Thursday, March 24

Mar.

24 2016

The Appalachian

INSIDE

FROM DELAWARE TO BOONE

VANDALIZED CARS

Page 8-9

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Page 4

PANORAMA Page 6

Pages 11

E T

C E T E R A

THE TEAM Malik Rahili @malikrahili EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EDITORIAL MULTIMEDIA BUSINESS

Charlotte Wray @_charlottewray MANAGING EDITOR Aleah Warner @aleahwarner CHIEF COPY EDITOR

Ignacio Martinez-Alvarez @theappalachian BUSINESS MANAGER

Carl Blankenship @carl_r_blank NEWS EDITOR Katie Murawski @murawskikm A&E EDITOR

Stephanie Sansoucy @stephsans DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Allison Bennett Dyche @allisonbdyche ADVISER

Lee Sanderlin @theappsports SPORTS EDITOR Kevin Griffin @theappalachian OPINION EDITOR

CRIME LOG CAMPUS MAR. 20

MAR. 19

1:51 a.m. | Underage Consumption of Alcohol Bowie Hall Three students were arrested for underage consumption of alcohol.

1:59 a.m. | Underage Consumption of Alcohol White Hall A woman was arrested for underage consumption of alcohol.

MAR. 20

MAR. 19

12:09 a.m. | Underage Consumption of Alcohol Frank Hall Three students were arrested for underage consumption of alcohol.

1:16 p.m. | Larceny Sanford Mall Under investigation.

MAR. 18

10:01 a.m. | Larceny Belk Library Complex Leads exhausted.

11:50 p.m. | Underage Consumption of Alcohol Mountaineer Hall Four students were arrested for underage consumption of alcohol.

MAR. 19

MAR 17

3:18 a.m. | Underage Consumption of Alcohol White Hall Three students were arrested for underage consumption of alcohol.

10:13 p.m. | Drug Violation Bowie Hall A student was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.

MAR. 20

Dallas Linger @littlelingerkid PHOTO EDITOR Carson Fletcher @theappalachian VIDEO EDITOR Dylan Dow @zen_dow WEB MANAGER

N E W S

HOWARD/DAWSON TICKET WINS SGA PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

BY SAMMY HANF NEWS REPORTER

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heers broke out in Plemmons Student Union from a group of students yesterday, ready to usher in their new student government.

President elect Jalyn Howard and Vice President elect Kendrick Dawson took 54 percent of the vote.

This year’s election saw three presidential campaigns.

Hooker and Allen came in at 27 percent of the vote while Hardin and Evans got 19 percent.

Howard said that he was honored and humbled by the massive outpouring of support, expressing how excited he is to represent App State’s students and follow in the footsteps of those who came before him.

Dawson said he wanted to make sure that all students have their say before any decisions are made, making a special effort to reach students that don’t spend the majority of their time on campus.

Patrick Sullivan, director of elections, said that to his knowledge this is Appalachian’s first presidential ticket with two people of color.

Erin Brathwaite, the newly elected SGA multicultural chair, said she is excited to see candidates that will take diversity seriously.

“We finally have candidates that are gonna be in office that care for not just a few, but all the people on this campus,” Brathwaite said.

Huy Tu, a computer science graduate student, said that he feels Howard and Dawson will advance dialogue with groups that have been marginalized on campus and the administration, a necessary step to actively represent the interests of groups he feels have been neglected.

Nick Williams, newly elected sophomore senator, said he feels they will stand firm when talking to the administration and make sure that students’ voices are heard.

Winners Howard/Dawson and their campaign team stand in the SGA office after the announcement was made. Howard/Dawson got 1,421 votes (54.1%).

APPALACHIAN NAMED TOP PRODUCER OF FULBRIGHT SCHOLARS

BY TOMMY CULKIN SENIOR NEWS REPORTER

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ppalachian State University was recently named a top producer of Fulbright scholars by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

The Fulbright Program is a highly competitive and prestigious national grant-awarding program for international educational exchange available to both professors and students.

According to ETA Grant Application Statistics, only 17 percent of applicants for research grants were accepted and only 24 percent of applicants seeking Teaching Assistance grants were accepted.

In the 2015-16 year, three Appalachian State faculty members received Fulbright grants, tied for the second most among master’s granting institutions. Since 2012, Appalachian State has produced 12 Fulbright scholars.

One Appalachian State professor currently fulfilling his Fulbright scholarship is Al Harris. Harris is teaching courses on global information technol-

Brandon Peterson

ogy at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Poland.

In 2013, Harris began an annual study abroad program where he would take a group of students to Poland for a week, and they would work on a research project along with Polish students.

Harris believes that pre-existing connection he has to Poland helped him receive the grant.

To Harris, the cultural learning experience is far more important than the coursework he is teaching in the classroom. “[Global information technology] is a field that I’m very passionate about,” Harris said. “That being said, I’m far more concerned with the cultural interactions. I’m learning more about their culture, and I’m answering any questions my students have about American life, because they’re very curious about us.”

Harris began teaching in Poland in mid February and his Fulbright ends at the end of June.

This is his second Fulbright. In 2006, Harris taught in Portugal for six months.

Poland doesn’t have the level of technology available in the United States, and Harris said he hopes that his Polish students can take what he has taught them to help propel Poland.

“When I leave, I’d really like for my students to understand how Poland can enter the global business world,” Harris said.

Another Appalachian State professor who received a Fulbright grant this past year is John Tashner.

Tashner worked with the faculty at COMSATS Institute of Information Technology in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Tashner got the idea to apply for the Fulbright scholarship the year before, when a doctoral student from Pakistan encouraged him to go there.

Tashner provided assistance and guidance to the professors to help them improve their distance education program.

At COMSATS, professors didn’t

actually directly teach classes, professors designed the course and syllabus, and then intermediary instructors actually delivered the information to the students. The problem with this model, Tashner said, is that students never have the opportunity to meet the instructors outside of class, and the instructors never have any interaction with the professors.

Tashner said he got the distance education department to come together and figure out ways to improve the program.

“I sat them down, and asked them to list all the problems they were having,” Tashner said. “What I realized is that they had never talked about any of these things.”

For Tashner, the most rewarding aspect of his time in Pakistan was meeting new people and breaking down stereotypes.

“The best part of the experience was gaining new cultural lenses,” Tashner said. “It’s important to remember that people are people, and are always more complex than they’re made out to be.”

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VEHICLES AROUND CAMPUS VANDALIZED

BY HALIE HAMILTON NEWS REPORTER

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ecently there have been incidents of cars around Appalachian State’s campus being vandalized with permanent marker.

The graffiti has an environmental slant, blaming drivers for pollution.

Two of these cars belonged to sophomore recreation management major Elizabeth Attaway and App State alumnus Grayson Owen.

Attaway, drives a Ford Escape and was parked in the Appalachian Panhellenic Hall parking lot when she noticed that someone had written “STOP THE POLLUTION!” on the driver’s side hood of her car.

“I was mad and a little disappointed but I was so confused because my car was the only one vandalized despite being surrounded by cars that were just as, if not worse for the environment,” Attaway said.

Attaway went to a shop to get the words removed from her car.

Owen said that when he parked his car on Howard Street outside his apartment there was no writing on his car. Two hours later when he was getting ready to leave he noticed someone had written “THANK YOU FOR POLLUTING OUR EARTH” on

his Mazda.

Owen said that he called the police and there was nothing they could do about the incident. They did an incident report just in case it happened again.

Owen used rubbing alcohol to remove the marker from his car.

“At first I thought it was a joke, but then I realized that it was in Sharpie,” Owen said. “I park right next to the main road which gets a lot of foot traffic so it could be anybody, I guess they got mine because I was the only white car in the lot, it wouldn’t have even shown up on the other cars if they wrote on it because they were darker.”

Campus Police said that they do not have any information about these occurrences but they encourage victims to file a report.

Attaway said that she was distraught because she drove a Prius for almost two years.

“If you see someone squatting or bending over a car, check and see what they’re doing because this person needs to be caught,” Attaway said.

“From what they are writing, I believe they don’t have a car so chasing after them shouldn’t be too hard.”

Recreation management major, Elizabeth Attaway’s car.

BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT OVERTURNS PERMIT REVOCATION: CITIZENS PUSH FOR APPEAL

BY SAMMY HANF NEWS REPORTER

T

he Watauga County Board of Adjustment recently ruled unanimously in favor of JW Hampton Co. and Maymead Materials Inc. in their appeal of Planning and Inspection Director Joe Furman’s decision to revoke a high impact land use permit issued in 2011.

Furman said his 2015 decision to revoke the permit was based on a lack of progress being made on the site.

“You could look at the site and see that there was very little going on,” Furman said. “There was nothing that you could visually see that indicated they were moving towards having an asphalt plant there.”

Wiley Roark, president of Maymead, said that Watauga County has issued only five HILU permits and that none had expired before their projects were completed.

“We prevailed in convincing the BOA that the facts were on our side and that we had vested rights and they agreed with us unanimously,” Roark said.

Cherie Hampton Smith, president of JW Hampton Co., said that Johnny Hampton made that asphalt plant his main project and that grading work had

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been going on since 2011.

Over the course of the 60 hour hearing Smith said she produced documents showing equipment purchased and work done towards creating an asphalt plant at the site. A project that was taken up by Maymead early in 2015.

High Country W.A.T.C.H, who intervened in the hearing to represent Carolyn and Randall Henion, is currently pushing for an appeal of the decision. The appeal must be filed within 30 days after the receipt of the decision, Furman said the decision is still under review by attorneys from both sides.

David Sengel, of High Country W.A.T.C.H, said the group formed around residents of the area who felt their quality of life would be negatively affected by the plant’s presence.

Susie Winters, of High Country W.A.T.C.H, said allowing the permit to be held for that long left homeowners in a spot they likely would not have decided to build a home in had they known there were plans for an asphalt plant nearby.

“There is no zoning in this county and it's been fought tooth and nail

by primarily local business people who've never wanted anybody to tell them what they can do with their property,” Winters said. “So as a result we're in this bind, where there are no protections for citizens."

Sengel said there have been steps taken to give citizens greater protection, with legislation being passed that limits high impact industry’s proximity to residential areas that better represent the interests of what he said is a largely residential county.

Roark said he felt the location was ideal for providing necessary materials towards the construction of the U.S. Route 221 corridor from Deep Gap to West Jefferson.

“I think what's important to stay focused on is that we've got to maintain an industry that is capable of delivering those kinds of services because we need it for economic development,” Hampton said.

Smith said she felt that those who intervened distorted the purpose of the hearing.

“It wasn’t a time for them to say whether or not people like asphalt plants,” Smith said. “It was we had

already gotten a permit and it got revoked and they wanted to claim it should stay revoked and not be reinstated just because they didn’t want one close by.”

Regarding the appeal, Smith said that she is not eager to see more taxpayer money be spent on what has already been a lengthy and expensive process.

“To spend any more taxpayer dollars at this point to me seems to be counterproductive and unwise,” Roark said.

Winters said she is cautiously optimistic about the possibility of appeal, citing comments at the Feb. 16 Board of Commissioners meeting as encouraging for their cause.

"I think it was a toss-up leaning against us until the citizens spoke at that hearing,” Winters said. “They were just so good that I think the commissioners began to be more open to an appeal."

Furman said that an appeal is possible, but not likely.

“The county could appeal, but it would be appealing its own board of adjustment," Furman said. "It’s rare, it’s not unheard of, but it’s rare."

Photo Courtesy of Elizabeth Attaway

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WORLD ART DROP DAY COMES TO APPALACHIAN

(Left) Senior art education major Shauna Caldwell taking a selfi e with assisstant art professor Joshua White's work. Shauna Caldwell coordinated App State's Art Drop Day. (Middle) Art lecturer Cheryl Zibisky taking a selfi e with a piece of art found on campus. (Right) Adjunct human dev and psych counsel instructor Katrina Plato taking a selfie with sociology coordinator Dr. Martha McCaughey’s ceramic heart.

STUDENTS AND FACULTY SPREAD ART THROUGHOUT CAMPUS

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rom the looming sculptures scattered across campus to the ever-changing walls of the expression tunnels, Appalachian State is no stranger to art.

Neither is Shauna Caldwell, a senior art education major who brought World Art Drop Day to App State this spring semester.

World Art Drop Day is usually held on the first Tuesday of September, and was created by illustrator Jake Parker, who is based in Utah. To participate, artists, or anyone feeling creative, can make a piece of art in preparation for the drop date. The artist hides the work and posts pictures with hints of the location on the World Art Drop Day Facebook page.

Then the artist sticks around for someone who saw the post online to find the work, or they take off in hopes that someone finds themselves a new piece of art. Parker felt that more art needed to be circulated amongst more people.

There is an optional sheet available to print on the World Art Drop Day website, mrjakeparker.com, with instructions on how to participate. The artists can attach the sheet to their work with their name and social media platforms so that people who take a picture of their found art pieces can credit them appropriately.

Parker writes on his website, that the world needs Art Drop Day right now.

“We need to feel a little more connection

BY ARIEL GREEN A&E REPORTER to each other and there's nothing like the bond two random strangers can make through the act of creating and giving," Parker wrote.

While Caldwell was working as an instructional assistant at Appalachian State with Katrina Plato’s Cultivating Creativity class, she experienced Art Drop Day for the first time. Caldwell said she wanted to give the second semester students the same opportunity that she had to participate in World Art Drop Day, and soon after, Appalachian State Art Drop Day was born.

Caldwell proposed her idea in a faculty meeting, created a Facebook page for the new event and encouraged others to get busy making art. Similar to Parker's mission statement for World Art Drop Day, Caldwell saw the collective benefit that sharing art has for the community.

"Having an App State Art Drop Day helps to connect people, especially those who aren't artists,” Caldwell said.

"Anyone can drop anything they consider art, you can drop a painting, sculpture, collage or even poetry.”

On Monday, sculptures, sketches, mono-prints and ceiling-high posters were some of the pieces of art that were dropped around campus.

Valencia Jock, junior studio art major, dropped a few sketches and a ceramic octopus. Jock found out about the event from Caldwell and was excited to partic-

Courtesy of Shauna Caldwell, Katrina Plato and Cheryl Zibisky

ipate.

"I wanted to participate because I feel there are very few opportunities for amateur artists to come together in the community,” Jock said. “I liked that this was an event everyone could participate in regardless of experience."

Jock said she picked out pieces to drop that she knew no one had seen before, and she got a rush from dropping off her art and knowing someone would desire and seek it out. She said that the event was therapeutic and a confidence boost for artists.

Abby Lowder, a graduate student majoring in social work, participated as an art hunter.

"This was my first time participating in any art event, overall it was an inspiring experience," Lowder said.

Caldwell said that it has been so amazing to see the community come together.

About 250 people participated either in promoting the event, dropping art or finding it, according to the Appalachian State Art Drop Day Facebook page.

"Not only did the town of Boone participate collectively, but people actually started to find art in groups,” Caldwell said. “I thought it was great that friends were gathering and using this event as an opportunity to build their relationships.”

Caldwell said that she even ditched class to pick up a certain piece.

"I had my eye out for Joshua White’s

print, and as soon as he posted where he hid it, I darted out of my class, skipped down the stairs and actually tripped on the last one,” Caldwell said. “But I got the print nonetheless!"

Dropping art was optional, but many participants dropped and copped art.

Copies of Caldwell’s print edition of a collagraph were dropped in four different places around campus, “all of which got scooped up within the hour,” Caldwell said.

While many enjoyed the event, others said they were confused. Corinna Smith, junior marketing major said, “I didn't know you could keep the art once you found it.”

As for next year, Caldwell hopes to make Appalachian State Art Drop Day in the spring a tradition and she is not alone in her thinking.

"I was surprised when people came to me and said, ‘This is awesome! You should do this more often,’” Caldwell said.

Lowder agreed and said, "I hope that this event continues through the years to come at App State, I believe strongly in the power of sharing art and its ability to brighten someone's day."

Caldwell said she encourages artist and art lovers at Appalachian State to keep creating art, save some pieces for World Art Drop Day in September and share the experience of Art Drop Day. 5

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(Left to right) Jake Reeves, Sara Mylin, Abby Nichols, Anna Somerville, Olivia Sheilds, Emmy Oakley, Maggie Mills and Kendall McGee. Not pictured: Lauren Wilson.

PANORAMA: BROADENING PERSPECTIVES

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n almost six month preparation process came to a culmination on Tuesday at Panorama, an event dedicated to giving certain students an opportunity to present new perspectives and tell stories about topics they are passionate about in an open-minded environment.

Panorama was originally created by Natalie Gaviria and Shady Kimzey, both 2015 alumni, when they recognized that there was no collective space for students to share different and new ideas on interesting topics.

“We liked the idea of Ted Talks, but student given,” Gaviria said. “We wanted to make it more accessible for students to be able to share these stories.”

AppSpeaks, a club that aims to foster conversation on relevant topics, organized Panorama for it’s second year hosting the event, originally hosted by SGA three years ago. “[AppSpeaks] gives students, that maybe sit in the classroom all day and get lectured at, an opportunity to stand up and share a unique perspective or a part of themselves that wouldn’t necessarily make it into the conversation,” Kendall McGee, president of AppSpeaks and senior journalism and communication studies major, said.

The third annual event, primarily organized by McGee, Sara Mylin, junior accounting major and member of AppSpeaks, and Jake Reeves, junior English education major, took place at 7 p.m. in the Parkway Ballroom in the Plemmons Student Union, with close to 150 students, faculty, staff and family members attending.

Auditions were held in October 2015, with 12 people who auditioned, and six students were chosen after callbacks and workshops.

This year, six students spoke on topics of storytelling and belonging, Sherlock Holmes and cultural trends, the truth behind fluoride, the importance of portrait photography, respecting the people you serve, and the power of positive politeness.

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BY CHARLOTTE WRAY MANAGING EDITOR Anna Somerville, senior global studies major, spoke on the topic, “Belonging and Narrative: Understanding Cultural Identity Through Stories.”

“I remember the first time I asked my parents if I could dye my hair black,” she said. “I was tired of people asking if I was adopted, if my mom was my oriental nanny, or if I didn’t belong with my family.”

Somerville spoke of her struggle to find where she belonged in the world, with her multicultural family.

“My family straddled both worlds. Never standing with our whole selves in either one,” she said. “We were American and not Korean. But we were Korean and not American. We were cultural nomads, finding a home somewhere in the in-between.”

Somerville proposed the idea that stories connect people, lead to understanding and empathy between each other and different cultures and as a result, make us more thankful.

Lauren Wilson, senior philosophy major, spoke on her experience with fluoroderma, an acne condition that flares up around the mouth and jawline from exposure to fluoride. She explained the virtually unknown and alarming effects of fluoride, and how most water, food and even teflon pans contain fluoride.

Bringing her passion for both the original and current Sherlock Holmes stories to the stage, Abby Nichols, senior English major, spoke about “Sherlock Holmes and Cultural Trends.”

“I think that the Holmes stories, as often as they get retold, have become actually really like a central part of culture,” Nichols said. “Their effect is a lot more pervasive than people have ever even realized a lot of the time. I think that the adaptations reflect culture and also the culture reflects the adaptations.”

Maggie Mills, a senior commercial photography major, spoke about “The Transforming Power of Portraits,” and the ability of a photograph to capture the essence of a woman: both her inner and outer beauty.

These portraits, she argued, serve as a picture to reflect

on and to inspire the woman in them, reminding her she is capable of feeling and looking well, thus adding to the initiative to help reshape society's definition of beauty that seems to lie in meer outer appearance.

With some personal experience with food stamps and welfare, Emmy Oakley, senior social work major, spoke on the topic of “The People We Serve,” persuading one to respect people who need help, and to recognize that the majority of people on welfare and unemployed is far less than the common opinion.

Olivia Shields, senior public relations major, spoke on the topic, “Positive Politeness: A Look at the Motivation Behind Cultural Communication in Spain.”

Shields said she wanted to speak because she enjoys public speaking and because she wanted an opportunity to share her experience with positive politeness while she studied abroad in Spain.

She spoke on the positive and negative aspects of politeness, explaining that the Spanish practice of kisses on the cheek and talking over another in a conversation is to show love and admiration, and their interest in another person.

Shields said that many Americans’ goals are to try not to offend each other and give others their personal space. As she deemed this as OK, she urged listeners to consider why they do these actions and to practice civility, respect for another out of love, not fear.

“A really good takeaway is the importance of people’s cultures and stories,” Emily Rangel, senior accounting major, said. “Understanding where they came from, who they are and loving and respecting them well. It’s really a good reminder.”

“This year was really unique because every single person connected their topic to their personal stories. It sort of gives it the benefit of experience, and it’s really easy to identify with a person,” McGee said. “And [what happens] afterwards. It’s not just you’re standing up there speaking. You have an effect, you’re making connections, and you’re also giving people ideas.”

Charlotte Wray

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APPALACHIAN STATE ALUMNUS WINS MUSIC EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR

W

hen Phillip Riggs graduated from Appalachian State University in 1988, he had no idea that he would be the recipient of a Grammy award. This year, however, Riggs was selected among 4,500 nominees to receive the Music Educator Award.

The Music Educator Award was created by the Grammy Foundation three years ago, and allows anyone to nominate their favorite music educator in public or private schools across the country. The award recognizes teachers who have had a positive impact on their students and have shown them the different opportunities that music can give them. It is presented by the Recording Academy and the Grammy Foundation each year at the televised Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California.

During the selection process, a survey was sent to all of the nominees and based on the their responses, 250 quarterfinalists were chosen. The quarterfinalists submitted videos talking about various aspects of teaching, then a panel narrowed it down to 25 people who were reviewed by a “blue ribbon” panel. These 25 were narrowed down to 10 finalists and then Riggs was chosen. Sarah Stafford, one of Riggs’ former students, nominated Riggs for the “Music Educator Award.” Stafford followed in his footsteps and became a band director like Riggs.

After Riggs obtained his bachelor’s degree in music education, he went on to teach in North Carolina for the 27 years. He is a currently a music teacher at the North Carolina School of Science and Math, located in Durham, North Carolina, and he has taught band, choir, jazz, music theory and composition, world music, American popular music and classical piano and guitar. His favorite part about teaching is getting to know the students and watching them grow as musicians.

“It is always exciting to see them experience that first musical goosebumps moment,” Riggs said.

Riggs and his wife arrived in Los Angeles the week leading up to the Grammy Awards, where he attended media related events and he was able to talk about the importance of music education in schools.

“As a teacher, I gravitated to the students,” Riggs said. “The Grammy Jazz Camp Band and Vocal Jazz Group were outstanding.”

Riggs attended the Grammys on Feb. 16 and said that one of his favorite parts was sitting next to Gary Sinise, also known as Lieutenant Dan from the film “Forrest Gump,” and his son. He and his wife thanked Sinise for recognizing those who served in the armed forces.

“The televised event was surreal,” Riggs said. “We were sitting on the Courtesy of Grammy in the Schools

BY CELIA CALHOUN A&E REPORTER

fourth row surrounded by Pentatonix, Beck, Chris Stapleton, John Legend and Ryan Seacrest, to name a few.”

Noah Altman, freshman exercise science major, was one of Riggs’ teaching assistants for jazz band. As one of his TA’s, Altman helped set up and put away chairs and stands before and after class. He also helped plan events for the band and assisted Riggs in picking music the band would perform and try.

“He’s definitely the most relaxed teacher I’ve ever met,” Altman said.

“He was able to concisely communicate his teaching in a very cool way. He’s very deserving of the award. I couldn’t think of any other music teacher I’ve had that would be more deserving of a music educator award.”

Alia Dahlan, a freshman marketing and finance major at NCSSM, said that NCSSM is a special community and with only 600 students, the bond between the teachers and students is phenomenal. When Dahlan was a junior, she realized that NCSSM did not have a color guard or winter guard program. She really wanted to start one there, and Riggs agreed to be her sponsor for the club.

“He really helped us a lot,” Dahlan said. “He had really good ideas about when we should perform and how we should try and get the word out.”

Since NCSSM is such a small school, Dahlan knew just about everyone that took one of Riggs’ classes.

“Everyone loved him,” Dahlan said.

“Everyone came to a consensus that he’s a really amazing teacher, as with

Riggs being recognized at the Grammy Awards. Gary Sinise, actor of Lieutenant Dan, pictured in the background. most of the other teachers at NCSSM.” Dahlan liked how passionate Riggs was about helping students. He would always offer to do whatever she needed.

Dahlan also admired how he balances his time well amongst all of his commitments.

“He is just the most caring person,” Dahlan said. “Whenever I asked him for help, he would be more than willing to do it.”

Dahlan remembers that during one of NCSSM’s breaks, she was going to visit some of her old high school friends at a band competition. She was surprised when she saw Riggs at the competition assisting as a judge.

“He really helps out not just NCSSM, but the whole state in terms of all of their band programs,” Dahlan

said.

Riggs said he enjoys teaching music because it speaks to everyone. He believes that it allows kids to experience life in a better way than they had before.

Being able to play an instrument or sing also contributes to this better life that Riggs believes comes from music.

“Music is my life,” Riggs said.

“Although I leave school each evening, I never leave work. I would say I’ve worked many 18 hour days as a music teacher, but I’ve loved doing it.”

Riggs said he believes that it is true that teaching music can help to teach content about other subjects, but he also thinks that music is important on its own.

“We must teach for music’s sake,” Riggs said.

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S P O R T S

Sophomore third baseman Tiffany Taynor and head coach Janice Savage strategize before Taynor’s at bat against Morehead State on Tuesday, March 22. 0-7 (L).

FROM DELAWARE TO BOONE TIFFANY TAYNOR AND VANESSA CIOCATTO FOLLOWED COACH JANICE SAVAGE FROM DELAWARE STATE TO APP STATE

BY JASON HUBER SENIOR SPORTS REPORTER

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very college student remembers the stress of finding the right university to call home for the four years after high school graduation. Add in the commitment of joining an athletic team while searching for the right coach to guide you for those next four years and the college search gets even more

stressful.

For App State softball junior starting pitcher Vanessa Ciocatto and sophomore utility player Tiffany Taynor, finding the right connection with a coach became evident when they first met current softball head coach Janice Savage.

Capping a stellar softball career at Delaware State, Savage became an assistant coach for the Hornets from 2006-08 and 2011-12 after brief stints in between with Bowling Green and North Florida.

Savage found herself as an interim head coach for the Hornets in 2013 before being named official head coach in 2014.

Becoming the first female student athlete from Delaware State to ever sign a professional sports contract when she played with Team Axia of the Italian Women’s Professional Softball League for one season in 2005, Savage always had a special place for her alma mater Delaware State.

“It was a great honor to do a lot for a school that had done a lot for my family,” Savage said. “I was thankful to have Delaware State as an opportunity to learn and build and grow.”

During this time, Ciocatto, a California native and standout pitcher for La Habra High School, said fate was by her side when Savage attended her travel ball game to recruit one of her teammates.

Ciocatto happened to be pitching during that trip when Savage took notice and expressed interest in recruiting her. She began attending camps with Savage that summer and said she started to notice the trusting person that Savage was and her love for the game.

After being recruited by a couple other schools including other Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference schools, Ciocatto signed with Delaware State to join coach Savage

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and the Hornets.

Joining a young up and coming team, Ciocatto finished her freshman campaign at Delaware State with a 12-5 record and 2.10 ERA in 25 games started.

Shortly after the season ended, coach Savage made the heart-wrenching decision to leave the team and take over the head coaching position at Appalachian State University in 2015.

“That was probably one of the most emotionally draining days I have had during my coaching career,” Savage said.

Doing much of her recruiting in California, the Hornets consisted of a team that was predominantly from California.

“Recruiting is about building and establishing relationships and building the trust where parents will want to send you their kids,” Savage said.

After deciding to take on an appealing opportunity with App State that was moving from the Southern Conference to the Sun Belt Conference, Savage said the chance of building this team to contend in the new conference and help turn the team around was a big part of her decision to leave Delaware State.

Ciocatto was one of the first people to speak with her when the decision was made.

Despite not knowing anything about App State, she made the hard decision of leaving close friends to follow a coach that she had grown to trust and love.

“Being away from home, she did a very good job at taking on the mother role for all the girls and we had built good relationships with her and her family,” Ciocatto said. “It became very family oriented and I knew coming here that even as the ‘lone survivor’ she would continue to help me.”

While many other players at Delaware State decided to transfer after coach Savage decided to leave, Savage remained very grateful about the decision Ciocatto made to join her.

Back on the east coast, Taynor, a rising freshman from New Smyrna Beach, Florida had signed her national letter of intent to join Savage and the Hornets in Delaware.

Unlike Ciocatto, who had never heard of App State, Taynor’s grandparents live on

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S P O R T S

the other side of Grandfather Mountain and brought Taynor to Boone many times when she was younger.

Appalachian State became an intriguing school for her to attend and she applied her junior year of high school.

“I had come here and visited schools and I was very familiar with the area,” Taynor said. “Appalachian has always been on mind.”

Taynor was no stranger to Savage though. One of her hitting coaches, a good friend of Savage’s, helped form a relationship between the two when Taynor was young.

When Savage recruited her, Taynor remembered her and felt comfortable enough to sign with Delaware State in November, and the decision to follow Savage to Boone ended up becoming a no-brainer when she found out and got out of her national letter of intent.

“It was probably two weeks before school and I was set on going to Delaware and my whole family was set on going,” Taynor said. “I didn’t even think twice about coming to Boone.”

Now in their second season as Mountaineers, Taynor and Ciocatto both agree that everything worked out.

Despite struggling as a team in their first season at App State, Savage and Ciocatto’s relationship only got stronger.

“I am probably tougher on her then I am on anybody else because I have such high expectations for her and I know what she can be,” Savage said. “She has done a great job of bridging that gap and trying to transfer positive things from Delaware State to here.”

Their close relationship still keeps its boundaries on and off the field. There is no special treatment for Ciocatto compared to rest of the team. “If anything, she actually is the last to know about a lot of things,” Savaged said with a laugh.

The adjustment to Boone has been a smooth one for Savage, with her love of the area as well as her team’s potential contributing to the easy transition.

“I think it is a beautiful place and a great place for me to raise my children,” Savage said. “We have started to build something really special here. Being so young, I can definitely see us in the next couple of years make a run.”

Both Savage and Ciocatto still have very close ties with Delaware State. Savage said she often sends her kids up to spend time with some of her old players and Ciocatto visits frequently and sees many of her old teammates in California.

“If I had to make the decision again, I would still choose to come to App,” Ciocatto said. “At first it was pretty scary and I struggled the first month or two getting adjusted to a bigger campus, but after I accepted it and moved forward I really grew to enjoy and love it here.”

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Junior pitcher Vanessa Ciocatto winding up a pitch on Tuesday’s game against Morehead State. The game resulted in a 0-7 loss for App State.

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S P O R T S

A FRESH START

BREYDAN GORHAM IS MAKING THE MOST OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY IN HIS FIRST YEAR AT APPALACHIAN STATE

BY BRYANT BARBERY SENIOR SPORTS REPORTER

O

n a App State baseball team full of young players, freshman pitcher Breydan Gorham has taken the opportunity that was given to him and has made the best of a less than ideal situation.

Coming to App State out of Western Alamance High School in Burlington, North Carolina, Gorham expected to be starting on weekends for the Mountaineers. Gorham instead found himself as the mid-week starter.

“The plan was always to be the weekend starter,” Gorham said. “I know once they told me that I would be the mid-week starter I was just going to work my hardest to get into the weekend rotation.”

Gorham got his first collegiate start on the mound this season against SEC baseball powerhouse South Carolina, a game that would intimidate even veteran players given the tradition and success that the Gamecocks have had. Gorham took advantage of the opportunity, pitching four innings while only giving up two hits and two runs during the game.

Gorham has also started in three other mid-week tilts this season against NC Central, University of North Carolina at Asheville and NC A&T. His best performance this season came against UNC Asheville as he pitched seven innings, giving up only three hits and no runs en-route to a dominating 8-0 win for the Mountaineers and the first career win for Gorham.

“We knew that Gorham would probably be a starter but we didn’t know where he would end up in the four starting positions we have each week,” head coach Billy Jones said. “He has really done a great job for us this season.”

Gorham, currently at 1-2 this season in terms of wins and losses, leads the team in innings pitched this season at 23.1 innings. Having a freshman pitching the most innings is a rarity on a college baseball team, even a team as freshmen-laden as App State. His earned run average sits at 3.09, also the best on the team for the number of innings he has pitched; another anomaly for a freshman.

Coming into App State’s second matchup this season with UNC Asheville, Gorham was held out of the lineup against the team he picked up his first career win against. Despite being held out March 22, his early success this season during those four mid-week matchups has not gone unnoticed by coach Jones.

“We gave Gorham the two extra days this week and he will actually get the start this Thursday for us,” Jones said. “Gorham has done a great job. I have been doing this a long time and Tuesdays are always tough just because it depends on how your bullpen was in the weekend before. He has gone out there and has given us between 5-7 innings every time and has thrown strikes and shut people down.”

Gorham may have had to wait a month to see the mound on the weekend, but considering the curveball life has given him, he has chosen to take those midweek opportunities and take full advantage of everything that has been given to him.

“Breydan is just so mature as a freshman pitcher.

He is going through those growing pains of how much work college baseball is,” pitching coach Justin Aspegren said. “He does play in the infield, he does hit, and he pitches for us. He never gets outside of himself and never gets out of character. It’s a really mature approach as a freshman.I have been impressed with him since day one. He has certainly earned the starting spot that he has been given. It’s his for the taking at this point in the

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Freshman starting picture Breydan Gorham has the lowest earned run average on the team at 3.09 season.”

At Western Alamance High School, Gorham lettered all four years, making a name for himself as a versatile all-around hitter and pitcher. He finished his high school career with an impressive batting average of 0.400 as a senior. His junior year he went 9-2 from the mound with an earned run average of 1.19 with 55 strikeouts and eight walks in 53 innings of baseball.

He was named all-conference three times while in high school and represented region five in the North Carolina State Games. Gorham was also named MVP during the well-known Battle of the Border tournament.

Even with the plethora of success in high school, Gorham knew that playing in college would be difficult.

“Pitching in college is definitely a big difference from pitching in high school,” Gorham said. “In high school you can get away with a few mistakes but in college those mistakes are exposed as everyone is a

great hitter.”

Through all of the ups and downs in high school and in his first year at App State, Gorham’s biggest motivator has been his dad.

“My dad has helped me out them most and is proud of me,” Gorham said.

Gorham’s father Roy Gorham played collegiate ball at Elon and enjoyed success while holding the nation’s second best ERA in 1994 at 1.71.

App State fans and students alike need to take note of Gorham early on as he could be a catalyst in turning around this year’s baseball season while building for the future. Gorham will be starting on the mound against UL-Monroe on March 24, at 7 p.m.

“I’m pumped about starting this week,” Gorham said. “I have the first game so I am just trying to start the weekend off right and help give our guys a good weekend. I’m just ready to compete.”

Photo Courtesy of App State Athletics

S P O R T S

WORTH MORE THAN GOLD

FOR SPECIAL OLYMPIC ATHLETES, THE GAMES ARE MORE THAN AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MEDALS

BY LEE SANDERLIN SPORTS EDITOR

I

t's a warm, sunny afternoon at Kidd Brewer Stadium and the athletes are all training with a singular goal in mind. This is the scene at Track and Field practice for Watauga County Special Olympics. With the spring games scheduled for April 28 at Watauga High School, the athletes are in the midst of preparing for their chance to shine.

Keron Poteat, special olympics coordinator at Watauga County Parks and Recreation, has worked with the Special Olympics in the High Country for over 20 years, and is a fixture at the various practices these athletes have in preparation for the Spring Games.

"We have about 50 athletes that train year round, but for our Spring Games, we have about 125-150 people that come out and participate in the local event," Poteat said.

For track and field, there seems to be an event for everyone as the athletes are able to compete in a variety of events ranging from various length walks or runs, a softball distance toss, a long jump and a mini-javelin toss.

Practice begins with all the athletes gathered in a circle in order to do group stretches to prepare for their training.

There's no shortage of smiles or laughter throughout the roughly 10 minute stretch routine, each Olympian grinning as they get ready to start practicing the walking and running races.

Donna Miller, who competes in the walking events as well as the softball distance toss, is a Special Olympics veteran, who, according to her, has won plenty of medals to go along with her experience.

"I've been doing them [Olympics] a long time. I've won a lot of medals," Miller said. "My favorite is the walking and practices are fun."

Miller isn't your typical Olympian either. Along with the training she does, she's also married and has recently finished paying off her home from Habitat for Humanity that she and her husband occupy together.

"He [her husband] works at ASU," Miller said. "We finished paying [the house] off and we are going to do our bathroom next!"

For Poteat, it's the athletes, like Miller, who make her job as rewarding and worthwhile as it is. She said there is no doubt that her work with Special Olympics has affected her life in a positive way.

"It's amazing, when I started my job 20 plus years ago, [Special Olympics] was the one thing I hadn't done within the scope of working with special populations," Poteat said. "From the

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(Top) Keron Poteat assists Ava Trivette in the long jump during track and ďŹ eld practice. (Bottom) Keron Poteat instructs the Olympians in properly doing the walking and running races.

moment I walked in there was a smile and a hug, it's been the passion for my job.

Somebody asked me if I could do any job what would it be? and I said, 'You know what, I'm doing it.'"

Poteat isn't alone in her job, as she relies heavily on volunteer work in order for the practices and the Spring Games to happen every year.

"ASU is wonderful, the students come out in full force to volunteer," Poteat said.

"We always have a lot of volunteers come out from ASU for the Spring Games, nearly 100."

Senior sociology major Breezy Arduini and senior English literary studies major Katherine Wilson have worked as volunteers for the Special Olympics in

Watauga County since September 2015.

"We did basketball in the fall, but now we're on to track and field," Wilson said.

"All the athletes are great to work with."

Both Arduini and Wilson enjoy their time volunteering, viewing it as an extremely rewarding experience. The two were basketball coaches in the fall, even taking a part in the action during unified events which combines Special Olympians and non-disabled individuals onto one team for events.

"We had a [Boone Police] verses athlete game and that was a lot of fun," Wilson said.

Fun seems to be universal among both volunteers and Olympians as there was no lack of laughter, encouragement and

positivity throughout the afternoon.

For Arduini, her only struggle with volunteering has been learning how to work with athletes with different levels of functioning.

"Everyone is at a different level developmentally," Arduini said.

Poteat, Arduini, and Wilson encourage everyone to come out and volunteer when they can. The groups practice track and field every Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. at Kidd Brewer Stadium.

Other sports offered include cycling, aquatics, volleyball and bowling.

Additional details about practices and how to volunteer can be found online at: http://sonc.net/local-programs/wataugacounty/.

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S P O R T S

CLUB CREW ROWS TO APP STATE MEMBERS OF CLUB CREW ARE LOOKING TO BECOME APPALACHIAN STATE’S NEWEST CLUB SPORT

BY CELIA CALHOUN A&E REPORTER

T

he team moves in sync, working together to try and get through each meter and complete the distance. If they can get through one meter, then they can get through the next. Everyone knows that they are vital to finishing the race. For those involved with Appalachian State’s newest rowing club, Club Crew, this is the typical mindset at each practice.

Crew, as it is commonly referred to in the U.S., involves a team of people rowing a boat in synchronization during a competition. Different crews gather to compete against each other at events known as regattas.

Emily Howard, a junior health and physical education major, enjoyed the sport and wanted to continue rowing in college. She was disappointed to find out that Appalachian State didn’t have a rowing team and decided to start Club Crew in November 2015. Howard spread the word about the club through informational fliers she posted around campus.

“It’s been a lot of red tape and paperwork and stuff, but it’s okay,” Howard said. “It’s been kind of fun and cool to see it all come together.”

The team practices three times a week despite not having a boat at the moment.

They are working on buying a $1,500 boat from Gainesville Area Rowing, in Florida. To make up for not having a boat, they use ergs, or indoor rowing machines, twice a week at SpinRow Gym to simulate when they will actually be on the water. Additionally, they practice weight training at Quinn Recreation Center every Thursday at 7 p.m.

Since Club Crew accepts people with no prior experience, Howard structures the practices in a way that is beginner friendly but also is beneficial for those who have rowed in the past. The team usually spends thirty minutes with the ergs and spends the rest of the time doing cardio to build strength and endurance.

The team has been beneficial for Howard because it has allowed her to gain some hands-on experience with physical education before she enters the professional field. Until the team can afford to hire a professional coach, Howard leads the practices and organizes most of the team.

Howard said she hopes that by the end of the semester, the team will have the boat and be able to practice out on the water. Her ideal spot to practice is Watauga Lake in Tennessee because it is large enough for them to practice rowing long distances.

Howard wants everyone that has not had a chance to get out on the water to be able to experience it and for new rowers to get experience.

“We haven’t even been on the water yet and I’m already loving it,” junior political science major Morgan Pilchards said. “I can only see my excitement growing when we get on the water.”

Pilchards believes that starting in the gym has been beneficial because it has allowed her to build up the strength and endurance she will need once she is on the water.

One thing that sets rowing apart from other organizations and sports is the importance of teamwork, Howard said.

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“The sport is mostly about teamwork because everyone has to work together to keep on going,” Kathryn Pryor, freshman actuarial science major, said.

Howard said she also believes that rowing is a good way for young adults and adolescents to build leadership skills because it requires everyone to be a leader, but also follow the commands of others.

“It helps you to put aside your own problems because other people are depending on you,” Howard said.

The teamwork is freshman physics major Collin Shepard’s favorite part.

“The feeling of being together is like a machine,” Shepard said. “You feel so connected to each other. It’s one of the coolest experiences.”

Shepard started rowing his junior year of high school. During his first two years, he played several different sports but didn’t feel passionate towards any of them.

“I never really connected with any other sport, but with rowing, it just really clicked with me,” Shepard said.

Howard believes that adding a rowing team will benefit Appalachian State greatly.

“I feel that it will bring a whole other demographic to this school and will make us more competitive in different ways with universities,” Howard said.

Shepard said he is excited about how the rowing team is coming together, and is looking forward to the future and everyone becoming closer and better at the sport. He hopes that the team can grow enough to be recognized as an official club sport.

“A lot of my friends row at UNC right now,” Shepard said. “I would love to be able to compete against UNC, not even to beat them, but just to see those people again. I think rowing is just a connection type of thing.”

Pilchards had no prior rowing experience, but decided to join after seeing a flyer. She currently serves as the secretary of the club and has enjoyed the experience so far.

“I’ve always been interested in rowing, so when I saw the flyer that said ‘no prior experience needed,’ I decided to do it,” Pilchards said.

Pilchards said she enjoyed getting to know everyone through the workouts and times that they have gotten dinner together. She believes that being secretary has been helpful to her as well because it has required her to really get to know everyone in the club.

It has been a good way to meet people outside of her usual school routine, Pilchards said. She also particularly enjoys the fitness aspect of the club and being around people who also enjoy the sport.

“Anyone can row,” Pilchards said. “It’s very inclusive.”

Pilchards hopes that by the end of the semester they have the boat and are able to row on the water.

“I think eventually our ultimate goal is to be a recognized club sport,” Pilchards said.

Courtesy of Grayson Russell

Appalachian State University’s Faculty Senate presents:

The State of the State of North Carolina March 24 & March 31, 7pm Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts 733 Rivers Street, Boone, NC FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Faculty Senate presents these public lectures in advance of the 2016 election season to offer perspectives to the public about issues facing the citizens of North Carolina.

Sponsored by: Office of the Chancellor • Academic Affairs • Business Affairs Student Development • University Advancement • College of Arts & Sciences Beaver College of Health Sciences • Walker College of Business College of Fine & Applied Arts • Hayes School of Music Reich College of Education • University Libraries

John Hood MARCH 24 President, John William Pope Foundation

William Barber II MARCH 31 President, North Carolina NAACP

Forum Series Mae Jemison

“Exploring the Frontiers of Science and Human Potential” WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 7PM SCHAEFER CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 733 RIVERS STREET, BOONE, NC Free and Open to the Public Dr. Mae C. Jemison, the first woman of color in the world to go into space, served six years as a NASA astronaut and was NASA’s first science mission specialist performing experiments in material science, life science and human adaptation to weightlessness. Dr. Jemison is currently leading an initiative to assure the capability for human interstellar space travel to another star is possible within the next 100 years. Her technology consulting firm The Jemison Group, Inc. integrates the critical impact of socio-cultural issues when designing and implementing technologies, including the use of satellite technology for healthcare delivery in West Africa and solar dish Stirling engines for electricity generation in developing countries.

www.universityforum.appstate.edu w ww ww.univ ivers r ity tyforu r m.appstate.edu Sponsored by: University Forum Committee and University College with additional support from the Joan Askew Vail Endowment and the Office of Multicultural Student Development

O P I N I O N

IF YOU LOVE ANIMALS, SANDERS IS YOUR CANDIDATE

D

uring this ever-changing presidential election season, Sen. Bernie Sanders started out as an underdog, but is quickly gaining momentum because of his popularity with liberal college students and millennials.

I myself am a “yuge” Bernie supporter, but for a different reason than most people.

Despite his surging popularity, many people don’t know that Bernie Sanders is one of the few politicians in the Senate right now that has consistently supported animal rights legislation.

He has a score of 100 from the Humane Society Legislative Fund, meaning that during his time in Congress since 2013, he has advocated for a pro-animal position every opportunity he has by cosponsoring a piece of legislation, voting or signing letters that support animal welfare.

This puts Sanders in a unique position as one of the 11 senators in Congress that have a score of 100 or higher from the Humane Society. His opponent, Hillary Clinton, scored an 83 on the HSLF scorecard during her time in the Senate.

As a self-proclaimed animal rights activist and an ethical vegan, I believe this is a very important fact to bring to light to my fellow animal lovers.

If this is an issue that is close to your heart and one that you prioritize, the answer is clear: You should be supporting Sanders.

Sanders has voted pro-animal on not just things dealing with domestic animals, but has also voted in support of many acts that support both farmed animals, endangered species and wild animals in general.

In addition to supporting bills that directly affect animals, Sanders has

MADDIE LIPPY is a sophomore nutirion and foods major from Huntersville, who is an opinion writer. supported many pieces of legislation that support animals indirectly, such as The Rebuild America Act of 2015.

One of the provisions of this act improves the conditions of our national parks, where many wild animals live.

Sanders’ website lists some of the impressive animal rights legislation he co-sponsored in 2014 alone: the Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act, Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act, Safeguard American Food Exports Act, Captive Primate Safety Act, Egg Products Inspection Act, Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act and the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act. Now, if I tried to explain what all of these pieces of legislation are, I would be writing all week. However, all you should know is that these are very important steps to improving animals’ lives across the United States.

I realize that many people reading this may think, “Why should I care about animal rights?” or, “Why does it matter?” Well, there are a few reasons why having a president who advocates for animals is very important.

The most important reasons are ethical.

If you are a compassionate person, you should educate yourself on how animals are treated on farms in the United States. The unnecessary cruelty and pain that animals go through is gut-wrenching.

I suggest watching “If Slaughterhouses Had Glass Walls” with Paul

McCartney, which was what persuaded me to become a vegan on ethical grounds.

Learning about animal rights changes your world view.

If you start to care about how animals are treated, you will become more sympathetic to the world in general. Compassion is a very important aspect of our society, and it is important for a leader to have compassion to be able to empathize with his own country and with other nations.

It is very important that people know that Sanders is a trustworthy advocate for animals in Congress,

and that he would continue to be if he were elected president.

Although he is not a vegan or vegetarian himself, Sanders is still aware of the animal cruelty that goes on in this country.

Despite most of his time being taken up by the presidential election, he still finds time to advocate for the animals who do not have a voice on this planet, which is more than any of the other current presidential candidates can say.

Humans are the only voices animals have, and if you agree, you should be supporting Sanders for president in 2016.

DIVORCE AFFECTS COLLEGE STUDENTS, TOO

M

any parents may believe that it is best to wait until their children are out of the house to move forward with a divorce. Since their children are older, the thinking is that they will be able to handle it better.

As a college student who has gone through this, I found it very difficult to deal with even at my age.

I was about to be a freshman in college when things fell apart. I took the news very hard for a number of reasons.

When the separation initially happened, there was a lost sense of “home” for me. Going home was and still is not something that I look forward to anymore. There is no happiness and there is always tension in the house.

Now, I rarely go home.

As a result of the separation, I knew my parents would eventually move into

14

LAUREN MERRILL is a sophomore journalism major from Chapel Hill, who is an opinion writer. different places, but I was not prepared to have to choose where I would live during the summer or on breaks.

Having to choose between parents is one of the hardest things a child can do because you don’t want to hurt either of them.

To me, the hardest thing to deal with was coping with the fact that if my parents had just stayed together, I wouldn’t have to choose between either of them. I had a lot of anger towards them because they didn’t realize how much it hurt me.

Another difficult part is knowing, even after I have grown accustomed

to not seeing my parents together, that they will meet new people and start new relationships.

There is a strong expectation put on me that I will have to meet these new people and act happy for my parents, when in reality, it makes me sad to see them with new people.

On top of all of this, I still have to deal with schoolwork and all of the other stresses that come with being a college student.

Parents may wait until their kids are in college to divorce because they think that the child might be old enough and mature enough to handle it better, but that is simply not the case.

As a college student, with the amount of stress that we already have from starting a new life on our own, dealing with a divorce on top of all of that can be detrimental to our mental

and physical health.

And as personal as the issue is for me, it is also important to understand that this affects many people my age.

As the CDC reported in 2012, roughly half of marriages end within 20 years, when most children are reaching college age.

Although you cannot stop divorce, there are ways we can better deal with the situation.

Talking to our parents and explaining how we feel about the situation may make them better understand where we are coming from.

Confiding with friends and giving yourself the time and space you need to process what is happening is crucial to the coping process.

It may seem hard now, but give yourself the time you need and things will improve.

Photo Courtesy of Bernie Sanders’ Campaign

SUBMIT ANNOUNCEMENTS App News is a service of the Division of Student Development. Email dycheab@appstate.edu.

Submissions should not exceed 100 words and must include the event title, date/time, location and cost, and a contact email, phone and/or URL. Announcements will be edited as needed and will run as space allows. Preference is given for events that are free or have a nominal cost.

A P P

N E W S

WHAT TO DO PUBLIC LECTURE Walter Mignolo will present “Decolonial Humanities and Geopolitics of Knowledge: Dwelling, thinking, doing and being in the Borders” at 1 p.m. March 25, room 114, Belk Library.

Walter Mignolo is the Director of the Center for Global Studies and the Humanities, William H. Wannamaker Professor of Literature, and has appointments in Cultural Anthropology and Romance Literature at Duke University. He has published extensively on semiotics and literary theory, and has in the past years been working on different aspects of the modern/colonial world.

DIGITAL DOCUMENTARY LECTURE Digital Appalachia lecture with Elaine McMillion Sheldon, Peabody Award-winning documentary maker, 5:30 p.m. March 30, room 114, Belk Library. Free and open to the public How are digital documentary projects changing the way we frame Appalachia as a region?

Come join the Digital Humanities Working Group for a series of lectures and presentations over the next month that will explore cutting edge digital projects by nationally and internationally recognized artists, academics, and practitioners.

Sponsored by Appalachian State Belk Library & Information Commons, The Digital Humanities Working Group, The Center for Appalachian Studies, The Department of Cultural, Gender, and Global Studies, and University Documentary Film Series.

VISITING WRITERS SERIES The Hughlene Bostian Frank Spring Visiting

Writers Series Events will take place with craft talks and readings in Plemmons Student Union.

Book sales and signings will follow each event.

• March 31 (The Juanita Tobin Memorial Reading): Poet and former Charlotte Observer books editor Dannye Romaine Powell, 3:304:45 p.m. Craft Talk: The Art and Craftiness of the Literary Interview; 7:30-8:30 p.m. Reading; Table Rock, PSU • April 7: Travel and Adventure Writing with Peter Fish and Leigh Ann Henion, 2-3:15 p.m.

Craft Talk: Travel Writing; 7:30-9 p.m. Reading; Table Rock, PSU • April 28 (with the Diversity Speakers Series): Poet, Memoirist, and Social Justice Activist Luis Rodriguez, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Craft Talk in Table Rock, PSU; 7:30-9 p.m. Reading in Blue Ridge Ballroom, PSU

THE WELLNESS WORKSHOPS The Counseling Center presents “The Wellness Workshops: Feelin’ Good in the Neighborhood!”

Space is limited. Reservations should be made at campbellha@appstate.edu. Extra credit slips will be made available. Visit counseling. appstate.edu or call 828-262-3180.

• What Shape is Your Personality: Learn more about Yourself and How to Relate to Others, 4-5 p.m. April 6, Linn Cove, PSU • Let’s Get Out! Explore the Connection Between Positive Mental Health and Being Outdoors, 5-7 p.m., April 14, workshop will take place outside, email to register

FRIDAY, MARCH 25

How to Hike the Appalachian Trail Talk

“Decolonial Humanities and Geopolitics of Knowledge: Dwelling, Thinking, Doing and Being in the Borders” Lecture with Walter Mignolo

“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” Screening

FREE LEGAL ADVICE The Student Legal Clinic, in suite 324 in Plemmons Student Union, offers confidential advice, information, and referrals provided by a licensed attorney.

The attorney can meet with any currently enrolled Appalachian State student and can advise students on any issue that is not directly adverse to the university.

Make an appointment by calling 828-2628284. Information at legalclinic.appstate.edu.

NAVIGATING COLLEGE The group will explore healthy lifestyle choices and the impact of alcohol and other drug use in college. Students are invited to the Wellness and Prevention Services office to join a mindfulness-based group focused on the impact of alcohol and other drug use while in college, incorporating resilience building, high risk substance use prevention and harm reduction strategies by way of stress reduction, healthy decision-making and group support to assist in personal growth and success as a college student.

The group will meet 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesdays, room 306, Reich College of Education.

Email asmabt@appstate.edu.

SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS STUDY ABROAD IN ITALY WEEK Outdoor Programs and Recreation Manage-

THURSDAY, MARCH 24 6:30 p.m.

Whitewater Cafe Free

The awareness week is scheduled for April 11-16. All are welcome to attend. Those interested in planning an event should fill out a project proposal as soon as possible. For information, email cavallaroe@appstate.edu.

ment is presenting a study abroad program in Italy this summer.

A course in Commercial Recreation and Outdoor Recreation will be offered, along with immersion in the language, local cuisine, and distinct cultures found along the way.

The trip dates are June 7 to 27, and the cost of $4,100 covers everything.

To learn more, visit www.op.appstate.edu or email campbllrh@appstate.edu or sharaievskai@appstate.edu.

TUTORING CENTER OPEN Visit room 208 in D.D. Dougherty and fill out a tutor request form. The tutoring lab is open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday. Call 828-262-3060 or email apputs@appstate.edu. For more information about the services offered, go to lap.appstate. edu/tutoring.

WRITING CENTER OPEN The University Writing Center (room 008 in Belk Library) will be open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, during spring semester.

Both appointments and walk-ins are accepted. Appointments can be made by calling 828262-3144 or by visiting writingcenter.appstate. edu.

FREE GUIDED MEDITATION Held noon-12:30 p.m. in Attic Window (room 137C), PSU. Hosted by Wellness and Prevention Services. No meditation experience necessary. Drop-ins welcome.

SATURDAY, MARCH 26

SUNDAY, MARCH 27

1 p.m.

Room 114, Belk Library Free

7 p.m.

Greenbriar Theater, PSU $1

MONDAY, MARCH 28

TUESDAY, MARCH 29

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30

THURSDAY, MARCH 31

State Holiday

State Holiday

“Pretty in Pink” Screening

“The Peanuts Movie” Screening

7 p.m.

Greenbriar Theater, PSU $1

7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

I.G. Greer Auditorium $2

Digital Appalachian Lecture with Elaine McMillion Sheldon

Deb Foerst Lecture, “Tell Them We Are Human: Sovereignty, Education and the Eastern Band of Cherokee”

5:30 p.m.

Room 114, Belk Library Free

March Global Exchange: Bollywood Dancing 4 p.m.

Whitewater Cafe, PSU Free

3 p.m.

Gathering Room, Reich Education Bldg.

Free

Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series: Dannye Romine Powell 7:30 p.m.

Table Rock, PSU Free

START BUILDING CONFIDENCE. START PUSHING YOURSELF. START CHALLENGING YOUR STRENGTHS. START TAKING ON CHALLENGES. START BUILDING LEADERSHIP. START BUILDING A TEAM. START STRONG.

Enroll in ROTC at ASU. Take on new challenges and learn valuable leadership skills. You could even receive a two- year scholarship.

After you graduate, you'll be an Army Officer.

To learn more, call 828-262-2994 or visit us online at goarmy.com/rotc/es42

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