The Appalachian
FEB. 6, 2020
Helping dogs with rough lives
K-9 keg pull raises money for animal rescue pg 1
Aspiring teachers gain real world experience Page 3
Getting down for charity: Dance Marathon fundraises Page 8
Australian athletes reflect on fires at home Page 9
News
Feb. 6, 2020
K-9 Keg Pull gives a “treat” to local dog rescue Climate Action Plan hopes to reduce carbon emissions sooner rather than later
Blowing Rock’s Winterfest K-9 Keg Pull is an event used to raise money for PARTNERS! Canines, an animal rescue service. The program raised $3,000 this year with 82 dogs total. Cristian Garnier
Rachel Greenland | Reporter Waiting patiently at the starting line, Oreo the border collie looked down the track to a pile of hay awaiting his crash. Oreo dressed in a new track suit that his owner, Sean Woo, gave him for his fourth birthday, just a day before the Blowing Rock Winterfest’s K-9 Keg Pull. This race looks different for each weight class, but whether the dogs are pulling an empty beer can, jug or keg, the goal remains the same: make it across the finish line with the fastest time. “He follows me a lot, so I hope he will stay following me during the race,” Woo said. The keg pull got its start five years ago when Eva Hyatt, executive director of PARTNERS! Canines, an animal rescue service, walked into Lynn Smith’s High Country Taproom and Dog Bar. The two bonded over a mutual love for dogs and fostered the beginnings of a race to support the ones that need homes. This year, 82 dogs participated in the race, and $3,000 was raised for PARTNERS! Canines, which Hyatt said was enough to finance two biweekly rescue dog transports. “Every year it breaks the record,” Smith said. Though some dogs like Oreo
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Grace Smith | Reporter were new to the keg pull, others were returning to claim their prize. Paulette and Keith Allen brought their smallweight class dog Percy back for a second try after he ran off course to chase a little boy last year. “Hopefully, this year he’ll stay on track,” Paulette Allen said. PARTNERS! Canines receives 50% of the registration fees and 100% of the profits from the live auction and retail sales, Smith said. Hyatt, who is also a marketing professor at App State, said the K-9 Keg Pull is one of the rescue service’s largest fundraisers of the year.
“As the K-9 Keg Pull gets bigger each year as an integral part of the Blowing Rock Winterfest, more and more of the community learns about the homeless dog situation in NC and the need to spay/neuter their pets and always adopt rather than shop for pets,” Hyatt wrote in an email. No dogs were in need of adoption this year, but one pit bull found her “forever home” last year. “Last year, we had a pit bull that needed a home, and she was wearing a specific color vest,” Smith said. “She was talked about and she was sashayed down the runway.” Dogs and owners also attended to cheer on their friends. Cindy Rywak and her 3-year-old old English sheepdog, Elle, have come to Winterfest several times but have never raced in the keg pull. “I think it is a great thing for dogs,” Rywak said. “(Elle) would probably just sit down.” Bo Lenay’s 1-year-old puppy, Nini, was also watching from the sidelines, but from a pink carriage to keep her paws out of the snow. “It’s definitely a unique event just for the fact that it’s a large gathering of dogs pulling all different sizes of empty cans and kegs,” Smith said. “I think that it’s just unique, that in itself.” The event took place Jan. 25.
The program’s executive director, Eva Hyatt, is an App State professor and said each year “the community learns about the homeless dog situation in NC,” and urges everyone to adopt rather than shop for pets. Cristian Garnier
Ethan Varner | Reporter In response to the worsening climate crisis, App State’s Climate Action Plan initiative is pushing for carbon neutrality quicker than previously thought. The CAP initiative is an organization on campus with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, but recently, that goal was updated to 2035. Jan. 31, students and faculty in Blue Ridge Ballroom broke into interest-based groups, like campus heating and university transportation, and pitched ideas for reducing carbon emissions for the university. Chief Sustainability Officer and Chair of the Sustainability Council Lee Ball helped put together the forum, hoping to further the carbon neutrality goal. “We’ve entered a time where more people are concerned. I’ve been doing this work my whole adult career, and I’ve never seen a time where people are rallying around an issue on all sides of the political spectrum,” Ball said. Considering the political landscape is no longer against him, Ball and the CAP initiative have turned their attention locally. “One of the big barriers currently is the fact that with our current utility contract, we’re not allowed to purchase solar energy. But, that’s about to change,” Ball said. “In January 2022, we’re going to have the ability to purchase solar from our utility provider.” The university will have to wait for solar until after its contract with New River Light and Power ends. However, Ball said there are more immediate concerns surrounding App State’s energy goals. “Everybody defaults to cost,” Ball said. “But I think we can be very creative with how we finance our neutrality goals.” Ball said he hopes to side step cost concerns for the neutrality goal
by creatively managing grants, the resources the university currently has and finding “mutualism” between humans with limited resources to show people what they can do to help meet sustainability goals by doing what they do already. Budgetary creativity will play a large role in achieving CAP’s newer and more imminent carbon neutrality goals. Currently, the largest carbon impact for App State is purchased electricity, which makes up approximately 40% of the university’s total carbon production. After learning how much carbon is produced from purchased electricity, Trenton Sawyer, a junior sustainable technology major, came away with new ideas for furthering sustainability goals. “I believe the most valuable changes we can make revolve around HVAC and lighting,” Sawyer said. Sawyer’s group, which focused on electricity, discussed topics ranging from outfitting streetlights with solar panels to making model buildings designed to maximize energy efficiency. With the carbon neutrality deadline pushed closer, Sawyer said he has faith the initiative can achieve their goals with the new deadline, but remains reluctant. “I believe if we want to make the process go faster, the college has to stop wasting money and readjust how it spends students’ tuition,” Sawyer said. Ball said he remains optimistic despite working to solve problems like carbon pollution for so long. “People understand that it’s good business, that climate action is good for the planet, climate action is good for the people that live on the planet. I think the time is ideal, and the stars have aligned,” Ball said.
News
Feb. 6, 2020
Boone working to become more accessible to those with disabilities Michael Lillywhite | Reporter Boone residents are no stranger to sore calf muscles and a constant “uphill battle.” Boone’s terrain can make even the shortest trips difficult, especially for those who are physically disabled. That is why Boone is making an effort to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA of 1990 is a “civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation and all public and private places that are open to the general public,” according to the ADA National Network. ADA compliance is no simple feat, especially with Boone’s complicated landscape. But, “Boone is ahead of the game,” Boone’s ADA director, Terry Story, said. ADA standards originated in 1990, but “no one had really been enforcing it,” Story said. Boone is working with Stewart
“...I think you have to change the culture of the community to really bring about change.” Engineering to improve sidewalks, greenway trails and facilities for those with disabilities. The plan is to fix simple problems that can make a big difference. Boone is also implementing changes in tours of historical buildings in the area. People who are unable to make it to the second floor of these buildings will have access to video tours. “As long as you can give them that same feel,” Story said. According to its website, Stewart Engineering works to build “healthy, equitable, resilient, and connected
communities.” The company also works to adapt to “changing demographics, land use and mobility trends, environments, and technologies.” Story said Boone will prioritize ADA transitions downtown. The “Boone ADA Transition Plan Survey” on the Town of Boone website gathers information about the accessibility of Boone’s sidewalks and intersections to make necessary changes around town. The 12-question survey takes approximately 5-7 minutes to complete. “We may not see everything, and
that is what the survey is for,” Story said. Candace Myers, a first-year student and secondary education major, sees issues everyday on campus while she walks to class. “From a physical disability standpoint the whole campus itself is really really challenging even for me who is someone who can just normally walk around,” Myers said. Myers commends the Reich College of Education for observing ADA guidelines. “For those who have visual impairments it’s really good,” she said. “It announces every floor that you go to, whereas a lot of these other elevators don’t do that.” Myers said building an inclusive community does not stop with accommodating physical disabilities, but intellectual disabilities as well. Myers, who has autism, works hard to overcome cultural boundaries
she faces having autism. “I have a hard time talking about my disability because I’m so afraid people are going to judge me and you know, belittle me and just treat me differently,” Myers said. One of the biggest dilemmas Myers faces is finding community. She often feels “invisible” and doesn’t know anyone else like her. She recommends that App State create a safe space for those with disabilities to have fellowship. “In the student union, there is a center for LGBT students. There is a center for women. There is a center for those of multicultural backgrounds. But, there is not a real place that people with disabilities can go to and have a little safe place to be at and have a sense of community,” Myers said. The Office of Disability Resources could not be reached for comment in time for publication.
Tutoring program provides experience to education majors, guidance for local children Xanayra Marin-Lopez | Reporter Every Wednesday from 2-5 p.m., App State education majors turn from students to teachers when they tutor students from Hardin Park Elementary. The tutoring program takes place at Perkinsville Baptist Church and helps 20 students on average every week. Perkinsville youth pastor and director of the program, Frankie Gioscio, recruits education majors to volunteer as tutors. “All of our tutors are aspiring teachers or will interact with students in their profession, making sure they have a genuine desire to see students excel and succeed in their education,” Gioscio said. Gioscio grew up in Boone and is a Caldwell Community College graduate. He has worked with the tutoring program for almost three of the eight years it has existed. Students receive tutoring either through placement by their parents or from recommendation by Hardin Park teachers. Gioscio said 40% of tutored students are Perkinsville churchgoers. The other 60% are not a part of the church, but are sought out by
Angela Bland. Bland is a seventh-grade mathematics teacher at Hardin Park and a Perkinsville churchgoer. She acts as a liaison between the church and school. Her job is to identify students in the school who struggle academically and offer the program to parents. Audrey Jones, a former volunteer for the program, was an elementary education major during her freshman year at App State. She said her time at Perkinsville led her to change her focus to middle grades education. “Each week I prepared, coordinated and communicated with parents and teachers,” said Jones, who is now a senior. “It further confirmed my calling to teach middle school.” Giosco said that even though each student comes from a different background, the emphasis is still on education. “We’ve picked them up before from their houses. They often stay with us so that they can have a meal that night. These students can come from broken homes. We also have families that simply have a struggling student,” Giosco said.
Sara Davis, a current volunteer, said the program affects student success in various ways. “I think it’s a great place to get homework help, but beyond that, I think it’s a great place to feel safe, welcome and loved,” Davis said. Davis has volunteered in the program for three years. Apart from academic growth, Davis said she has noticed a more moving change in the students she tutors. “What’s more important is the character development that I’ve watched unfold and how there are adults in the program who are really helping mold these kids’ lives,” Davis said. Jones is student teaching during her last semester at App State and no longer volunteers. Despite this, she said she misses the program. “On Wednesday afternoons, rain or shine, there was no greater joy than to walk across the street, meet our group and take them back to Perkinsville,” Jones said.
Frankie Gioscio is the Student Minister for Perkinsville Baptist Church. A Boone native, Gioscio has worked with the church’s tutoring program for almost three years, and recruits App State education majors to help tutor. Jesse Barber
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News
Feb. 6, 2020
Planned Parenthood Generation Action raises funds for a different kind of vending machine Gianna Holiday | Reporter
Distributing reproductive health products from a vending machine may be the next step in breaking down the stigma and bringing accessibility of reproductive health to college students. Planned Parenthood Generation Action works to educate and advocate for students’ reproductive health, rights and sexual health information, according to its website. App State’s PPGA’s hopes to raise enough money to put a vending machine with free and reduced-priced condoms, tampons, pads, Plan B and pregnancy tests in Plemmons Student Union. This would create an affordable and discreet way to access those products on campus. PPGA received donations to raffle off from local businesses Basil’s, High Country Yoga, Revolution Boone, Hatchet Coffee, Pop Up Boone, Lily’s Snack Bar, Stick Boy Kitchen and various local artists at its silent auction at Ap-
palachian Mountain Brewery Jan. 23. The club also received a percentage of all beer sales from AMB at the all-age event. The group does not have a number for beer sales, but the profits from the silent auctions were around $575. The vending machine could be on campus by the end of April. “We are hoping this will help students by creating a more affordable, more accessible and a discreet way to attain sexual health and wellness products,” said Maggie Behm, co-president of PPGA. “We hope this will help students by removing any awkward or uncomfortable barrier they may have with asking for emergency contraceptives or condoms.” Behm, a junior political science major said the hours of the health center create difficulties for students. Health Services is only open 45 hours a week, while the student union is open 105
PPGA rallies for funds at Appalachian Mountain Brewery to purchase a vending machine for reproductive health products Courtesy of Emma Start
hours per week. “The student health services are great, but it has limited hours, especially on weekends and breaks,” Behm said. “By putting the vending machine in the student union, we are doubling the amount of time students can access these resources.”
PPGA is currently unsure of the vending machine’s future location in the student union, but plans to work out the details in upcoming meetings by reaching out to students. “We’re hoping to get it in a spot private enough but also open enough so that people know that it’s there, espe-
cially if health services isn’t open,” said Emma Start, vice president of PPGA and a senior sustainable development major. “We really want to reduce the stigma and shame and make these products as accessible to students as possible.” With the closest Planned Parenthoods in Charlotte and Asheville, that could create complications for students who may need urgent services. “App State is unique because we have a huge community of young people, but the closest Planned Parenthood to Boone is two hours away,” said Katie Wynn, co-president of PPGA and a senior public relations major. “Other schools that are our size, like UNCC for example, have Planned Parenthoods that are 20 minutes away. A vending machine like this would help bridge the gap between northwestern NC and genuine, judgment-free reproductive health care.” Read more online at www.theappalachianonline.com
Virginia’s ratification of Equal Rights Amendment brings it to uncertain territory Adam Zebzda | Reporter In a single 23-word sentence, a new constitutional amendment may guarantee equal protection under the law on the basis of sex. The proposed Equal Rights amendment would require the “equality of rights under the law.” Equality could “not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.” Virginia became the 38th state to ratify the ERA on Jan. 15, allowing the Amendment to reach the threefourths ratification requirement outlined in Article 5 of the Constitution. However, conflict over a 1982 Congressional ratification deadline puts the ERA in constitutional limbo. The House of Representatives will consider a resolution to remove its original ratification deadline in February, according to the office of Majori-
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ty Leader Steny Hoyer (D). A court battle is expected as three democratic state attorney generals sue the federal government over the ERA’s ratification after David Ferriero, Archivist of the United States, said he would “take no action to certify the adoption of the Equal Rights Amendment.” In North Carolina, the ERA has been the subject of debate for years, reigniting in 2019. In March, House Bill 271 was introduced in the General Assembly’s House of Representatives and co-sponsored by state representative and App State professor Ray Russell (D). HB 271, titled “An Act to Ratify the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America Relating to Equal Rights for Men and Women,” is pending action from the Judiciary House Stand-
ing Committee since its introduction. “Women and men, children of mothers, grandchildren of grandmothers and fathers of daughters: All of us have good reasons to make sure women have the same rights under the law,” Russell said in a press release. “It is time. It is past the time to ratify the ERA.” A sister bill, Senate Bill 184, was also filed in March 2019 in the North Carolina Senate aiming to ratify the ERA. SB 184 has awaited action from the Committee for Rules and Operations of the Senate since its introduction. Neither is expected to leave its respective committee. “It makes me upset it was never passed in the first place,” said Emma Rose Bancroft. “It is far too late and far overdue.”
Bancroft is a sophomore volunteer in the Women’s Center and double major in psychology and gender, women, and sexuality studies. Ratification of the ERA has seen a partisan divide in North Carolina. HB 271 and SB 184 saw 55 State Representatives and 21 State Senators as co-sponsors. All co-sponsors were members of the Democratic Party. State Senator Deanna Ballard (R) did not sponsor SB 184 when it was proposed in 2019. Ballard did not return multiple requests for comment. In the General Assembly, a sponsor is a representative or senator who presents a bill for consideration. Those who support the bill are known as co-sponsors. The Trump administration has weighed in on federal action concerning the ratification of the ERA after
the publishing of a legal opinion by the U.S. Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel in January. The amendment was first supported by both chambers of Congress in 1972. As such, Congress proposed it to the states setting a 1982 ratification deadline. The ERA missed the deadline with only 35 states ratifying it. Nevada, Illinois and Virginia became the 36th, 37th and 38th states in 2017, 2018 and 2020, respectively. In its opinion, the Trump administration argues Congress has no authority to review the ERA again. “Congress may not revive a proposed amendment after the deadline has expired,” the opinion reads. “Should the people...wish to adopt the ERA...then the appropriate path is for Congress...to propose that amendment once more.”
News
Feb. 6, 2020
Physical Plant changes name to Facilities Operations
Tucker Wulff | Reporter
The App State Physical Plant, which is in charge of maintaining App State’s campus, changed its name to Facilities Operations to clear confusion and keep up with other universities. The name Physical Plant was not very representative of what Facilities Operations really does for the university and was “not very intuitive,” said Michelle Novacek, business analyst and spokesperson for Facilities Management. Facilities Operations, a division of Facilities Management, is responsible for maintaining anything from campus utilities to
departmental buildings and sewage systems, Novacek said. “It’s really like taking care of a city,” she said. Typically, a physical plant might refer to a steam plant or chiller unit, Novacek said, not a team of people. “Most people, if you said, ‘Oh, I work at the physical plant,’ they’d think you were working in a meat packing company or something,” Novacek said. “And so, we’re having to explain it so many times.” Novacek said the name Facilities Operations fits the department’s roles much better and will help both students and faculty understand who
to contact if they have maintenancerelated needs. Other universities in the country that ditched the name “physical plant,” also inspired the name change, Novacek said. Novacek said the name change was a long time coming, but is a slow transition to account for complications and the sudden change. “The people who have worked here for a very long time, we ourselves still call ourselves physical plant in conversation,” Novacek said. “You don’t just change the way you think or your language overnight.”
Novacek said although the name has changed, respect for former employees and the tradition of the physical plant name is important. Tina Kesler, personnel administration manager, said Facilities Operations employs approximately 235 workers, some of whom are descendants of retired Facilities Operations workers. Neal Winebarger, projects engineer for Planning, Design & Construction, and his father both worked in Facilities Operations. Winebarger worked in Facilities Operations for nine years and his father for 39 years, he said.
Winebarger said many students may not even know that Facilities Operations exists and changing the name may not affect that, but the name does “have some historical value.” “My whole life it’s been physical plant, so to older generations, everybody knows what the physical plant was. But for newer generations, maybe they don’t have any emotional ties to it,” Winebarger said.
App State’s first Free Tibet club aims to advocate from Appalachia Xanayra Marin-Lopez | Reporter Since the 1950s, the Chinese government has suppressed religious freedom and lifestyle choices in Tibet. App State junior sustainable development major Justin Marks aspires to aid in the Tibetan peoples’ fight for freedom with the help of a new club on campus. This semester, Marks is starting “Students for a Free Tibet,” a club that aims to assist Tibetan people in their fight for freedom.
The Tibetan government claims autonomy and freedom from China, despite the Communist Party’s reign. According to FreeTibet.org, the Dalai Lama is the religious and political leader of Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism. The current Dalai Lama is the 14th reincarnation of the region’s spiritual and cultural leader, according to Tibetan Buddhist beliefs. The communist government in China sees any deviation from their
Junior sustainable development major Justin Marks is an advocate for justice in Tibet, which is currently under Chinese Rule. Marks is starting the club “Students for a Free Tibet,” which aims to empower those “in our community while lifting up Tibetan voices at the same time.” Xanayra Marin-Lopez
ideals as harmful. Since Tibetan Buddhism has a spiritual influence on Tibetan culture, China desires to control any and all aspects of religion. The Dalai Lama is currently 84 years old. Tibetans worry that after his passing, the Chinese will appoint their own Dalai Lama who fits their agenda to continue oppressing Tibetans. Clubs like Students for a Free Tibet exist on other college campuses, but is the first of its kind in North Carolina. FreeTibet.org’s mission statement reads, “Our vision is a free Tibet in which Tibetans are able to determine their own future and the human rights of all are respected.” Marks said he became interested in Tibet after taking a religious studies course on Buddhism. “It blew my mind that I was 19 years old, and I never knew about the Free Tibet movement,” Marks said. “I learned about Tibetan values of compassion and kindness. I really just want to lift up their voices and help more people at Appalachian learn and care about the issue.” Pema Doma, campaigns director for Students for a Free Tibet Inter-
national in Washington D.C., worked closely with Marks to start the App State chapter. Doma’s connection to Tibet spans generations. Her father was born in Tibet and fled as a child after Chinese occupation. After teaching English at a Tibetan refugee school in India, Doma said she was moved to join the Tibet movement, starting as an intern with Students for a Free Tibet in 2016. She said she is excited about Marks’ ambition to create the club. “By starting a chapter, students at your university have the opportunity to engage with the Tibetan movement and learn about what has been going on inside Tibet, while also joining a social movement,” Doma said. Marks said the club can make a difference by raising awareness on and off-campus. March 23 and 24 is Tibetan Lobby Day, a day in which Americans and Tibetans will come together to speak with their representatives, according to tibetlobbyday.us. Marks plans to travel with the club to Washington, D.C. to march and talk to North Carolina lawmakers
about Tibetan human rights and religious freedom. As the only Students for a Free Tibet organization recognized in the state, Marks said he feels responsible to fight for Tibetans in any way he can. “I’m really excited. I really do think that we can make an impact in empowering others in our community while lifting up Tibetan voices at the same time. I just feel that I can use my privilege to help them,” Marks said. Change may come faster than Marks initially thought, however. On Jan. 28, U.S. House legislators approved a bill to update the 2002 Tibetan Policy Act. The act previously urged George W. Bush to start a dialogue between China and representatives of the Dalai Lama. The new legislation will establish U.S. policy that states that future succession of Tibetan Buddhist leaders will be left in the hands of Tibetans, eliminating Chinese influence. The bill is currently awaiting a vote in the Senate. Read more online at www.theappalachianonline.com
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A&C
Feb. 6, 2020
Melodies under Moonlight
local music scene unites through house shows
Brooke Drury | Reporter For Loosey, a band started by App State students, the emergence of their venue the Green House — which doubles as their home — began with a backyard to play in and the excitement to make music. Guitarist and vocalist Justin Rosario, bassist and vocalist JD Nickel, guitarist and vocalist Dane Chelcun, and drummer Paul Scott formed Loosey their freshman year. “We met by happenstance and went from there,” Rosario said. “We were already there playing music and committing to jamming, so we thought we might as well be a band and turn some of these ideas into songs and tangible things.” Chelcun said band members have individual styles that they build upon to create music together. “We all write and bring stuff to the table when we’re together. Like, ‘Oh, I’ve been jamming this thing for a while,’ and then I’ll start jamming it with Loosey, and then we start to put it together. It starts off individually and then becomes a group thing,” Chelcun said. Rosario and Nickel said the band often creates songs by spontaneously playing together and seeing what happens next. “There’s that ‘every once in a while’ jam that slips along that’s like, ‘Wow, that was fun,’” Nickel said.
The music Loosey plays for each other is then brought on stage. Rosario said the transition from playing music for each other to playing music for a crowd is comfortable and organic. “On stage, personally, it’s just sort of natural,” Rosario said. “It feels good to be playing music up there with people, you sort of disconnect from the crowd; it’s not that much different than just jamming in the living room, in a sense. It’s all a big conversation.” After their freshman year, Rosario, Nickel and Chelcun moved into their new home, which they dubbed “The Greenhouse.” “We moved in over the summer and we thought, ‘This could be something cool,’” Chelcun said. “We are just trying to welcome all people to come listen to some music.” The Green House shows attract large amounts of people. Nickel and Rosario said one show last fall was notably hectic. “We had 500 people in our backyard,” said Rosario. “It was deep, like a field of people. People were hopping on and off of the roof. There was this guy in my class and he was like ‘Hey, uh, I fell off the roof of your house last night.’ That’s probably my favorite memory,” Nickel said. Establishing a new venue among other house shows in
Boone is a continuous learning process for The Green House, but Rosario and Nickel said even in the midst of madness, the show goes on. Read more online at www.theappalachianonline.com
Dan Chelcun, JD Nickel, and Justin Rosario are Loosey, a student band who performed this past weekend at the Green House in Boone. The venue doubles as the band's house, and is an upcoming home venue in the area. Brooke Drury
Raleigh-based band brings alternative sounds to Legends Ethan Murphy | Reporter A mannequin with a microphone, space-filling guitar loops and room-rocking basslines set the stage for the show at Legends Jan. 30. Originally from Raleigh, the band Blue Frequency played two sets consisting of all original songs and one cover. Each song blended a distinct element of metal, alternative and psychedelia. “We all try to write complete songs on our own, but we bring them to each other for final tweaks, and that’s how we get the final cut. This way, we put our fingerprints on every song we release,” lead guitarist Spencer “Cash” Beck said. Every band member plays multiple instruments, allowing for flexibility during showtime. During their second set, drummer Causey Brady IV took the reins as lead guitarist for their song “Minotaur,” while Beck played drums. “We all started playing instruments around high school, but we didn’t all get together until about five years ago. Being out of college now, we’ve all been able to focus more recently on making music,” lead singer Lee Roberts said. With this newfound energy, the band recent-
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ly finished an untitled and unreleased album. In the meantime, they have released an EP titled “Into the Red.” “Over the years, we’ve figured out a nice balance of variety and uniformity when we make songs, so we can make them all unique in their own way, but they’ll still have our sound,” Roberts said. Gray Jackson, a sophomore nursing major, attended the show with his friend, Sam Haffey, a junior marketing major. “Honestly, Blue Frequency was just too cool of a name to pass up. This is the first show I’ve been to on campus, and I’ll definitely be coming back,” Jackson said. Haffey said he has attended larger concerts that were less exciting and said he really liked Blue Frequency’s energy on stage. Holland McLean, a senior public administration major and club shows chairperson for Appalachian Popular Programming Society, helps to organize music acts on campus. “This venue in general is an extremely unique one. Bringing local bands and rising art-
ists is unprecedented on a lot of college campuses. With that in mind, we’re always working to bring in diverse, eclectic musical tastes to fulfill the needs of any student on campus,” McLean said. McLean encourages any students excited to dive into Boone’s music scene to consider joining APPS.
“Working with the council is a really laid back environment. We work together to bring music to the students, and it’s really fun to see where our different tastes in music take us,” Mclean said. Anyone looking to apply can find more information on the webpage APPS.appstate.edu or instagram at APPSASU.
Raleigh alternative rock band Blue Frequency took main stage at Legends Jan. 30 for two sets of songs. The four-member band currently has an EP available online titled “Into the Red,” and has a new album in the works. Becca Bridges
A&C
Feb. 6, 2020
Campus ministry provides safe space for Latinx students
Business Casual Trends Meredith Nanney | Reporter
Carol Ascencio, a recent App State graduate, started Destino in 2018 to address the need for a Hispanic-based ministry community on campus. The group meets every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in Room 155 of the Plemmons Student Union. Marlen Cardenas
Marlen Cardenas | Reporter Stephany Garcia was about to give up on trying to find a campus ministry she felt comfortable joining, until she heard an announcement at a fall 2018 Campus Crusade for Christ, or Cru, meeting about a new campus ministry for the Latinx community. “I was like, ‘This is like a sign from God,’” the junior industrial design major said. “I grew up in Colombia, and I was not very comfortable reading the Bible in English or praying in English because then I would focus more on the words.” Destino is a ministry that is part of Cru and meets once a week for Bible study. Carol Ascencio, who graduated in 2019, and her sister, Raquel, started Destino in fall 2018 because they said they realized the Latinx community on campus is the biggest congregation, yet no one was reaching out to them. “I was trying to find something that I identified with in this school, (and) nothing stood out. I didn’t see many people of color or people that spoke Spanish at the beginning,” Garcia said. “Destino is a small, (mostly) Hispanic community that tries to achieve a space for students to be vulnerable, and I feel like we do not see much of that in Appalachian.” Freshman apparel design & merchandising major Stephanie Orellana likes Destino because it is a smaller group of people that she feels like she can relate to. “A lot of the ministries at App are not very diverse, so this being a smaller group and (with) people that share your culture, you feel a lot closer with them, and they understand where you are coming from,” Orellana said.
Senior exercise science major Letissia Akueka said she also feels the most comfortable at Destino, even though she is not Latinx. “I joined because I was looking for a Bible study, and I have been to several ones, and I just did not feel comfortable,” Akue-ka said. “It is just nice to culturally relate to other people, even though I am African.” During Destino meetings, members read certain Bible verses and talk about how it relates to their daily lives. “Sometimes, we are very personal, and we get down to what has been bothering us, and we also pray for each other,” Orellana said. Since its start, Ascencio said the club has grown from five to 20 members. “Destino is really big around the U.S., especially in California. They have different Destino groups around different universities,” Garcia said. Destino had a conference in California in January and a couple of members from App State attended. “We saw a bunch of different people,” Akueka said. “It was nice to see (Destino) on a bigger scale.” Garcia said seeing larger Destino groups from universities across the U.S. gave her hope that the same will happen at App State. “If you do not feel represented in a group, Destino is that space for you to at least feel represented because your voice is going to be heard,” Garcia said. “You will be joining a familia.” Destino meets every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in Plemmons Student Union Room 155.
Business attire ranged from power suits and crisp button downs to dark wash jeans paired with dressier tops and sweaters at the Career Development Center’s Internship Expo Jan. 29. While some students arrived at the event suited, most students opted for business casual outfits. Junior computer information systems major James Fulks said he attended the event hoping to secure an internship with Camelot 3PL Software, a Charlotte-based software development firm. “(I think appearance is) very important (to an employer). It’s a good first take on a person,” Fulks said. “(I’m wearing) a sweater with a button up shirt and a pair of khakis and probably my best business shoes. I feel this is nice to wear for internships and interviews, things like that. I actually own quite a few suits; however, this week, I decided not to wear any (of them) because I feel like that would be a little too dressed up.” Sophomore computer information systems major Owen Gonzalez said he hopes to get an internship in cybersecurity, and feeling confident in his business wear is important to him. “I think if you dress well and look the part, (employers) respect that. I also feel like if you dress well, you appear more confident, and you feel better, which makes you do better in your work,” Gonzalez said. “I am wearing slim fit dress pants and a sweater from J. Crew. I was going to wear a polo shirt, but it’s really cold outside, so this is more seasonal. I decided to mix comfort and professionalism. I wanted to be comfortable and confident at the same time.” Recruiter Emily Neff said although she interviews candidates to work at a summer camp and the environment is more casual, she appreciates when interviewees dress professionally. “We work with children, so our level of dress is a little bit different. I think most of the people we interview are dressed up, maybe overdressed, like in suits,” Neff said. “But I think it’s nice to see people try to dress up, especially students or college-aged kids, because it lets you know that they actually really thought about it and put effort into the interview and the process of coming in.”
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A&C
Feb. 6, 2020
Local food truck brings Mexican culture to new brick-and-mortar location
Mexican food truck El Tacorriendo is looking to expand business by offering food and merchanise in Boone’s newest Mexican goods store, El Barrio. Owners Alejandro and Ashley Leon felt that the High Country lacked a source of authentic Mexican cuisine and opened El Tacorriendo in 2016. Becca Bridges
Camryn Collier | Associate A&C Editor As El Tacorriendo customers brave colder temperatures to wait in line for authentic Mexican street food, owners Alejandro and Ashley Leon
look to attract new customers with a new Mexican goods store, El Barrio. Located at 415 Blowing Rock Rd., next to TApp Room, El Barrio
Mexican Goods will serve as an extension of the food truck with seating and merchandise, along with Mexican snacks, breads, beers, sodas and fresh fruit water, Ashley Leon said. “I was born in North Carolina, so I didn’t grow up with this stuff before,” Ashley Leon said. “Having tried it now, I love it, and it’s delicious, and I’m glad that I have had that exposure to it. I think that anyone in the Boone area that comes to try it is going to be in love with it as I am.” The couple started El Tacorriendo in 2016 after recognizing a lack of authentic Mexican food in the High Country. “We used to enjoy coming up to Boone with our kids on the weekend to go shopping,” Ashley Leon said. “We saw a lot of the community, and that there weren’t a lot of authentic Mexican places here. We thought bringing our food truck (to Boone) would be a different experience for everyone.” The couple is hoping to open El Barrio in mid-to-late February after finishing updating, painting and remodeling. They started leasing the
brick-and-mortar building in November 2019, Ashley Leon said. “We redid some tiles in the bathroom to modernize and give it better aesthetics,” Ashley Leon said. Before settling at the new location, El Tacorriendo could be seen parking around Boone in locations like King and Howard streets. Over the years, parking was often difficult to find, Ashley Leon said. Wanting to make the parking process easier for others, El Barrio will offer parking to other local food trucks when El Tacorriendo is not there. Kalman’s Bon Appetit, another food truck in the High Country, has already been invited to the spot. “It’s tough to find spots in Boone,” Julius Kalman, owner of Kalman’s Bon Appetit, said. “When I first got my truck and first opened, I did an event at the snowboard shop Recess, and it got crazy crowded. It was packed and caused a traffic jam.” It’s important to have these accessible spots close to campus for students who may not have transportation, Kalman said.
Jalyce Norman, a junior exercise science major, is a frequent customer at El Tacorriendo. She said El Barrio’s extra seating is the “best idea ever,” but transferring the clientele from the truck to the store may be hard. “It’s a little touchy,” Norman said. “Some people do not want to get out of their comfort zones, but once people take that jump, they could enjoy it a lot, and it could be really beneficial.” Ashley Leon said the new store is receiving positive feedback on social media, and hopes El Barrio will benefit everyone in Boone, especially the Hispanic community, with the new location. “In our new spot we have (already) seen an increase in the Hispanic clientele,” Ashley Leon said. “I hope with this store we are going to bring things that they are looking for in the Boone area that they hadn’t been able to find previously.”
Dance for philanthropy: 15-hour dance party benefits local nonprofits Abi Pepin | Reporter When people hear about a dance marathon, they often think about a huge dance party. While that may be the case, the App State Dance Marathon committees plan months in advance to raise money for local nonprofit organizations. With a hope to raise $45,000, students are preparing for the 17th annual App State Dance Marathon. The money raised will help children and families throughout the High Country. “Dance Marathon is a 15-hour dance party that benefits two local nonprofit organizations,” said Cami Woldd, co-chair of Dance Marathon. “During that time, we’re dancing and standing in solidarity of the families
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that are being benefited by this event.” One of the nonprofits the money will go to Western Youth Network, which provides after-school care and other services for at-risk youth in Watauga County. “Even though Western Youth is a bigger community partner, they definitely need mentors right now,” said Allison Montgomery, co-chair of Dance Marathon. “There are usually 70 kids on their waiting list to get mentors.” The other nonprofit the event is fundraising for is Parent to Parent, which supports parents of children with special needs. Montgomery said the money
raised will make up the majority of Parent to Parent’s yearly budget. Without the donations, it would not be able to support as many families. “I think a lot of things need to happen right now, like continuing to push our registration and getting more participants, because the more people we have there, the more fun it’s going to be,” said Woldd, a sophomore exercise science major. “We want to make sure that the event is really hype and exciting so that people will come one year and then want to come again the next year.” “My college experience wouldn’t be the same without (Dance Marathon),” said Claire Wood, a junior
hospitality and tourism and marketing double major. Wood said that there are multiple sub-committees, such as fundraising, recruitment and marketing, that work to make the event successful. “Throughout the day there are various performances from groups around campus, crafts and activities,” Wood said. “You will even get the opportunity to meet many of the families that benefit from Western Youth Network and Parent to Parent.” Woldd said teams and individuals can register for the marathon and pledge $150 to become part of the event They hope to have 300 people registered for the event.
“You can create a team with your fraternity, club or just a group of friends on your floor,” Woldd said. “You get to hang out with your team that day and do the line dance together. It’s kind of a bonding moment.” “If you feel like you can’t make it the whole day or maybe you can’t fundraise $150, then we have morale dancers,” said Montgomery, a junior global studies major. “It’s $10 a ticket, and they can come the last three or four hours and it just makes it 10 times more hype.” Dance Marathon is Feb. 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. at Legends. To register for the event visit act.appstate.edu/ dance-marathon.
Sports
Feb. 6, 2020
App’s Australian athletes show strength during time of need Zack Antrum | Senior Reporter The international population at App State includes a handful of student-athletes who hail from Australia, and while they may be safe from the impacts of this year’s extreme fire season, they understand the seriousness of what’s happening in their homeland. “It’s just devastating to see everyone on the East Coast, and really everywhere around Australia being affected by all the fires,” said Nicola Mathews, a guard on the women’s basketball team. Football punter Xavier Subsotch, field hockey forward Chloe Bell and men’s tennis player Alex Pavkovich also all hail from Down Under. Men’s tennis graduate assistant Jack Maddocks is also from Australia. To the outside world, the country of Australia is often portrayed as a place with beautiful scenery, exotic plants and animals, and a unique culture that makes it one of the most desirable tourist spots in the world.
“I think the good thing (about) Australians is that they stick together.” Many natives of Australia would more than likely agree, but right now, they have much deeper concerns. Since the turn of the new year, Australians have suffered from devastating effects caused by massive wildfires throughout their country. The fires have forced thousands of people to relocate, killed 25 people and over 1 billion animals, and damaged over 25 million acres of land. Australia’s fire season runs through February, and the fires are expected to continue for at least another four weeks. The effects of the fires have not gone unnoticed by the rest of the world. Awareness has spread across social media platforms by many people, and wellknown figures such as Elton John, Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman have donated to the cause. “I think that it’s already very globally aware, and
everybody already knows about it,” Pavkovich said. “The more funds that get sent over there and the more water will help the animals and people over there.” People have donated millions of dollars and several countries have sent emergency workers to help put out fires and help those in need. Bush fires are common during this time of the year in Australia, but it’s unheard of for them to reach this level. “When the dry lightning hits a bit of green, everything goes up, and then it doesn’t rain for a while. All of a sudden, there’s a bush fire that’s the size of however big,” Subsotch said. “It’s well known that bushfire season happens every so often, but this one is just massive.” Luckily, the friends and families of these athletes are safe, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t concerned about the fates of their country and its inhabitants. “No one that I know has really been affected that much, but there’s still a lot of nature and wildlife (being impacted),” Mathews said. This sentiment is shared by her fellow Australian athletes, who are immensely proud of the place they call home. To them, Australia is a beautiful place with attractions that can only truly be experienced firsthand. “For me, it’s just the fact that it’s home. There’s a real mateship there,” Bell said. “I’m from a (place) that’s called the Bush Capital, and we have a lot of bushland, and it’s really nice, and everyone is really friendly.” Even though their homeland is going through a hard time, they remain positive and have faith that Australia can overcome its current struggles. “I think it’s good that they’ve got a lot of media coverage over the past month or so; they’re raising funds and helping out, which is good,” Maddocks said. “I think the good thing (about) Australians is that they stick together.” No matter what kind of damage the fires do across Australia, it will never come close to burning out the pride and spirit that these athletes, and the millions of people in their homeland exhibit.
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Sports
Feb. 6, 2020
Pisareva off to a hot start for App State women’s tennis Kaiden Smith | Senior Reporter As a child living in Ukraine, Sasha Pisareva tried following in the footsteps of her parents by dancing ballet. However, those were big steps to follow. Her father is Ukrainian dancer Vadim Pisaryev and her mother is ballet répétiteur Inna Dorofeeva, both of whom are well known in Ukraine. “I tried ballet, too and said, ‘Sorry, it’s not my thing,’ and I was a little strong and chubby, so that was not my thing, and then I tried tennis after that, and I said, ‘OK, I like it. Let’s play tennis,’” Pisareva said. Despite going against the family business, Pisareva’s parents supported her when she traded in her pointe shoes for a tennis racket, which ended up paying off, considering she’s off to one of the hottest starts in App State women’s tennis history. Before Pisareva was a Mountaineer, she was a Utah State University Aggie, where she spent her first two years of college. Moving from Kyiv, Ukraine, to Logan, Utah, came with struggles. “It was a little bit hard at first because I didn’t know the language that well and couldn’t speak, so nobody would understand what I said. But then, I made some really good friends and some of my teammates were
nice,” Pisareva, junior, said. Pisareva had an impressive twoyear run at Utah State with a 44-21 singles record, but despite this success, she wanted a new experience and transferred to App State. “Just based on her results from Utah State, I knew she was a great player,” head women’s tennis coach Blake Mosley said. ”Being in Colorado, I know a lot of coaches from the Mountain West Conference. I spoke to everyone that I knew out there, and they all told me the same thing. That if you could get her, you gotta get her on campus because she’s an overall great person, and her tennis level obviously speaks for itself.” Unfortunately, Pisareva couldn’t play when she first got to App State. Pisareva took many English as a Second Language classes her first year at Utah State, but those credits didn’t transfer to App State. As a result, she was ineligible to play during the fall tennis season in 2019 and spent the summer and fall retaking those classes. “I think she was really motivated from not playing for a semester; she was ready,” said Maria Zacarias, Pisareva’s teammate and roommate. “I think she’s really humble, so that helps her to have more confidence.”
Pisareva’s wait was finally over on Jan. 20, when the Mountaineers opened their season against NC State, the No. 8 ranked team in the country. In her debut match in the Black and Gold, Pisareva grabbed an upset win by beating No. 18 Anna Rodgers in straight sets. “I was really excited to play my first match, and I had this fire in me, and I went on the court, and I said, ‘Okay, let’s go. It doesn’t matter who you’re playing, just do your best and everything is possible,’” Pisareva said. In her next match, she grabbed a second Power Five win over Virginia Tech’s Natalie Novotna. These two wins were enough to crown her the Sun Belt Women’s Tennis Player of the Week in back-to-back weeks, making her the first App State tennis player to do so since the team joined the conference in 2014. Before matches, Pisareva listens to rapper Roddy Ricch’s new album to hype herself up, and during matches she fights for every ball and screams after every point. But, if you catch her off the court, you’ll see quite the opposite. “I’m very shy in real life, and it’s sometimes hard for me to express myself somewhat, but on the tennis court
in the match, I’m a completely different person,” Pisareva said. “I’m just giving all my energy there, so it helps me to play my style because my style is aggressive tennis. I’m always trying to push the opponent and make pressure.” The shy star joins an already-talented team that’s coming off of its best season in school history after going 15-6 and winning the Sun Belt regular-season championship. “I always support my teammates
and have great interpersonal relationships with them, and the main goal for me is to just be there for them and support them, and I think we can do great things,” Pisareva said. “We can win a championship as long as we can be on the same page.” Pisareva and the rest of the women’s tennis team return to action Feb. 11 at home versus UNCG.
Sasha Pisareva is coming back from a semester off fired-up and ready to compete. The women’s tennis team have their next home match on Feb. 11 against UNCG. Courtesy of App State Athletics
Former Mountaineers raise money for charities on their way to NFL Draft Silas Albright | Sports Editor Former App State running back Darrynton Evans and linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither announced fundraising campaigns for charity along their journeys to the NFL. Evans is partnering with the Endometrial Cancer Action Network for African-Americans in honor of his mother, who was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in July 2019. “My mom is the toughest person I know,” Evans said in a press release. “Nothing ever seems to faze her. So, in late July of 2019, right before my junior year at App State, when we found
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out that she had endometrial cancer, it floored us. Luckily, she caught it early and found great doctors and treatment.” Evans also said that endometrial cancer affects African American women more than others and many of those women don’t have the support they need to deal with their diagnosis. “For all the families out there who face this battle, I am honored to use this great opportunity and platform that I’ve been given to support the amazing work of ECANA, as it works to create support, community and em-
powerment for all African American women affected by endometrial cancer,” Evans said. Evans was named the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year in 2019 as a junior after racking up 24 touchdowns and 1,480 rushing yards. His touchdown mark ranked third in the nation and his yardage total ranked ninth. Davis-Gaither is partnering with the Communities in School organization in his hometown of Thomasville. “Communities in Schools is not only the leading dropout prevention
organization in the country, in Thomasville, it truly serves as a community of support for the kids and families who need it most, providing not only academic support to students, but emotional and financial support to families,” Davis-Gaither said in a press release. Davis-Gaither earned Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year recognition in 2019 after recording 104 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and five sacks for the Mountaineers. Davis-Gaither turned in two of his best performances of the year in road wins against North
Carolina and South Carolina. “I’ve always dreamed of being able to give back, and I’m blessed to be able to use this platform to do so,” Davis-Gaither said. “Hopefully, I can be a role model, and my journey can be a continued source of hope and inspiration for all those kids growing up back home.” Fans and supporters can donate to Evans’ cause at pledgeit.org/ darrynton and Davis-Gaither’s at pledgeit.org/akeem.
Sports
Feb. 6, 2020
Softball looking for more after historic 2019 campaign
Third baseman Keri White throws the ball to home during her junior year season. White led the Mountaineers in seven statistical categories last year. Courtesy of App State Athletics
Silas Albright | Sports Editor In 2019, App State softball tied the program record for most wins in a season with a 31-25 record, including a 13-13 mark in Sun Belt play. The Mountaineers had the longest winning streak in program history when they won eight straight between Feb. 15 and March 1. The team also qualified for the Sun Belt tournament for the first time as the fifth seed. The 2019 season was a huge turnaround from the 2018 squad that went 17-35 and 4-20 in Sun Belt play. Head coach Shelly Hoerner, who’s in her third year at the helm of the Mountaineers, expects the team to build off of everything they accomplished a season ago. “It’s a new team, so the expectation is to win — always,” Hoerner said. “We’ve got high expectations because we did do well last year, and especially well for what the program has done.” This year’s team features a nucleus of experienced returners, including a pair of all-Sun Belt selections. Senior pitcher Kenzie Longanecker became the first Mountaineer ever named to the allSun Belt first team after going 14-9 with a 2.40 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 2019. Senior pitcher Sydney Holland also won 14 games last year, tying with Longancker for the most wins in a season in program history. Holland led the team with a 2.16 ERA as well. This is her second season with App State since transferring
positively impacting the program, Hoerner credited the players. “There’s just so much change,” Hoerner said. “I think it’s just a total 180. I see the joy in them wanting to come to the field, them wanting to change the program. I think that I’ve seen change in every single one of them, and that for me as a coach is pretty cool to see.” One of the big changes within the program is the strength of the relationships between teammates, Holland said. “After we came back the first week, we kind of made a bond that we didn’t have in the fall,” Holland said. “Now, being like a week away from opening day, I think that we’re a lot closer so I’m excited.” White pointed out that there are more personalities on this year’s squad than before. She said the team likes to have fun with each other, but that they also know when it’s time to focus and be serious. The 2020 squad also features eight newcomers.
“Out of those eight newcomers, we’ll definitely have a few in the lineup and some in and out of the lineup,” Hoerner said. Hoerner said Emily Parrott, an outfielder from Palatine, Illinois, could be one of the freshmen that makes an impact. “She’s got a great bat, just very consistent in the lineup and gets good reads in the outfield and has got some speed,” Hoerner said. Hoerner also mentioned infielder Maegan Calandra from Pembroke Pines, Florida, as one to keep an eye on. “She came in as a middle infielder, and we moved her to first base, and she has done a great job just embracing that role of change for us,” Hoerner said. “I expect her to do good things for us, too.” The Mountaineers open their season on Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Charlotte Invitational versus ACC opponent Virginia. “It’s my senior year, I want to go out with a bang,” White said. “I love this group of girls and everyone is amazing here.”
from Francis Marion after the 2018 season. “This season, obviously we want to take what we did last season and use it, but we have to focus on right now and (take it) game-by-game,” Holland said. “Our goal is to make it (to) postseason, but we really just have to focus game-bygame because that’s what’s going to get us there.” Senior third baseman Keri White was named to the 2019 Sun Belt second team after leading the Mountaineers in seven statistical categories from the leadoff spot. She hit .347, scored 38 runs and was a perfect 13-for-13 on stolen base attempts a season ago. “It’s my last year, I’ve been here for three years, I’ve seen the conference, I know what it’s about,” White said. “Just ready to build off of that, get better and do better than what I did last year.” From winning 14 games in 2017 and 17 games in 2018, to tying the program record for wins in 2019, it’s no secret that the program has come a long way. “It’s been a dramatic change,” White said. “When we went over .500 last year, I think the coaches have a big thing to do with it. They really invest in us and in the program, and then you have girls that want to be here and just do as much as they can to better themselves and the team.” While White credited the coaching staff for
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Opinion Ethan Murphy | Opinion Writer
Feb. 6, 2020
Why nothing is new
Everything that exists or will exist has already existed. The most complex mathematical formulas, innovative technology and abstract art all have one thing in common: they are not original. Things only change in our perspective, not in its original form. Entropy and chaos compose the foundation of reality, but all changes have relatively simple origins. The automobile serves as an example of this. Possibly the greatest human invention, the automobile has continuously evolved. However, these improvements did not create anything new. Instead, the developments altered an existing template. Even its first iteration arose from other materials. The steel going into the frame already existed, the gasoline propelling it already existed, and it’s purpose of travel already existed. Naturally, these things don’t entirely comprise the
“newness” of something. So what’s missing? What makes something new? Many argue that a concept must possess some unique property unfamiliar to us. Despite individual perspectives differing, every idea has already filled a human mind at some point in time — even if the individual has no awareness of it. The idea or conception of something has no impact on originality. Imagine the first human to perceive a tree. Does that mean trees did not exist until perceived or conceived? Of course not. To say they didn’t exist until understood by man would mark not only an ignorance but an arrogance as well. This represents the rather popular concept of something being new to the individual is unaware. Taking this idea even further, nothing can have the value of new to the collective either.
Coronavirus highlights financial insecurity
Humans pride themselves on their individual faculty. However, people often forget that everything they create has its origins in nature to some degree. In other words, people cannot make something out of nothing. Alternatively, nothing cannot come from something. The matter of existence propels itself onward by leaving traces behind. From these traces, altered existences arise, but ultimately they are the same in origin. The world operates on two levels. The unpredictable chaos rests above keeping the world from growing stagnant. Underneath lies an orderly baseline from which this alteration can occur. If some degree of order ceased to exist, the world would collapse upon itself. As for the chaos, without it, people wouldn’t want to live even if the world existed forever. This all sounds rather bleak, but in actuality, this concept balances itself out.
The Absence of Substance in DNC Debates
Ricky Barker| Opinion Writer
Stephen Leverton II | Opinion Writer
Every new virus unnerves many people. Every day there are new developments about the coronavirus spreading through China and the world. As of Feb. 3, it’s killed over 300 people since its outbreak, and more bodies continue to pile up. However, the flu is responsible for killing 12,000 to 61,000 people every year in the United States, making the coronavirus’s American health implications less serious than the flu. People should not take the coronavirus mortality seriously. However, everyone should be concerned with the virus’s impact on the world’s wallet. In a globalized economy, every national event has worldwide implications. On Jan. 27, U.S. stock prices dropped to their lowest since October and continue to drop as panic over the virus escalates. This not only affects large corporations, but common citizens. Any potential investor should be wary about these economic implications. In financial markets, there is a concept known as “risk velocity,” which highlights how fast stock prices drop after a serious event. This is not a new concept: serious events have always shaken up the market. However, it’s only going to get worse and more prominent as time passes. As the world becomes more connected, the echo of these international events will begin to shake up international markets. We live in a global echo chamber, where a wolf ’s cry can disrupt international markets in massive ways. In the next 10 years, the coronavirus will not be the only massive event that will cause the markets to plummet. This is a sign of more to come.
On Jan. 14, CNN hosted the 7th Democratic Presidential Debate in Iowa, with six out of the 13 candidates on stage. CNN, the New York Times, and other media outlets released opinion articles titled: “Winner and Losers” and discussed who won or lost. However, the media neglects to focus their articles on one key group of individuals: the American people. When Americans tune into these debates, they witness embarrassment. These debates only focus on three things: fights between candidates, sound bites for candidates and disunion between Democrats. This is concerning; these issues make the Democratic Party appear to care more for infighting versus selecting the best candidate. It’s no secret that the debate moderators are channelling candidates to quarrel because they bring up scandals occuring before the debate. For example, CNN published an article days before the debate outlining the scandal between Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Bernie Sanders (IVT). The article states that in a private meeting in December 2018, Sen. Sanders said to Sen. Warren that he didn’t think a woman could win the presidency, to which Warren disagreed. This article isn’t just hurting the candidates affected, it’s affecting progressive voters who like both candidates. It purposefully weakens both candidates’ platforms.
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Sure, nothing holds any originality, but does that really matter? No, because the sheer mass of variety creates the illusion of never ending revelation — even if the variables remain the same. Parmenides, an ancient Greek philosopher said,“there can be no truth in the opinions of man,” largely meaning that no perception nor perspective of the world can hold any actuality — the world exists as one being imperceptible to all. Maybe so, but if that one, allencompassing truth exists, don’t man’s views derive their existence and therefore their nature from this truth? At the center of it all, underneath the opaque ooze of ego and emotion that humanity drenches its senses in, there must lie an inherent reality. One that has existed long before humans, and will exist long after humans cease to.
After the debate, footage was recorded of Warren telling Sanders “I think you called me a liar on national TV,” splitting the progressive vote and making either candidate’s chance of winning the nomination even slimmer than before. These debates are meant to inform people to help them figure out how they will vote in the primaries. It’s evident that American people are tired of hearing candidates arguing back and forth. Real Clear Politics shows that viewership has decreased since the first debate. If Americans are tuning out the debates, there’s a good chance that they may tune out the primaries. If Democrats want to win, they must stop fighting and focus on what makes each candidate different. Some candidates have amazing policies that are not talked about during the debates. Former Vice President Joe Biden’s main campaign slogan is “we are in a battle for the soul of this nation.” Biden’s main concern is not fighting with his competitors, but fighting for the presidency against President Donald Trump. This is what Democrats need to focus on, not each other. This must change.
Opinion
Feb. 6, 2020
Greatness is Timeless: Why the Beatles are Still Relevant Stephen Leverton II | Opinion Writer This year marks the 50th anniversary of the release of “Let It Be” and the official end of The Beatles when Paul McCartney publicly announced he was leaving the band in April of 1970. Throughout the 2010s, Beatles fans saw deluxe remasters of their favorite albums, from 2017’s “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” to “Abbey Road” in 2019. Not only was every song remastered, but demos, outtakes and alternate versions of the classic Beatles’ tunes were also included. These remastered albums prove The Beatles’ music is as relevant today as it was from 1962-69. In the 1960s, the group’s songs were about peace and love, while the civil rights movement, war and a generation gap were the new norm in the United States and in the world. Today’s world is still plagued with issues, including tensions between the U.S. and Iran, climate related crises around the world and terrorist attacks. Music is a way for many to escape the harsh realities of life. The Beatles offers this escape with
their upbeat albums. The Guardian reported that “Abbey Road” was the No. 1 selling vinyl during the 2010s. From hit songs such as “Here Comes the Sun,” “Something” and “Come Together,” the Fab Four’s last recorded album brought warmth, happiness and hopefulness. The Guardian also reported that “Sgt. Pepper’s” came seventh in the U.S. list and eighth in the U.K. list, according to Nielson Music. There was even a movie released in 2019 called “Yesterday” that asked “what if The Beatles never existed?” These two examples suggest that people care just as much about The Beatles now as they did back in the 1960s. The Beatles remains a staple in classic rock history that will continue to inspire and encourage musicians from around the world to follow in their footsteps.
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caleb’s
CONCEPTS Negative Income Tax: Solution Towards Watauga Poverty Caleb Garbuio | Opinion Editor During the 2020 Democratic primaries, many media outlets heavily featured Andrew Yang’s proposal to end American poverty. Yang argued for the implementation of universal basic income (UBI) for all Americans. Called the “Freedom Dividend,” Yang said he would guarantee $1,000 a month, or $12,000 a year, if elected. During an interview, Yang falsely equated Nobel Prizewinning economist Milton Friedman’s negative income tax with UBI. The difference between UBI and Friedman’s negative income tax is that UBI is given to everyone, while negative income taxes supplement income. In his 1962 book, “Capitalism and Freedom,” Friedman proposed a negative income tax to address issues with American welfare programs. Friedman contended that welfare programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, causes more harm than good. SNAP provides people living below the federal poverty line with food through an EBT card. This means that should individuals earn more income, they will receive less SNAP benefits. Despite SNAP’s good intentions, the policy may lead people to become dependent on the system. The Congressional Budget Office found that workers who increase their income will lose benefits that offset financial gains. The report found that increasing income may lead some to face over a 40% implicit marginal tax rate, causing $40 loss in benefits for every $100 earned, making it costlier for people to improve their livelihoods. By contrast, negative income taxes supplement people’s income proportionately to the income earned by an individual. For example, if the cutoff rate is $30,000 the negative income tax for someone earning $15,000 is 50%. They then receive $7,500 from the government. More importantly, poorer people will have the freedom to purchase additional items with their supplemental income. Despite Watauga County’s per capita income being above the federal poverty line at $24,635, 21.2% of Wataugans live below the federal poverty line, according to the 2019 U.S. Census. At least 11,860 individuals rely on the government to make ends meet in Watauga County. Keeping residents reliant on welfare is unacceptable for a state whose slogan is “first in freedom.” Negative income taxes give people freedom from government interference and allow them to spend supplemental income freely.
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Et Cetera
Feb. 6, 2020
If you’re interested, come to roOm 217 Of psu thursdays @7pm
MOSS BRENNAN EDITOR IN CHIEF
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BUSINESS
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BUSINESS MANAGER
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BRENDAN HOEKSTRA
EFRAIN ARIAS-MEDINA JR.
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VIDEO EDITOR
GRAPHICS EDITOR
ACROSS 1. Tattles 6. Lofty nest 11.A radioactive gaseous element 12. American clarinetist 15. A male escort 16. Fall apart 17. Regulation (abbrev.) 18. Ovular 20. Frozen water 21. A long way off 23. Not a win 24. Engendered 25. Nil 26. Enumerate 27. Enlist in 28. Cocoyam 29. In song, the loneliest number 30. Swindle 31. Patrolmen 34. Performed 36. Nigerian tribesman 37. Faucets 41. Not barefoot 42. Utilized 43. Not odd 44. Smack
26. Weight to be borne 45. Picnic insects 27. Protrude 46. Fully developed 30. State of mind 47. Poetic dusk 32. Directed 48. A high-pitched noise 33. Overweight 51. Mime 34. Not awake 52. Attached 54. Fastball (baseball slang) 35. A type of chapel 38. Flyer 56. Pixies 39. Seasoned 57. Eagerness 40. Contemptuous look 58. It makes dough rise 42. Turmoil 59. Weepy 44. Collections DOWN 45. Units of land 1. Instructed 48. Bristle 2. Dawdler 3. Fuss 4. Tree trunk 5. Kiss 6. Self-centered person 7. Parts of eggs 8. Part in a play 9. Actress Lupino 10. Experimental 13. A movement upward 14. Require 15. Scrape gently 16. Unwilling to part with money 19. Gleam 22. Top of a house 24. Support
49. Gossip 50. Not there 53. Hasten 55. American Dental Association
Feb. 6, 2020
What To Do PAID ADVERTISEMENT
Thursday, Feb. 6 Friday, Feb. 7 Saturday, Feb. 8 Sunday, Feb. 9 Monday, Feb. 10 Tuesday, Feb. 11
Wednesday, Feb. 12
App State Men’s Basketball vs UT Arlington Holmes Convocation Center 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Joe Conti/Student Conducting Recital Noun Whitewater Show Rosen Concert Hall Whitewater Lounge 8-9 p.m. 5:30-6:30 p.m.
12th Annual Fiddlers’ Convention Opening Concert Legends 8-11 p.m.
Harriet I.G. Greer Auditorium 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
12th Annual Fiddlers’ Convention Square Dance 6:30-9 p.m. Legends
App State Men’s Basketball vs Texas State Holmes Convocation Center 3:30 p.m.
Campus Cooks Meeting - Discussion Night Plemmons Student Union 12-1 p.m.
App State Graduate School Fair Plemmons Student Union 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Laser Cut Your Own Business Card Inspire Maker Lab - Belk Library - Lower level 2-3 p.m.
Paint and Talk: Self Love Multicultural Center 6-8 p.m.
Outdoor Jobs Fair Plemmons Student Union 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
The Vagina Monologues Parkway Ballroom (Room 420) 7-9 p.m.
Mindful Tuesday’s: String Art Linn Cove (PSU Room 413) 3-5 p.m.
App News
SUBMIT ANNOUNCEMENTS
App News is a service of the Division of Student Affairs. Email editor@theappalachianonline.com for submissions with subject line: APP NEWS PAGE. Submissions should not exceed 100 words and must include the event title, date/time, location and cost, and a contact email, phone and/or URL. Announcements will be edited as needed and will run as space allows. Preference is given for events that are free or have a nominal cost.
North Carolina Diversity Law Day Just a reminder that the North Carolina Diversity law Day is Saturday Feb 8th and will be hosted this year by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law. Lunch will be provided and it will start at 9 am and should end around 4. All pre-law advisors are invited to attend as well as their students. All North Carolina Law Schools will be participating. The panels provide excellent information for everyone. The six North Carolina law schools come together to present a day filled with information on law school admissions, the LSAT, financial aid and more. There will be panels, workshops, and sessions to prepare students for a law school experience. This is a free event, but registration is required. Incredibly opportunity! Duke, UNC, Wake Forest, Elon, Campbell, and NC Central Law School will all have an admissions dean and student there!
12th Annual Fiddlers’ Convention The Appalachian Popular Programming Society is proud to present this year’s Fiddler’s Convention Headliners Chatham Rabbits! Come to Legends at 7:00 PM on February 7th, 2020 for a once in a lifetime experience of this Blue Grass inspired band! Public tickets are $15 and student tickets are $10!
BRING YOUR AUDIENCE ANYWHERE.
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ROOM 217, PSU THURSDAY 7 P.M. SEE YOU THERE.