The Appalachian August 2023

Welcome back!

August 16, 2023

Updated dining halls page 6 | Surviving Boone page15 | App State’s football season preview page 18 Woman overlooking Rough Ridge. Photo by Briley Tupin.

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August 16, 2023

RELEASE DATE—Sunday, September 10, 2023

JENNA GUZMAN editor-in-chief editor@theappalachainonline.com

EDITORIAL ELLA ADAMS managing editor

JADE OGLE chief copy editor

ETHAN SMITH sports editor

SARAH KRUGER associate sports editor

BRILEY TURPIN a&c editor

BRILEY TURPIN associate a&c editor

SIRI PATTERSON news editor

MADISON LIPE associate news editor

NADINE JALLAL opinion editor

LEAH BOONE associate opinion editor

MULTIMEDIA K. SLADE visual managing editor PRUETT NORRIS multimedia editor ASHTON WOODRUFF photo editor KAITLYN CLOSE graphics editor RIAN HUGHES associate graphics editor

BUSINESS ETHAN BACHELOR business manager business@theappalachianonline.com JULIA WOODRING director of marketing and public relations ELLA WILSON director of audience engagement DR. ALLISON BENNETT DYCHE adviser adviser@theappalachianonline.com The Appalachian is the award-winning, independent student-run news organization at Appalachian State University, published since 1934. The student staff maintains all editorial discretion, and there is no prior review by university faculty, staff or administrators. The Appalachian strives for accuracy in newsgathering and reporting. If you think we have an error, email editor@theappalachianonline.com.

Participation in The Appalachian is open to all current full-time students at the university.

For more information about joining, email outreach@theappalachianonline.com.

The opinion pages of The Appalachian are open public forum.

Contributiions are welcomed via email to editor@theappalachianonline.com Opinions expressed are those of individual columnists, and do not necessarily relfect the views of the news organization overall. Unsigned editorials represent the collective opinion of The Appalachain editorial board.

One copy of The Appalachian per person. Additional copies can be purchased from the newsroom for $1 each.

Los Angeles Times Sunday Crossword Puzzle “WALK AROUND THE BLOCK” BY MEGHAN MORRIS ACROSS 1 Jury makeup 6 “Look after yourself” 12 Took steps 17 Good for farming 19 Los __, New Mexico 20 Moan and groan 21 Nuclear power sources 23 Some digital watches 24 Actress Sykes 25 “But there is a silver lining ... ” 27 Uno y uno 29 Tater 30 Child’s pose, e.g.

31 Watched 33 Graphics that typically have AK and HI as insets 35 City with Heat and Hurricanes 39 __ Fridays 40 Jaded sort 42 “Sorry, lassie” 43 Made a volatile situation worse 48 Devotee of Jah 50 Perkins known as the “King of Rockabilly” 51 Apartment divs.

52 Currency of 94-Across 53 Shakespearean king 55 Christina of “Yellowjackets” 57 None 58 Splotchy garment 61 Steeped drink 62 Scramble to meet a deadline 68 Pub pints 70 Opener 72 Italian peak 73 Unhittable serve 74 Hunts, with “on” 75 French silk 76 “Deadliest Catch” catch 81 Pool float filler 82 Immune system component 84 New York canal 85 Library IDs 87 Pollen pouches 89 Signify 90 Visual communication syst.

92 Depose 94 Continental gp.

97 Egg-laying mammal

Edited by Patti Varol and Joyce Nichols Lewis

132 Long-legged 101 Guys wader 102 Australian greetings DOWN 104 Big name in 1 Hammer end gourmet pasta 2 Basic Latin verb sauce 3 Laser cut, 105 Old Testament perhaps prophet 4 Walgreens rival 106 Twist in pain 5 Ones who stay 108 Pâté de __ gras out of the pick111 Say up game?

113 Oscar-winning 6 “Goldberg film set in Iran Variations” 114 Olympic figure skater Midori composer 7 Overjoy 116 Beethoven piano classic 8 Smart 122 Monopoly 9 French pal payments 10 Easter activity supply 124 Sleeve band 126 Obama 11 Petrol brand 12 “So cute!” campaign 13 Abyss slogan 14 Some 127 Something disposable special cookware 128 “__ 8”: Sandra 15 Get to, Bullock heist eventually film 16 Body of water 129 Most prized that’s nearly 130 “Alas ... ” 10 times saltier 131 Two-wheel than the ocean scooter

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17 To and __ 18 Typo discovered after printing 22 Gets a little too close to a flame 26 “Birds of Prey” comic book writer Simone 28 __ generis 32 Bounce back 34 “Beat it!”

35 Laptop choice 36 “That’s too scary for me” 37 Balkans border 38 Sporty Spice of the Spice Girls 41 Saints’ org.

44 Cold, in Cancún 45 High schooler, usually 46 Yours and mine 47 Jog 49 Loud, as a crowd 54 -speak 56 Corp. head 57 Compresses, in a way

59 Post-spill 93 Airport safety operations org.

60 Debate focus 94 Stymies 95 Venezuelan 61 Poetic designer contraction Carolina 63 Lass 64 In the manner of 96 Approved, as a PDF contract 65 Opinion 98 Using coercion 66 “Vous êtes __”: 99 Pharmacy French map purchase phrase 100 Attempt to hit 67 Guys 103 Agnus __ 69 Former union member: Abbr. 107 Add up to 109 Spouse’s 71 Actress sibling, e.g.

Witherspoon 110 Justice Kagan 74 35-Down 112 Swiss alternatives borders?

76 Wine bottle 115 Art community abbr. in New Mexico 77 Nautical spine 117 Teeny 78 North __ Sea: 118 Wolfe of “Death Kazakh lake 79 Sudoku digit of a Doxy” 119 Big name in 80 __ monster 83 Chuckle 74-Down 120 Chore 86 Laddie 88 Reggae kin 121 Wee worker 89 Japanese soup 123 Pigpen 125 The White 90 Disinterest Stripes 91 Like some drummer White spoons

©2023 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Find answers on page 11 ANSWER TO TODAY’S PUZZLE

9/10/23

August 16, 2023

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Letter from the Editor It’s that time of year again — time to pick up those textbooks (and newspapers, of course).

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elcome back Mountaineers, both new and old! It is with great pleasure and honor to serve as your Editor-in-Chief of The Appalachian for the 2023-24 academic year, and I am thrilled for you to see what’s in store this year!

For nearly 90 years, our publication’s purpose has been to deliver fair and accurate news, while also entertaining through other content, serving as a public forum for ideas and more. Our publication also strives to champion for all those in Boone, from students to faculty and staff, to the residents of Appalachia.

Last academic year, our publication went through a few changes, but our mission stayed the same nonetheless, with a few new things for you, the reader, to keep in mind as well.

For starters, we are now located in a new space. We previously resided in room 217 of Plemmons Student Union for 30 years, but as of the spring 2023 semester, we are now located in room 235 of Plemmons Student Union. So for those wishing to either join our publication, stop by with a story idea, or with inquiries about anything, you can find us in room 235.

We also expanded the number of newsletters we published each week. We now send out two newsletters per week on Tuesday and Thursday, which you can sign up for on our website. And spoiler alert: we will now feature horoscopes in them!

As we excitedly enter our 90th year anniversary in January, we’ve reflected on our operations throughout the years and will continue to build upon them.

We will continue posting quality stories on our website, in addition to our monthly print issues. However, keep an eye out for new types of content from us, such as more multimedia and podcasts. And of course, you can expect a continuation of our crossword puzzles and bringing back games such as Sudoku in our print copies.

And of course, this paper is for you, the reader. Our publication is built on your stories, which is why we want to be as true to you as possible and make sure we are accurately reflecting the communities of Boone. I would like to acknowledge that our geographic area, as well as our student population and newspaper staff, is made up of people of all backgrounds, and that our publication is not just for one group of people. It’s for everyone. Our news organization intends to make sure everyone feels seen and heard. That’s why for almost 90 years, we have been here to listen to and share your stories. We hope you’ll join us as we continue on that mission for many more.

If you have a story idea, please submit a story idea or write a letter to the editor through our website. Or, please stop by our newsroom to chat with us. I, along with the rest of our staff, will be happy to help with whatever you may need.

And finally, new to this year, if you are part of an organization or community wishing to tell us about an event or something you would like to have covered, keep an eye out for our public calendar. This new initiative will allow you to submit your events for our staff to review. Please know that we not only want to hear from you, but we want you to know that we are available to you.

Thank you, reader, for taking the time to pick up this copy of The Appalachian — we hope it’s not the last. Without you, there wouldn’t even be a copy, so we thank you for your support or just curiosity to see “Oh what’s this?” when picking it up from a stand.

Here is to (almost) 90 years, and here is to many more! We hope you will celebrate our 90th with us.

Have a wonderful first semester, Mountaineers!

Jenna Guzman

2023-24 Editor-in-Chief

August 16, 2023

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Position: Editor-in-Chief Major/Minor: Journalism major, multimedia minor Favorite memory at App State? Sledding around campus in a snow storm, and of course, joining The Appalachian <3

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Position: Arts & Culture Editor Major/Minor: Communication studies major, minor in criminal justice Favorite memory at App State? Sunsets on the parkway with a book and my friends.

Position: Graphics Editor Major/Minor: Graphic design major, digital marketing minor Favorite memory at App State? Walking in the Apparel Design & Merchandising fashion showcase with my friends.

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Position: Managing Editor Major/Minor: Anthropology major, animal studies minor Favorite memory at App State? Getting bundled up to go stargazing on the parkway in winter.

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Position: Sports Editor Major/Minor: Journalism major, media studies minor Favorite memory at App State?

Storming the field after beating Coastal Carolina.

Position: Associate Graphics Editor Major/Minor: Graphic design major Favorite memory at App State?

Thrifting at Ram’s Rack on half off Saturday’s with my sophmore year roommates.

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Meet your 2023-24 Editorial-Board e lad S .

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Position: Visual Managing Editor Major/Minor: Journalism major, double minoring in English and Japanese Favorite memory at App State? Experiencing debilitating food poisoning and keeping my friends hostage on Facetime for two days.

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Position: Associate Sports Editor Major/Minor: Journalism major, chemistry minor Favorite memory at App State? Halloween movie showings on Sanford Mall.

Position: Multimedia Editor Major/Minor: Double major in electronic Media/Broadcasting and English (Film Studies) Favorite memory at App State? When the giant Yosef statue came to life and we danced together until dawn. Wait, what do you mean that didn’t happen?

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Position: Chief Copy Editor Major/Minor: Journalism major, photography minor Favorite memory at App Sate? Spending time on the parkway with friends.

Position: Opinion Editor Major/Minor: Secondary English education Favorite memory at App State? Thriving off of absolute chaos of moving in and out of the residence halls for the last four years.

Position: Director of Marketing and Public Relations Major/Minor: Professional writing major, digital marketing and nonprofit organizations minor Favorite memory at App State? Groggily trudging through snow on Sunday mornings to eat breakfast in the dining hall freshman year.

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Position: News Editor Major/Minor: Journalism major, political science minor Favorite memory at App State?

Eating breakfast in the dining hall every morning with friends freshman year.

Position: Associate Opinion Editor Major/Minor: chemistry (Certified Chemist concentration) major, psychology minor Favorite memory at App State? Late nights with my favorite people laughing until our stomachs hurt.

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August 16, 2023

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Position: Associate News Editor Major/Minor: Journalism major, marketing minor Favorite memory at App State? The little moments with the people that make this place feel like home, like porch time talks with my dear roommates Maggie Dougherty and Cydnee Robbins.

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f Position: Photo Editor Major/Minor: Photojournalism (IDS) major, criminal justice minor Favorite memory at App State? When College Gameday came to App and we stormed the field after winning on a Hail Mary.

i ls o n Position: Director of Audience Engagement Major/Minor: Public relations major, theater minor Favorite memory at App State?

Making a family out of the marketing desk last year.

Ethan Batchelor

Position: Business manager Major/minor: Management major Favorite memory at App State? My first App State snow while my parents were visiting.

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NEWS

Bite into updated dining halls

Siri Patterson | News Editor

While the All You Care to Eat meal plan system is here to stay, App State’s Campus Dining is changing things up in the form of renovations, increased costs and new dining options.

Executive Director of Campus Dining, Elizabeth Riede, said in an email the changes made for the upcoming year are “designed to improve the functionality, efficiency, and overall student experience as part of the All Access dining format.”

Riede said renovations will include a remodel of Rivers Street Cafe in the upstairs section of Roess Dining Hall, and an expansion in the seating areas of Trivette Dining Hall.

“Rivers Street Cafe has been redesigned to promote speed of service, ease of service, and action stations (meaning that the food will be prepared in front of you),” Riede said in an email.

Meal plan fees have increased by 5% due to significant cost increases, Riede said. However, the increase in cost is “lower than food inflation rates.”

Money from Campus Dining reserves was used to fund the renovations and updates in the dining halls, Riede said.

Some updates to the menu and signage are designed to help diners with allergies or special diets.

“Rivers Street will be much easier

to navigate, and allergen information will be easier to access via digital signage and an updated menu website,” Riede said.

Anna Oakes, the news and media relations director for University Communications, said the redesign of Rivers Street Cafe will also change the staffing models.

“Certain stations/areas of service need more labor, and some need less,” Oakes wrote in an email. “Staffing will adapt as stations and menus change with the seasons and special events.”

As the semester begins, Oakes wrote that Campus Dining will primarily be looking to fill part-time student positions, as most full-time positions are unavailable.

Alex Pitcher, an App State graduate and employee of Campus Dining for over two years, said he supports the implementation of a reusable takeaway system and it is a “big milestone for App State, especially since we’ve been expanding the dining halls.”

The new system would give All Access diners the option to check out a reusable container to take their

August 16, 2023

leftovers in, Riede said.

“You can track your sustainability contribution and see the waste you have personally diverted and the water you have saved by choosing a reusable take-out container,” Riede said.

There will be several tried and tested favorites returning to the menu, such as the brick oven pizza, Riede said. But, many areas of the menu have been reimagined, such as the salad bar, deli station and global cuisine.

“We have also redesigned our menu, and it will include a primo pasta station, smoked barbeque, and a rotating menu of globally inspired cuisines,” Riede said, referring to changes made in food options at Park Place at Trivette Dining Hall.

Also returning will be the “Lite Bites station,” Riede said. Food offered at this station is “geared toward accommodating the top nine allergies.”

Tre Sweigart has been working for Campus Dining for around six years and said he has seen lots of changes happening throughout the summer.

Sweigart said he thinks business in the lower part of Roess Dining Hall may slow slightly with the reopening of the All You Care to Eat Rivers Street Cafe.

The central hallway of Roess Dining Hall. Photo by Darcy Sluder.

Graphic by Rian Hughes

August 16, 2023

Navigating the roommate process Georgia Dixon | Reporter

Every August freshmen leave their hometowns to embark on the pursuit of higher education. Armored with accolades, advanced placement credit or an abundance of App State sports apparel they are psyched up to conquer freshman year —- or at least survive month one.

Undoubtedly, schooling beyond the classroom will take place in that first month in the form of navigating living styles in the dorm, roughly the size of a one-car garage, where students may bunk across from a stranger, their first year roommate.

However, freshmen are not left alone to handle inevitable roommate conflicts as resident assistants employed by the university are ready to aid residents.

“You should always feel comfortable contacting your Resident Assistant (RA) for advice or to mediate a conversation between your roommate and yourself,” says the University

Housing website.

Will Stephenson, a senior English major and former resident assistant, stressed keeping lines of communication open with your RA. He wants residents to feel comfortable and welcome at App State.

Stephenson said RAs remain at the front line, ready to handle roommate conflict, act as intermediaries and handle roommate transfer requests.

“You want your residents to get along well and be friends and avoid conflict,” Stephenson said. “Which means occasionally people need room changes and mediation.”

Roommate change requests are considered as long as housing options remain available.

Stephenson said he only fielded a few actual roommate room change requests, and additionally piloted half a dozen conversations involving differing levels of roommate conflict.

“Don’t get discouraged if you and your roomate aren’t BFF material,” Stephenson said. “That’s a bit of a tall

NEWS

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Agreement, students may request a roommate change. Roommate change ask in the first place, there is somesemester left, and I was like you know requests are considered as long as thing awesome about just getting along what,” Johnson said. “It was not worth housing options remain available.

The agreement highlights the imwith one another but also having septrying to go through all this and then arate lives. Sometimes that’s the least moving my stuff out. So I just decided portance of communication through the acronym YOSEF: Your Opinions, complicated housing arrangement.” that I was gonna deal with it.”

Openness, Self-Awareness, Engage Senior graphic design student Julia Johnson said University Housing Johnson shared a similar sentiment. did “as good a job as they could,” pair- and Focus on Respect.

Living with a roommate involves Initially, she clicked with her freshman ing her by asking questions through year roommate. the University Housing Portal pertain- honestly communicating norms and “I really liked her, we really clicked, ing to sleep schedules and cleanliness. expectations, coupled with an awareness of varying lifestyles. it was fun,” Johnson said.

“That was what helped me match The document issued by the Johnson said after their first formal up with the right person,” Johnson university is intended to serve as a roommate discussion, made up of said. “Everything else can’t be helped guide, rather than binding agreement, minimal communication between if you get a bad roommate or not.” roommates, she discovered silence When determining housing place- aimed at helping to initiate healthy conflict resolution. Expressing similar would characterize her roommate exments, Brandon Nelson, director of perience which at the start felt “really University Housing said the university thoughts, Stephenson placed a similar emphasis on interpersonal communiodd,” but would become normative takes into consideration five factors: over the semester. student year, gender, application ques- cation.

“Freshmen, you silly little geese.

Reflecting on her experience tions, room preference and new this Just be upfront and talk to your roominteracting with her roommate, year, an option for students to choose mate if you have conflict,” Stephenson Johnson additionally explained there their space. said. “I know that’s easier said than were no major issues, rather a hard Three weeks into classes, after done, but 99% of the time that’s the environment. She did not ever request students have settled into campus life easiest solution to your problems with a roommate change. and allowed for space to determine each other.”

“Because by the time that it actuwhether their roommate has upheld ally became an issue, I had another their end of the required Roommate

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NEWS

Active Minds: Mental health resource to students by students

Jenna Guzman | Editor-in-Chief

certain mental health topics, such as suicide prevention, disordered eating, stress management and more; provide or direct students to mental health resources such as the Counseling Center or off-campus resources; give support to those that need it and more.

The club also has brought in guest speakers from the Counseling Center and Collegiate Recovery Community.

“A lot of times mental health clubs can be scary to go to,” said Clark, a senior psychology major. “My ultimate goal, personally, is to make people feel welcomed no matter what background they come from.”

Anyone of any year or major can join Active Minds. The co-presidents shared that one can attend a meeting if they are simply interested in learning more about mental health topics, are searching for resources or just need someone who will listen to what’s going on in their own lives.

“We just have a really open space,” Eichler said.

“People can just openly talk about their mental health journeys and it’s really cool.”

Clark said although people do speak about personal matters, “there is no pressure to tell us stuff you are not comfortable with.”

Along with being a space where students can share whatever is on their minds or find resources suited to them, Active Minds has shaped new ideas and changes on App State’s campus, such as the name change for the Wired Scholar and Crossroads smoothie Roommates and co-presidents of Active Minds Abby Clark, left, and Larisa Eichler, right. Photo previously named

by Maggie Busch.

Skippin’ Lunch.

New year, new classes, professors, assignments, tests, home, friends, jobs, commitments and changes. The list goes on. Whether one is a new or returning student, the start of another school year can mean all of these things and more, including stress, sadness or discomfort.

App State has many resources to help students get through stressful, sad or lonely times; one resource being a student-run club.

The App State chapter of Active Minds, a club run by co-presidents and roommates Larisa Eichler and Abby

August 16, 2023

Clark, is a mental health awareness club with a mission to “educate and encourage people to talk about mental health because it effects so many people,” according to their page on Engage.

“It’s important to make sure that mental health is becoming a more open conversation on our campus,” Eichler said.

Active Minds holds meetings every other Tuesday from 5- 6 p.m. in room 100 in Plemmons Student Union.

The co-presidents said during meetings they show presentations to educate and bring awareness to

Graphic by Rian Hughes

In the 2023 spring semester, Active Minds, in collaboration with App State’s Mental Health Ambassadors, ​​ set up a table in the student union to allow students to write in ideas for a new name for the smoothie.

During the two day period in which the table was there, the group offered samples of the smoothie and mental health resources, as well as displayed information about other resources on campus such as food pantries. The group also educated others as to why the name was harmful.

“The smoothie name for the act of skipping a meal can be very activating and it’s harmful to normalize because so many people are impacted by eating

disorders and food insecurity,” said Eichler, who also serves as a student Mental Health Ambassador.

The name of the smoothie was changed to Bananarama, Eichler said, and was “overjoyed” about the name change.

“It definitely is a step in the right direction with mental health awareness on campus,” Eichler said. “Our biggest goals as an organization are to bring awareness to more audiences and promote beneficial habits around our community.”

The word active is not in the name for no reason. Active Minds can be seen around campus throughout the year holding and participating in events such as a smash the scale event,

August 16, 2023

NEWS

Clark and Eichler pose for a photo in front of the smoothie renaming competition, an event co-hosted by Active Minds and Mental Health Ambassadors. (Courtesy of Larisa Eichler)

an event that brought awareness and destigmatized eating disorders during Eating Disorder Awareness Week, and during the Earth Day Expo.

“It just feels really nice that I was able to help make a difference on campus, like, through Active Minds,” Eichler said.

Eichler said both Active Minds and Mental Health Ambassadors have plans for new things in the upcoming school year.

“I just want to see what else we can do, what else we can bring attention to through the university,” Eichler said.

Clark, who is also a student Mental Health Ambassador, said she wants to do more about mental health language. The duo also said they want to do more events and "just continue to facilitate a safe space on campus,” Eichler said.

Eichler said she also hopes to “tackle” getting mental health days on campus and Clark said she wishes to bring more awareness to other things that “aren’t talked about enough and are kind of taboo.”

“I feel like as a team we can really, we can really do anything and just knock out whatever we want to and, like, put more initiative in and talk about why mental health matters and

Rising senior Larisa Eichler, right, and friends at an Active Minds Mental Health Awareness event on Sanford Mall. (Courtesy of Larisa Eichler)

why it should get more attention on college campuses especially,” Eichler said.

Clark, who joined the club as a freshman, said she is “super grateful” for the organization because it allowed her to find a community and a place where she belonged.

“Active Minds is that for me,” Clark said. “I’m just really grateful that there are resources like this at App State.”

Active Minds will be present at Club Expo, August 20.

Note from the editor: For those seeking emergency mental health the Counseling Center has an after-hours emergency line for “urgent mental health concerns such as suicidal thoughts, sexual assault, and other trauma,” according to their website.

For the emergency line, one can call 828-262-3180. Press the option to speak with the counselor on-call.

For non-emergencies, such as setting up consultations, one can call the center’s number during regular hours of operation– Monday to Friday from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Read more Online:

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NEWS

Spotlighting unique majors at App State Madalyn Edwards | Reporter

With the beginning of a new school year, for some students, comes the decision of choosing a major or an area of study.

Students can officially declare their major by the time they have obtained 30 credit hours and taken the required courses. However, students can wait until they have earned up to 60 credit hours to declare their major, allowing time to choose for those who are undecided.

According to the Academic Programs portion of App State’s website, the university currently offers more than 150 undergraduate majors and over 80 graduate programs.

Although there are many majors, some may not feel there is something for their interests, as some majors are more common than others. However, there are some majors that are derived from unique niches and fields of study, allowing students to study something that truly interests them. Students from these majors shared their experiences for students deciding their major.

One unique area of study offered to students, Appalachian Studies, focuses on the teaching of culture and knowledge of the Appalachian region. Appalachian Studies is offered as a minor and through the Cratis D. Williams School of Graduate Studies as a master of arts.

Second-year graduate students Sammy Osmond and Jesse Barber are studying Appalachian Studies and are currently working on a project related

Volunteers help tend to garden beds at the Living Learning Center Community Garden. Photo by Madalyn Edwards.

to folklife documentation.

Osmond said his studies have changed the way he perceives the Appalachian region.

“It’s changed the framework of my mind as I travel through Appalachia to go and interview people and meet a lot of people,” he said.

Osmond said he initially did not intend to attend graduate school, but he was offered a scholarship through an outside organization to conduct interviews. He said through the program he has been able to interview people of a wide variety of professions including basket weavers, historical interpreters, musicians, potters and cooks.

Kale grows in garden beds at community garden. Photo by Madalyn Edwards.

“Wherever I go in the world, I like to create space for connections with strangers and the intimate connection to hear their stories or what’s important to them,”

- Jesse Barber He said the work is rewarding and has allowed him to form several relationships with people he interviewed.

Osmond majored in documentary film for his undergraduate degree. He said Appalachian Studies has given him experience that he will apply to his undergraduate degree and career.

“It’s a really great extension of what I was learning as an undergraduate student,” he said.

Osmond said students from numerous career paths are in the Appalachian Studies program.

“Appalachian Studies students have

a really wide range of interests and are really kind of all over the map,” he said. “And you know, there is no prototypical App Studies student.”

Barber also commented on the community of Appalachian Studies students.

“That’s, like, the closest friends I have in my studies,” Barber said.

He said he traveled with his fellow students to an Appalachian Studies conference where he was able to meet several people studying similar topics.

Barber, who completed his undergraduate degree in interdisciplinary studies, said he

August 16, 2023 decided he wanted a master of arts in Appalachian Studies after taking related undergraduate classes such as Appalachian literature.

He said one thing he has learned from his studies is how important building connections are, such as those he has formed through his interviews and photography with those from the Appalachian region.

“Wherever I go in the world, I like to create space for connections with strangers and the intimate connection to hear their stories or what’s important to them,” Barber said.

Barber offered advice to any students considering the course of study.

“Don’t be afraid to join in, you never know who you’re going to be standing beside,” he said. “There’s just so many fascinating people doing fascinating stuff and you would never know it.”

Another major with ties to Boone’s eco-friendly culture and atmosphere is sustainable development, which is offered as an undergraduate major of study.

Fourth-year sustainable development student Caila CaterEdwards said she originally wanted to go into a culinary-related field.

However, after hearing about an App State student’s experience as a sustainable development major, she chose to major in sustainable development because she wanted to gain a deeper understanding of sustainability as it relates to foods and crops.

“I knew how to cook the food, but I wanted to learn how to grow the food that I cook and how to do it in a clean, healthy way,” she said.

Cater-Edwards also said she wants to learn how to solve problems through sustainable development.

“I feel like now we are starting to see that there is a lot of things wrong with the world and how the world is run,” she said. “We need to fix that, and I feel like those in my major especially, we are really big on trying to find ways and working to solve those issues that we’re seeing today.”

She said the major is not limited to sustainability, but also social and economic values.

52 Currency of 94-Across 53 Shakespearean king 55 Christina of August 16, 2023 NEWS 11 “Yellowjackets” 57 None say,” he said. “You’re not 58 Splotchy really stuck to just the brewing garment winemaking and distilling.”

61 Steeped drink Prebeck said the major 62 Scramble to requires cell biology and meet a deadline microbiology classes in 68 Pub pints addition to multiple chemistry classes.

70 Opener He said he had the 72 Italian peak opportunity to participate in 73 Unhittable serve hands-on experiences in the 74 Hunts, with “on” field, such as collaborating on 75 French silk a project with Booneshine and 76 “Deadliest attending the North Carolina Catch” catch Winegrower’s Association Conference.

81 Pool float filler Prebeck says his area of 82 Immune system study would allow him to travel component to different parts of the world.

84 New York canal “This is a great major if 85 Library IDs you do want to travel,” he said.

87 Pollen pouches He also said the 89 Signify department and the professors 90 Visual encourage communication and engagement. communication “I would argue that we syst. have the best department 92 Depose at the school,” he says.

94 Continental gp.

“The professors are very 97 Egg-laying knowledgeable on pretty much mammal Passerbys listen to musicians playing bluegrass music in a stairwell alcove in Plemmons Student Union during the Fiddler’s Conven-anything and it’s really open tion. Photo by Max Correa. communication©2023 between the 9/10/23 Tribune Content Graphic Agency, LLC.

by Rian Hughes students and the professors.”

Sustainable development students are given the opportunity for a more hands-on learning approach by visiting a local farm where they can observe and ask questions related to sustainability. Additionally, there is a garden on campus located near the Living Learning Center where students can grow crops.

While she does not know what her exact career path will be yet, CaterEdwards says she wants to help make a change by using the information she learned through her field of study.

“I’m not sure quite where yet where I would fit, but I really want to work with communities and making sure communities that are food insecure, that they have a basic need food,” she said.

While Cater-Edwards combined her passion for food studies and helping others, junior Katie Walters combined her love for music and psychology.

Walters is a music therapy major.

She said music therapy has allowed her to combine two of her interests from different career backgrounds.

“Music is very creative and psychology’s really science-based,” she said. “So it was really just finding something that really combined all my interests.”

Walters said music therapy can benefit people of different backgrounds in many different ways, such as helping with memory loss, mobility, or in cognitive ways.

Walters said music therapy is also beneficial in settings such as schools, hospitals or assisted living facilities, as well as many other environments.

In typical sessions, Walters says, patients are encouraged to participate in music-related activities, building on personal connections formed through music and using those connections to engage and benefit the patient.

Walters said the program is very hands-on and the professors and

students are very supportive.

“Just having the ability to step back and be like, ‘It’s okay, you know, I’m not an expert. I’m still learning.’ I think they’re very supportive of that,” she said.

Walters said music therapy students must complete several music classes, such as music therapy, in addition to psychology courses.

Senior Thomas Prebeck is studying fermentation sciences. He said he wanted to study in the field after a trip to Germany with his father.

“When I went on that trip with my father, I saw how people bonded at these breweries. I’ve always wanted to create an atmosphere like that for people to go to,” he said.

Prebeck said the field focuses on the biochemical reactions that microorganisms undergo to create different products, ranging from alcohol brewing to pharmaceutical biofuels.

“It’s a pretty versatile major, I’d

ANSWER TO TODAY’S PUZZLE

9/10/23

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August 16, 2023

ARTS & CULTURE

The sun shines through the trees lighting the stream along the Rough Ridge trail route. July 21, 2023. Photo by Evan Bates.

Discovering Boone: A trail guide for Boone hikers Abby Buckner | Reporter

The High Country is teeming with thrilling and mesmerizing scenic trails calling all hikers, regardless of skill, to experience. Bursting with life and energy, the Blue Ridge Mountains are the perfect place to make hiking a hobby and embark on new adventures.

Keep in mind, this small collection of a few of the area’s most popular hikes is just a portion of the trails available, but may serve as a starting point for any eager explorers.

Bass Lake Loop If you are searching for a relaxed and accessible trail while still witnessing some marvelous views, Bass Lake Loop is the place for you. This is a scenic 1-mile hike that circles one of North Carolina’s beautiful mountain lakes. Weaving along the lakeshore, the trail is flat and provides views of both Bass Lake and Cone Manor. Bass Lake is only a few miles from downtown

Boone and can be easily accessed via the Blue Ridge Parkway or US-221 near Blowing Rock. You can find this popular spot at the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, named after the area’s renowned “Denim King.” Bass Lake Loop is accessible for wheelchairs, baby carriages and is pet friendly.

The park has restrooms and parking available off of US-221. This calm trail only takes an average of about 17 minutes and is perfect if you are seeking an easy and laidback stroll while still enjoying the beauty of a gorgeous mountain lake.

Rough Ridge Trail This list’s Goldilocks hike, Rough Ridge Trail, is a local favorite and one of the Blue Ridge Parkway’s most popular overlooks. This moderate difficulty hike is about 1.2 miles long and is found just off the Blue Ridge Parkway outside of Boone. Parking is available at milepost 302.8 on the

parkway. The trail is short and sweet, featuring fascinating jagged rocks as you ascend to the 4,773 feet summit with breathtaking, picture- perfect views. The Rough Ridge trail is a small part of the longer 13.5 mile Tanawha Trail that takes you through a dense and shady forest before

climbing through rocky terrain to a dramatic opening with stunning views.

There are plenty of large boulders to sit and rest at that are perfect if you want to pack a picnic to enjoy while taking in the view.

Cascade Falls This list wouldn't be complete

A man casts his line out into Bass Lake. July 21, 2023. Photo by Evan Bates.

without a waterfall hike, and the Blue Ridge Mountains Travel Guide says Cascades Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in the region.

This easy 1-mile loop hike guides you through a rich and luscious forest full of unique native plants and trees. The trail is sprinkled with informational plaques with details on the many different plant species. After wandering through the forest, the path leads you to two overlooks with captivating views of the roaring 35foot waterfall as it jets out from over the cliff above. Parking for this hike is best at The Cascades Overlook at Milepost 271.9, located about five miles east of Boone.

The trail begins on a paved path right next to the restrooms and picnic area. There are many signs cautioning to remain on the trail so it’s best to refrain from climbing the stone walls or

August 16, 2023 waterfall, as these areas can become slippery and dangerous.

Grandfather Trail Hands down the most intense yet rewarding hike on this list, Grandfather Trail, is not for the faint of heart. With extreme elevation reaching almost 6,000 feet and technically challenging elements, this bad boy of a trail should only be attempted by seasoned and experienced hikers. Located on Grandfather Mountain, the trail is about 4.8 miles roundtrip and takes over five hours to complete. You can access the trail from the Grandfather Mountain Top Shop parking lot or the Black Rock Parking Area. The trail takes you along the three peaks, MacRae, Attic Window and Calloway, that require hikers to hang onto cables and climb ladders in order to progress to the peaks. Remember to exercise caution, pack plenty of granola bars and throw any fear of heights right out the window before tackling this beast.

Despite the challenge, know that you

ARTS & CULTURE can count on experiencing some of the most spectacular and awe-inspiring views in the East.

In order to maximize your joy as you galavant through nature, try to plan ahead to be prepared for nature’s challenges. Here are some important hiking tips to remember as you explore the great outdoors.

Wear the right shoes The right kicks can make or break your hiking experience, so it’s important to consider traction, support and protection when choosing your footwear.

Pack plenty of food and water Food is fuel and you are going to need to replenish your energy as you explore. Bring lots of food and water to keep you hydrated and healthy on your journey.

Leave no trace Help preserve and protect the environment by staying on designated trails, respecting wildlife and properly

disposing of any waste. Keep Boone happy and healthy by leaving no trace while you experience the region’s magic.

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beautiful mountain trails Appalachia has to offer. Have fun, be safe and make some memories while exploring these trails.

Expect the unexpected Make sure to check the weather leading up to your adventure;, Boone’s sky can change in minutes and it is important to have the proper gear in case of any surprise showers. A raincoat, extra socks and moisturewicking gear can go a long way.

Consider bringing a basic first aid kit in case of any unfortunate scratches or scrapes.

Stop and smell the roses Slow down, take in the scenery and soak in the moment. It’s important to pace yourself while hiking and if you can’t maintain a conversation you might need to slow your roll.

Nature yields perspective, freedom and innumerable awe-inspiring moments. Unplug for a day, grab some friends and get ready for a thrilling adventure through some of the many

Patrons relax along the park benches as they look out upon the Bass Lake. July 21, 2023. Photo by Evan Bates.

Graphic by Kaitlyn Close

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August 16, 2023

ARTS & CULTURE

fall AUGUST

23 At a glance: Fall events in the High Graphic by Kaitlyn Close

16 Boonearoo II 21 First day of class 25 Gatsby Gala 26 High Country Beer Fest

Ella McIntosh | Reporter

SEPTEMBER 01 Napoleon Dynamite LIVE 02 Gardner Webb at App State Football 04 University closed for Labor Day - no classes 05 - 09

Antlers & Acorns Songwriters Festival

10

Boone Vintage Market

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ECU at App State Football

OCTOBER 07- 08

Oktoberfest at Sugar Mountain

16 - 17

Fall Break, no classes

21 - 22

Woolly Worm Festival

Country

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Southern Miss at App State homecoming football game

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Boone BOO

NOVEMBER 04 Marshall at App State Football 22 - 24 University closed, no classes

DECEMBER 01 Festive First Friday and Solar Tree Lighting 05 Last day of classes for the fall semester 07 - 13 Final exam period 15 Fall commencement ceremony

With the summer coming to its inevitable end, it’s easy to feel bummed out about starting classes again. However, with the start of each new semester comes new beginnings and endless possibilities.

The autumn months in Boone bring plenty of seasonal festivities, so join The Appalachian in adding the events on this fun-filled fall itinerary to your calendar.

Wednesday, August 16: Boonearoo II Join The Appalachian Popular Programming Society on Sanford Mall for an evening of yard games, live music and refreshments from Kona Ice. The second Boonearoo music festival of the summer features local

bands Deep Pocket and Daytona and will go from 7-10 p.m. This concert is free to attend, so bring a picnic blanket and all of your friends.

Friday, August 25: Gatsby Gala Having provided the citizens of Boone with quality entertainment since its grand opening in 1938, The Appalachian Theatre of the High Country will celebrate its 85th birthday with a Great Gatsby-themed gala and fundraiser. The event will last from 6:30-10 p.m. Tickets are $85, with all-inclusive food, wine, local brews and a sampling of signature cocktails. Twenties themed or semiformal attire is encouraged. Tickets for this event can be purchased on the theater’s website.

Saturday, August 26:

High Country Beer Fest The 16th annual High Country Beer Fest will take place at 748 Roby Greene Road from 2-7 p.m. This outdoor celebration of craft beer, ciders and other brews from across the High Country will feature live music from Will Willis and Friends, Pressley Laton and Educated Guess.

Come and enjoy 2 ounce samples from 42 different breweries, food and free seminars about fermented foods from around the world. Shuttles will be available to transport festival goers from App State’s campus to the High Country Fairgrounds. Overnight parking will also be available at the

Read more Online:

6 stupendous summer cinema selections Pruett Norris | Multimedia Editor It may be ironic that one of summer vacation’s defining experiences is settling into a dark, air-conditioned room far from sunshine and the great outdoors. However, every successful summer break needs its stupendous summer blockbusters. From spy sequels to Spider-Men, Barbies to bombs and lost loves to found families, here are six flicks you might have missed in cinemas this summer.

6. “Asteroid City” Wes Anderson returns to his impeccably designed dollhouses with “Asteroid City,” his most personable movie in years. “City” centers around craters and creators, joining together two storylines in a blend of blackand-white and color photography.

In the color sequences, Anderson employs a star-studded ensemble, including Scarlett Johansson, Jason

Schwartzman and Tom Hanks, to tell a tale from beyond the stars. An alien has landed at the 1955 Junior Stargazer Convention, and the small town of Asteroid City must decide how to respond.

The color plot in “Asteroid City” heavily features Anderson’s trademark blend of wistfulness and whimsicality.

The story strikes a delicate balance between the earnestness of its young cast, the Junior Stargazers, and the jaded emotions of their older

parents. Johansson and Schwartzman particularly excel as a famous actress and a widowed photographer who connect through melancholic conversations out of their hotel windows. Meanwhile, their children find themselves falling in love over their mutual interest in outer space and feeling out of place. Anderson explores two kinds of falling in love with “Asteroid City,” and that part of the film falls into a similar niche as his “The Royal Tenenbaums” and

“Moonrise Kingdom.”

In the black-and-white segments of the film, however, Anderson pulls back the curtain. It’s revealed that the color “Asteroid City” is a television adaptation of a fictional play, and the film’s black-and-white segments follow the creative process of the artists behind the production.

If the technicolor “Asteroid City” is Anderson returning to themes tackled in previous films, the black-and-white segments are explaining why. The whole thing is laboriously layered and a little self-conscious, yet Anderson makes the meta magical.

5. “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” This movie’s mission, should you choose to accept it, is to thrill

Read more Online: Graphic by Rian Hughes

August 16, 2023

ARTS & CULTURE

Surviving Boone: Everything you need to know Briley Turpin | Arts & Culture Editor Each year, as summer comes to a close, Boone is flooded with people as students flock to the High Country, signifying the start of another semester at App State. Our little mountain town comes back to life as both new and returning students make their way to campus to settle into their homes in Boone. For some students, this is their first semester in Boone, which can be scary and intimidating.

Moving to a new town isn’t easy for everyone, and it never hurts to have some tips and tricks up your sleeve to make the transition a little smoother.

So, without further ado, here is your Boone survival guide, full of everything you need to know while living in Boone.

The weather is never predictable.

Boone weather is all over the place.

The sky can go from bright blue to dark and gloomy in a matter of minutes. Being prepared for all types of weather is essential when getting around town. A durable rain jacket is a must have while living in Boone.

Unfortunately, sometimes just a rain jacket isn’t enough.

On particularly rainy days, campus looks like a scene from “Mary Poppins,” with umbrellas as far as the eye can see. In the fall, it’s not uncommon for the temperature to change quickly. On days like this, layering is your best friend. Wearing clothes that are suitable for both 40 and 60 degrees can save you from discomfort as you make your way from class to class.

Don’t expect class to be canceled when it snows.

On the topic of weather, Boone is no stranger to winter weather. The area is home to three ski resorts, and the winters are known to be harsh.

That being said, snow is common throughout the winter months. For many people raised in the south, a light dusting of snow usually guarantees the day off from school.

View of the Blue Ridge Mountains from Rough Ridge. July 21, 2023. Photo by Briley Tupin.

In Boone, that simply isn’t the case.

The university closes in cases of severe inclement weather, as stated on the website, but it isn’t uncommon for students to head to class with snow on the ground.

It’s normal to see people walking around barefoot…even in the winter.

Everyone knows the old saying “no shirt, no shoes, no service.” In Boone, it seems the shoes have been left out of the equation. It is incredibly common to stumble upon people walking around without their shoes. This is a controversial topic in Boone. Some people are in full support, and others not so much. Be prepared to have class with someone who isn’t wearing shoes at least once during your time at App State.

People want to be outside. Can you blame them?

The High Country is a beautiful place to live and is chock-full of plenty of outdoor activities. People want to spend their time in the great outdoors, so be prepared to become one with

nature. In the warmer months, hiking and camping are extremely popular pastimes. Students flock to Sanford Mall to lay in the sun or throw a football. Some students set up their slacklines, an activity that involves wrapping ratchet straps around two trees to create a tightrope. In the winter, many students spend their free time skiing and snowboarding. Nature is one of the things that brings the people of Boone together regardless of any differences they may have.

Uber isn’t really a thing in Boone.

In a college town, it’s important to know how to safely get around after a night of drinking. For most of the U.S., Uber and Lyft are reliable, safe options for transportation. While there are some rideshare drivers available in Boone, the most reliable option is called “beeping.” Instead of calling an Uber, students will get a “beep.”

Beeping is essentially the same as riding in an Uber or Lyft, but rather than just anybody driving, beeps are typically App State students who are trying to make some money and are often cheaper than a rideshare app.

Lists of people actively beeping each night can be found in the Boone Student Beeper Facebook group.

Beeping is not without risk, so always make sure you feel comfortable with

both drivers and passengers before beeping anywhere.

Live music is prolific in Boone.

The live music scene in Boone is a booming community. Not only is Boone home to a plethora of local bands, some composed of App State students, but the town also brings in several big-name artists each year.

Most bars and restaurants in town have live music at least once each week. It’s not difficult to find a show most nights of the week, and new bands pop up all the time.

Roess Dining Hall is always referred to as Central.

Roess Dining Hall is the main dining hall on campus. Located in the center of campus, the dining hall is a popular place to grab a bite during a busy day. Despite the name on the front of the building, the dining hall is known to students as Central, the original name of the building. In 2014, the dining hall was renamed after Alice Roess, a former member of the App State board of trustees.

Despite the name change, students never caught on, and the building has held on to its original name in casual conversation. So, if anyone asks if you want to grab some food at Central, they’re referring to Roess Dining Hall.

Read more Online:

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August 16, 2023

SPORTS

Student section at Kidd Brewer Stadium getting ready for the Mountaineers to square off against UNC Sept. 3, 2022. Photo by Hiatt Ellis.

Football in the high country: how to come out on top

Asher Davidson | Reporter

Good morning Mountaineers. The sun is shining over the Blue Ridge Mountains, your alarm has just gone off and it is 7 a.m. It’s time to start tailgating, which is the best way to start off the first App State game day of the season.

The game day experience is sacred. It is imperative you know what to expect and how to navigate the tailgating experience. This ensures you come out as game day royalty.

The rules of game day are timeless and known by many, but it is always good to have a refresher.

Rule 1: Never not pre-game Honestly, sometimes it can be overwhelming getting together with friends who seem to know everything about touchdowns, passing yards and they always know where the line of scrimmage is even after the line on the TV has gone away. Even if one cannot contribute to the statistics talk, there is another way to win the love of the watching party: refreshments.

No game day is complete without

hot dogs, hamburgers, Doritos and ice-cold, condensation-dripping-offthe-can, refreshing drinks, whatever that may be for you. Actually, the game day experience should start the night before. Head to Phil’s Gastown to pick up enough refreshing beverages to quench an army of vikings’ thirst, and then head to places like Lowes Foods or Walmart to pick up greasy hamburgers and hot dogs. Now one is ready for the next day.

When one wakes up in the morning of a game day, expect the parking lots around campus to be filled with tents, pickup trucks, grills and the heavenly smell of food wafting through the air. This is where the preparations come in handy. Join friends, throw those hot dogs and burgers on the grill for everyone, turn on some music for the crowd, pop open your ice-cold one and sit back and enjoy the game day banter.

The pre-game usually lasts for a few hours in the morning and is a great place to make friends while

playing corn hole or just shooting the breeze talking about team statistics. As hour three or four rolls around, everyone starts to move, like a migration scene from “Ice Age,” towards Kidd Brewer Stadium so they can do battle with the visiting team and their fans.

Rule 2: Always leave with no voice Football stadiums today are basically replicas of the Colosseum; a place we gather to watch as our heroes battle fiercely for the pride of their nation, or in this case, their university.

We as fans have a crucial role to play in this fight: keep it hype.

The best way to keep our players going as hard as they can is to make sure you can participate in all the cheers and battle songs that get yelled out throughout the game. There are a couple you need to know and the App State Athletics website has the lyrics for you.

The student section tends to be where most of the action is on game

days. That is where you will find all are not required, but they are highly the die hard fans that stand and shout recommended. all game long with hopes of making it onto the jumbotron or, even better, onto TV. If you are brave enough, or really want to throw yourself into the deep end on the first game day, then head to the student section, but know there are some requirements.

The biggest one Fans will line up outside Kidd Brewer Stadium with plenty of is decor. Students love to dress up for time before kickoff to get the best seats possible. Photo by: Leo Rodriguez. this section and that normally means facepaint and their Another requirement is you have favorite App State apparel. Lately, to know the most used cheer, which is App State overalls are a fan favorite on just the two words “App” and “State.” game days. One can find and purchase Normally, when the crowd cheers this them around Boone since just about they split down the middle into two every apparel store sells them. They sections and from there, one half starts

August 16, 2023 the cheer by yelling “App” and the other side finishes the cheer by yelling “State.” It always gets the crowd hyped for the game.

In truth, it doesn’t really matter where you sit in Kidd Brewer Stadium, but rather how loud you are. After the game is over as one leaves the stadium, one shouldn’t have a voice left.

Rule 3: Make Boone a Celebration Station The post-game celebration is very important. This is a time where the fans get to gloat over their team's accomplishments. A time where students get to solidify their new friendships with others and make plans to do it all again next Saturday.

A good celebration can range from going out for some pizza, hanging out at home or heading out to some of Boone’s best bars and breweries.

For pizza, there are really no better places than Lost Province Brewing Co. and Mellow Mushroom. Both restaurants have an amazing selection

SPORTS of pizza and some really great vibes for a post game dinner with family and friends.

For more of a game day bar experience, one of the best places to head is Ale House. They have plenty of wings, burgers, fries and fun drinks to celebrate the win. Outside, they host a cornhole set up and inside they have live music some nights.

If one is still full from all the tailgating and just wants a couple of good cold IPAs, then the two places in town for that are Booneshine and Appalachian Mountain Brewery, better known as AMB. Booneshine provides some in-house food and a selection of craft beer. Plus, they have a beer garden with games for kids and live music. AMB hosts a beer garden and a food truck. If one just wants to turn up, or get jiggy with it, then some of the best places are Boone Saloon, Lily’s Snack Bar or TApp Room. The top of Boone Saloon is a more typical dive bar with live music. Some nights,

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there are ski ball and pool tables, along with a jukebox for all the DJs who want to set the vibe, on the floor below. At Lily’s, there are a lot of cool themed drinks that taste as delicious as they all sound. TApp Room is a place to discover some new emerging local bands and have a couple themed drinks while you watch the cars drive by on the front porch.

Sometimes, navigating game day activities and celebrations can be overwhelming. But, if one keeps these rules in mind, a great game day is almost guaranteed.

Students jumped into the duck pond on Stadium Drive after App State downed No. 6 Texas A&M Sept. 10, 2023. Photo by Hiatt Ellis.

Proud Supporter of App State Athletics

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August 16, 2023

SPORTS

Running back Nate Noel stiff-arms a defender against UNC. Sept. 3, 2022. Photo by Hiatt Ellis.

A new mountain to climb: App state football’s season preview Chance Chamberlain | Reporter Sept. 9 at North Carolina The first game of a three-game series began in 2019, as the Mountaineers blocked a field goal to upset the Tar Heels in Kenan Stadium 34-31.

The series remained on hiatus until 2022, when App State hosted North Carolina to kick off the season in a high-scoring 63-61 affair. A record breaking crowd of 40,168 watched as both teams combined for 1,216 total offensive yards.

Once again, Heisman hopeful and top NFL Draft prospect Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye will be on the opposing side. Maye dissected the Mountaineers defense for 352 passing yards and five total touchdowns. With North Carolina looking to capitalize on their last potential season with

Maye, the Mountaineers will need to slow down the Tar Heels explosive offense, which saw Maye throw for 38 touchdowns in 2022.

App State sold-out their away ticket allotment as the Sept. 9 matchup will determine the three-game series winner.

Sept. 16 vs. East Carolina The 91-year rivalry continues as East Carolina travels to a sold-out Kidd Brewer Stadium for the first time since 1979. Two years ago, the Mountaineers and Pirates kicked off the 2021 season at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. App State won the neutral site game 33-19, extending the Mountaineers record to 20-12 against the Pirates.

Unlike the 2021 matchup, both

teams will have a new starting quarterback. Mountaineer quarterback Chase Brice and ECU quarterback Holton Ahlers both graduated in 2022. This will leave a prime opportunity for both teams to start the season off on the right foot, as both teams will have Power Five matchups before Sept. 16.

The east-west rivalry will be an early non-conference test for the Mountaineers, as the Pirates held an 8-5 record in 2022. App State will also be removed from a trip to Chapel Hill the following week.

Oct. 10 vs. Coastal Carolina Highlighting Sun Belt Conference play is a Tuesday night home matchup against Coastal Carolina on ESPN2.

The last time the Chanticleers traveled to Kidd Brewer in 2021, it resulted

in a 30-27 upset over No. 14 Coastal Carolina as former App State kicker Chandler Stanton nailed a last-second field goal. Mountaineer fans stormed the field as it was App State’s first upset against a ranked opponent since No. 5 Michigan in 2007.

In each of the last two seasons, the winner of this matchup has played in the Sun Belt Championship. In 2022, the Mountaineers came up short in Conway, South Carolina, losing 35-28.

App State holds a record of 4-2 and remains 3-0 at home against the Chanticleers. In hopes of maintaining perfection at home and with a potential Sun Belt Championship bid on the line, the stakes loom large for the Mountaineers in their mid-week matchup.

August 16, 2023

SPORTS

Key Players to look out for this season

19

Kurt Zottl | Reporter

Ryan Burger Burger, a redshirt freshman from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is a favorite to take over the quarterback reins for this upcoming season. If so, Burger would be taking over after Chase Brice, who started the last two seasons for the Mountaineers in 2021 and 2022.

Burger appeared in just one game last season against Robert Morris.

Against the Colonials, he completed four of his six passes for 40 yards.

Burger also had some action in the running game, rushing twice for 23 yards.

“I thought Ryan Burger came in and moved the ball,” said head coach Shawn Clark after their 42-3 victory over Robert Morris last season. “You can see he’s a different player than Chase, he can really beat you with his face when he has to.”

Burger was a three-star prospect coming out of Myrtle Beach High School, and verbally committed to the Mountaineers April 2, 2021.

Isaiah Helms Helms, a fifth-year offensive lineman, is from West Caldwell High School in Lenoir, just 31 miles from Kidd Brewer Stadium. After high school, Helms was a two-year starter at Western Carolina before transferring to App State in 2021. Now, in his third season with the Mountaineers, he enters the season on the Preseason All-Sun Belt First-Team, joining teammate redshirt junior cornerback Milan Tucker on the first-team.

Helms played in 25 games for the Mountaineers and started in all of his appearances so far, just missing one game in his App State career in 2021.

In an offensive line that lost Anderson

Hardy, Troy Everett and Cooper Hodges, Isaiah Helms looks to add a veteran presence to an offensive line that will do some reshuffling this season. Last season Helms played a majority of the season at right guard, but might see time at center.

Nick Ross Ross, a fifth-year senior safety from Marietta, Georgia, is a key-returner on the defensive side of the ball for the Mountaineers.

Ross made his presence known for App State and opponents over the years, even since his true freshmen season in 2019. During that season, he had a 20-yard pick-six interception touchdown against South Carolina, a game the Mountaineers won 20-15.

Throughout his career, Ross has appeared in 52 games for the Mountaineers and started 15 of them.

During that time, Ross totaled 151 tackles and two interceptions.

Ross had plenty of quality moments last season he looks to build on for the 2023 campaign. In App State’s 2022 matchup against Troy, Ross posted a career-high in tackles with 12, along with grabbing Sun-Belt defensive player of the week honors.

Ross also had 11 tackles against Old Dominion and an interception against Robert Morris.

Graphic by Rian Hughes

Top football headlines to think about Chance Chamberlain | Reporter Is Head Coach Shawn Clark on the hot seat?

After an up-and-down 2022 season, the Mountaineers finished with a 6-6 record and were bowl ineligible for the first time since joining the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2015. Clark stated the harsh reality in his last post-game press conference.

“We have to do a total assessment of our program and see who we really are,” Clark said.

Clark enters the 2023 season with an overall 26-13 record since replacing 2019 head coach Eli Drinkwitz. App State has yet to win a Sun Belt Championship during Clark’s tenure, but has won two bowl games.

After the 2021 season, Clark’s contract was extended for two years until after the 2026 season. At the time, he had a 20-6 overall record and his .769 winner percentage was sixth among

active FBS head coaches.

The 1998 App State alum will enter uncharted territories in 2023 with a young defense and an unproven quarterback. If the Mountaineers were to have back-to-back seasons without a winning record, questions would arise about a potential change for the future.

New faces from many places The 2023 Mountaineers will feature a retooled group of players as 28 seniors graduated in 2022, and 14 former Mountaineers are in the transfer portal. The most significant transfer was outside linebacker Jalen McLeod, as he transferred to Auburn. McLeod was expected to fill the role of the recently drafted outside linebacker Nick Hampton.

While the Mountaineers lost many key players, they’ve made up for it in

the transfer portal with 15 incoming transfers and 19 enrolled recruits. Included in the transfers are eight players coming from Power Five programs.

Four star receiver Grant Tucker, the highest recruit in program history, highlights the recruiting class.

“We're very excited about the future of App State football,” Clark said on signing day. “Today's signing class will help us compete for conference championships and bowl championships over the next four to five years.

These are all outstanding young men who come from great families. They'll represent our program both on and off the field.”

Football head coach Shawn Clark yelling during packed home game. Photo by Aldo Sarabia.

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August 16, 2023

SPORTS

10 historic moments in app state sports history Sarah Kruger | Associate Sports Editor

1962

1

Conrad to Kidd Brewer Stadium

2

1984 Baseball: Southern Conference Tournament win

4

6

2007 App State football victory against Michigan

2015

1989-2012 Moore than a football coach Jerry Moore hired as head football coach

1961

3

5

Division change App State joins the SBC

Men's club soccer returns

2016-17

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Women's soccer season

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2020 App State Athletics Program Changes

2020 App FC Founding

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2022 App State beats Texas A&M

Kaitlyn Close

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4. The 2007 victory against Something that makes App State Michigan quintessentially App State is its affinity If you ask for sports of all kinds; the university any App State has 17 varsity sports teams, and even football fan about more club and intramural sports.

Michigan, they Whether or not you’re an can tell you where incoming freshman or a seasoned they were and Mountaineer, sports can be integral what they were to your time on this campus. To catch doing on that day newcomers up on what will now Sept. 1, 2007. become their history, here are some of This was a match App State’s biggest sporting moments played between to date. the Mountaineers and the Michigan 1. Conrad to Kidd Brewer Wolverines in Stadiums over the years Ann Arbor, Although sports history at App Michigan.

State began at about the same time Michigan was Hall of Fame coach Jerry Moore poses next to his statue as the university did, the first major ranked No. 5 in outside Kidd Brewer Stadium. App State hired Moore in sporting event, after the establishment 1989 and led the Mountaineers to a record of 215-87 as the the Football Bowl of organized football in 1928, was head coach. Photo by Max Correa.

Subdivision going the building of the iconic Kidd into the match, title win in program history, but it Brewer Stadium. Before the stadium and App State was ranked No. 1 in the secured an automatic bid for the was known as Kidd Brewer or The Mountaineer’s to join the 1984 NCAA Football Championship Subdivison Rock, the stadium opened as Conrad going into the game. With 1:37 Division I baseball tournament.

Stadium on Sept. 15, 1962. seconds left in the match, App State While Mountaineer baseball has Conrad Stadium, named for drove the ball 69 yards and scored a had some formidable seasons since former university trustee William J. field goal resulting in a score of 34-32 then, the success of the ‘84 season, Conrad initially had 10,000 seats. to App State. evidenced by the title win, is one of As the university has grown and Michigan was unable to score after the programs most memorable. changed, the stadium has undergone regaining possession in the remaining numerous renovations which have six seconds of the match and the 3. Moore than a football coach taken its capacity to 30,000 seats and Mountaineers won 34-32, ending has changed its name to Kidd Brewer - Jerry Moore hired as football Michigan’s hope of winning a national head coach Stadium in honor of former App championship.

Coach Jerry Moore is one of State football coach Kidd Brewer.

It is still widely regarded as one of the most iconic figures in App State The creation of this stadium, the biggest upsets in college football football history. Moore was first hired through all its changes, signals history. in 1989 as head coach, a position he the beginning of the formidable served in until 2012, the longest a legacy of Mountaineer athletics football head coach has served in App 5. Division change - App State and the importance of sport in this joins the SBC State football history. Under Moore, community.

From 1928-30 App State football App State saw distinguished players was designated as “independent,” 2. Baseball: Southern Conference such as Armanti Edwards and Taylor meaning they didn’t belong to any Lamb.

Tournament win 1984 conference. Eventually in 1931, they Moore’s leadership allowed Another major moment in joined the North State Conference in Mountaineer football to have some App State sporting history is the Division II of the NCAA and stayed of their most groundbreaking men’s baseball team winning the there until 1961. performances, including, but not Southern Conference Tournament In 1961, they joined the Carolina’s limited to their 2002 and 2007 in 1984. This was the league's first Conference where they stayed until victories as well as winning three championship that was held since 1967. From 1986-1971, they became straight national titles in 2005, 2006 the Atlantic Coast Conference was independent once more until 1972 and 2007. It is because of Moore’s formed in 1953. success and his elevation of the college when they joined the Southern App State baseball was the No. Conference, graduating them to football game to new heights that he 1 seed in the double elimination Division I athletic competitions. was inducted into the College Football tournament. They won in the finals They stayed in the Southern Hall of Fame and the Southern 6-1 against the Citadel, winning both Conference, and the FCS, until Conference Hall of Fame in 2014. the Southern Conference regular 2013-14 when App State announced The legacy of App State football season and the Southern Conference they were invited to join the Sun Belt is undeniably tied to the legacy and tournament.

Conference, the league they still play impact of coach Moore.

This win was not only the lone in to this day.

August 16, 2023 It was the move to the SBC that graduated App State football from a Division I FCS school to a Division I FBS school; this increased the rigor of opponents and notability of App State football.

6. Men’s club soccer returns in 2015 At App State there are three levels of athletics that one can become involved in: intramural, club and varsity . While App State had a varsity men’s soccer team that joined the Sun Belt Conference in 2014 when the conference reinstated it, they also reestablished their men’s club soccer team in 2015.

The club was reinstated in 2015 when then senior Ryan Bateman and former team member Bradley Harrington reinstated the club with the help of App State biology professor Shea Tuberty.

season, App State women’s soccer had all of their upperclassmen players out with ACL tear injuries.

At the start of 2016 season, for the first time in four years, women’s soccer saw the light at the end of the tunnel. Not only were all of their key upperclassmen players back on the field for a full season for the first time in years, only one player was currently recovering from an ACL injury.

While the season ended with a 10-8-2 overall record and the team placing fourth in the Sun Belt Conference tournament, what this season showed was promise. Not only promise, but a building of momentum that continues in the current App State women’s soccer side.

While the 2016 season didn’t result in decisive victory, it laid the foundation upon which the current women’s soccer team still vies for success.

8. App State 2020 Athletics Program Changes While 2020 was a memorable year characterized by a global pandemic, there was no area of university operations that the pandemic didn’t The 2016-17 women’s soccer team had a bounce back year after dealing with consecutive seasons of an injury plagued touch.

While App roster. Photo by Olivia Lepard.

State students were Bateman went to inquire about packing up their dorms and heading the reason for the club’s suspension. home, getting a longer spring break Tuberty told him the club was than they bargained for, little did three suspended when previous officers varsity sports teams know that it would of the club were not attending the be the last time they would lace up mandatory twice-a-month meetings, their cleats and step onto those courts. an infraction of the requirements laid App State used to have 20 varsity out in the club sports manual. sports teams it supported. In the Additionally, Tuberty also told wake of the financial stress of the Bateman about an incident when COVID-19 pandemic, three of those a first aid kit had been returned to sports teams were cut: men’s soccer, the school after an away game with men’s tennis and men’s indoor track tequila bottle caps in it. & field.

With those two events, men’s club To this day only 17 varsity sports soccer at App State was suspended. teams remain at App State and Since the club's reinstatement in 2015, while there has been some call for it continues to be an integral part of reinstatement, due to lack of funding, App State club sports, even winning the likelihood of this dwindles by the the 2021 Division Championship title. day.

The ceasing of these three sports 7. Women’s soccer 2016-17 season marked a major change in program One of the most devastating history, and App State athletics still injuries any sports player can sustain bears the scars of these changes. is an ACL tear. Over the four years leading up to the start of the 2016 9. App FC Founding - 2020

While three sports were cut in 2020 as a result of financial stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, only one of those sports found a way to persist in the Boone community. When the team was cut from the program in 2020, former App State men’s soccer coach Jason O’Keefe, along with soccer executive Michael Hitchcock, joined up with a number of local business owners to create Boone’s very own men’s soccer team: App FC. App FC currently plays in the National Premier Soccer League, the fourth tier of the US soccer league system, and is in the midst of their third season.

They play at the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex and are coached

by Dale Parker. The conception and origin of App FC marks one of the biggest moments in App State sports history as its conception was born out of the end of a program change that changed App State athletics and the Boone sporting community.

years to come is most assuredly the mayhem that resulted from it.

Sports are a significant part of the culture at App State. As a student, be sure to cherish the sporting memories that will define your university career.

SPORTS

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10. App State beats Texas A&M On Sept. 10, 2022 the App State secured their second AP top 10 win after defeating No.6 Texas A&M in Kyle Field, where senior captain Cam Peoples pushes defenders away while runMountaineer’s faced the Texas A&M ning with the ball. Sept. 10, 2022. (Courtesy of Andy McLean, App State Athletics) Aggies, ranked sixth in the week’s Associated Press poll. In an improbable feat, App State beat the Aggies 17-14.

The win came Discover more with as a result of a pet-friendly student apartments in 63-yard drive Boone NC, a followed by a 29community that yard field goal. makes your next App State home away from students home a premium celebrated by experience flooding down King Street and jumping in the duck pond. After videos of the pandamonium were posted online, ESPN’s College GameDay chose to visit Boone for the first time.

While the win itself is notable, often being compared to the 2007 Michigan 828.795.3150 win, what will THEFINMORE@PEAKMADE.COM be remembered by the App State community for

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OPINION

Leah’s Lens: The double-edged sword of freshman roommates

August 16, 2023

Leah Boone | Associate Opinion Editor For some incoming college freshmen, having a roommate is nothing out of the ordinary, whether that be because of siblings, summer camp or another reason. But for many others, sharing a room with someone is something completely brand new. Especially with many roommates being randomly selected or someone that one has barely talked to, it could result in disaster. Going to college brings enough hardships, and a roommate should not be one of them. But fear not; there are multiple solutions to preventing or dealing with a difficult living situation.

1. Set clear boundaries right off the bat Advocating for one’s needs is one of the most important lessons in life, and moving in with a stranger is a great place to start learning. One of the largest issues is the potential of a very clean person living with a very messy roommate.

A dorm room is supposed to be a college student’s safe place and somewhere that feels like home. If the sides of the room completely oppose one another in terms of cleanliness, it can be very hard to feel comfortable in the dorm. Setting some sort of cleaning schedule can be a helpful way to keep the dorm clean, as well as delegating certain tasks to each roommate to remain organized. Some things may need to be done daily, such as cleaning dishes, while other chores

can be more spaced out, such as taking out the trash or vacuuming. Creating a schedule can easily help maintain cleanliness. While it can be tolerated to a certain extent, there are lines that simply should not be crossed, and this should be expressed and respected right off the bat. Whether it be compromising on a time to turn lights out, rules on what can and cannot be shared between roommates or a consensus on cleanliness, voicing one’s needs and preferences is extremely important to maintain a healthy dynamic. This can be done either before the semester starts if in-person conversations are nerve wracking, or can be set on the back burner and not discussed unless an issue arises.

If it comes to the point where one’s needs are not being listened to, there is a resident assistant, or RA, on every floor that is equipped to handle issues between roommates. At the end of the day, all college students are adults, and

there should be no questions about the respect of boundaries.

2. Honor the roommate contract At the beginning of the semester, the RA sends each set of roommates a roommate agreement, which covers all the bases of preferences, personal rules and more. This agreement can be very beneficial, as well as more likely to be respected since it can be brought up to staff if the agreement is broken. While setting boundaries on one’s own can be very helpful, the roommate agreement can be a sort of contingency plan in case things turn haywire.

3. Remember that a roommate does not have to be a best friend If college freshmen went into their first semester with the notion that they would all be best friends with their roommates, things would go wrong very quickly. Yes, there is a possibility

that some sets of roommates will absolutely adore one another and form a lifelong friendship, however, this is not the status quo. It is perfectly OK to need some space from a roommate; it is also normal to absolutely detest a roommate at some point during the year. It is also common for roommates to be in completely different majors, so making friends that one has more in common with or does not see as often is a good idea. It is necessary for roommates to be able to live comfortably together and tolerate each other’s presence, but beyond this, furthering the relationship is entirely up to the roommates.

4. Have a safe space outside of the dorm room While college students will spend a fair amount of time in their room, it is also very important to find places around campus to feel comfortable.

Whether it be a coffee shop, a secluded bench, a friend’s apartment or the library,

Graphic by Rian Hughes.

somewhere outside of the dorm to relax and feel safe is necessary. It is completely normal for someone to need alone time, and this can be difficult to come by with a roommate.

One way to provide alone time for each roommate is to compare class and extracurricular schedules in order to know when one can have the room. A simple text saying that alone time is needed can also be a way for roommates to respect each other’s space.

5. Worst case scenario, request a roommate change If things truly get to the point where roommates cannot tolerate one another, a roommate change is always available. This should be a last resort, as trying to talk things out with a roommate is the first step to patching things up. However, if things are not working out no matter how much compromising or communicating is done, requesting to switch rooms can be done.

August 16, 2023

A guide to dorm living El Shedrick | Reporter Being a freshman is hard enough without the added struggle of trying to figure out what to buy for a dorm room. This guide will walk residents through what items are essential to survival in the dorms, and which items

Graphic by Kaitlyn Close

are definitely not worth bringing, if residents haven’t already bought them.

To bring…

There are a few items that are absolutely essential for dorm living.

First up, shower shoes. Speaking firsthand, the showers in the dorms can be gross, especially if you have communal bathrooms. Nobody wants to get athlete’s foot. Investing in good shower shoes — especially those with holes in the bottom — is going to be very important in ensuring that nothing gross comes in contact with students’ bare feet.

Going along with shower shoes, the floors in the dorm buildings can also be gross, which is why slippers or slides are necessary. Students need to have something that they can easily slide on to go to the bathroom, walk to the vending machine or leave the building when the fire alarm will inevitably go off.

The next thing students should

bring is often overlooked, and that is a full-size trash can. Students are adults, not toddlers. A small trash can will not be enough to accommodate all the trash that accumulates in a college dorm room. Unless residents want to spend an unnecessary amount of time taking trash out, get a full size trash can to put in the room.

Next up is a laundry basket with straps or wheels. The laundry rooms in the dorms are on the first floor, and many dorms have as many as six or seven floors. Even though there is an elevator, it is extremely helpful to have wheels on a laundry basket or backpack straps to make carrying laundry down to the laundry room much easier.

Moving on to sleeping in the dorms, students need a mattress topper. The beds provided by the school are not comfortable at all. Some sort of topper to put over the mattress will make it less

Freshman Etiquette 101 Bella Lantz | Reporter

Freshman, please read this article.

This is the time everyone is anxious but excited about their independence.

Many times freshmen will learn life lessons on their own, taking what they learn and applying it as they go.

However, to the current incoming freshmen, here are some tips: #1 Know the classroom bathroom policy This seems like a silly tip, but it is something freshmen need to know.

Some students have the capability to go an entire class without using the bathroom and congratulations to those students, but most students will need to use the bathroom during class. Now, some professors do ask students to request to use the bathroom, but if the professor does not specify, freshmen should not ask. It is one of the easiest ways for a class to pick out who a freshman is. The professors can and will get annoyed relatively quickly with the constant requests to use the bathroom. Many times, the classroom is large enough that if every student was to ask to use the bathroom, the professor would never get to teach.

So, unless the professor specifies or the

freshmen want to annoy a professor, do not ask to use the bathroom, just go. #2 Get involved One of the fun things about college is making new friends and creating fun memories with friends. It is relatively difficult for a freshman to make new memories, when they have no friends.

A freshman getting involved in a club can fix this problem. Every year, App State hosts a club expo to show off the majority of the 250 plus clubs.

It can not be stressed enough: go to the Club Expo and join at least one club. With the amount of clubs, it can be overwhelming, but signing up for one club will make all of the difference. If a freshman is lost on where to start, The Appalachian, the student newspaper, is always looking for new people to join. It can be difficult to find something that can fit a person’s interests, but somehow, if a freshman looks hard enough, there is a possibility to find one. #3 Know the campus This might seem like an obvious one, and to the freshmen that know everything, this can be skipped over.

App State has a beautiful campus with

beautiful brick buildings, the issue is most of the buildings look the same.

In fact, it is incredibly easy to get lost on campus, so it is recommended to check where your classes are beforehand. With some sophomores still getting lost on where their classes are, freshmen should not be scared to ask for help. The first week freshmen are up on campus is not just so they can party, it is also so they can get used to their surroundings. Another thing to check with people is where to eat and where to hang out. Many of The Appalachian articles, especially our Best of Boone editions, are there to assist freshmen in finding the good spots around campus. Freshmen talking to the upperclassmen is also helpful, because then they find out other popular opinions, such as the dining hall and meal plan not being a fan favorite. This tip seems obvious, but many freshmen choose to skip over it.

Overall, the incoming freshmen can already be overwhelmed with inserting themselves into a new environment, not knowing everyone or anything. These tips are meant to help freshmen, not scare them. Again,

OPINION firm. A lot of time will be spent in bed, so it’s really important that this spot is somewhere residents can actually fall asleep. Being well-rested and ready to succeed in college requires comfort and sleep, so skipping out on a mattress topper is not a good idea.

A whiteboard may not seem like an essential item, but socially it definitely is. Making friends in the dorms will be much easier if there is a place for people to write their contact information or certain messages.

Having a whiteboard on the outside of the door is a great way to make friends with the people on the same floor, or communicate with roommates with different schedules.

A kitchen appliance that is great to have is a kettle. People tend to only think of a kettle as a tool for heating water for drinks, but it can be used for so much more. Students can use the hot water to make ramen, oatmeal, soup, instant mashed potatoes and so much more.

Lastly, and arguably the most

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important item, is a first aid kit.

College students are notorious for carrying around various illnesses. It is probable that residents will get sick many times during the first year in college, especially living in the dorms.

This is why having a first aid kit with things like cough medicine, cough drops, bandages, allergy medicine, etc. is going to be essential to making it through the year, especially if one is unable to make it off campus to purchase the medicine they need at that moment.

This definitely seems like a lot of items, but it is important to remember that a majority of these can be reused throughout college, not just this year. Investing in these items early on will make next year's move much less expensive. What can students do if they can’t afford these items?

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do not be afraid to ask questions in these upcoming weeks. It is important to note that freshmen are now Mountaineers. The App State student body stands up for one another and wants to see everyone succeed. No one is going to judge anyone for not having all of the answers. Every upperclassman at App State was freshmen once too, never forget that.

Rian Hughes

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