolution on Facebook or Twitter), they are more likely to stay committed than if they just privately make a resolution.”

“My New Year’s resolution is to continue growing as the person I wish to be, but to also

continue on the path that God presents me with,” said UC freshman Sarah Barnes.

Rebecca Sanders, a UC junior says, “My New Year's resolution is to do the absolute best in

my sport this season, and to avoid Dairy Queen at all cost this semester."

Some chose not to make a new resolution for the New Year but chose to continue to work

toward goals they’ve already started. Sammy Jackoby, a UC junior explains, “My New Year’s

resolution hasn’t changed in the last three years. My goal is to get my diploma and to graduate so that I can make my dreams become a reality.”

Even though it’s traditional to make goals on January 1st, there really is no difference in

the day from any other. If you really want to accomplish something, there’s never a bad time

to start and work toward making yourself a better you.

After all, Cinderella’s fairy godmother may have given her till midnight to be whoever

she wanted to be, but it was Cinderella’s actions after that night at the ball that really lead her

to her happily ever after.

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Features Photo by Carleen Fletcher

The Musical Summit

BY CA R LEEN FLETCHER Photo Editor

An interesting musical collaboration presenting the works of Jayson Smith, a junior music

education major, and Alexis Tickle, a senior mathematics major and music minor, is coming up

on Saturday, Feb. 1. The two will be having their joint music recital. Tickle said, “Anyone is

more than welcome to attend as long as they will fit in our little recital hall.”

The dual recital will be an hour long, consisting of a mixture of Smith performing percus-

sion solos and Tickle performing clarinet solos and ensemble work for a total of 30 minutes

each from both performers. At the end they will play a piece in which they will perform two

movements together as a duet.

“Recitals have to be strategically put together when it comes to the stage and getting every-

thing set up, otherwise it’ll end up taking two hours if you just randomly perform pieces,” Tickle said. The recitals require a lot of planning and are an essential component in the field of study.

“They are the fulfillment of whatever type of degree we are getting. I am getting a minor

and he is getting a music education major, so he has to do a junior and a senior recital, but I was only required to do a half senior as a minor,” Tickle added.

The two decided it would be better to collaborate instead of separate performances. Smith

said, “She came to me and told me she was going to have to have a half recital, and I could be

the other half an hour, just so it wouldn’t have to be a half-hour concert.”

entire time for as music students.

“The senior recitals are the biggest thing you will ever do. Next year, he [Smith] will do

his senior recital and it will be the biggest thing he will ever do, you know, other than his wed-

ding day,” Tickle said, causing them both to laugh.

Tickle went on to point out, “It’s going to be an interesting one. It’s very uncommon for

an instrumentalist to be doing a recital with a percussionist because the amount of literature

where you can do it together is very scarce.”

Explaining the variety within the pieces, Smith said, “There is a lot of fun, interesting,

moving music and it’s a lot of fun. Just with the two marimba pieces I’m doing, one is really

bombastic, it’s called “Frogs;” it’s just insane and crazy, but then the other marimba piece is

called “A Little Prayer”, and it’s like a choir singing it or an organ, it’s really moving and flows

really well and it’s just a beautiful piece I love playing.”

Smith and Tickle are looking forward to the recital, despite all of the stress and pressure.

Smith said, “All of the attention for that entire concert is either going to be on me or on Alexis.

It’s going to be a lot of fun though; I’m looking forward to it. I am nervous, but excited all at

the same time.”

Both Smith and Tickle say they don’t let the stress get to them, since they understand there

“There wasn’t really anyone else, but we just also happened to be friends, so it just worked

are always improvements that you can make.

When Smith was asked about how performers prepare for their recitals, he laughed saying,

are things that even if you get all the notes right, all the rhythms right, all your musicality is

out,” added Tickle.

“You’ll never play a piece of music and be 100 percent perfect all the way through. There

“Oh boy. I have been working on my pieces since the beginning of last semester. I’m playing

still there; there are still things that you can improve upon,” Smith said.

also a snare piece that has three movements.”

during her college career. “I am pretty excited. It’s actually the first time the family I have com-

two marimba pieces, a multi percussion piece—it has four drums and a set of bongos, and then

Tickle and Smith want to emphasize the difference in recitals as opposed to other perform-

For Tickle, this will be the first time many of her family members will see her perform

ing will be hearing me since I was back at home; so that’s cool. They will be seeing an actual

ances. They aren’t typical like the many departmental performances they students have to play

four year progress for me,” Tickle said.

is the final exam for your lessons at the end of the semester; you just go in those and play a

have that feeling once it’s over… I am just excited for that feeling too. It’s gonna be a good

or sing at throughout the semester. “It’s even more scrutinized at a recital than your juries, which

Tickle adds, “I can’t wait for the feeling of having it over. I am excited for it, but just to

couple pieces” Smith said.

performance.” She then turns to Smith and jokes, “Don’t mess up.”

music you play has to be polished to an insane degree.”

to look forward to.

He went on to compare, saying, “For a recital it is the upmost professional and all of the

The recitals are very important to the two performers since the recital is one of the final

steps toward getting a degree while also being the culmination of what they have worked their

The two interacting was great to see, definitely making the performance date something

Features

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Cheerleading in the age of concussions:

BY BR A NDY NOR MA N Staff Writer

Kendra McCollum had been cheerleading since she was

looks a lot like being on the battlefield. The difference is cheer-

UC. After 17 years of doing what she loved, a blow to the head

ing from one end of the mat to another, making a hazardous

four years old the last time she attended a stunting practice at

caused her to miss out on her senior year of college cheerlead-

ing.

“We were trying to do a new stunt that I hadn’t done be-

leaders use their bodies as bullets with no protective gear, flysituation.

“Concussions vary for any team,” said Haus. “There is no

player has had his fair share of concussions and admits that

happening. Even if you, yourself is doing everything correctly,

face went numb and that went on for a while, too.”

you can’t control the other people around you.”

that she was sent to the doctor that week. It was then that she

and seem glorified in the concussion world because of intent.

number of her concussions and severity were concerning and

important, according to Haus, it’s just that football is a contact

putting her at danger of brain injuries if she suffered from an-

other one. Who would have thought that cheerleading, a sport

without a ball or tackling could cause such life-threatening in-

juries?

According to Peggy Haus, head athletic trainer at UC,

concussions were not always something people paid close at-

tention to. Since concussions became a big deal, the focus has primarily been on football. From tiny, young boys to large,

grown men, the sport of football revolves around tackling each

other to the ground and fighting for an oblong, pigskin-covered

object. It’s a dangerous contact sport and that much is blatantly

obvious to anyone who has ever watched it. Of course concussions are going to happen in football but other sports have just

as high of statistics for concussions that never get as much attention.

Cheerleading tends to be forgotten. In some cases, it’s not

even considered a sport. A girl standing on the sidelines shak-

ing pom poms really doesn’t seem like a strenuous activity. An

observation that is correct. However, that’s not all cheerleading consists of and what seems to be overlooked is that the sport

has really evolved over the years. From various stunts to the

gymnastics that’s incorporated, a college cheerleading practice

only way to know if someone gets better but if they choose to

let their concussions go unrecorded, we have no way of know-

but that doesn’t mean that anyone can stop a concussion from

got a headache that lasted for months. The whole side of my

was highly advised by her doctor to never cheer again. The

they improve or worsen,” said Haus. “A lot of times it’s the

ing and that’s very dangerous.”

which is scary. We teach preventive skills and show the videos

McCollum’s headaches and numbness lasted long enough

clare symptoms so that we have something to go by to see if

predictability about when these types of things will happen

fore and when I came down, I knocked the back of my head

on the back spot’s shoulder,” said McCollum. “I immediately

concussion screening program where we have everyone de-

Contact collision sports, such as football are such an issue

It’s not because one sport has more than the other or is more

sport where someone sets out to hit another person. Although

cheerleading is not traditionally categorized as a contact colli-

sion sport, collisions most definitely happen and therefore so

do concussions.

“I see more people in the base position get concussions

Alex Patrick, current UC cheerleader and former football

some are off the record.

“Sometimes I wouldn’t say anything just so I could

still participate,” said Patrick.

He has suffered four recorded concussions, three of those

a level II and one of them a level III. The others, he claims,

were not recorded because he didn’t think they were all that

serious. After only participating in cheerleading for around 6

months, he has already experienced a few blows to the head

from the sport.

“After experiencing both sports, it's hard to say which is

more dangerous,” said Patrick. “Mainly because when I played

because they are hurling people into the air and catching them

football the recent rules implemented for concussions were not

is free falling, they do things that are beyond your control and

and equipment football players have, such as the Riddell 360

but a lot of flyers suffer them, too. Sometimes when someone

that leads to head injuries regardless if you’re catching that

person or you’re the one falling. The main thing is predictabil-

ity. You can’t predict what someone else is going to do and that

goes for contact sports and cheerleading,” said Haus.

emphasized by doctors or referees. Today with the new rules

helmet that is designed to disperse energy from frontal impacts,

I have to say cheerleading is more dangerous because we do

not have any equipment to protect our heads.”

Cheerleading is an athletic activity that involves risk. That

How do you know what a concussion is and how do you

risk can be managed and performed safely if the right proce-

Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators website, a concus-

protect themselves with other than experience and knowledge.

diagnose one? According to the American Association of

sion is a potentially serious injury to the brain and can cause

dures are followed but still yet, cheerleaders have nothing to

The National Center for Catastrophic Sports ranks cheerlead-

life-altering symptoms. Historically, concussions have been

ing as second in injuries behind football and third for concus-

“II” and “III” grades. Recently, trends have emerged for a time-

to the spine, spinal cord, or brain, and may also include skull

evaluated and given a graded severity, usually including “I”,

line type test for an athlete’s return or what they call at UC a

“base line” test.

“We do base line testing on everyone. It’s a standardized

sions, behind hockey. A catastrophic injury is a severe injury

or spinal fractures.

The Consumer Product Safety Commision (CSPC)

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Features

Three victims, one injury and a forgotten sport reported an estimated 4,954 hospital emergency room visits in

haps even more severe.”

dangerous.”

had increased to 36,288. Head and neck injuries accounted for

hard to say which sport is more dangerous or produces the most

football and cheerleading. Although, the two are the most dan-

1980 caused by cheerleading injuries, in 2010, the numbers

19.3 percent and facial injuries accounted for 6.3 percent. Of

those head injuries, 1,579 were concussions, 361 contusions,

and 2,292 internal injuries. Although 98 percent of the cheer-

leaders were released, 291 athletes were hospitalized. A major

factor in this increase has been the change in cheerleading ac-

tivity, which now involves gymnastic type stunts. The growth

of the sport skill-wise is what people tend to overlook.

“Just for a mental picture there are sometimes that I am

probably a good 7 to 9 feet off the ground doing a flip back-

According to UC’s Athletic Training room records, it’s

concussions because a lot of factors come into play. The size

of the team, the honesty of participants, the severity of the in-

jury and the absence or presence of protective gear are all de-

termining factors.

“Even people who are experienced and have knowledge

of concussions and what’s going on will continue to get con-

Although that much is true, it doesn’t take away from the

themselves with in regards to concussions. In the media and

even in the MRSA/Concussion seminar the UC Athletic Train-

Both cheerleading and football carry extreme risks. In

ing room holds for UC athletes, football is always the main

juries. In football, players being tackled are at greatest risk.

“I think we show football players getting concussions

But in cheerleading, cheerleaders who fly into the air or are at

focus.

more often and talk about it so much because concussions used

the top of pyramids are in danger, as well as everyone below

to not be such a huge deal until football teams started noticing

in concussions, according to Haus, because of the size of the

“Every sport suffers but I’m not exactly sure why the focus

for dangerous injuries and football teams will always tackle

gerous and you’re right, there is no protective equipment.”

them. The major thing to know is that football carries the lead

team. The more people you have, the more chances there are

cheerleading in size.

Michael McKamey, a former UC football player and for-

things in their players after suffering head injuries,” said Haus.

stays on football, especially when cheerleading is just as danHaus says that it doesn’t matter who comes in at the end

of the day, everyone is treated equally with a base line test and

mer UC cheerleader relates to McCollum and Patrick with his

all that they can hope to do is educate everyone on the severity

“I had a total of seven concussions during college,” said

“As far as prevalence with concussions, the size of the

concussion experiences.

McKamey. “Honestly for me, I think football is a tougher sport

cussion should stay out of play and practice; depending on the “I don’t think I’ve had major memory loss but I do have

major headaches frequently and my eye twitches a lot on that

side of my head I hit,” said McCollum.

“Yeah, I'm not as sharp as I was before my concussions.

I'm not as quick to recall information and my short term mem-

ory isn't nearly as good as it used to be,” said McKamey.

“As far as long term effects, I have no evidence to prove

that I have any long term effects that are a direct result of a concussion but if I had to guess, my headaches and the ringing I sometimes hear are probably related,” said Patrick.

Concussions in cheerleading happen regardless of the at-

tention that they do not receive. It’s important that people un-

derstand just how danger out the sport is and recognize that it

is in fact a sport. Why do football teams get more attention?

Maybe because there isn’t a Fantasy Cheerleading League and

people don’t watch a cheerleaders every move through media

and ESPN. Regardless, the two sports go hand in hand and are

in first and second place for head related injuries.

team will always be the determining factor as to which sport

more in two years of cheerleading than I ever did in 13 years

has more injuries in general, statistically speaking,” said Haus.

cheerleader to a football player at the end of their respective

is are people who don’t understand what they do. I’ve seen the

seasons, the cheerleader will have sustained more injuries, per-

care professional experienced in evaluating for concussion says

of concussions and how to prevent them.

mentally but it’s not nearly as dangerous as cheerleading after

doing both sports. If you compared the average competitive

sion and for athletes to report their symptoms. Until a health

severity, potentially forever.

fact that football seems to be the main sport people concern

each sport, there are positions vulnerable to life threatening in-

cussion. It is critical for coaches to recognize signs of concus-

I had a golfer get a concussion not too long ago, tell me how

is more susceptible to concussions, things are going to happen.

protect myself like I could in football,” said Patrick. “And to happen, we just have to trust ourselves.”

to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a brain injury

is complicated, and every person responds differently to con-

an athlete is symptom-free, athletes who have experienced con-

that happens. You just never know,” said Haus.

when we throw girls into the air, we have no idea what is going

gerous in terms of concussions and head injuries. According

cussions. It doesn’t matter what sport you play or which team

wards and if I don't get around or land properly on a flip my

head is going to hit the ground and I can’t wear a helmet to

Concussions are suffered by all athletic teams, not just

“I think people who don’t realize how dangerous cheerleading

stuff UC cheerleaders do and it’s hard to even watch it’s so

“I will leave you with this,” said McKamey. “I got injured

of football.”

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Features

Exceeding his limits

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BY A LEX WILLI A MS Staff Writer

Being an international student is hard. Not only do they move from their country

to an unfamiliar one, but they leave behind all of their friends and family. Some have

to pick up a completely new language while others have to grasp the new customs and norms of their new home. Thankfully, there are a few people that are willing to

help the international students. Ryan Thomas, a senior at the University of the Cum-

berlands, is more than willing to lend a hand.

Thomas has been helping the international students for two years, although it

started by coincidence, saying, “It was something that just sort of happened.” At first

he began helping out many international students because he is known for being a tutor at the Academic Resource Center, but his relationships grew with his students.

“They’d come to me because of an essay that needed help correcting, then we

started to become friends. Then I made friends with more international students be-

cause I’d help them with their homework and talk out their problems,” Thomas said.

His interest in international students also stems from his interest in other cultures.

“I want to have new experiences and meet new people. I want to experience things

through the eyes of an entirely different lifestyle that’s different from my own,”

Thomas said. Next summer, Thomas plans on studying abroad in Japan.

Kaori Suzuki, a UC sophomore, is one of the international students from Japan

that has received one-on-one support from Ryan. “He would help me with my home-

work and my English. If I have personal problems, Ryan will talk to me and I’ll feel

better,” Suzuki said.

Thomas has also helped out Thai Ta from Vietnam. Like Suzuki, Ta also says

that Thomas has aided him both inside and outside the classroom. “He helps me with

homework and, if I don’t understand a question, then he explains it to me. If I don’t

understand something about American culture then he’ll explain it to me. He’s just

very friendly,” Ta stated.

Thomas is also part of the international club at UC. While he states that it doesn’t

have much recent activity due to busy members, he has hope for the future. “I want

the international students to feel like they belong here, that they’re no different from

anybody else. I feel that if they have a club, they will feel they’re a part of campus,”

Thomas said. “I want them to find their place in this world.”

Thomas expects great things when he graduates UC. Alongside an interest in

computers, Thomas also has interests in international studies. One day he hopes he

can bring countries together. “I want to bring together businesses like China, Japan,

Germany, Austria and America. I want everyone to act seamlessly together and coop-

erate with one another.”

Thomas has done a lot on campus to help out many of the international students.

While he is at UC, he hopes to accomplish even more. “I want to see how far I can go

as a person. Not just physically, but mentally as well. When I hit my limits, I want to

Photo by Timothy Wyatt

go farther,” Thomas stated. “There’s a lot in this world that we all still don’t know

about and I want to discover that for myself.”

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Features

Sustaining success: a Q&A with Coach Matt Rhymer

BY TIMOTHY W YATT Editor-in-Chief

Photo by Carleen Fletcher

Replacing a successful individual is never

Aside from being an alumnus, what was

that’s an enjoyable part of my job. I really like

us, yes, because we’re good but put pressure

to try and follow them up, it’s even more dif-

A sense of passion and commitment to the

of relationships and seeing those kids come to

to be at the top.

During your two seasons at South Laurel

an easy task. But when you’re the one chosen

ficult. That’s exactly where University of the

something that brought you back to UC?

community. You know, I go to church here,

the communication with families, the building

school here to grow and develop and become

Cumberlands’ new head football coach Matt

my wife is from here, my family is from Har-

who they’re supposed to be.

After a season of such wild success, a

here—so I just felt like it was home to me. I

What do you think will be your biggest hur-

was really where I wanted to be.

I think the biggest hurdle will just be sustain-

Rhymer finds himself.

trip to the national championship and some

slight controversy, many questions were raised

about the future of the football program at UC.

lan—which is just about an hour east of

love it here. It’s just a special place to me so it

dle being head coach of a college program?

ing success. There’s teams at the top, there’s

What has the team’s reaction been to you?

teams at the bottom and all those are very few,

John Bland as a graduate assistant, hopes to

Unbelievable, really. The effort and energy has

of the pack. We want to stay at the top. It is

at the helm for the Patriots.

excited; they’ve been so respectful. I think a

stay at the top is really, really difficult because

Rhymer, a former UC football player and

coach who began his coaching career under quell those uncertainties during his first season

I recently sat down to talk with him about

How have they received you thus far?

been through the roof. The guys have been so

lot of that has to do with Coach Bland and the

but there’s a whole lot of teams in the middle one part of the process to get to the top, but to from here on out—and it’s been that way for

what the process was like getting hired as a

way he developed and molded these guys dur-

a while—every team we play will play their

live up to expectations and what it really

have asked for them to have responded any

berlands. We will be everybody’s game that

first-time college head coach, the pressure to

means to him to be a coach.

TW: Obviously, there was a pretty quick

ing the time that he was here. But I couldn’t

better. I think they’ve been at peace with me

being the coach and we’re already developing a sense of relationship. It just seems like an

turnaround at the head coaching position.

awesome group of guys to be around.

UC like?

What kind of experience do you have with

What was the process of getting hired at MR: It was exciting. It was very humbling to

recruiting?

best game against the University of the Cum-

they circle in their locker room. A lot of hype

will go into trying to beat us because everyone wants to knock the person off the top.

Speaking of being at the top: do you feel

any pressure having to follow-up UC’s best

season in the history of the program?

even be in consideration. I felt confident about

When I worked here before as an assistant

Yeah, I think if you’re a competitive person

where I wanted to be for sure. I was praying

cruited a few of the guys that are here now. So,

sure. I put a lot of pressure on myself. I tell

open the door. There’s been a lot of affirma-

for me. I understand the importance of recruit-

I’ve received so much support from the com-

players; if you want to have good people

makes it easy to come to work every day.

hard workers, recruit hard workers. And so

it. From the very beginning I felt like this is

about it that if it were the Lord’s will he would tion and confirmation through the process and

munity and administration, which really

coach I was a strong recruiter. I actually re-

recruiting is probably going to be a strong suit

ing: if you want to be good, you recruit good

around you, recruit good people; if you want

with a competitive nature, there’s always pres-

our guys sometimes that it really is just like

on ourselves. We want to be the best. We want

the team didn’t fare so well. What do you

see yourself doing differently at UC to keep

from repeating the past?

I tell a lot of people that there are two reasons

why I was there. One was to realize why I

coach. Because when you’re getting beat a lot

it’s easy to have those thoughts of “God, why

am I here? Why have you put me here?” And

what I learned was that if you’re just in this

for wins and losses, you’re missing the whole

boat. You’re not doing what you’re supposed

to be doing. So, I learned why I coach is a lot bigger than football. It’s about developing

young people. It’s about making a difference

in somebody’s life that has nothing to do with

the scoreboard and that you have to keep striving to do that no matter what. The other thing

I learned was about the message that I believe

and share. I am a professed Christian and I

have a close, personal relationship with the

Lord and I try to share that with people. I try

to express my beliefs in him through what I

do. It’s easy to do that when you’re winning or when all is well. But when you’re losing

and getting beat, what I learned is that the

being in a pressure cooker: you’ve got to go

message never changes. God is still God. My

to explode and that’s when something really

football games or losing football games.

to the point where you just think you’re about

great comes out of it. You know, it’s a refining

process. But we’re going to have pressure on

Savior is still my Savior whether I’m winning

Photo by Carleen Fletcher

Photo by Kristina Smith

Jayson Smith and A lexis Tinkle practice for their senior recital.

Courtney Freeman waits to wrestle his Cumberland University opponent.

Photo by Jillian Carpenter

“Drood� cast prepares for their upcoming musical.

Photo by Carleen Fletcher

The Spotlight judges ponder the up and coming season.

Photo by Jillian Carpenter

UC students take advantage of the snow to build a snowman.

Photo by Carleen Fletcher

Students from the International Club meet together in “The Grill.�

12

Features

Faces from

d

auditions

BY CAR LEEN FLETCHER Photo Editor

Sarah Jean Rainous: Freshman I auditioned first with “Impossible” by

Shontelle and then with “Love Me” by J.J.

Heller. I thought my first attempt was okay,

but mistakes were made; the judges were

stricter than what I expected. They made an

Ezra Anderson: Senior, Psychology major,

theater minor.

I auditioned with my own original piece. I

want to be a catalyst for others to be able to

do what they want. There is a lot of talent

here. I’m expressing talents through lyrical

flow. There is a girl auditioning too who

exception and let me try again and I did

raps, Ashley Dixson; I hope to get to per-

Bonnie Nutt: Freshman, Physical Educa-

Kristen Swords: Sophomore, Athletic

much better; my nerves were gone.

tion major

I auditioned with “Someone Like You” by

Adele. I thought that went good, but the

lights were intimidating and the judges

were tougher than I expected. I think next

time I will definitely prepare more; I de-

cided to do it more last minute.

form something with her.

Training major.

I auditioned with “American Honey” by

Lady Antebellum. I thought that I did

okay, but I’ve got things to work on. I am excited though.

d

Features

13

Judge in The Spotlight: a Q&A with Dr. Mike Dickman

BY KR ISTINA SMITH Design Editor

Dr. Mike Dickman may have all semester to dish out a grade for his communications

students, but within the next two months he will also be partly responsible for deciding

What do you look for the most in contestants?

who wins $1,000 as one of three judges during the upcoming season of The Spotlight, a

Voice. For me the voice is everything.

away with not only the money, but also the satisfaction of carrying around those all-too-im-

When it comes to picking people to advance, or to even win, how difficult is that?

singing competition taking place at the University of the Cumberlands. The winner walks

portant bragging rights. So, needless to say, Dr. Dickman has a big decision to make.

I recently had the opportunity to meet up with him and get his take on being a

judge for The Spotlight. We discussed topics such as his favorite mo-

ments in Spotlight history, what it’s like working with the fellow judges

and his love-hate relationship of The Beatles.

KS: How long have you been a judge for The Spotlight?

MD: I actually started the first year that they did it, but I wasn’t

one of the regular judges. I would come in as an extra judge or

come if someone was sick. It was the second year that I be-

came a full time judge. So I started the first year part time, and by

the second year I was full time

Do you have any favorite moments

from The Spotlight?

There is a couple. When Zach Bell

would sing his soccer player bud-

dies would do chants up in the bal-

cony and bring the flag out. I

thought that was great. One time

when Marissa Hedrick sang every-

one in the crowd shut up and lis-

tened, and that never happens. I just

remember a big hush came over the

crowd and I thought “Wow, I’m see-

ing something pretty cool here.”

The first part is fairly easy. We’re pretty inclusive. But the hardest part for me is when we get down to the five or six, and then getting down to the final three. That’s when it gets

hard because those are all usually really good singers. At that point you just go on style or personal preference rather than judging their talent.

So what are your personal musical preferences?

For me I enjoy the classic stuff – classic rock is my favorite to listen

to. Oh, and I have to say one thing, I’m a huge Beatles fan, but I

still don’t really listen to The Beatles. It almost never works.

How often do you and your fellow judges agree on contestants?

More often than you would think. When it gets to the top three is when

we begin to fracture, but at that point really anybody could win for the most part.

What are you looking forward to the most this sea-

son?

The crowds. I really enjoy the crowds. It’s one of the few times when I’m at Cumberland that it feels like

I’m at a college event. People are having fun

and I think that’s important.

14

Features

BY JILLI A N CA R PENTER

d

Musical Interactions

Staff Photographer

The University of the Cumberlands theatre department brings a different style of musical

to their audience this semester. Typically, the performances by the theatre department provide the audience with an unchanging plot unfolding before their eyes. “The Mystery of Edwin

Drood", originally written by Charles Dickens and adapted by Rupert Holmes, puts the deci-

sion in the hands of the audience. The original work by Dickens was meant to be a series of

books written and released over time, but he died before he finished them. Making the story

the perfect specimen to be made into the interactive musical it has been adapted into.

The audience not only gets to interact with the characters before and during the perform-

played by the library's Nick Harris who is going to invite the audience to cheer and boo for

different actors. The high level of audience interaction was another selling point for us,” said

Miller.

Along with the level of interaction, this Vaudevillian style play also offers a lot of dance.

There are quite a few dance numbers in this piece; one even included a few stunts. This aspect

of the play affected the way the stage would look. Miller said, " Our work study team have

put down a dance floor which looks like what the Victorian stages looked like. We knew we

were going to have twenty or more people dancing, we needed to open the stage up to make

ance, but they also get to vote on how the musical ends. The audience gets to vote on who

it as safe as possible for the dancers."

dark note as murder, the audience also gets to choose two characters to be "love interests"

"I've performed in front of people, both singing and dancing, in ways that required interacting

they think killed Edwin Drood. Also, since no one wants to end a performance on such a

Emily Scott, UC senior, is joining the cast of “Drood” for her first musical. Scott said,

and these two will sing a love song to close the performance. All in all, this musical has a

with the audience. This musical made me want to try that interaction with the added challenge

When it came to choosing the spring semester musical, there were many aspects about

“The Mystery of Edwin Drood" opens Feb. 20 and closes March 1. The challenge for

total of 24 possible endings.

“The Mystery of Edwin Drood” that interested Dr. Kim Miller, director for the musical. Miller said, " It's a play within a play. There's the Drood play which is set 30 years earlier than

1892, and the actors have to play that play, but they're also actors putting on a play.” This

type of performance not only allows the audience to speak to the actors one on one before the

of acting as a character.”

the actors and the new experience for the audience provide much anticipation for this musical.

The theatre department welcomes you to come and enjoy a play with an ending of your own

design.

play begins, but also interact with them as they are on stage. This play encourages as much

audience interaction as the audience chooses to give the performers. “There's a chairman

Photo by Jillian Carpenter

d

Features

15

Making a case for MLK Day

Things you may not know about Martin Luther King, Jr.

BY TIMOTHY W YATT Editor-in-Chief

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

slightly counterproductive. Dr. Colgrove said

he wasn’t able to attend this year’s convo be-

cause of a scheduling conflict, but that he had

Last week while the vast majority of

America’s students—ranging from primary

school to college—were free to decide how

heard nothing but positive feedback from the

event, a stark contrast from that of the views

of some students who voiced their opinions

via social media. Students who, by the way,

class schedule on this holiday was in no way

a sign of disrespect—a statement that isn’t

being challenged—it seems like a stretch to

think that an extra day couldn’t be tacked on

to the end of the semester. Also, take into ac-

count the fact that we get Labor Day off in

the fallsemester which essentially occurs

they celebrated one of the nation’s greatest

basically had no say whether or not they par-

around the same time as MLK Day does in

ple, University of the Cumberlands students

quired major convo events for the semester.

tire summer off prior to the fall semester. It

missed it, since, you know, you were in a

attend an MLK ceremony of their choosing?

figures in its vast history of influential peo-

were stuck in the classroom. In case you

classroom, Monday, Jan. 20 was Martin

ticipated since it acts as one of the two reWhy not let students have that time to

Why not let them have that time to help out

Luther King, Jr. Day; a federal holiday annu-

with one of the many MLK Day projects that

day in January. The holiday is set aside to

simply take the day off and let each student

ally dedicated to Dr. King on the third Mon-

take place around the country? Why not just

recognize his countless achievements, such

decide how they wish to honor a man who

ments, and serves as an observance of his

world a better place? Well, because it’s just

as those made during the Civil Rights Movebirthday, which is the 15th.

Actually, since the inception of MLK

Day back in 1986, UC students haven’t once

spent that time outside of the classroom. Dr.

Michael Colgrove, vice president of student

services, said, “I think if you check out the

holiday itself, it’s kind of up to the organiza-

tion, business or whatever on how they ob-

serve that.” In lieu of calling off classes, UC

chooses to observe the day by instead opting

for

a

convocation

program

dubbed

“Founder’s Day,” a time set aside by the university intended to honor Dr. King.

Yet, it seems like it may be at least

has played such a large role in making the

a little inconvenient. “It’s a matter of the

timing of it—right after Christmas break,” said Dr. Colgrove, who later added, “I think to say something falls at the wrong

time of the year is not a very good

comment, but, you know, we just had

three weeks off, so coming back

right then it’s kind of

tough to squeeze another day in.”

While Dr. Col-

grove stressed that

UC’s decision to maintain a regular

the spring semester and students get the en-

all boils down to one day. Allowing students one day to freely

celebrate a man who

helped change the

face of America re-

ally isn’t too much to ask.

• He started college at age 15.

• In 1964, he won the Nobel Peace prize at age 34, making him the youngest to win the award at the time.

• In 1971, he won a Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album for “Why I Oppose the War in Vietnam.”

• He was nearly assassinated in 1958 by a woman with a letter opener during his book signing tour.

• He received a C in his Public Speaking class during his first year in seminary.

Faith & Ministry

16

Taken care of

The world race

BY HAYLEY DAVIS

BY A BBEY CHER RY

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

“It is impossible for the blood of bulls and

I’m sorry. I’m a sinner, really. I hear that is

Eleven countries. Four continents.

step one, though: admitting. And that’s what I

Eleven months.

our Jewish ancestors waste their finances, best

just because I’m in a fallen world and sinning

in July, LeAnn Wright, will begin her race

didn’t even work? Countless verses in the Old

ing? I certainly hope not. That’s like saying be-

Wright is a 2013 graduate of UC with

goats to take away sins.” - Hebrews 10:4

Well, that’s encouraging. Great! Why did

animals, and all that effort, if their sacrifices

and New Testament declare this statement. Did

God’s followers finally figure out that it wasn’t

aim to tell you – I be far from perfection, but

daily, is that a good enough reason to stop try-

cause I dirty my teeth every day, I shouldn’t

bother brushing them. We both know that’s far

working out?

cry from the truth. Just because society applauds

the answers to those questions. Guess what? We

ior can’t reign in my life, and if I give him the

If you read all of Hebrews 10, you’ll find

and the majority of rules does not mean the Sav-

asked for the Ten Commandments, so God gave

reins, he will, no matter what society tells me to

That wasn’t enough for us, so he gave us some

So, we forget about our sin’s redemption.

us some rules that he knew we couldn’t achieve. more rules. You can read all about those in

think.

We know the story, but forget the details. That’s

In just a few short months, beginning

around the world.

a degree in Christian Ministries. She was

the acting Baptist Campus Ministries se-

mester intern over the past year. In that

time she led women's Bible Studies, or-

ganized campus worship services, led

ministry teams around the Whitley county

area, and led missions teams to Northern

Ireland and Guatemala.

It was also within the past year that

Leviticus. But all these rules, all these sacrifices,

why the Jews did all those sacrifices – to remind

Wright felt the call to participate in The

for our sins. They were not the salvation for our

erly.

the foundational truth of "serving the least

all these rituals… they were not the justification

lives. Our ancestors sacrificed thousands upon

thousands of animals as a reminder of their sin,

and that sin had to be taken care of.

We now live in a world in which our sin

has been taken care of, and so we tend to forget

about it. What? I lied? Jesus will forgive me for

themselves that sin had to be taken care of propJesus took care of our sins properly.

It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t comfortable. It

wasn’t promising, even. Jesus voluntarily

of these" and that is exactly what Wright

will be doing.

Over the next four months, she will

2.) Threads of Hope are bracelets that

Wright is selling. Threads of Hope is a

company that seeks to provide income for

the economically depressed in underde-

veloped countries, specifically the Philip-

pines. Half the proceeds will support

Wright, while the other half serves as a

source of income for those who make the

bracelets in an effort to get those women off the streets. These bracelets and lan-

yards can be purchased at weekly campus

worship services and at the Angel Dale

House for as little as $2-$5.

to God is something Wright is excited

3.) A simple donation is always wel-

comed. Although you won't be receiving

comes in giving. Follow Wrights blog at

her fundraising progress and also have the

losing the battle by “giving in” instead of fight-

about, but the journey isn't going to be

opportunity to donate online.

When Jesus “gave in” and took the form of

financial mountain to climb but is resting

in obedience for God's call on her life.

easy. Over the next five months she has a

a servant, our battle over spiritual death and sin

in the faithfulness of God.

resents our promotion to a land of paradise with

claim the Gospel. Maybe right now you

put(s) before me, I cannot live up to it. I can’t.

trip and materials.

leannwright.theworldrace.org to follow

wonder how many of us are wandering right this

rules God, the Church, my parents, or myself

$20 gets you a t-shirt and helps fund the

This call of surrender and obedience

Everybody thought this was the end of this rad-

stated Wright.

ing.

to God like it should, and no matter how many

ship services and at the Angel Dale House.

whipped and spat upon, and he showed no signs

countries in eleven months. "My passion

read the Bible and slander those dumb Israelites very minute. I know I do, so many times. In a

able for purchase at weekly campus wor-

anything tactile in return, there is a joy that

icalism movement. Jesus was a goner; he was

day. A week. A year. All my time is not devoted

1.) "Send Me" Baseball T's are avail-

is just to take the Gospel to the nations,"

nothing through his trials. He was beaten and

cuse, only to find ourselves farther from our anwho wandered in the desert for 40 years, but I

support Wright:

be on a missions team going to eleven

of hatred towards anyone the whole time.

cestors and sometimes not as well off either. We

World Race. The World Race acts under

Here are four ways that you can help

walked to the kings of the country and said

that. I cheated on a test? God understands how

hard college is; he invented it! Excuse after ex-

U

was won. His crucifixion and resurrection rep-

a King whole unconditionally loves us, if we so

accept the one-way ticket.

“Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.”

4.) Pray. Pray for Wright as she walks

Pray for her boldness and protection as

We are all called to serve and pro-

she serves Him. In addition, be praying for

can't physically go, but how can you be a

that they may receive a blessing from

force of change for the Kingdom of God

on earth?

those who she comes in contact with and Wright and her fellow World Racers.

?

17

Creative

BY SOLOMON WHITA K ER

Staring into grey eyes

Staff Writer

The expedition had been a long one. A group of men,

a lucky find in the maze of the jungle. A fire was quickly kin-

made his way over to the panther, Pete pointing at its eyes.

heart of the of the Amazon rainforest. Last year, in 1921, the

ness enveloped everything except what the light from the fire

changed pupils.

lost journal entry from Christopher Columbus. In this log, an

on watch. A growl came from the rainforest as wind blew

with the journey. After hiking another couple of miles, they

four scientists and two hunters, were making a trek into the leader of the expedition, Dr. Gerald Friis, had discovered a

dled and some fish were caught. As the night drew on, darktouched. Everyone was sleeping except Pete because he was

account of a “triangle of light” fell from the sky in a south-

through the trees. He raised up his gun toward where it came

the object would have landed. Now here they were, making

staring at the fire. Bushes rustled as an enormous black pan-

eastern direction. Dr. Friis had been able to calculate where

their way deeper into the green world.

Dr. Friis led the group, his passion being exhibited in

every swing of his machete. “We need to find a place to camp,

it’ll be getting dark soon,” stated the burly man that followed

up the rear of the group. His name was Pete Stowell and he was a hunter; a huge double-barreled shot gun was cradled in

his hands.

“Indeed, you are correct,” replied Dr. Friis as he cut

down more underbrush. They found a clearing near a brook,

“We’re getting close,” Dr. Friis replied as he saw the

The next day they buried their fallen comrade and got on

found a giant hole in the ground, foliage growing into it. The

from. Nothing happened. Lowering his gun, he went back to

contingent gathered around the crater. Inside was an arrow-

ther pounced on one of the scientists, mauling him. Like the

to clearing off this ship. This is the discovery of a lifetime:

shaped ship, its grey outer hull was weather worn. “Let’s get

sound of thunder, a shot was fired at the panther. It fell over,

proof of visitors from another world,” stated Dr. Friis, full of

and took off in a sprint. Pete reacted swiftly, getting a shot

canopy. They turned to find a grey creature shaped like a bul-

but was back on its paws in a second. It turned toward Pete

off. The panther fell dead, a bullet in its head.

“I’ve never seen that in my life. After that first shot, the

panther should have stayed down,” exclaimed Pete. He

walked over to the beast. Its eyes were black with grey lines

going toward the inside. “Come look at it doctor.” Dr. Friis

PhD Comics

adrenaline. The sound of sticks cracking reverberated off the

let with pure black eyes standing there. There was a flash of

light and they all collapsed. They were never seen again, but tales of grey creatures haunt the Amazon to this very day.

18

Entertainment

J

A new year means a new pool of overly promoted films to hit the theaters and take over our local cinemas. There are quite a few long-awaited films to see in 2014 and here’s a list of

five of the most highly anticipated films we can expect to see this year.

1. The LEGO Movie

In movie theaters: Friday, February 7, 2014 From the directors of “Cloudy with a Chance of Meat-

balls,” the first-ever theatrical Lego adventure, from Warner Brothers Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures.

Follow the story of Emmet, an ordinary average Lego mini-figure who is mistakenly identified as the most ex-

traordinary person and the key to saving the world. He

joins a fellowship of other Lego mini-figures on an epic quest to stop an evil tyrant who wants to glue together the

world. Based on Lego construction toys and incorporating

some of the Lego world’s most popular figures while in-

troducing new characters for fans, we can look forward to

experiencing a unique Lego world as never seen before.

Coming soon: Five of the most anticipated movies of 2014

BY NATASHA JONES Managing Editor

2. Muppets Most Wanted

In movie theaters: Friday, March 21, 2014 On a world tour, the Muppets gang find themselves in

an international crime when Kermit is framed by his look-

a-like, Constantine, the world’s number-one criminal.

While Kermit remains held captive, Constantine poses as

Kermit to his loved ones but his act begins to fall through

as Kermit’s loved ones start to notice the difference in their

friend.

In the official trailer, Kermit the Frog promotes the

film as taking us, "places we've never been before. And

trust me—this frog has never seen so much international flavor. I think audiences will eat it up—the entertainment,

that is."

J Entertainment

19

4. The Fault In Our Stars

In movie theaters: Friday, June 6, 2014 A film adaptation of John Green's bestselling novel,

"The Fault in Our Stars," which won an EW Best Fiction

of 2012 pick. The film stars Shailene Woodley ("The Se-

cret Life of The American Teenager") who is playing the

role of Hazel Lancaster, a cancer patient who has an oxy-

gen tank as a constant companion. At a cancer support

group Hazel meets Augustus Waters (Gus for short), who is played by Ansel Elgort. Gus has a prosthetic leg and

bonds with Hazel over a mutual disdain for the conventional and the two develop an epic love that takes them on

a journey.

The major success of the novel has already jump-

started a huge fan base for this film. USA Today reported

the novel has spent over 75 weeks on USA TODAY's BestSelling Books list and reaching No. 4 in Bob

3. Vampire Academy

In movie theaters: Friday, February 14, 2014 That’s right! Another vampire novel film adaption hits

Minzesheimer's four-star review. Green has already created a lot of buzz by microblogging about the making of

the film by sharing photos and videos on his personal social media accounts such as Twitter and Instagram.

5. Into the Woods

In movie theaters: Thursday, December 25, 2014 A modern take on the Brothers Grimm fairy tales in a

theaters this February. It’s been a while since we’ve had the

musical that follows the tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding

bestselling book series "Vampire Academy" written by

by an original story about a baker his wife's quest to have a

suspense sucked out of us from a set of fangs. Based on the Richelle Mead, this film tells the story of two teenage best

friends who have been on the run from their hidden boarding

Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel; all tied together child despite a witch putting a curse on the couple.

The cast list does look very impressive with a list of sev-

school, for mortal and peaceful vampires, where they believe

eral A-list stars such as: Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp, Anna

and sent back to St. Vladamir’s Academy. Rosa Hathaway,

acters to life.

their lives are in the most jeopardy. The pair is soon captured

portrayed by Zoe Deutch, is a Guardian in training with a re-

bellious streak. Her best friend Lissa Dragomir, portrayed by

Lucy Fry, is a royal vampire Princess who struggles to reclaim her status once she returns to school. Meanwhile, Rosa trains

with her mentor who poses as a love-interest, Dimitri (por-

trayed by Danila Kozlovsky), and is guaranteed her place as

Lissa's guardian. Rosa will stop at no means to protect Lissa

from those who try to exploit her from within the Academy

and the dark forces of Strigoi, the immortal, evil vampires,

who hunt her from outside of the sanctuary.

The six titles in the book series have sold more than eight

million copies in 35 countries.

Kendrick, Chris Pine and Emily Blunt set to bring the char-