The Appalachian, November 2023 edition by The Appalachian

Wey Hall REnovation Petition Pg.4 Lumbee Students at App state Pg. 8 App state’s duck caretaker pg.10 Meet QB1 pg.14

November 15, 2023 Leah Matney

CONTACT

2 JENNA GUZMAN editor-in-chief editor@theappalachianonline.com

EDITORIAL ELLA ADAMS managing editor

JADE OGLE chief copy editor

VIVIAN PARKS associate copy editor

ETHAN SMITH sports editor

CHANCE CHAMBERLAIN associate sports editor

SIRI PATTERSON news editor

MADISON LIPE associate news editor

BRILEY TURPIN a&c editor

ABBY BUCKNER associate a&c editor

NADINE JALLAL opinion editor

LEAH BOONE associate opinion editor

MULTIMEDIA K. SLADE visual managing editor

KAITLYN CLOSE graphics editor

PRUETT NORRIS multimedia editor

RIAN HUGHES associate graphics editor

ASHTON WOODRUFF photo editor

EMILY SIMPSON associate photo editor

BUSINESS ETHAN BATCHELOR business manager business@theappalachianonline.com JULIA WOODRING director of marketing and public relations CHLOE JENKINS associate director of marketing and public relations ELLA WILSON director of audience engagement KAYLA MASTERMAN distribution manager 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 made 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. Contributions are welcomed via email to editor@theappalachianonline.com Opinions expressed are those of individual columnists, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the news organization overall. Unsigned editorials represent the collective opinion of The Appalachian editorial board. One copy of The Appalachian per person. Additional copies can be purchased from the newsroom for $1 each.

RELEASE DATE—Sunday, November 19, 2023

Los Angeles Times Sunday Crossword Puzzle Edited by Patti Varol and Joyce Nichols Lewis

“CHANGE THE SUBJECT” BY SUSAN GELFAND & KATIE HALE

126 Shorten, as a 92 Great flood skirt protagonist 127 Venezia’s land 94 Baseball deal 95 Western treaty 128 Skin soother 129 Sheltered from gp. the wind 97 Stuck in __ ACROSS 130 Thumbs-up 99 MMA calls 1 Word with corn 131 Former Seattle 101 Big-screen or matzo team, familiarly format 5 Fill-in at an office 132 Tide type 9 Truly hopeless 102 Tip from an 133 Colorado’s __ accounting 15 Org. with badges Verde National teacher about 18 Director Park calculating Preminger profits and 19 Thrown in DOWN losses? 21 “Clever you” 1 Chocolaty coffee 22 Each and every 109 Pie crust 2 Moral code ingredient 23 Tip from a 3 Booker Prizehistory teacher 110 “Anything __?” shortlisted novel 111 Prepare for a about how to made into a film comeback tour study WWII? starring Keira 112 Reproductive 26 __ card: Knightley cells smartphone 4 Booty 115 Google oneself, need 5 Grew molars, perhaps 27 Intimate say 117 Downright nasty 28 Went fast 6 Prefix with 118 Caged copycat 29 Radio City thermic Music Hall style 120 Successful 7 Any of the show letters 31 Unreturned Rockies: Abbr. 121 Tip from a math tennis serve 8 Magic word teacher about 32 Grover’s 9 Little bit working with predecessor 10 Droid squares and 35 __ the pot 11 Stick (out) cubes? 37 “On a ... ” poems 38 Tip from an English teacher about the editing process? 42 “__ there, done that” 44 Rapper Dr. __ 45 Dines 46 3-Down novelist McEwan 47 Desilu co-founder 49 Actress Ward 52 Observed Ramadan, say 55 Question of identity 58 Make a difference 60 Tip from a gym teacher about how to win at tug-of-war? 63 Get more out of 65 Nonprofit URL ender 66 Make money 67 Tiny organism 71 Atlanta pitcher Kirby 74 Sandal feature 76 Botanical balm 77 Hosp. areas 79 Charlie Parker’s instrument 81 Tip from an astronomy teacher about how to set up telescopes? 85 Some flower girl candidates 90 “Stay With Me” singer Smith 91 Invisible 11/19/23

12 Log-shaped pastry 13 Shirley Temple garnish 14 Acid __ 15 Question of evidence 16 Deli device 17 Just about 20 Colorado ski spot 24 Burlap bag 25 Arctic hazards 30 Qatar’s capital 33 Hearing things 34 Struggling to stay awake 35 Apostle of Ireland, for short 36 Throw at 39 Med school subj. 40 Islamic mystic 41 Fries or slaw 42 “Kapow!” 43 Notable period 48 Zip 50 Girl who cannot be trusted to hold the football for Charlie Brown 51 Pasta __ Norma 53 Pamplona bulls

93 Hindu spring 54 Omelet skillet festival 56 Supersized 96 Goes on to say sandwich 98 Number of 57 Normandy river Powerpuff Girls 59 Energized anew 100 Course for 61 Unleash upon college-bound 62 Number of HS students Grammy Awards won by 102 Plump 103 “Amen to that!” Dolly Parton 104 Contract adverb 64 Classic mint 105 “The Nightmare brand Before 67 Bleating sounds Christmas” 68 Pelvic bones composer 69 Dorm areas for Danny hanging out 106 Doesn’t use 70 NBA official scissors 72 Dynamism 107 Legendary Paul 73 H-Town pro 108 Close by 75 Parkway sign 113 Casts a ballot 78 Wool clippers 114 On a cruise 80 Resident of 116 “Exodus” Japan’s third novelist Leon largest city 117 Many execs 82 Unseat 119 Travel without a 83 Spooky destination 84 Comfy and cozy 122 Pharmaceutical 86 Prince in “The giant __ Lilly Little Mermaid” 87 Small part for a 123 MC’s need big name, often 124 World Cup cheer 88 Writer LeShan 89 Census datum 125 Cavaliers sch.

See answers on page 12 ANSWER TO TODAY’S PUZZLE

NEWS

App State partners with Cherokee Central Schools in Gadugi Partnership “Unlike other colleges, we’re the only UNC school that offers anything like this,” Allen Bryant said, regarding the Gadugi Partnership. “But we’d love to see others like it.” The Gadugi Partnership provides dual enrollment between Cherokee Central Schools and App State. Participating Cherokee Central High School students take collegelevel classes through App State with credit hours that can transfer to any university. The Gadugi Partnership was founded in 2013 by Bryant with the help of Cherokee Central High School’s principal Debora Foerst. In the four years of building and founding the partnership, Bryant said Foerst helped navigate the

school board and get approval from superintendents. “We’ve had tremendous support from the school,” Bryant said. “Chancellor Everts has supported every effort.” Bryant himself is an associate professor in the Department of Learning, Teaching and Curriculum. Gadugi, meaning together in Tsalagi, refers to Bryant’s goal in founding the partnership. When the partnership was founded, Bryant said he wanted to create a program that would both encourage and grow Native student admission rates in college. “Usually each semester I have about 10 students who take the courses,” Bryant said. “And sometimes, that can be more. I’ve had over 20.” Bryant said growth has been “slow, which can be frustrating.” He said multiple changeovers in staffing at Cherokee Central Schools caused delays in having the Gadugi

Partnership fully running. “When I think about my Native students, I’m happy to admit I’m impatient,” Bryant said. “I want things right for them. Now.” With his students in mind, Bryant said he is happy to be feeling hopeful, as he describes himself as “a pretty cynical guy.” While App State is currently the only college campus that is involved in the Gadugi Partnership, Bryant said he would love to see partnerships at other UNC campuses. “Western Carolina does offer a class at Cherokee High School,” Bryant said. “But it doesn’t look like the Gadugi Partnership.” Bryant also said one of his goals in founding the partnership is to prevent students from “getting lost in the shuffle.”

“There are some things that I know a lot about and I can pretty much reel off all the advice that’s relevant,” Rusch said. “There are other things that I don’t know much about so I might do some research and follow-up with the student with more information.” In addition to advice, Rusch can refer students to other resources outside of the school. This includes government offices, such as the planning and inspection department, and attorneys in Watauga County. Rusch created a referral directory of attorneys in Boone for students who may need more than legal advice and can provide a list of attorneys who can handle their case. When going over a student’s legal situation, Rusch will assist them in figuring out if a lawyer would be needed in that particular instance. “There are quite a few types of cases that come up often where students might not realize that they don’t

need a lawyer, that they can navigate that scenario without a lawyer,” Rusch said. She said some of those cases include most traffic tickets and many minor criminal charges. The legal adviser can also review lease agreements for off-campus housing and contracts for students. “I had a great experience with the Student Legal Clinic back in August. I went there with a friend regarding their really weird housing situation with a landlord,” said Emma Getz, a junior public health major. “Ms. Rusch was super helpful and extremely knowledgeable about our issue and she helped us figure it out. She was also super kind, it was a great experience overall.” The advice is a starting point for students in order to give them a better understanding of what their next step with their situation is. Rusch encourages students to go

through the legal process themselves to gain in depth knowledge of the system and how their situation will affect them in the future. The clinic serves as a starting point for students with their legal situations in order to have an idea of how to better understand and handle their situation. “They helped me get my speeding ticket reduced to improper equipment through the DA’s online portal. No court or anything. It was super helpful,” said Maura McClain, an App State alumna. This service is now available to students on the Hickory campus on the second Wednesday of every month.

Mia Seligman | News Reporter

As a part of the Gadugi Partnership, Cherokee Central High School student Alitama Perkins spoke about Native communities and their trauma, resilience and ways of healing in a presentation in the Linn Cove Ballroom of the Plemmons Student Union on Nov. 6, 2023. “One-fifth of Native Peoples have mental health issues,” Perkins said. “Suicide rates are double the rates of other adolescents.” Photo by Ashton Woodruff.

Student legal clinic: Free legal advice Samantha Salvador | News Reporter Walking into the Student Legal Clinic located in the Office of the Dean of Students, students are greeted by the legal adviser in a quiet office filled with law books that overlooks Sanford Mall. The Student Legal Clinic offers legal advice for a variety of different cases for students including minor criminal charges and family law. “It is free, confidential legal advice for students; and that means one-onone consultations for any App State student. It can be a grad student, an undergrad, a part-time student,” said Karla Rusch, the student legal adviser. Rusch is a licensed attorney and has experience from working for the Legal Services of the Blue Ridge. She has worked for the university since 2002. “The meetings can be about pretty much anything as long as it is not a dispute with the university,” Rusch said.

Criminal charges that involve App State Police or occurred on campus are not considered conflicts. Rusch is still able to advise students in these instances as she would be advising them on the court system rather than the conduct system. The service is advice-only and the terms of confidentiality are based on an attorney-client relationship although the clinic will not be representing the student. “I ask if they have a conflict with another App State student; we do have a policy where I could still advise a student who had a conflict with another student if they agreed to waive the conflict,” Rusch said. Rusch has the most experience in public benefits, housing, family law and consumer law. The most common cases have been traffic tickets, landlord-tenant issues and minor criminal charges.

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ARTS & CULTURE

‘We’re still here’–Lumbee students of App State find community away from home Meg Frantz | A&C Reporter

In Pembroke, North Carolina, a group of Native Americans known as the People of the Dark Water gather together for a pow-wow. It is tradition, dating back to the beginnings of the tribe. According to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, although some Native Americans diverged into other surrounding counties, the sense of community remains strong. The Lumbee tribe became recognized by North Carolina in 1885, however they are not recognized by the federal government and therefore do not receive aid from the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, according to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. The Lumbee language is a combination of Algonquian, Iroquian and Siouan language families, and education of ancestry is at the heart of the Lumbee school system. Like many tribal entities, the Lumbee tribe has its own political structure, differing from the democratic republic in the U.S. government. “Since the culture is embedded in the politics, it gives a lot more grace and it shows our humility because we’re willing to make allies, learn and branch out,” Cierra Bell, a sophomore literature and cultures languages major and a member of the Lumbee tribe said. As president of the Student American Indian Movement, Bell said as she becomes more involved in the SAIM and its events, she has gotten the chance to not only interact with other Lumbee students, but also with people from other Native American tribes. She has also connected with Allen Bryant, the advisor of the club, and feels working with him has helped broaden the Native American community at App State while providing a greater presence of faculty, staff and students at club events. “When I first came to App State, they told me that there wasn’t really a Native group up here, which was

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“We want people to know that we’re still here and people still see us, not just as a club, but as a movement,” - Cierra Bell, Member of Lumbee Tribe

very difficult for me because I thought Lumbee Indians were everywhere, but most Lumbee Indians stay in our hometown,” Bell said. “Since the Lumbee Indians are from Pembroke, they tend to instead just go to UNC Pembroke or choose not to go to college at all, due to motivation and financial help in general.” The SAIM club held an event last year where the Lumbee flag was hung in Plemmons Student Union. During the ceremony, members of the Lumbee tribe visited App State to meet Chancellor Sheri Everts and interacted with other students. “We want people to know that we’re still here and people still see us, not just as a club, but as a movement,” Bell said. Lumbee culture centers around community and helping each other find a “central fire,” according to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. “The Lumbee tribe organization is not ‘one man for himself,’ and that’s

SAIM members meet to discuss future plans for the club Oct. 25, 2023. From front left to right, sophomore languages, literature and culture major Cierra Bell and junior exercise science major Cember Beilhartz and from back left to right, senior middle grade education major Shelby Ballard and Vennice Ballard. Photo by: Mayesivy Carlson.

a main difference. If you see someone in need it’s automatic to help them,” Bell said. Freshman criminal justice major Ethan Locklear is also a member of the Lumbee tribe, and he found his community in App State’s hockey team. “With this team, compared to other teams I’ve been on, every single member is super accepting of my Native American identity and I am super grateful for it,” Locklear said. “I enjoy every moment I can get with these boys, whether it is on or off the ice. Coming into college as a freshman is always a terrifying feeling, but being a member of the ice hockey team has helped me find a group of guys that make the transfer into college life seamless.” Locklear said he found comfort in the traditions of the Lumbee tribe and wears a bracelet with the tribal colors

with a turtle charm in the center to feel more connected to his roots. The colors of his bracelet, red, yellow, black and white, represent birth, growth, maturity and death respectively. The turtle charm represents resilience. For Locklear, Lumbee Homecoming is a favorite tradition. Hundreds of small businesses line up in downtown Pembroke to sell food and goods. The day ends with a fireworks show. Locklear’s father and stepmother have their own business, N8tive Life, that sells soaps, candles and T-shirts. “To see all the little businesses intertwine with the more well-known brands is very cool to see, and some of the food they have to buy there is some of the best food you’ll come across in the South,” Locklear said. Bell said the Lumbee pow-wows stand out to her since the pow-wows are inclusive of everyone, not just

Lumbee tribe members. “A lot of people feel like they can’t go to a pow-wow, but for me, I would happily take someone to a pow-wow if they wanted to see what it was like,” Bell said. Bell said maintaining her identity while away from home is about embracing her identity and being open to questions. She said people often approach her and ask about her identity, to which she replies with an open attitude. “Nowadays, the Native Peoples make up a super small and underrepresented percentage of the American population, so being a member of a tribe with minuscule representation is super important to me, and it pushes me to make a name for the tribe,” Locklear said. “I love being who I am and to be able to pass on the Locklear name like my father has is super important to me.”

ARTS & CULTURE

Traditional Appalachian crafts for cozy season Kayla Masterman | Distribution Manager Appalachia’s natural beauty and resources have inspired a diverse range of artistic expressions throughout history. Generations of Appalachians have passed down traditional crafts such as woodworking, looming, quilting and pottery, each invigorating the craft’s unique flair. According to The Blue Ridge Mountains Travel Guide, the foundation of Appalachian folk art is Native American influences that arrived in the region about 16,000 years ago. The arts and crafts of the Appalachian region have been a part of the culture of the people long before the area was recognized as the Appalachian Mountains, or a distinct cultural region. President of Appalachian Craft Center Jackie Craig said there are many crafts that one can do at home. Among all of them are items that were necessary for the Appalachian people to sustain their lifestyle. “The most important crafts were textiles and many homes had looms where the women of the house would weave cloth for clothing, bedding and quilts,” Craig wrote. “Presently, looms are commercially available to do at home.” Stacey Lane, manager of community collaboration at Penland School of Craft, said Appalachian crafts contribute to the generational bond between families and communities. “I think it is exciting for young people to connect with a process that their parents, grandparents or family farther back participated in,” Lane said. Appalachian crafts are about crafting what is not needed anymore. “People were very resourceful back then; it’s about not throwing away things that can still have life in them,” Lane said. Originating from various Indigenous Tribes across the U.S., “Corn Husk Dolls are really simple to make, but fun and satisfying,” said Lane. She was able to make one in just 10 minutes and bought the corn husks from the grocery store.

Quilting is a craft that was once imperative for Appalachian dwellings. Quilting societies abound in Appalachia consisted of women and men who gathered the necessary materials, decided on a pattern, cut the material, and spent hours at quilting bees, Craig wrote. Today, all that’s needed is a desired pattern, fabric and a quick sewing tutorial. Pottery, like most other Appalachian crafts, was fundamental for homesteads. Craig said pottery is her favorite traditional craft and “there is hardly any craft more satisfying than sitting at the wheel and watching your own creation grow under your own hands.” In Boone, there are many places to learn and create pottery. App State has a large pottery program alongside community centered studios in Boone, such as High Country Clay. Among the crucial crafts for Appalachian homesteads is wood carving. While this craft is still widely popular, it requires more careful expertise. “The carvers, young through old, would carve things necessary for the home, i.e., ladles, spoons, clothes hooks,” Craig wrote. “And often elaborate furniture including tables, chairs and even coffins.” Two crafts became essential to the early Appalachian people: blacksmithing and the wheel wright. These craftsmen were very advanced in the early years. “Although the men of the house/ neighborhood might construct wagons from their gathered timbers, a wheel wright was an advanced craftsman and there are few left,” Craig wrote. Blacksmiths were also advanced craftsmen, providing shoes for the horses, and axes for the woodsmen, Craig wrote. Smaller items were also crafted for the home, usually related to cooking over an open fire: kettles, pots, swing arms to hang pots over the fire and even bed warmers, which were often very decorative. Although large amounts of traditional Appalachian crafts were vital for survival, there were plenty of others

created for the enjoyment of Indigenous tribes and early settlers. “There were many toys and games made to entertain children, as well as musical instruments to aid in the singing of hymns and songs and ballads from Ireland and Scotland,” Craig wrote. “A popular instrument that found a welcome home here was the banjo, a native of Africa.” Presently, the arts and crafts of Appalachia continue to thrive, with artisans and artists producing unique and high-quality works that reflect the region’s history, culture and natural beauty. “Almost every town in western North Carolina, small to large, has at least one store merchandising Appalachian-made crafts,” Craig wrote. There are various places around Boone that allow visitors to get immersed into high country art. Hands Gallery, located on West King Street in Boone, showcases local fine art and craft. The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum is a local outlet for Appalachian, specifically High Country, cultural embellishments. According to the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum website adult art classes and guest speakers are offered throughout the year. The museum is free to the public and promotes “the Arts and Southern Appalachian Heritage & History through educational programs, exhibitions, activities, and permanent collections.” Lane said it is important to sustain the artistic traditions of Appalachia. “Keeping traditions alive consist of having places that offer workshops, and encouraging art in the schools,” Lane said. There are various places where traditional crafts are professionally displayed. The Qualla arts and crafts mutual in Cherokee is a source of information regarding indigenous Appalachian crafts. One of the largest and oldest for-profit craft stores is Appalachian Craft Center in Asheville. The Southern Highland Craft Guild shop is a non-profit organization on the Blue Ridge Parkway

whose artisans are invited members of the guild. Lane said she appreciates the connection traditional Appalachian crafts provide. “Each time I learn a new craft I feel very empowered because it connects me to a time where people made what they needed,” Lane said. Craig said she values the community aspect centered around Appalachian crafts. “One of the joys of being involved with Appalachian crafts is knowing the craftspeople on a first-name basis,” Craig said. “Some of my dearest friends now are potters, woodworkers, textile people and glass blowers.”

Graphic by Kaitlyn Close

ARTS & CULTURE

Daniel Byrd voluntarily stepped into the role as the App State duck caretaker in January 2016. Byrd is creating an App State duck handbook in which he can pass down to future caretakers. Photo by Jenna Guzman.

Father Duck: Meet App State’s duck caretaker

Jenna Guzman | Editor-in-Chief It’s less than 20 degrees outside, there’s snow on the ground and campus is still. Passing Stadium Drive though, one can hear the waddles and small quacks of the other residents on campus: the App State ducks. Although Boone is quiet and cold during winter break when everyone goes home, there is one person who stays behind and joins the ducks in the cold weather to ensure they are cared for, and his name is Daniel Byrd. Director of Teacher Education, an animal lover, a pilot in training and a pianist, Byrd has been App State’s voluntary duck caretaker for eight years. It all started when he drove past the duck pond and curiosity struck him about who was feeding the ducks during the winter.

“I just started feeding them myself,” Byrd said. “It kinda evolved and I kept doing it and kind of figured out what was the most nutritious food for them, and I really love all animals and so I just kept doing it.” As caretaker, Byrd buys the duck’s food out of pocket, goes to the pond twice a week and refills the feeders he built himself with 50 pounds of food. In addition to feeding the ducks, the role comes with many other responsibilities. “I do anything that I can to help the ducks,” Byrd said. When the pond and the surrounding area is littered, he is the person who picks up the trash. He said most of the waste found around the pond includes bottles, cans and plastic, as well as fishing line.

“If I see things that might be harmful to the ducks I always try to get rid of them,” Byrd said. In the past when people jumped into the duck pond, lots of damage occurred to the duck’s habitat. Byrd said the duck house was flipped over, the ramp to the house was “broken off, replaced and broken off again,” the App State “A” was ripped off and the fence along the pond was damaged. “Thankfully, despite some of the rumors that I heard, none of the ducks were actually injured or killed during those instances of people getting in the pond,” Byrd said. Byrd said when people jump into the pond, it not only damages their habitat but it also stresses out the ducks and increases the risk of injuring them.

“My hope is that people will stop doing that,” Byrd said. In the event a duck is injured, one of two things happens: App State Police is called and they call Byrd, or Byrd sees an injured duck, assesses and monitors it, and either cares for it at his house if necessary or takes it to Carolina Waterfowl Rescue located in Charlotte, North Carolina. Byrd works closely with App State Police and said there are cameras around the pond, which some students may not realize. He’s had conversations with campus police about trying to discourage people from jumping in the pond. He also works closely with Facilities Operations and landscaping to ensure the duck’s habitat is in good condition. “I’m a big football fan and I love

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I do anything that I can to help the ducks,” - Daniel Byrd, Duck Caretaker

ARTS & CULTURE

There are multiple different duck breeds at the pond. Some of these breeds include Mallards, Pekins, Magpies, Muscovy, Khaki Campbells and Saxony ducks. Photo by Jenna Guzman.

seeing a great game, and it’s fun to get excited about it,” Byrd said. “But vandalizing your own community and stressing out the animals, the ducks that live here, is you know, not necessary.” When not feeding the ducks or cleaning up trash, Byrd monitors the ducks while they are nesting and makes sure the mama duck and her eggs are protected. “I’ll make sure that she has clean water and food and doesn’t have to travel back and forth to the pond to get what she needs while her baby ducks are being born,” Byrd said. This year, 10 ducklings were hatched. Throughout the mother duck’s nesting period, which lasts about a month, Byrd visited the pond

more frequently to monitor her and her eggs. For the first time in the past eight years, this group of hatchlings were born late in the year. Usually, mating season for ducks is in the late spring and early summer, but because they were born later, Byrd said they could have been easily injured during football season. Byrd said there are no natural predators to the ducks. Instead, “the biggest threat to the ducks are people.” “We all play a role in protecting the ducks and their habitat and respecting their right to be here,” Byrd said. “These ducks deserve the same ethical treatment that any other pet or animal also deserves.”

Graphic by Kaitlyn Close

Currently, Byrd takes care of 34 ducks. Since 2015, the highest number of ducks at the pond has been 36 ducks and the lowest being 14 ducks. Contrary to popular belief, these ducks’ wings are not clipped. The reason why they can’t fly long distances, Byrd said, is because they are domesticated. Ducks were first placed at the pond in the 1950s. Over time, the population of the ducks grew as people abandoned ducks at the pond. Each year, Byrd said at least one new duck is added to the crew. When coming to the pond, he takes attendance of the ducks to ensure they are all present. To help identify each duck, Byrd takes note of each bird’s color patterns in their feathers, and has even come up with names for some of them. One of the ducks he named is called Baby and she was born in 2018. Byrd said he started calling her Baby because at the time she was the only baby duck. Ironically, Baby is now a mother.

“Baby has been a prolific mama and she not only has 10 ducks from this year, but five of the ducks out there were born last summer from her,” Byrd said. Other ducks named include Sweet Pea and Cutie Pie, but there have been others throughout the years. Byrd said people can also come up with their own names for the ducks. “Ducks are wonderful little creatures,” Byrd said. “Every day we all have an opportunity to make life a little bit better, either for somebody else or for an animal or for, you know, basically any living creature.” Gloria Scott, the owner of Higher Grounds Coffee truck, said having her truck set up next to the duck pond has been “wonderful.” Scott has had the truck set up at the pond for nearly three years and said she’s noticed Bryd’s impacts on the pond. She also said Byrd gave her his contact information in the event that there is ever an issue with the ducks. “I think he’s pretty wonderful,” Scott said. “I think he’s really consistent.” Byrd works in the Reich College of Education as the director of teacher education. “I see a lot of connections there between the world of teaching and education and caretaking for the ducks,” Byrd said. “In the same way that we might teach people about history and math and reading, we can also teach people about the ethical care of animals.” Growing up, he always lived with cats and dogs, which prompted his love and care for animals. If he did not go into social studies education for

his doctorate, Byrd said he would have gone into veterinary medicine. But for him, he was “in the right place at the right time” to come to App State and be able to care for the ducks, which he considers to be “the best unofficial mascots in college.” Outside of ducks and App State, Byrd likes to read and stay updated on current events, reading about 15 newspapers a day. He also listens and plays music, such as the piano and enjoys watching sports. He is also in the process of getting his pilot’s license. Whether one sees him at the duck pond, in the Reich College of Education, or even flying as a pilot in the future, Byrd’s goal is to always look for “ways to help somebody or something that’s in need.” “It’s very rewarding, I think, when you live your life knowing that you are making it a little better for everybody else,” Byrd said. “It’s just very personally gratifying to know that I’m helping make life a little easier for these ducks.”

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COMIC & GAMES ANSWER TO TODAY’S PUZZLE

11/19/23

SPORTS

Player to coach: The ongoing story of KaRon White Clay Durban | Sports Reporter Things can change very quickly in the game of football, and KaRon “Simba” White knows that better than most. White was a promising young defensive lineman at App State; a three-star recruit out of Sparkman High School in Harvest, Alabama, who didn’t have to wait long to see the college field. He redshirted his first year in the High Country, playing four games and recording two tackles before suffering a season ending injury. In White’s redshirt freshman season, he bounced back, playing in 11 games and totaling 10 tackles. However, before the start of this season, a previous issue resurfaced and changed the trajectory of his career. “I had a spinal cord injury,” White said. “It’s kind of been prolonged throughout my career here. It’s been getting worse and worse, so the doctors said that they didn’t really feel safe putting me back on the field.” This prompted a variety of emotions from White, the coaching staff and the team, as he was expected to take on an even bigger role this season and in the future. “At first it really felt like my whole world was crashing down,” White said. “Because you do something for so long, I’ve been playing football since I was 4, so it’s like my whole identity really.” White’s teammates felt the impact in a similar way. Being around him on a daily basis both on and off the field, they knew what playing football meant to their fellow teammate. “It was very hurtful for us,” said junior defensive lineman DeAndre Dingle-Prince. “It’s like losing a brother in your family, you know. App is a family and whenever you have somebody that goes down it really hurts you.” The coaching staff also felt the impact of White’s loss, as many coached him since he was a freshman and knew him since high school. “It was disappointing cause he was such a great player and he’s a better person,” said head coach Shawn

Clark. “He’s such a valuable asset to our program in every phase we got, so again, we were all upset like he was, but you know, first and foremost it’s about his health and moving forward.” Faced with this development, the coaching staff decided despite White being unable to play, he could continue to be a valuable asset to the team as a coach. “I’ve always wanted to go into coaching, I came from a family of coaches, so that just seemed like the logical thing,” White said. White’s role as a student assistant is working with coaches, breaking down film and answering questions other players may have. His transition into this role has been seamless according to his fellow coaches and teammates. “Same old Simba man,” Dingle-Prince said. “You know, his personality is never going to change, he just has a different position and he’s worked hard for it.” Even though White was a member of the coaching staff, things were not all that different, Clark reflected on the change. “It’s a smooth transition,” Clark said. “He wants to be a coach when he graduates from college. I think that the biggest difference for him now is that when he has free time instead of going back to the dorm, he has to come over here and break down film and get in the game planning.” White admitted there is a learning curve involved in the player to coach transition. “I will say that the people around me have made it a lot easier. I’ve actually handled it a lot better than I thought I would,” White said. “Football is football regardless, but you’re definitely looking at things from different perspectives and in different analytical ways.” White’s shift into coaching may have come a lot sooner than he wanted, but that isn’t stopping him from dreaming about the possibilities this new career path can bring. “The real goal that I’ve had, I want to be a head football coach,” White said. “I want to work my way up

through the ranks, go through defensive line coach, defensive coordinator and end up being a head football coach one day, maybe here. If I could come back here and coach one day, if I could coach at App State, that would be my dream job.” No matter what happens in his career as a coach, White has already adapted and overcome a series of difficult obstacles.

“if I could coach at App State, that would be my dream job,”

- Karon White, Student Assistant Coach

KaRon White went from being a three-star recruit at Sparkman High School in Harvest, Alabama to defensive lineman for App State. This season he has taken on the role as coach photographed Oct. 4, 2023. Photo by Emily Simpson.

SPORTS

Joey Aguilar, who calls California his home state, has stepped up by averaging 267 passing yards per game and has a 64% completion rate. Photo by Landon Williams.

From California to Boone: App State quarterback embraces new journey Kolby Shea | Sports Reporter

It took junior quarterback Joey Aguilar seven seconds to make an impact on App State football. After a tight competition throughout the offseason, head coach Shawn Clark ultimately made Aguilar the backup quarterback to redshirt freshman Ryan Burger. In a deficit during their first game, and with Burger suffering a finger injury, Clark decided to make a change. The California native walked onto the field against Gardner-Webb in front of more than 36,000 fans for his debut as a Mountaineer. After his first snap, Aguilar celebrated a touchdown with redshirt junior wide receiver Kaedin Robinson. The pair connected for a 32-yard

touchdown on Aguilar’s first pass and play in a Black and Gold uniform. “No one was surprised; that’s Joey,” Clark said. “We were all happy for him.” By the end of the first game, Aguilar threw four touchdowns and led the university to a 21-point win. The Rock exploded with chants of “Joey! Joey! Joey!” with each touchdown he threw. Fans quickly embraced the new face of the Mountaineers. Aguilar’s football journey started at 6 years old, playing tight end and linebacker with his father coaching. At first he didn’t like it that much, but he stuck with it. After a brief stint as a running back, Aguilar played quarterback first in middle school, but he didn’t start. It

was in high school where he found his footing in the quarterback position. Coming out of Freedom High School in Oakley, California, Aguilar wasn’t recruited by big name schools. Not wanting to give up on his football career, he enrolled at Diablo Valley College to play at the junior college level. However, his ultimate goal was to play at a higher level. His motivation to play comes from wanting to make his parents happy and becoming the man his dad wanted him to be. “My dad wasn’t able to play when he was in high school, so I’m kind of playing to live a dream he once had,” Aguilar said. Aguilar’s success soon made him a three-star recruit as a junior college transfer. With coaches reaching out,

Aguilar visited Boone and committed to the Mountaineers on Dec. 20, 2022. In February, he enrolled and began his career at App State. “It was a no brainer. The way he threw the ball, the way he commanded the offense,” Clark said. A week after the Gardner-Webb game, Aguilar got his first start as App State traveled to Chapel Hill to face then No. 17 North Carolina. Coming in as underdogs, Aguilar and the Mountaineers pushed the Tar Heels to double overtime, but came up six points short. Since then, the Mountaineers have had an up and down season, with Aguilar experiencing the highs and lows of a starting quarterback. After throwing a game-sealing interception against Wyoming,

Aguilar came back the next week and led a late-game drive that put the Mountaineers in position to kick the game-winning field goal against ULM. “I’m super laid back, so I don’t tend to mess with the highs and lows. If it’s good, it’s good. If it’s bad, it’s bad. I just stay neutral,” Aguilar said. Through it all, Aguilar has learned and grown in his athletic ability. A former coach of Aguilar’s who saw his play at App State noticed improvement. “He looks a lot more polished now, really decisive, looked like he knew what he was doing in the offense,” said former Diablo Valley College offensive coordinator Drew Anderson. Anderson uses words like “fearless,” “mature,” “gunslinger” and “the real deal” to describe the player he

SPORTS

“He has all the respect in the locker room,” - Shawn Clark, Head Football Coach

sees when watching Aguilar now. Aguilar has thrown for 26 touchdowns and 2,657 passing yards while leading App State to a 6-4 record. Statistics and numbers tell only so much of the story. Who Aguilar is in the locker room is another thing that makes him stand out. “Joey is kind of laid back in some ways, not many things affect him, good or bad. He has all the respect in the locker room,” Clark said. It’s not a newly found swagger he has, but an attitude he brought from his days at Diablo Valley College. “Goofy guy, fun loving, real laid back, gets along with everybody and relates to everybody,” Anderson said. “The type of teammate he is, type of leader he is, sets him apart from the rest.” His standout playmaking and personality have helped him on and off the field. A recent NCAA decision allows

collegiate athletes to profit off of their own name, image, or likeness and Aguilar has taken advantage of the new rule. His popularity amongst fans earned him deals with businesses such as House United and Rivers Street Ale House, where they serve a chicken wing called the “Joey Wing.” “Honestly I never thought I would get it,” Aguilar said. “Them reaching out and supporting me, it’s pretty awesome.” With all the bright lights of being a student athlete, his priorities remain on the field. As the season continues, Aguilar leads the Mountaineers into a tough Sun Belt schedule that includes a rivalry home game against Georgia Southern to end the season. The Mountaineers feel like they are in good hands if Aguilar remains who he is: a leader, a great teammate and a quarterback who strives to continually improve.

Joey Aguilar gets ready to take a snap at App State’s game against UNC on Sept. 9, 2023, where he recorded two touchdowns and rushed 42 yards. Aguilar’s calm-cool-and-collected demeanor and work ethic has garnered him the starting quarterback role and allows him to live out his fathers dreams. Photo by Ashton Woodruff.

Jordan Favors finds his feet in Mountaineer football

SPORTS

Tess McNally | Sports Writer

From Griffin, Georgia to Boone, Jordan Favors has proven his title as a star safety. Favors originated from Griffin High School where he earned 5A Region 2 Athlete of the Year. Griffin Bears head coach, Kareem Reid, noticed him early and utilized Favors on offense and defense. During his junior year, Favors picked off three passes, totaled 43 tackles and rushed for 128 yards in 30 attempts. Additionally, Favors was a star shortstop and left fielder in high school and played for numerous All-Star and travel teams. “I grew closer to football as I got older,” Favors said. In his senior year, Favors improved and averaged 8.2 yards per carry, along with 616 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Favors had to make the decision of where to play college football. After receiving multiple offers, head coach Shawn Clark talked about why the university chose him to be a part of their Mountaineer family. “He came from a great family, and it was important to his parents that he get a degree and continue being a great football player,” Clark said. “When we had him on campus, we knew he was our kind of guy.” In 2021, Favors’ true freshman season, he decided to redshirt, causing him to withhold playing to elongate his eligibility. Favors found his footing in his redshirt freshman year, totaling three solo tackles against The Citadel, Robert Morris and Old Dominion. “Jordan is a shining light,” Clark said. “He comes to work with a smile on his face and he is always looking to improve himself as a person and a football player and he embodies what an Appalachian State football player is meant to be.” Favors respected App State football’s philosophy and fell in love with the programs offered. He plans on obtaining a masters degree in communications. “There’s a correlation between

Portrait of Jordan Favors, a redshirt Sophomore, during the Mountaineer walk before the ECU game on Sep. 16, 2023. Favors recorded two interceptions, one solo tackle and one assisted tackle against Marshall. Overall this season, he has six tackles and two interceptions. Photo by Max Sanborn

“I plan on leaving a legacy here,”

- Jordan Favors, App State Football Player

guys who make good grades and good football players,” Clark said. “You have to be able to translate from the classroom to the field but it starts in the classroom.” In being a key player on the Mountaineer football team, there comes some obstacles. Favors touched on the importance of mental health as an athlete and the effect on athletic abilities. “Once you find a certain level of confidence to overcome; you rise,” Favors said. While playing alongside veteran safeties Nick Ross and EJ Jackson, you have to stand out. Ross is a fifth-year senior from Marietta, Georgia. He talked about what makes Favors such a key player. “His natural instinct is amazing, and his speed is unmatchable,” Ross said. From his redshirt freshman to sophomore year as a Mountaineer, Favors turned up the heat. With three total tackles in his redshirt freshman

season, Favors towered over that number with 25 total tackles in his sophomore season. To highlight his 2023 season, Favors had three passes defended, one forced fumble and an interception in the Sept. 19 ECU game. Against Marshall Nov. 4, Favors recorded two interceptions. Favors talked about the makings of a successful athlete and flourishing on the field. “Take the game slow,” Favors said. “What you don’t admire is that the best thing about reaching a goal is a journey to it.” Although Favors didn’t earn his star title until this season, he continues to be recognized as a talented and strong individual on and off the field. During camp he developed gifted skills to create a legacy here at App State. “He is a dog, he lifts more than some of the linebackers and is probably top five fastest on the team,” Ross said. Leadership is an influential char-

acteristic implemented in all athletes and Clark shared his thoughts on what leadership is and how Favors embodies that. “Leadership is a quality that we all need, especially when you get to tough times,” Clark said. “The way he comes to work and studies the game and wants to do good for Appalachian, makes him special.” Favors continues to persevere and improve daily. His dedication to the game shows on the field. Favors touched on his most memorable win in App State football history. “It would be Troy just because it was so unexpected and just a thrill of emotion,” Favors said. “Everybody just ran to the field, it was wonderful, man.” It is clear Favors has more in store for the Mountaineers and will continue to move forward and flourish under the bright lights. “I plan on leaving a legacy here,” Favors said.

OPINION

OPINION: A finals week first aid kit Mitchell Norris | Opinion Writer

After hours and hours of time spent religiously attending classes, studying at ungodly times of day and scraping the very last inklings of motivation out of the depths of one’s soul, the effort of a few months comes down to just one single week: exam week. The stress piling up into finals week can reach colossal levels. With the assault of final projects and papers, the symptoms of burnout ever mounting, the final examination period transforms what otherwise would be routine exam crams into a seemingly unending uphill climb. It may be an absurd ask to college students that they put on the line, in just the space of a few exam periods, all of the time and energy they have poured into the semester. Many have argued the age-old system of final examinations is archaic and a poor measure of the worth of a student’s toils. Yet, this is simply how it is, and it’s the price each student must pay to persist with their education. Finals week is never not going to suck. However, it doesn’t always have to be a frantic scramble to the finish line. With the right amount of diligence and belief, students can turn their week in the devil’s lair into an empowering goodbye to the classes of the semester past. There are a lot of ways to stay steady through the passage into the end of the semester. There are also surefire ways to sabotage your sanity during this time, perhaps the most familiar being procrastination. For all the serial procrastinators out there, here’s some good news: there’s a way to not do your work, and still feel good about it. Often, just starting an assignment can be the hardest point. Looking beyond this benchmark is where it is easiest to get stuck. Setting a really low bar for school work sessions can curb habits of procrastination. Instead of focusing on knocking out significant chunks of whatever set of final study notes or semester projects, try first to get started. If it’s

Graphic by Gracean Ratliff

a final paper or project, read over the parameters and format the document or scribble down a few ideas – even the bad ones. Visit professors’ office hours to clarify any points of confusion. Little acts to get the ball rolling can be a really powerful way to avoid purchasing a one way ticket on the struggle bus to deadline doom. Planning a time to work on something is always a good idea. Expecting school obligations to get done during random swaths of freetime is dangerous thinking. Preparing ahead and putting a set time on that first effort towards the items on one’s academic to-do list does wonders. The optimistic expectancy that things will get done on their own time can be swapped for the assurance of intentional plans. When it comes to dissipating the dark cloud of the final project that hangs over the second half of the semester, planning just 15-30 minutes somewhere in the month or weeks leading up to finals proves revolutionary. Put the getting-started part out of the way sooner rather than later. While the final deadline push is sometimes unavoidable for even the

most prepared, lightening the load before the last hours is worth the effort. Planning ahead with deadlines in mind is necessary, but don’t get two steps ahead of the process. Once the plan starts to exceed the next feasible action, those procrastinative tendencies can start to flare up again. Write down this magic recipe for preparedness on a sticky note somewhere in plain sight: Plan ahead, keep the first bar low and clear one hurdle at a time. On the contrary, for some, long hours in some forgotten crevice of the library are inevitable affairs. Even with careful planning and legitimately productive hours of focus, the final deadline long haul is unavoidable. Making the most of these final deadline hours is essential as quality increasingly drops and the last cram attempts are desperately wagered. To make the most of those last ditch end-of-semester grinds, take it seriously, but most importantly, make it fun. Listen to your favorite study tunes and munch on tasty snacks known to enhance focus such as berries, dark chocolate or citrus fruits. Invite that

one friend who is always a great chat but who also actually knows how to quiet themselves and study for more than five minutes at a time. Follow the 52-minute focus, 17-minute break golden ratio discovered by the productivity app DeskTime. Taking periodic walks to get in a breath of fresh air or to wander the hallways of one’s study building of choice is a great way to refresh the mind. Studying and school work doesn’t all have to be what it sounds. In fact, people who know how to time their breaks are more productive. Taking little breaks not only improves productivity, but also reduces stress and signs of burnout. Also, make sure to celebrate each victory. Got the first exam out of the way? Get a pastry with tomorrow’s coffee. It’s probably

not wise to go out the night before a morning final, but avoid being all work and no play. Rewarding oneself is equally as important as working hard. It can be easy to forget it, but humans have needs that aren’t academic. Attempting to get everything done without socializing, moving or enjoying oneself is not a realistic strategy for escaping the semester unscathed. Work time into the day for things that have nothing to do with school. Finally, let the excitement of the impending break motivate yourself. Don’t forget to look at the light at the end of the tunnel. All that has been done up to the semester’s climax should not be in vain. All it takes is one last push and bam — break will arrive. After all the dust has settled, shift that serious motivated attitude onto break. Now, be serious about having fun and doing the things you love.

OPINION

Hijabi Hot Takes: Our responsibility to Native Americans Nadine Jallal | Opinion Editor

November is a month known for its crisp weather and holiday spirit. Whether someone is celebrating Thanksgiving or getting into the holiday spirit for Christmas, Kwanzaa or Hanukkah, November marks the start of the holiday season. However, an often overlooked aspect of November is the fact that it is National Native American Heritage Month. National Native American Heritage Month should serve as a reminder of our responsibility to Native Americans in multiple capacities. First, all Americans should recognize the privilege of being able to live on this land colonized and stolen from Native Americans. Keeping Native American history and culture alive in schools and other aspects of American life is a crucial step to healing from the colonization and ethnic cleansing in American history. Teaching Native American history is a harder task than it seems. Many people do not know the history beyond what is taught in schools, which is likely a curriculum that stops talking about Native Americans past the mid-1800s. Americans often have no clue about the hundreds of thousands of Native American children ripped from their homes and forced into boarding schools between 1869 and 1960. By 1929, about 83% of Native American school-aged children were in these boarding schools. The goal of the boarding schools was not simply to provide educational opportunities to Native American children but to erase their culture and forcibly assimilate them to U.S. culture. The schools operated on the mission statement, “Kill the Indian in him, and save the man,” an infamous line in a speech by Captain Richard Henry Pratt. The boarding schools were either founded by the government or Christian missionaries. Students at these schools were taught English and punished, oftentimes physically, if they

spoke their Native languages. They were taught that their cultures and religious practices were inferior and that they had to be American and Christian instead. The schools were often run militaristically with strict schedules, uniforms, cut hair and strict punishments. A recent report from just last year reported at least 500 deaths in the boarding schools as the push for historical documentation of this dark time in U.S. history persists. The documentation of accurate Native American history is an effort that is ongoing. The general public has the responsibility to consume new information and historical perspectives as they come to light. Curricula in K-12 schools may not support spending much time on Native American history, especially from the perspective of Native Americans themselves. Rather than using history textbooks written with irrefutable bias, Native American organizations provide teaching resources. For example, the Carlisle Indian School Digital Resource Center has a tab filled with lesson plans for teachers about the boarding schools. The National Museum of the American Indian provides countless interactive teaching resources for students to learn from.

Graphic by Chloe Pound

Furthermore, resources from other organizations, such as the National Education Association, list teaching resources on their website as well. Learning about Native American History should not stop after K-12 schooling. College students and active adult members of society should continue their education on Native Americans by looking into how to positively interact with them in their communities. North Carolinians have a unique opportunity to interact with Native American populations all over the state, especially during this month. The North Carolina Museum of History holds an Annual Indian American Heritage Month festival every year. This year, the celebration will take place on Nov. 18 in Raleigh.

Participating in this community event not only supports Native Americans in North Carolina but also encourages positive interaction between cultures and willingness to go out of one’s way to learn about other people outside of school. Not only is there an in-person festival hosted, but also a virtual learning day the day before that encourages students, teachers and community members to attend virtual presentations and learn more about the cultures represented at the festival the next day. One could also look into what events local Native American tribes are hosting throughout the year that could be great learning and community involvement opportunities. The Lumbee tribe holds Lumbee Homecoming annually in June in Pembroke, North Carolina. The Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe hosts a Blooming of the Dogwood Pow-Wow annually on the third weekend of April to celebrate the tribe’s recognition by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1965. If one is unable to attend an in-person experience, there are many online resources available as well. For example, the Kituwah Preservation and Education Program offers free online lessons for those looking to learn the Cherokee language. Language is a significant aspect of culture and learning an Indigenous language

can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience for those looking to appreciate Indigenous cultures. There is always more to do to ensure minority populations are supported in the U.S. Citizens should seek educational opportunities to learn more about the communities they live with, and that includes Native Americans. Global citizenship encourages embracing one’s personal responsibility to the world as a global community. As the world moves forward with global citizenship, learning about other cultures, especially the cultures one lives around, is necessary.

Graphic by Chloe Pound

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OPINION

OPINION: Where to give this season Bella Lantz | Opinion Writer The holidays are not only a time of gift-giving but also a time to reflect on what was given and earned throughout life. People should acknowledge what they have and what others might need. Self-reflection is only meaningful when people are able to reflect on the lives they have helped, not just the lives that have helped them. It is the season of giving, and these are a few places to give gifts and time: #1 Operation Christmas Child Operation Christmas Child is home to over 200 million shoe boxes being shipped globally to children who would otherwise not get gifts. People can either donate money or create a shoebox of their own. To create an Operation Christmas Child shoebox, all anyone has to do is find a shoebox or a shoebox-sized tub, pick the gender and age of the child it is going to and pack it with fun items, necessary items or a little bit of both. Creating shoe boxes is an easy way to volunteer, without having to do manual labor. It can also be the easier option, as the shoebox can then be sent to one of their 5,000 drop-off locations. It is possible to volunteer at one of these drop-off locations; however, the processing centers are where they ship the boxes from. Volunteering is possible for those near or willing to travel to a processing center, such as the one in Boone. Anyone over 13 years old can create a reservation. Knowing that children receive gifts they otherwise would have never gotten is more fulfilling than receiving a gift yourself. If someone is looking for a well-organized place where they are able to be given a specific role for a set amount of time, Operation Christmas Child is a good fit. #2 Hospitality House The Hospitality House is a nonprofit organization attempting to combat homelessness. They continually offer food and housing to the homeless population due to the tremendous outreach effort from the Hospitality House. They offer many services for anyone who needs them, such as shelters, food pantries, scattered site housings and much more. There are multiple ways to donate, from donating money to filling out their Amazon Wish List. There are also

many volunteering options, such as preparing food, hosting game nights or gardening. It is easy to find a volunteer opportunity that fits a person’s talents. The Hospitality House has three locations with two being in Boone. The Hospitality House of Northwest North Carolina is open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., and The Hospitality House Watauga Housing & Outreach Center is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. This nonprofit organization has many different opportunities to serve the community for the better; it is difficult to ignore. #3 FARM Cafe FARM Cafe is a nonprofit organization that serves as a restaurant where customers are able to pay with what they have for their meals. If the customer cannot pay for their meal, they can volunteer for an hour instead. However, even if they cannot do either, no one is ever turned away from a meal. There are many different ways to donate that allow people to also experience FARM Cafe. If someone were to go and enjoy a meal, they can pay more for the meal than the original cost. It is also possible to buy a token, which becomes a “pay it forward” token for the next person who needs a meal. Also, after 2020, FARM Cafe gives any child under 12 years old free food, helping the food insecurity that was spreading among the children. Donating is not the only option for helping out FARM Cafe; they are also constantly welcoming new volunteers. People can work in the front, where customer service is key, but it is also possible to work in the kitchen. There are plenty of opportunities for those who have different preferences for working. This cafe revolves around its volunteers and donations to help feed people in the community. With it being in Boone, it is relatively easy to go and visit to see how big of a difference FARM Cafe has made within the community. It is a unique place that provides a special volunteering opportunity to those who want to serve their community for the better.

Graphic by Mia Daly

Farewell Column: I found my voice Nadine Jallal | Opinion Editor Squeezing into the newsroom with my eyes glued to the ground, my palms sweaty and arms crossed for my first full-staff meeting with The Appalachian two years ago was the start of my most valuable experience at App State. I remember being torn about which desk I should join and simply joining opinion because the physical desk was the closest to me and I wanted to draw the least attention to myself. Never did I think I would be running the desk a year later. As I was finding my footing with writing for the opinion desk, I fell in love with Thursday nights. From the possibility of having a top five story in that week’s analytics to spending over an hour at desk meetings just talking about our opinions, I began to see myself taking on a larger role with The Appalachian. Joining the Editorial Board helped me find myself in ways I could have never imagined. Not only did I meet some of the most determined and hardworking people at this university, but I saw myself becoming one of them. I viewed the world around me through the lens of someone who could do something about it. If I didn’t write the story, I gladly entrusted it to one of my wonderful writers. Knowing that my writers and I could take an opinion we have and amplify it through The Appalachian was empowering. Students trusted me to write about the things they cared about. I heard outrage about the new meal plans last year, so I wrote about it. I heard outrage about the new parking policies, so I wrote about them. I found outrage within myself about more personal topics, and I wrote about them. Everything the opinion desk has produced is a reflection of me and the trust I have in my writers to write about what brings them passion. Reading and editing their work was always an emotional experience for me. Knowing that writers, who oftentime joined my desk with all the doubt in the world about their writing abilities, trusted me enough to share drafts of their thoughts about topics they care about is a privilege. I applaud their growth every day and cannot wait to see what they do in their futures with The Appalachian and beyond. They are the most passionate group of people I know.

To my fellow Ed Board members, thank you for providing me with community when I didn’t have one. Being a COVID freshman came with many challenges, but the biggest one for me was finding community. Walking into the newsroom my sophomore year gave me community. Walking into the newsroom almost every day this past year, I was met with community no matter who was in there. I cherish all the laughter, and the tears, we have shared in this short amount of time together. Thank you for giving me a space to just be. Thank you for giving me a space, and a job, where I could just voice every opinion that has ever popped into my head and be applauded for it. I never thought my voice was that important until The Appalachian told me it was. Now for a Hijabi Hot Take that isn’t a hot take at all: I’ll miss The Appalachian. So much.

Nadine Jallal, senior secondary English education major and current Opinion Editor bids farewell to the paper after working two years as a writer and editor. Photo courtesy of Nadine Jallal.

Happy Holidays from The Appalachian!