The Appalachian, September 2026

is the flock

WATCHING?

September 9, 2026 Cover by Anna Milewicz | Graphics Editor

pg.4-5, 2-3, 22-23 16-17 pg.

2

CONTACT & GAMES

Comic by Anna Milewicz | Graphics Editor

September 9, 2026

CONTACT & GAMES

Boone

Climb

Coach

FieldHockey

Down CrossCountry

Her

September

Magazine

Skate

View

TheAppalachian

Camera

Down

3

Across

Across

Games by Annie Stidham | Business Manager

4

NEWS

September 9, 2026

Birds of a feather de-Flock together: Boone grapples with Flock cameras Noah Williford | Reporter and Ashton Ahart | News Editor Graphics by Cayley West | Assoc. Graphics Editor

The implementation of artificial Sharpie pens. The protest, while cameras in the entirety of Watauga intelligence security systems, constant small, is part of a growing movement County. Under state law, our only in the High Country to end Boone’s option is to end the contract, which widespread security cameras and relationship with Flock and begin data collection draws a diverse set would eliminate 2 of the roughly pursuing less controversial measures 20+ systems. The others are private of public responses. Sometimes, it prompts calling a representative, and to ensure citizen and student safety. businesses, NCDOT, Watauga The students’ main inspiration County, and ASU,” George other times, it prompts standing in protest on App State’s Sanford Mall. for the protest was @deflock. commented under the DeFlock boone828, an Instagram page Aug. 17, students gathered in Boone account. front of Plemmons Student Union to devoted to tracking Flock camera The two Flock cameras used by protest against App State’s contract locations in Boone and on campus. the town are actively monitored by The account, whose first post was with national security agency Flock Boone Police and are used to track Safety. App State signed the contract created June 5, has garnered over vehicles and license plates. They 2,000 followers and an official in 2022 for an initial term of 24 are not used to track humans in any response from Boone Mayor Dalton format, including facial recognition, months, installing three of Flock’s automated license plate readers, also George regarding the appearance according to the Boone NC PD and usage of Flock cameras in known as ALPRs, from the Falcon Flock Transparency Portal.

Boone. line for $1,050 in installation fees “Boone Police Department “This was voted on roughly 6 and a biannual cost of $2,500 per uses Flock Safety technology to years ago; none of the members camera. capture objective evidence without The student protest, around 10 of Council now were a part of the compromising on individual privacy. strong, sported its “FLOCK OUT” body that entered into the contract. Boone Police utilizes retroactive The Town only controls two Flock signs made from lined paper and search to solve crimes after they’ve

Graphic by Anna Milewicz | Graphics Editor

Alongside George’s comment occurred,” the website reads.

The third ALPR camera listed were many others encouraging the on the transparency portal is a non- removal of Flock cameras, mixed with those who support using the permanent fixture used by Boone Police for special events or in the case cameras to catch criminal suspects.

A camera under the control of of threats, according to George.

Boone Police at the Watauga County As part of its policy, the Flock Recreation Center notified the cameras used by the town are used Watauga County Sheriff’s Office, as only by Boone Police, and the information is not given out to third well as the local police department, parties. The information is also not that a vehicle driving by matched the license plate number associated intended for immigration officers, with a suspect wanted for murder in traffic enforcement, harassment or intimidation, according to its website. Greenville County, South Carolina.

The driver, Raimon St. John “I don’t have a vote, but I Campbell, was taken into custody introduced a measure to pause any and arrested by Boone Police, where additional systems, so as it stands now the Town will never have more he now awaits trial scheduled in the Watauga Courthouse. than the two that currently exist.

Another incident involving If I were to vote on the matter tomorrow, I would personally vote to Boone Police’s Flock cameras terminate,” George commented in an concerns an undercover Boone police officer, a drug dealer and Instagram post.

NEWS

5

“A lot of people are really Elliot is still on unpaid leave a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police passionate about this,” junior Department officer who was arrested as of now, and the NCSBI’s psychology major Ben Aldred said. and placed on unpaid administrative investigation is ongoing.

“I don’t think a lot of people really The controversies surrounding leave July 29. know about that. I didn’t know until the use of these cameras continue The Charlotte officer, Seth earlier. If I’d known, I would have to grow around the nation as Elliot, gave information to the been really, really upset, and I know reports rise of officers abusing the suspected drug dealer that was a lot of people will be really upset allegedly taken from an unauthorized technology. search of a North Carolina license In Boone, the controversies are once they find out what’s happened.”

While Flock advertises that plate registration system, according reaching new heights with public none of its automatic license to a Facebook post made by the displays of discontent like the deplate reader cameras, ALPRs can North Carolina State Bureau of Flock Boone protest on Sanford track individuals and their facial Investigation.

Mall. Although entirely made up or biometric data, there has been It is suspected Elliot used Flock of freshmen, the protestors were inspired by the increasing nationwide national concern and suspicion over cameras to gather information on the undercover Boone police officer’s pressure on all levels of government the fact that the cameras’ recorded data can be used for such purposes, to end their contracts with Flock license plate, which he gave to the often by the very law enforcement suspected drug dealer, whom he said and the questions surrounding the officers entrusted with the safe use of company’s technology. was a friend from college.

Graphic by Anna Milewicz | Graphics Editor

Suspected Flock Camera

Flock’s in-depth information systems. as sensitive public information under “It’s not just about total privacy N.C.G.S. § 132-1.7,” which bars certain security information from per se, but also the ability to feel being shared through Freedom of safe in general, feeling like your life is private,” said Starr Brady, protest Information Act requests. Despite this, general consensus on the organizer and freshman criminal cameras’ locations is consistent, as justice major. “Even though, yes, the characteristic black devices are you’re in a public space, you know that every single one of your moves hard to miss. Two of the cameras are believed to be on Rivers Street, with is not being filmed. You know that your facial data is not being collected one facing John E. Thomas Hall.

The camera outside of Walker Hall every time you walk outside your is thought to be the third. dorm.”

While the receipts between App State’s contract with Flock and App State detail the Flock came to light recently purchase of three Flock Falcon through a public records request ALRPs, the contract itself sent in by DeFlockILM, a citizencontains language implying open led organization in Wilmington correspondence about additional that opposes the deployment of devices which was never completed Flock cameras. They shared their via purchase. The definitions are for organization’s emails with App Flock’s Raven line gunshot detectors State, as well as some details of the university’s business relationship with and Flock’s Sparrow line ALPRs. While Flock is creating Flock.

In the emails between App State conversations nationally about and DeFlockILM published by Mark surveillance, artificial intelligence Williams, a lawyer from Wilmington, and what it means to live in the digital age, it is also pushing young App State did not confirm the people to speak their minds and fight locations of these three cameras, claiming the information is “exempt for what they believe in.

NEWS

6

Howard Knob unveils new 200-degree skybridge overlook

September 9, 2026

Abigail Eggers | Reporter

S

been there.

Imagine Watauga is a 15-year cott Carter is the new and compared the view at Howard be amazing,” Carter said.

“I don’t really remember what Director of Watauga County plan to “enhance quality of life” Knob to mapmaking.

Neal said he likes to watch the it looked like, to be honest, which in Watauga County and is led Parks and Recreation as of July. He “I’m used to seeing this seasons change from Howard Knob, was what motivated me to come up as well as look at the view on rainy

by Watauga County and Boone had been on the job for about two perspective, and I always loved here today, was to try to remember weeks when he decided to check out Tourism Development Authorities, it. You know, I always thoroughly days. what it was and compare. I wish I according to its website.

Howard Knob Park’s overlook in “It’s always something different, enjoyed looking down, using imagery “I actually took my daughter up took photos back then, but it was so no matter when you go, so I think order to answer people’s logistical to look down on the Earth,” Jamie long ago now that any photo I took is it’s a great place to take friends and Ogden said. questions. Watauga County unveiled there with me. She’s 13, and when probably lost to time,” Blair said. a new addition to the long-standing we walked up there, she looked at There is no official date set for a family or people that are visiting Jamie and Joanie Ogden me, and she was like, ‘Wow.’ I was overlook this summer.

Boone. It’s also a good place if you’ve ribbon-cutting ceremony, but Boone like, ‘I know; isn’t this super cool?’” recently went to Howard Knob As of June, Howard Knob TDA is hoping to have one before been up there 100 times to go see while visiting friends in Banner Elk. what’s new and different today,” Neal the year is over, according to Hope Carter said.

County Park now includes a new Their daughter graduated from App said.

He has visited the overlook Americans with Disabilities ActThingelstad, Director of Partnerships State in 2007. Joanie Ogden said several times since then and looks compliant skybridge overlook, a and Outreach for Boone TDA. The new overlook has an standing on Howard Knob, her view entirely flat surface, which is part forward to seeing people use picnic shelter with charcoal grills, Howard Knob County Park is of Boone was different than how she of what makes it ADA accessible, the picnic shelter located on the picnic tables and an expanded open daily May 1 through Oct. 20 imagined it. overlook. parking lot. according to Carter. Jamie and Joanie from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

“It’s so eye-opening, and with “I think it’s a great place to host The new overlook was devised Ogden acknowledged the overlook is

by Destination by Design. According things and to have small gatherings all the rain we’ve had, the trees are now above rocks they would’ve had gorgeous. It would be really cool to to climb if not for the skybridge. to its website, the skybridge provides up there,” Carter said.

James Blair recently revisited the see in the fall,” Joanie Ogden said. a 200-degree view which sits at 4,396 “As we get older and older, Carter also commented on the climbing those rocks would not be as overlook to reminisce on his time as feet of elevation. a student at App State. He had last fall foliage at the overlook.

The initial plan was developed easy,” Joanie Ogden said.

“When the leaves start to in 2018 as part of Imagine Watauga, visited Howard Knob in 2018 during Jamie Ogden is a cartographer change colors, that view that people his freshman year. Blair said it was said Case Neal, a senior landscape are going to get up there is going to less developed when he had last architect at Design by Designation.

The Town of Boone and Grandfather Mountain, as seen from Howard Knob Park Aug. 25. The park sits at 4,396 ft. above sea level, atop Howard Knob Peak. | Photo by Brooke Robinson | Photojournalist

Meet the App State Super Commuters who travel 100+ miles to campus

NEWS

7

Kait Honeycutt | Reporter

Many students are likely to roll out of bed 10 minutes before their class starts, but for some App State professors, commuting to campus and back can be an all-day trip.

Evan Ringel, an assistant professor in the Department of Communication, lives in Hillsborough and travels to Boone Tuesdays and Thursdays. His commute days start by waking up at 4 a.m. and hitting the road 30 minutes later, arriving on campus by 7:30 a.m. for office hours.

Ringel, his wife and their 6-week-old daughter moved to Boone in August 2024. They rented a small duplex near campus, but as his daughter started to walk, Ringel said the 700-square-foot duplex didn’t give his family the space and privacy they needed.

Their new house in Hillsborough is 1,900 square feet — an added 1,100 square feet despite Ringel’s family paying roughly the same amount as they did for the Boone duplex. Ringel’s wife started attending medical school at UNCChapel Hill, and his commute to App State keeps him away most of the day. Despite the challenges, Ringel said they made the decision to move back to Hillsborough, where Ringel grew up and his parents are still living.

“I love my job and App; it’s a wonderful place to be. But I also love my family and want them to be able to pursue their dreams, so if driving back and forth is what it takes, I’ll do it,” Ringel said.

There are many resources to help students find places to live, like

in touch with other members and websites and social media pages. having this will be very beneficial to Melissa Adams, associate professor of public relations, said faculty don’t members so they can find everything they need,” Adams said. have the same volume of resources Adams worked in public to find Boone housing, which is why she created the Facebook group App relations before deciding to get her doctorate. Originally from State Super Commuters.

Wilkes County, she’s accustomed Adams knew there was a to moving for her job, previously university board available for commuting, but she said it didn’t fit faculty members’ needs. After talking with colleagues, she created the group chat as a resource for staff to swap information about road conditions and find places to live.

So far, there are only five members in the group chat, Ringel included, but Adams hopes more will join once more faculty members become aware of it.

“Posting road conditions, getting

living in Greensboro, Durham and members of App State. It held its Milwaukee. soft opening last fall, and about 60 Adams moved to Boone in 2019 App State professionals now reside and stayed for five years but returned there. Innovation Ridge continues to Carrboro after expenses rose. to open more properties to meet the After Hurricane Helene, she said her needs of App State faculty seeking rent went up $400 for a place that housing in Boone. wasn’t repaired. Adams said she had Kendra Birch, leasing manager the opportunity to move back to an at Innovation Ridge, wrote in an email that rent is set through an area she was familiar with and that annual budget process when the was affordable for her lifestyle. cost of running and maintaining “When I first took the job, the property is determined. Rent it was more affordable. But since rent has risen, I’m a single, middle- prices start at a base rate but can be edited for standing specials, like aged woman and I simply couldn’t rent concessions, which can reduce afford it anymore on one salary,” the base rate of a unit’s price. These Adams said. reductions, Birch wrote, depend on Innovation Ridge is an onthe unit type and are approved by campus community designed to the university and management. house staff and faculty “It is our goal to make App State personnel that call this home to have as easy a time as possible,” Birch wrote.

Adams said the average person should spend 30% of their annual salary on rent, and unfortunately, some professors simply can’t afford it due to circumstances like health, family income or other expenses.

Until these professors can find housing in Boone that fits their lifestyle, App State super commuters will keep commuting.

“I enjoy what I teach, the flexibility and I enjoy working with the students. I think we’re very lucky at App, and all of those things make the drive worthwhile,” Adams said.

Ringel and his Corolla in Hillsborough July 22. Before his concussion in February, Ringel was traveling more than 600 miles a week to and from campus. | Photo by Noah Williford | Photojournalist

8

NEWS

September 9, 2026

The Mountaineer Tavern opens ahead of App State football season Claire Watanabe | Reporter

A longstanding Boone building deep dish pizza place called Boonies. had throughout the years,” said is getting a new life with the opening And so then it changed hands, and it Dishman. “And so we can’t honor all sat empty for about a year and a half, of them but athletics helped us, and of The Mountaineer Tavern, a we’ve found some really cool things.” almost two years, before we took it restaurant full of school spirit for The atmosphere is designed over and the landlord and all of us students, alumni and locals.

Located on Blowing Rock Road, came to an agreement we were going to appeal to more than just college students. App State alum and front to rehab it.” the App State-themed restaurant house manager Connor Deal said the After sitting vacant for opened its doors in July. The menu tavern has received feedback from nearly two years, the building was consists of rotating daily specials, locals who appreciate the collegerenovated before reopening as The cocktails and a variety of entrées.

Mountaineer Tavern. Dishman said town atmosphere and high-end The Mountaineer Tavern’s the goal was to create an atmosphere dining. building has a long history in The Mountaineer Tavern sign “We’ve had a bunch of locals honoring the community’s roots the town of Boone, said Preston facing Blowing Rock Road coming and been like, ‘Wow, it’s through photos of App State Dishman, the daily operations Aug. 30. | Photo by Parker Lunn | Photojournalist mascot Yosef throughout the years. beautiful to see a tavern that blends manager.

“I’m from here and so I grew up Alongside Yosef are photos of App the college atmosphere with that kind of higher end environment,’” Deal in town and everything else. When I State Athletics’ highlights. said. “And so it’s been really exciting “There’s a bunch of different was a kid, it was a Hardee’s, so I’ve to create something new and subvert of the busiest times of year: football pictures and candids all over the been to this building hundreds and “We’re excited to be a part people’s expectations.” restaurant of all the incredible hundreds of times,” Dishman said. of the community and to see the season. With students and fans Staff are also preparing for one returning for games, staff member student athletes and things that we’ve “Most recently, it was a Chicago beginning of the athletic year and the academic year for our workers, Cole James said the restaurant is our partners, our team members, but ready to provide a school-spirited also all the team in the university as environment for the upcoming well,” Dishman said. football season.

For Deal, the restaurant also “This place is geared towards App State, I would say. We’re excited represents an opportunity to become a part of Boone’s history. He hopes for when football season comes in; we’re just preparing for it right now,” The Mountaineer Tavern will become a place future App State James said.

Despite the prospects of a busy alumni visit long after their college season, the staff of The Mountaineer years.

“I’m so excited for the day when Tavern feel ready to handle the rush.

“We have such a great attitude. alumni bring their kids here to move them in and they’re like, ‘You got We understand that it’s going to be very busy; it’s going to be a lot,” Deal to go into the Mountaineer Tavern said. “But we’re all bracing it with because that’s where we were when fun, with excitement.” we were kids here, when we were seniors.’” Deal said. “And that kind Dishman said the tavern of just brings a level of excitement to is looking to become a regular the legacy that we get to build right gathering place for the App State now.” and Boone community. He said this includes not only students and The original Yosef logo above the window in Mountaineer Tavern Aug. 30. | alumni but also the people of Boone.

Photo by Parker Lunn | Photojournalist

NEWS

Drinks available for purchase behind the bar available at Mountaineer Tavern Aug. 30. | Photo by Parker Lunn | Photojournalist

Cook Randy Wrenn preparing a burger for a customer Aug. 30. | Photo by Parker Lunn | Photojournalist

9

Cook Berlyn Eld making a salad for a customer at Mountaineer Tavern Aug. 30. | Photo by Parker Lunn | Photojournalist

10

NEWS

September 9, 2026

Community rallies around ZRC Skate after damages, soon to be operational again

Jen Wallace | Assoc. Political News Editor

I

n mid-July, a drunken driver smashed into the camp van of a local skate park located on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina.

Zionville Ramp Company is a skate park that offers many activities to the community, including camps, open skates, lessons, events and teams for the community to join.

Ashley Galleher, the owner of ZRC Skate, said her initial reaction to the call was disbelief.

“It sucks when someone makes s--- choices, and it affects innocent people,” she said.

Galleher said her main joy in running ZRC Skate is getting to give back to the community by offering camps and hosting events; an accident like this, she said, causes ZRC to take a step back and focus on being operational again.

“It’s not just like, ‘Oh, it made it difficult to earn money, or it set me back financially.’ It took me away from summer camp and being present with the kids and having fun with the kids who’ve looked forward to this summer camp all year long,” Galleher said.

The damage to the building was focused on the offices and camp rooms, leaving the indoor skate park unaffected. However, this still led to immediate changes to the ways ZRC Skate operated for the remainder of the summer. Since the camp room was affected, the overnight camps

open her mind to accepting support. had to be canceled.

“Thank you, everyone, for the to Hickory have reached out, and She said she was against the help support, the outpouring from all Along with part of its summer people that have skated here have at first, as she didn’t want to ask too communities — you know, App State, reached out. So that really means a camps getting canceled, ZRC much of people, though she realized Boone, Boone at large, the county Skate had to push back a project lot,” Galleher said. if the community wanted to help, it has been working on for a while. at large and even people all the way Galleher said she has an idea to turn they would.

“It helps me tremendously when part of the facility into a bed-andbreakfast for skateboarders, couples a lot of people give a little bit. And so I’ve been able to pay people out of and even families to stay.

“They can come and stay here pocket. I paid a structural engineer; paid the contractor to do some and have access to the facility and, you know, come to the sessions and utilize this place fully. And I’ve been working on that for the last year and a half,” Galleher said.

She said she no longer feels comfortable hosting large numbers temporary repairs,” she said. of people in the facility because of ZRC is projected to make swift the structural damage to the building. progress on the repairs and hopefully As of now, she cannot plan any more be done in two months, with Oct. events or camps.

31 as the latest date of being fully Even with the damage to the operational again. ZRC also plans to building and the immediate setbacks, add extra precautions to make sure Galleher looks at the accident something like this doesn’t happen through a positive lens, using the again. incident as a teaching moment for “It’s probably a once-in-athe campers. million, one-time thing. But when “I try to use it as a moment to something scary happens, that’s how teach them responsible choices, and our brains are wired: like, we think it’s an important lesson for them. about it happening again,” Galleher Your choices have consequences said. that affect more than just you.

She plans on installing new And children, you know, they can concrete poles outside the building Ashley Galleher understand that. They actually to prevent drivers from hitting the launches off a skate understand it better than adults,” ramp at Zionville building.

Galleher said.

Ramp Company in Galleher added that without the Trade, Tennessee, The accident also caused help of the surrounding community, Aug. 25. | Photo Galleher to realize the community she wouldn’t have been able to

by Juliet Coen | would rally around her business and recover from this incident.

Photojournalist

ARTS & CULTURE

11

‘We are the exception’: Q’Pasa Appalachia and IJC build safe space in Boone Alex Wallin | A&C Editor Graphics by Anna Milewicz | Graphics Editor

B

have a “link” to reach out to them. oone can be appealing “We became kind of like from an outside that bridge between the Hispanic perspective, with and Latino community and the its strong community and rich community at large to come together artistic culture atop the Blue Ridge Mountains. Within this community, to help each other,” Adams said.

The Boone Area Chamber of two groups are working behind the Commerce was another impactful scenes to help educate and build aid in bridging the gap between stronger ties from the roots up. communities, one that Adams was Q’Pasa Appalachia and able to work Immigrant Justice Coalition are locally-based organizations working closely with as a to provide resources to the Hispanic former board member. and Latino community of Boone.

“One Sarah Donovan, a board member for of the big IJC, said it works to bridge the gap things we did between lifestyles in Boone. was also creating “We want to educate people a good conversation and create community and really and trust and just remove the obstacles that bridge between sometimes make it challenging for our immigrant neighbors to live and the Hispanic and Latino thrive here,” Donovan said.

Yolanda Adams, the cofounder community of Q’Pasa Appalachia alongside Iris and law Straube, said their organization was enforcement, established in 2020. Adams said the which is longevity of the group was uncertain very rare to find in other in the beginning, yet it still stands communities,” as a crucial resource in Boone even Adams said. after a global pandemic.

Together, “When the pandemic Adams said they started to happened, we realized there was build that trust through meetings a lot of information that needed they called “café con leche,” where to be shared, not just about they discussed various rules and the educational system but the regulations in Boone and the community at large,” Adams said.

In this practice, Adams realized reasonings behind them, alongside any updates regarding immigration. there was a plethora of businesses “I feel like a lot of the times, and organizations around Boone relationships are hard when we eager to help the Hispanic and just listen to the media and we go Latino community, but they didn’t

by toxicity that we read instead of coming together and finding that we don’t have to agree on absolutely everything,” Adams said.

“When we talk, we can always find common ground to work on and that’s what happened with the law enforcement.”

Slowly, these meetings became a regular occurrence as community

members began to show up and become more comfortable with law enforcement. As the conversation deepened, so did the community.

Donovan said the IJC has worked with law enforcement to ensure the protection of Boone’s Hispanic and Latino community, including educating people

on Immigration and Customs Enforcement policies.

“The IJC has gone to the sheriff’s office on several occasions to have conversations about, you know, when there were certain pieces of legislation that were kind of up in the air that were going to potentially force local law enforcement — including sheriffs — to cooperate with ICE more closely,” Donovan said. “We had conversations with the sheriff that were really helpful and really insightful.”

The North Carolina Border Protection Act was passed in June after House Republicans overrode Gov. Josh Stein’s veto.

Locally, this law requires both the sheriff and Boone PD to cooperate with ICE, providing immigration officials with more power and authority over the High Country.

“We have seen an uptick in people being arrested and detained and having ICE come and pick them up from our local jail here in Watauga County as a result of that piece of legislation that passed,” Donovan said. “We are seeing that happening in our community, and I do think that it’s important for

people to know that it is something that trickles down from federal and state policy to the local level, and we are seeing how that impacts families in our community.”

Despite a polarizing political climate and increasingly harsh immigration standards, Adams said the community continues to show up at each meeting to learn from each other about the various rules and regulations around Boone.

“We are the exception,” Adams said. “Every time we have had meetings like that, we have over 100 people that come to those meetings because they want to be involved.”

Adams highlighted the support she’s seen from Boone’s law enforcement, who reassure Hispanic and Latino community members they belong and will be served just as any other member of the community would.

“Our community shows up for one another, and we’re really grateful for that,” Donovan said. “We see community members who are not immigration-affected that want to do what they can to make others who are immigrants or immigrationaffected feel at home and welcome and safe in our community.”

12

September 9, 2026

ARTS & CULTURE

The Latin Hispanic Alliance affirms students and celebrates culture Alayna Day | Assoc. A&C Editor

Club members share their ideas during the Latin Hispanic Alliance Club meeting Aug. 24. | Photo by Jackson Snipes | Photojournalist

President Nahomi Balcazar Velazquez debriefing at the Latin Hispanic Alliance Club meeting Aug. 24. | Photo by Jackson Snipes | Photojournalist

E

ach Thursday, excited of pride in who we are and where we members have fun and share those come from and to share that among moments of team bonding,” Morales members of the our general body members, for them said. “familia” gather in Through its events and club Plemmons Student Union to create to remember that they belong in mission, LHA has prioritized making the welcoming, caring and culturally any space and that they can shine colorful community of App State’s as well,” said Lea Morales, a junior its presence known on App State’s middle grades education major and campus, bringing a fresh breath Latin Hispanic Alliance.

LHA is a club centered around one of LHA’s public relations chairs. of diversity and inclusivity, which has been lacking, said Balcazar LHA hosts a myriad of events celebrating and promoting Latin Velazquez. and Hispanic culture while uplifting throughout each semester, all with “We have had students come rich cultural roots and exciting members of these communities on up to us and be like, ‘Hey, I really activities to celebrate heritage and campus. The club intends to bring have fun while doing it. From playing appreciate this club; I really have together and support students of “Lotería” at club meetings to hosting found my people here,’” Balcazar Latin and Hispanic descent but Velazquez said. “It’s really nice to colorful campus-wide festivals on is open to all who appreciate and see that people really do rely on us or Sanford Mall, LHA finds ways to respect these cultures.

Senior communication sciences connect to students throughout App see us as a space where they can be themselves or feel that familiarization State. and disorders major Nahomi One of LHA’s biggest events is that they may not see on campus.”

Balcazar Velazquez, president of Morales said LHA’s goal is to LHA, has been a member since her the Hispanic Heritage Festival held empower all club members and freshman year and on the executive each fall during Hispanic Heritage Month, and it’s Balcazar Velazquez’s community members alike to be board since her sophomore year. confident in who they are, where they Balcazar Velazquez said LHA seeks favorite LHA event. are from and to know they matter.

“It’s a huge celebration we to operate as a family rather than a “We don’t serve to exclude but club, from which the naming of its have on Sanford Mall,” Balcazar instead be accepting of whoever or Velazquez said. “We have food, members as “familia” stems. performers, vendors and we had an whatever approaches us,” Morales “We really are just here to provide a second home to people of art show last year, and it was just like said. “You belong wherever you Latino Hispanic backgrounds, just to expressing how it feels to be Hispanic dream to be.”

LHA meets weekly in Room 236 be another support — a home away Latino; it was so beautiful.”

In the spring semester, LHA puts of the student union at 7 p.m., and from home,” Balcazar Velazquez the doors are open to any and all together its second-biggest event of said. who are looking for a safe space to More than just existing to bring the year: Taste of Latin America, people of these minorities together where people volunteer to cook their be themselves, find encouragement favorite cultural dishes from all over in community and explore and each week and through its events, celebrate their own or another’s LHA works to remind its members the Latin Hispanic world. culture.

Another popular event they have a place in their bigger “I want people to know that organized by LHA — and Morales’ community at App State as well.

LHA is a reminder that ‘si se puede,’ favorite — is the Latin Olympics, The club’s leaders recognize how meaning ‘it is possible’ or ‘yes, it can overwhelming App State can be for where participants are split into be done,’” Morales said. “Whatever groups and compete in minigames students of minority groups, and with roots in Latin Hispanic cultures, it is you’re doing, or if you feel like they take their role in providing such as the Payaso de Rodeo dance. you’re lacking, you can overcome any community for those students challenge that you are confronted “I really enjoy those types seriously. with.” of events, you know, seeing our “We strive to keep that candle

ARTS & CULTURE

13

Exploring girlhood and literature through

Her Campus

Liz Townsend | Visual Managing Editor

magazine

Editor’s Note: The Appalachian has some membership overlap with Her Campus Magazine. No members of The Appalachian were interviewed for this article, and no members of Her Campus Magazine were involved in the writing or editing process.

F

her build her journalism portfolio.

Brown’s experience of coming or many college women, the magazine. time spent and, most importantly, Her Campus was a perfect fit. a sense of girlhood may into college with no idea what Bright talked about a perfume relationships. Brown said she is “This is actually what I thought she reviewed and received two free seem hard to find. When organization to join is not an still in contact with the last two a club would be,” Fitzgerald said. coming into a new space and looking uncommon one. Kaitlyn Bright, bottles of, some of her most prized presidents of App State’s branch “Just girls hanging out.” for an organization that will help you a senior public relations major possessions. Although it may seem of Her Campus, talking to them Her Campus doesn’t only open silly, she said, it was cool to receive make friends, you never know if you and member of the social media frequently both about advice and just up internal possibilities for growth executive board for Her Campus, are making the right choice. something that people often view having casual conversation. and friendship but external ones learned about the club through Three years ago, a young and as only for celebrities and famous “The girlhood stays even after too. One exciting feature of the club content creators.

Brown. shy Allison Brown, now a senior you leave the club,” Brown said. is the opportunity to reach out to At first, Bright was hesitant to digital journalism major, scrolled Members of Her Campus through the App State Engage page, join. “I’m not a writer,” Bright said. brands and receive public relations leave with professional journalism packages with products to review for training, experience to back up their However, the social media aspect searching for a club that wouldn’t that Her Campus includes in its judge her and came across Her process was something that piqued Campus. Now, she is the president her interest. of the club, an advocate for Bright came to her first meeting communities of acceptance and a to meet people both in her field more confident journalist. and in different ones, as well as to Her Campus is described internationally as the No. 1 women’s inspire her own creativity. She stayed college magazine, according to Kylie for the girlhood that immediately Fitzgerald, a senior digital journalism encapsulates each woman entering the App State Her Campus meeting major and third-year “Her Campus-onian.” It does not limit its room of Anne Belk Hall, Room 238.

“That’s the one thing that journalism to just online articles but comes to mind when I think of Her explores social media posts as well and strives to be a global community Campus is the relationships I have with the girls in the club,” Bright of girls.

Whether you are seeking advice said.

Fitzgerald, a member of the on mental challenges, looking executive board for public relations to catch up on political issues or and marketing, said that when she wanting to read some relatable sex and relationship stories, Her Campus was looking for clubs to join herself, she didn’t want to join a club just for covers it all free from judgement. the sake of doing so. She was looking When the world feels critical and for something that was fun, exciting, heavy, Her welcomes students with The staff of App State’s chapter of Her Campus in Anne Belk Hall Aug. 26. involved her major and would help open arms. | Photo by Noah Williford | Photojournalist

14

ARTS & CULTURE

September 9, 2026

Buskers Fest celebrates Boone’s musical traditions with a modern twist

Brett Salisbury | Reporter Graphics by Cayley West | Assoc. Graphics Editor

P

edestrians who walk a few place as well.

Holt said about the stage at the Jones executive director of the Watauga blocks down King Street will House.

Buskers Fest will take place Arts Council. She wanted to support see just how integral the arts are to Saturday from 1-5 p.m. with events local creatives safely, and hosting The festival is designed for Boone. They will pass the Turchin spread out across downtown Boone. busking to happen around downtown the festival outside allowed it to be Center for the Visual Arts, The A full list of musicians, performers larger than if it were inside. It was Boone. Performers will be spread Appalachian Theatre of the High and vendors can be found on the out all along King Street, with some an instant hit, and Watauga Arts Country and Nth Degree Gallery Council has continued the event ever Watauga Arts Council website. spilling over to Depot Street and and Studios. They are also bound to Howard Street. There will be more since.

Metered parking will be available on pass a musician performing with a King Street and Queen Street, with “Accessibility is important to than just musicians, as the list of container for tips in front of them. performers includes aerial silk artists, us,” Holt said regarding the Watauga additional parking options available Busking, the act of performing a drum circle, interactive pottery on App State’s campus, including Arts Council. That philosophy led in public spaces for voluntary to King Street being chosen wheels from App State Clay Club donations, has “shaped Boone’s as a venue, as it is not and henna tattoos from EDGE artistic identity,” according to the nonprofit. The aerial silk artists are only a central location website of the Watauga Arts Council. making a return after participating in in Boone but an The legendary bluegrass singer Doc Buskers Fest in 2023. important cultural Watson began his musical career Local potters, painters and busking street corners in the High jewelers will also be showing their Country alongside his brother wares. Festivalgoers will be able Linny Watson. There’s a statue of to patronize the businesses on Doc Watson doing just that at the King Street, some of which will intersection of Depot Street and be participating in the festival, King Street. with Appalachian Theatre hosting “We want to uplift the tradition karaoke band The Local Vocals. of busking while working with “Every few feet is a new modern creatives,” said Krista cultural experience,” Holt, the operations and programs Holt said. “There’s manager for the Watauga Arts really something for Council, who defined the mission of everyone.” the Fest.

The event has been going While busking traditionally on since 2021. It originally involves acoustic performance, Holt started as a creative response said the Watauga Arts Council plans to COVID-19 restrictions to have a stage at the Jones House

by Amber Bateman, the Cultural Center that will allow for electronics. It’s the first time they will have such a stage, and Holt cited the process of facilitating its inclusion as a major source of stress in organizing the event.

“We’re really in crunch time for getting all the logistics figured out,”

the Peacock Hall Lot, College Street Parking Deck and Rivers Street Parking Deck. The event’s organizers also encourage attendees to utilize AppalCart buses to attend this year’s Buskers Fest.

The Jones House, one of the main stages for Buskers Fest, sits on King Street Aug. 26. | Photo by Noah Williford | Photojournalist

SPORTS

15

Climber scales the Student Rec Center rock wall Aug. 27. | Photo by Ava Anzalone | Photo Editor

Mountaineers find community and competition through App State Climbing Club

Clara Preski | Reporter

A

pp State’s Climbing Club is looking beyond the wall this year, with more outdoor trips and competitions allowing students to take their climbing to the next level.

Junior mathematics major Brendan Doty, who is in his first year as the club’s president after serving as vice president last year, became involved in the club without knowing many climbers or where to start. After climbing for seven years at Inner Peaks in Charlotte, Doty found the club to be a way to meet other students with the same interest.

“I made a ton of friends there, and that’s really what made me super involved, that ability to connect with people based on shared interests,” Doty said.

areas but also inform our members climbing routes for the first time The club has four outdoor of those dangers,” Doty said. trips planned for the semester, when they begin their attempt.

While outdoor climbing is giving members a chance to The club is also trying to one of the club’s main goals, explore new skills while learning start a new program to help cover members can also test themselves competition costs for members about the responsibilities that in competition. The club hosts come with climbing in natural who may not be able to afford two competitions each year. areas. competition fees to compete.

Southern Comfort, also known Boone has no shortage of For the club’s more experienced climbing opportunities. A majority as SOCO, is held at Center 45, climbers, there is also the while Bootlegger Bouldering of the spots that members opportunity to compete through Competition takes place in the can visit are along U.S. Route the USA Climbing division and spring at Appalachian Bouldering work toward nationals.

221 in Blowing Rock and on Grandmother Mountain. However, Center.

Most of the club’s members, Hosting SOCO has become many of the area’s climbing spots however, are beginners or one of the club’s biggest are privately owned, and Doty intermediate climbers. The said the local climbing community accomplishments, bringing club typically meets Tuesdays, is careful about protecting access climbers from across North Thursdays and Sundays from 8-10 to them. The club works to teach Carolina and beyond to Boone. p.m. Members meet in Room The competition has multiple new climbers how to respect the 202 of the Student Recreation land and avoid actions that could different heats before the top six Center before heading to the men and women advance to finals. climbing wall. threaten access.

“Our goal as the Climbing The finalists then compete in an Meetings depend on Club is to not only get out to those on-site format, where they see the attendance. The climbing wall can

hold up to 14 people, so larger groups are split up and rotated through different activities so everyone gets a chance to climb.

The club’s on-campus climbing wall provides free gear, while the club provides some equipment for outdoor trips.

For Doty, the equipment and competitions are only part of what keeps members coming back.

“I got a lot of my friends from the Climbing Club,” Doty said. “I think the club is great. If you’re an experienced climber, meeting people with similar interests is huge and just come and have a good time.”

16

SPORTS

September 9, 2026

Hard work pays off in Emily Dinsmore’s journey from player to Division 1 head coach Dylan Shepherd | Reporter

E

Working alongside Dawson the Mid-American Conference in mily Dinsmore is not 2017 — made bolder by the fact she for six seasons only deepened one to back down from a challenge, especially one she makes had never been a head coach at the Dinsmore’s love of the sport and the community as she helped Division I level before. for herself, nor is she one to forget rebuild the struggling App State However, Dinsmore never what led her to become a Division I doubted her capabilities for a second. program, falling just short of a head coach. conference championship in 2022.

A former college athlete, Dinsmore, the App State Dinsmore lettered in field hockey and When Dawson stepped down from field hockey head coach, set lofty her head coaching role after the expectations when she took over the lacrosse at Liberty University. She credits Jodi Murphy, her head coach 2022 season, Dinsmore was chosen role from her friend and mentor, Meghan Dawson, prior to the 2023 at Liberty, for sparking her interest in to take the reins.

“I have always been a servantbecoming a coach. season. minded person, and the assistant “I always wanted to teach and “Vision is where you are going, and mission is what you are doing,” coach — I was a teacher before going role is very much that — how can I serve the team?” Dinsmore said. into college full-time — and she Dinsmore said in her introductory “Transitioning to the head coach really kind of gave me that push to press conference. “Our vision is to be like, ‘You can do this at the college role was definitely something I had win MAC championships and to to learn.” compete in the NCAA tournament. level,’” Dinsmore said.

Dinsmore learned very quickly Dinsmore started her coaching That is where we are going, and it is and exceeded expectations. App not three, five years down the road. career as a graduate assistant at State won consecutive regular That is what we want to accomplish Stevenson University in 2015. season titles in her first two seasons After two years with the Mustangs, this year and the year after.” as the head coach, set the record Dawson and the Mountaineers It was a bold statement — to welcomed her to the High Country for the most wins by a first-year accomplish something App State head coach in program history and field hockey hasn’t done since joining as an assistant coach in 2017.

Head coach Emily Dinsmore huddles with the team during a break in App State’s matchup against Davidson at Dr. Jan C. Watson Field Sept. 7, 2025. | Photo by Noah Williford | Photojournalist

Head coach Emily Dinsmore watches her team during a game against Georgetown at Dr. Jan C. Watson Field Aug. 30. | Photo by Noah Williford | Photojournalist

reached the program’s first top 25 steps, and each and every year, we ranking in 2025. are doing new things and setting new As a testament to her hard work records,” Dinsmore said. “I think the and dedication, she signed a contract best thing is that this group is super extension in July to remain the head hungry, and they’re never satisfied coach through the 2028 campaign. with what we’ve done in the past, “I just feel so blessed,” Dinsmore and they always are wanting more.” said. “App State is really special; it’s Following an exhibition game home for me. This is my 10th year against Liberty Aug. 22, both teams coaching, and I want to coach here joined in prayer at midfield. After for 10 more, and even after that.” playing the same school she played Despite all the success and for in college and the school that accolades, including being named kickstarted her journey to becoming the MAC Coach of the Year in the leader of the App State field 2023, she’s still chasing that elusive hockey program, Dinsmore reflected MAC tournament title and NCAA on the long road that led her to tournament bid as she enters her where she is today. fourth year as the head coach.

“Honestly, I never really The Mountaineers have lost in thought I would be a head coach,” the semifinals in each of Dinsmore’s Dinsmore said. “I’m still learning, first three seasons, but she is and sometimes, it’s like, ‘Okay, optimistic about her team’s chances. I’m the one in charge.’ It’s a gift To her, it’s not failure but part of the and a blessing, a huge honor and a process of overcoming challenges privilege, and I don’t ever want to and seeing her vision come true. take it for granted.”

“We are continuing to take the

SPORTS

17

Mindset drives Coach Sutton toward success Ella Smith | Reporter

A

coach at Cardinal Mooney Catholic s the 2026 season starts, High School, his early career questions arise as Chad Sutton enters his second year as head showcased how his drive for success extends beyond the volleyball world. coach of the App State women’s Sutton became serious about his volleyball team. With 10 new faces, new challenges arise for Sutton. His coaching career early on. After many players had quit and the Cougars’ experience will likely determine future was filled with uncertainty, whether the Mountaineers will Sutton’s promise of hard work, struggle or thrive in the Sun Belt connectivity and chemistry helped Conference. As an up-and-coming face in the volleyball world, he holds them find success.

In his third year of coaching promise for the future of the Black at Cardinal Mooney Catholic High and Gold.

While coaching volleyball is his School, Sutton brought the team specialty, Sutton grew up in Manatee to the state championship. They lost 3-2 in the final set. In any sport County, Florida, playing numerous or any situation in life, trials are sports: baseball, football, tennis, inevitable. A good coach accepts the basketball and volleyball. As he continued throughout college, Sutton challenges, but a great coach faces followed his passion and remained in them directly.

“I remember the interview from the sports sphere as a strength and losing the game,” Sutton said. “They conditioning trainer. asked, ‘How long will it take you to After receiving a spot as head

get over?’ I said, ‘In one year. We’ll be back here next year.’”

Coach Sutton held his promise and led the Cougars to the championship game once again.

The victory made history as the school’s first state title in 50 years in any sport.

When he made the switch from high school to coaching collegiate teams, Sutton got a taste of how college athletics differed from high school. After volunteering as an assistant coach at Purdue University for the 2020 and 2021 seasons and serving as an assistant coach for Coastal Carolina University in 2022, Sutton made his debut as head coach at Mercer University in 2023.

Though Sutton only remained at Mercer for two years, his tenure reflects the impact his leadership has, regardless of the team or

level. During the 2024 season, Sutton led the Bears to their best record in program history, 26-7.

He emphasized the importance of how, as head coach, his mentality is crucial to guiding athletes toward paths that allow them to reach their potential.

“So, never let the standard drop to appease them, but also never let the support stop to where they’d give up on it,” Sutton said.

Along with a career record of 42-19 in two seasons as head coach at Mercer, Sutton led six players to receive all-conference awards in just his second season.

Once again, as the 2026 season kicks off, Coach Sutton’s ability will be put to the test. In addition to 10 new players, there are two new coaches. The future of the Mountaineers rests on this opening

season. Rather than focusing on being the new face, Sutton uses this new wave of players as a source of hope.

“So it’s just constantly being out in front. Sometimes it’s pulling them, sometimes it’s pushing them, but it’s just being that constant, personal offside of a longer journey,” Sutton said.

While statistics can easily be translated over to how well a coach leads a team, Sutton has an impact that extends across teams of all ages. From starting out as a middle school coach to his second position as head coach of a collegiate team, Sutton has a winning mentality that transcends any team he is part of.

Head coach Chad Sutton speaks to his players during a game against Georgia State at Holmes Convocation Center Oct. 31, 2025. | Photo by Natalie Lanpher | Photojournalist

18

SPORTS

Running past the competition: App State’s cross country dominance

September 9, 2026

Parker Egeland | Assoc. Sports Editor

App State Athletics has had runs Mountaineers have placed in the top in the Sun Belt is Boone’s elevation.

Herbster believes the elevation and of success in the 2020s, but no sport two every year. the weather are a big reason for the has come close to what cross country Herbster was hired by App Mountaineers’ winning ways. accomplished in the fall.

State in 2023 as the men’s distance “You can get in better training.

Since the 2023-24 season, coach after a successful stint at the cross country has been the only University of Texas and won the Sun You’re not held back from hot, App State team to win the Sun Belt Championship each year. He has humid weather, so we can run a Belt tournament, and in 2024 and developed most of his runners from couple different times a day, where 2025, the men’s and women’s teams the start, molding them into leaders in Texas, it was hard to run in the afternoon,” Herbster said. both brought home a conference of the team.

The Mountaineers women’s championship.

“We’ve got some great leadership “You’ve got a lot of different now. We’ve got Thomas Wlazlowski, distance coach, Annie Richards, understands the advantage the Black people, like the Fire Tower Project, we’ve got Noah Martinson and and Gold have from running in the who really support what we do in Henry Stark,” Herbster said. “All mountains. terms of distance running,” said three of those guys are really good “When you live at elevation, Brad Herbster, men’s distance coach. runners, but they’re really good “It allows us to attract some of the people, and when I recruit, that’s one and then train at elevation, you get some benefits physically over time,” best kids in the country and really try thing I really look for.”

Richards said. “So your body adapts to develop them into national-level Stark and Martinson finished runners.” with the Black and Gold’s top times to less oxygen, and then when you The Fire Tower Project is at the 2025 Sun Belt Championships, go down to a place that has more a local event that has been held and the Mountaineers finished with oxygen at sea level, those benefits get realized.” every year since 2021 at the Don five of the top nine times.

Richards was hired by App State Kennedy Trails at State Farm, with What makes running at App in 2023 after leading the University the 2026 edition coming Oct. 2. The State different from other schools

Graphics by Cayley West | Assoc. Graphics Editor

of New Mexico cross country team I do emphasize that each of those to a national runner-up in 2022. New seasons is unique,” Richards said. “I Mexico has an even higher elevation think our team has that fresh sense when we start into cross country.” than App State, and although Not only has App State not only coming from the Rocky Mountains been successful on the trails, the to the Appalachian Mountains was coaches try to make sure the athletes originally an adjustment, Richards has respected the challenge that both are also excelling in the classroom and as future professionals. mountain ranges offer.

“The biggest thing is just taking The women’s team finished fifth advantage of what we have here in the Sun Belt Championships in 2023 and won in 2024 and 2025. In at App; you’ve got an opportunity 2026, the Black and Gold will be led to really blaze your own path to be by sophomores Tessa Massa and Josie where you want to be,” Herbster said.

Jackson, both second-team All-Sun The 2026 Sun Belt Belt selections last season.

Championships will be Oct. 30, Distance runners are the only with the Black and Gold hoping to college athletes who compete yearcontinue their run. round, with cross country in the fall, indoor track in the winter and outdoor track in the spring.

“We’re a three-season sport, and

OPINION

OPINION: College campuses do not offer enough support to students with suicidal ideation

19

Bailey Cain | Reporter Graphics by Anna Milewicz | Graphics Editor

Editor’s Note: This article contains mentions suicide and substance abuse.

Editor’s Note: This article contains mentions of of suicide and substance abuse.

If If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, call App State Counseling and Psychological Services at 828-262-3180.

F

or some people, college is the happiest time of their lives, but for others, the financial burdens, social pressure and overload of coursework can become too much to handle.

Taking a closer look at the use of substances, dropout rates and specific demographics among college students can make one wonder if college campuses are doing enough to combat suicide.

In honor of September being Suicide Prevention Month, it’s important to consider changes colleges can make to offer more support to their students.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, students have been experiencing more stress than ever before. In 2025, 11% of students who were 18 years or older had experienced thoughts of suicide.

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among college students, making support for such circumstances crucial.

Binge drinking is very prominent in college settings, not only resulting in potentially dangerous circumstances but also contributing to the status of students’ mental health. Addiction Center reports that nearly 40% of college students participate in binge drinking, which is generally

characterized by excessive drinking over a short period of time, with the intent to get drunk.

Many students suffering from substance abuse issues do not seek the help they deserve, whether due to fear, not wanting to speak out or not knowing where to turn for

assistance.

Students should feel comfortable and safe in any environment at their universities, which is why campuses need to do a better job of ensuring students have outlets to discuss mental health concerns. To improve the availability of mental health aid colleges can provide to students, assessments of student bodies and firsthand student feedback will help to ensure student voices are heard LGBTQ+ college students are more likely to attempt suicide due to discrimination

and mistreatment. Although it’s recorded that many LGBTQ+ college students have access to mental health services on their campuses, Giving Compass observed that despite availability, there are barriers blocking students from seeking help.

According to The 74 Million, students reported feeling uncomfortable or having privacy concerns regarding services available to them on campus. A 2022 survey reports

health care.

The Center for Health Journalism reports that, according to a 2021 survey, 73% of college presidents identified student mental health as a pressing issue on campus, highlighting the importance of appropriate support and resources for students experiencing suicidal ideation.

Some support methods work well enough, such

virtually all transgender and nonbinary students surveyed reported concerns of being denied genderaffirming care upon seeking help.

Other reasons for students not feeling comfortable seeking help stem from long wait lists, and, not being able to access mental

as brief therapy, but it’s never confirmed that students have access to continued relief after initial sessions. Making students more aware of the resources within reach is another key step in making sure campuses are doing enough for students struggling with suicidal ideation.

Although there is a general idea across college campuses that improvements can be made to

support students with suicidal ideation, App State has helpful resources available to students.

Counseling and Psychological Services offer free services such as individual counseling, group therapy, emergency services and more for students struggling with mental health. In addition, online suicide prevention training is available to students to inform them of warning signs to be aware of if someone they know may be considering suicide.

Aside from college campuses, there are other outlets to reach out to for those experiencing suicidal ideation. Resources such as The Trevor Project and Crisis Text Line are both hotlines available 24/7, which provide free and private support for callers.

Some may disagree and say colleges are doing the best they can when it comes to supporting students with suicidal ideation, but such pressing matters deserve the utmost attention and consideration. By not utilizing student voices to make changes and fill in the cracks where campus resources fall short, colleges are not accurately catering to students’ needs. For that reason, there is so much more that can be done to help college students all across the board.

OPINION

20

Anna Kate’s Takes: Women are long overdue for adequate healthcare

September 9, 2026

Anna Kate Mock | Opinion Editor

W

However, this was largely an act to thalidomide, which many women testing been conducted. omen make up around in accessing affordable and quality used for morning sickness in Europe Although that specific 51% of the United States healthcare, including a lack of health reverse guidelines established by population. With this in mind, it insurance, higher medical debt, and the Food and Drug Administration and Australia, was found responsible medication had not been approved in 1962, which had called for the for causing more than 10,000 deaths by the FDA here in the U.S. the U.S.’s should be only reasonable to assume longer travel times to hospitals,” exclusion of women of “reproductive and birth defects in babies. The response was still to stop considering that the medical field and healthcare according to Boston University’s potential” from clinical research. medication had not been tested on women altogether in medical systems would have long-since continuing study “Racism, Sexism, These guidelines had been pregnant women or animals, nor had research, leaving them to face the learned to accommodate and provide and the Crisis of Black Women’s established after the medication reproductive toxicity and fetal harm consequences of such negligence. care for such a significant segment of Health.” individuals. This is, horrifyingly, not Latina women in particular the case. have been linked to having the Between a consistent and highest incidence of cervical staggering lack of representation in cancer compared to other races clinical trials or research, gaslighting, or ethnicities. Despite this, Latina misdiagnosis, medical negligence, women undergo significantly stigma and large gaps in the fewer Pap tests than non-Hispanic, understanding of the female body, white and Black women. They the reality of women’s healthcare is are also more vulnerable to exceedingly grim. cancer, cardiovascular disease, To name only a few ways in cerebrovascular disease and sustain which the consistent lack of research a lower life expectancy than white on women’s health has affected women. women, only 12% of Alzheimer’s The lack of health equity in both disease research expresses a focus of the aforementioned communities on women, despite the fact that they comes down to persistent effects make up two-thirds of all Alzheimer’s of structural racism, health and patients. Similarly, cardiovascular education barriers and income or disease has been identified as the No. socioeconomic barriers.

1 killer of women in the U.S., but In 2022, the Multi-Regional only around one-third of patients Clinical Trials Center published its enrolled in clinical trials are female, findings on how clinical trial data with 4% of the National Institutes fails to report the intersection of of Health’s cardiac artery disease sex assigned at birth and race, as research budget focusing on women- well as that many systematic reviews specific research. of clinical trials that report such These discrepancies become information indicate significant even more pronounced in minorities, underrepresentation of women of largely in Black and Latina women. color.

Research supports that Black women For a sustained amount of are more likely than other racial and time, women have been grossly ethnic groups to die as a result of underrepresented when it comes to cardiovascular disease, hypertension, clinical testing and research. It wasn’t stroke, lupus and several types until 1993 that the U.S. Congress of cancers. Additionally, “Black passed a law requiring the inclusion Graphic by Anna Miliewcz | women also face greater challenges of women in clinical research.

Graphics Editor

OPINION Intersection of Gender and Race” research about the fact that men published by UNC-Chapel Hill feel sexually unsatisfied because writes, “A woman’s expression of their partner is facing chronic and pain is often perceived as dramatic, debilitating pain. manipulative, or suspicious as The researchers claimed that “the absence of professional or wider though she must be mishandling or societal recognition of the impact on misinterpreting the experience of male partners, and a lack of support her own body, a stereotype that is exclusive of men, who continue to available to men, results in male partners having a marginalized status dominate the field of medicine.”

Women’s healthcare is not just in endometriosis care.” You know who is marginalized in endometriosis permeated by societal roadblocks care? The actual people experiencing but political and legal ones as well.

Following the 2022 overturning of it.

Roe v. Wade, which had granted These issues of lack of women the constitutional right to understanding and the inability to abortion in 1973, maternal deaths conduct relevant research appear have been noticeably on the rise. similarly in women diagnosed with Francisco Bay Area has identified It didn’t seem to dawn on the FDA Those who supported the PMOS, or polyendocrine metabolic that, when you give women medicine several social, cultural, clinical and overturning of Roe v. Wade that was never tested for how it could systematic barriers to women getting ovarian syndrome. defended the dismantling of Recently, this condition interact with their anatomy, you are diagnosed with endometriosis. These underwent a name change, signaling reproductive rights as “pro-life.” willfully harming entire populations barriers include but are not limited Now, they are sitting idly by as a semblance of progress in the of individuals who have trusted the to, normalization of pain; stigma countless women die. and silence; invalidation; overlapping understanding of how it functions. system with their health.

Women living in states that conditions or symptoms: diagnostic Previously called polycystic ovarian The Association of American syndrome or PCOS, the new name banned abortion are nearly twice limitations and access to care.

Medical Colleges establishes aims to acknowledge the condition’s as likely to die as a result of Instead of real answers, “Throughout history, doctors have pregnancy or childbirth, as opposed broader metabolic, ovarian and considered women’s bodies atypical profoundly dumb medical studies to women living in states that have hormonal effects beyond ovarian and men’s bodies the ‘norm,’ despite such as “Attractiveness of women banned abortion. Black women find cysts, which everyone with the with rectovaginal endometriosis: women accounting for nearly themselves even more at risk, with condition may not develop. The a case-control study,” where the half the global population and those living in states where abortion name shift was designed to initiate physical attractiveness of women outnumbering men in the United is banned being over three times States.” Martha Gulati, a cardiologist with and without endometriosis was a shift in stigma as well as improve more susceptible to death. evaluated, are able to break ground recognition and treatment for the at the Smidt Heart Institute at The rate of sepsis has Cedars-Sinai, reinforces this pattern first. While this study has now been condition. increased by more than 50% in An underlying concern that retracted, it doesn’t take away the in medicine, acknowledging that in becomes intensified specifically when women who are hospitalized when her experience, learning about how sting of how wildly offensive it is. they lose their pregnancies in the No matter if in their “apology” it comes to women’s reproductive women’s biology diverges from men’s second trimester. The surge in this the authors claimed that “Women’s and sexual care is gaslighting. In a is considered a “special interest.” life-threatening condition, caused respect is a priority for us, and we are panel about gaslighting in women’s The continuing lack of by infection, was most pronounced extremely sorry for the discontent the health, Dr. Stephanie Trentacose knowledge and gaps in research on publication originated,” the systemic McNally says, “It’s no accident that for patients whose pregnancies may women’s bodies has contributed to still have been considered viable, and prevailing issue of misogyny in the word ‘hysteria’ originates from the lack of understanding of many the Greek word for ‘uterus.’ There’s or specifically, a heartbeat was still of women’s chronic and reproductive the medical field is only intensified. detected when they arrived at the still this pervasive belief in the Another example where conditions. hospital. medical community that anytime a women’s value or lack thereof is In the U.S., one in 10 women Josseli Barnica, Neveah Crain woman complains about her health, highlighted can be found in “A of reproductive age are affected by it’s either related to her hormones or and Porsha Ngumezi are just a few endometriosis. And yet, on average, qualitative study of the impact of women who have been subjected to endometriosis on male partners.” I’m all in her head.” it takes anywhere from four to 10 this fate against their will.

Similarly, an article entitled years to diagnose. The Reproductive sure everyone can rest easy knowing A D&C is a procedure to that we have done legitimate medical “Health Disparities at the Science Center of the San

21

remove remaining fetal tissue from a patient’s uterus. D&Cs play an essential role in preventing patients from contracting an infection or developing sepsis following a miscarriage or medical abortion. For policymakers, D&Cs are classified as abortion care, leaving many to be denied the procedure until it’s nearly fatal, a direct result of the delegalization of abortion.

While these few women’s stories have been immortalized in the media to fight for the return of reproductive rights, they make up only a small picture of the women who have suffered or lost their lives at the hands of Roe v. Wade’s overturning.

What remains a theme across the entire exploration of how the medical industry has continuously failed women comes down to this: a lack of value and respect for all women. Policymakers, scientists, medical professionals and U.S. citizens alike have shown they don’t care if women die at the hand of ignorance or control.

The medical field has long catered to men, only giving women and those with female anatomy the absolute bottom of the barrel when it comes to healthcare. However, this does not mean that progress is not being made. As a society, we have to hope every day that more research and equitable care will be given to individuals regardless of gender or racial identity.

Graphics by Cayley West | Associate Graphics Editor

22

OPINION

OPINION: Big Brother owns a license plate reader

September 9, 2026

position of authority should not be using such delicate technology for nefarious and immature reasons like stalking an ex-partner.

Using a position of power to keep tabs on someone, especially Christa Price | Assoc. Opinion Editor a woman who has no idea she is being tracked, puts them in an rulings, judges have held that police uncomfortable and dangerous Flock Safety builds technology that Flock cameras, or automated have been called into question by “helps law enforcement, businesses, officers must have a warrant to use a position both socially and ethically. license plate readers, have begun members of varying communities thermal imager, install GPS trackers schools, and communities find popping up all across the United across the U.S. Most commonly, The Kansas officer is not the States, setting off a trail of discourse Flock Safety has been at the forefront relevant information, respond faster, on cars and obtain information first law enforcer to access these among the general public. With the of a new conversation regarding the and make better-informed decisions.” from cell phones in pursuit of cameras with the sole intention of monitoring criminal activity. Citizens stalking a stranger or former partner.

Flock cameras record vehicle potential for ALPRs to be used in scope of expected privacy within the are protected from unreasonable sightings at a specific place and scandalous and inappropriate ways, U.S. As of Aug. 3, 55 known romantic search and seizure, as mentioned time, capture license plates and the privacy and safety of everyday Founded in 2017, Flock Safety stalking cases have been discovered in the Fourth Amendment, and are across the U.S. people are being sacrificed to the claims to be a company aimed distinct vehicle attributes — such as roof racks or bumper stickers — subject to a “reasonable expectation creation of a totalitarian society. toward increasing safety among Considering these cameras and help users find relevant vehicle of privacy,” outlined in the 1967 case are located across state lines and ALPRs are systems that use communities, helping locate over Katz v. U.S. artificial intelligence to capture, 10,000 missing people in 2025. evidence and provide leads for the information is stored in Flock’s Despite the Court’s former analyze and store license plate In Flock’s 2025 Impact Census, investigative assessment. Flock isn’t cloud system, agencies are allowed information, as well as the make, it reported that 42% of Flock even entirely accurate with regard to doctrines surrounding personal rights to search and share collected this, with a 2024 analysis performed of privacy, it does not require a model, color and various identifiable customers recovered more than information across varying legal warrant for police officers to compare authorities. Due to this, the likelihood by a California police department features of vehicles that pass by. half of all stolen vehicles in its Since the beginning of the reporting that 71% of license plates gathered vehicle data to their law jurisdiction. that individuals have been identified enforcement databases. While the year, the ethics of ALPR systems According to the official website, were misread by Flock, making its via discernible vehicle features or Court has established a precedent singular purpose useless. their appearance is high. against a reasonable expectation Furthermore, Flock says its According to the Center for of privacy when an individual is in devices do not have the ability to Human Rights at the University of identify people by their faces, see who their vehicle on a public road, it also Washington, U.S. Immigration and ruled in the 1979 case Delaware v. is inside a vehicle or continuously Customs Enforcement has routinely Prouse that “an individual operating accessed Flock databases after track individuals or their vehicles. or traveling in an automobile does However, if Flock claims it is not being granted access by local police not lose all reasonable expectation able to identify individuals by their departments across the country. faces or their vehicles, then why has it of privacy simply because the Flock network audits show ICE automobile and its use are subject to has publicly searched at least 17 happened? government regulation.”

DeFlock, a dual website and Washington agencies’ ALPR data, Like all things ruled on by the app devoted to identifying and which includes both sheriffs’ offices mapping ALPR locations across the Supreme Court, the use of ALPRs and police departments. is finicky and vague. With the U.S., has identified over 130,000 Some ICE agents have been consistent observation of individuals granted direct data access to Flock Flock cameras, and the number is only rising daily. ALPR cameras are and instances of blatant misuse of databases, referred to as “front constantly collecting and storing the Flock cameras, as seen in 2022 when door” access. ICE agents have also information of every passing vehicle a Kansas police officer accessed them employed the use of “back door” to stalk his estranged wife, questions access, which is “access to networks regardless of suspicion of criminal surrounding these devices and their without explicit authorization.” activity, hiding behind a facade of motivations will likely persist in both safety provisions and avoiding the “Side door” access has also been social and administrative spaces. necessity of a warrant, which is used, which is when information While it may be necessary for required to track criminal activity in has been shared with other agencies law enforcement to have access to a that lack access to the network by other forms.

Graphic by Cayley West | system like this, a person in a high In previous Supreme Court authorized network users.

Assoc. Graphics Editor

OPINION Flock cameras have been citizens aren’t going down without a newspaper regarding misconduct recent crime statistics from 2024, wrongly used to track citizens under Watauga’s offense totals came out to performed by the National Security fight when it comes to Flock. alleged suspicion of criminal activity. 391 reports, with Boone contributing Agency.

Across 36 states, Flock cameras The European Union’s Business and 199 reports. have been stolen, sawed down, In 2013, Snowden revealed Human Rights Centre reports that crashed into with a vehicle, covered the NSA had developed a system In reference to both projected in 2025, after self-administering an in paint and stickers, shot at or to analyze logs of U.S. citizens’ populations, .7% of Watauga’s abortion, a woman from Johnson destroyed in some capacity. The domestic phone calls and text population committed some sort County, Texas, had a police officer disdain for them is clear, with people of offense, with Boone’s population messages — one that was quietly attempt to track her down using in various states also taking time ranking similarly at .9%. Considering shut down by the NSA in 2019. the nationwide Flock database to out of their day to stand and block Snowden was charged with the low stakes of crime for that year, potentially bring criminal charges the Flock camera’s view with tools why is it necessary to have 26 ALPR espionage while overseas for his against her. exposure of this information and was like rakes or pool skimmers. During cameras within Watauga’s county In Watauga County, there are a lines? eventually granted asylum in Russia. August’s National Week of Action total of 26 Flock cameras, with 14 against Flock, more than 25,000 However, despite being threatened The public is beginning to be centered in and around Boone, three surveilled all day all the time. Global and tracked by the NSA, Snowden’s people registered to protest across of which are controlled by the Boone surveillance issues have existed since contribution was a drastically the country.

Police Department. The U.S. Census World War II, with government Thanks to companies like important one. His tip-off led the Bureau reported that Watauga Flock, government involvement in public toward awareness of the intelligence frequently shared County’s projected population for frequency at which the government citizens’ personal lives now extends between Allied Powers. However, 2025 would be almost 55,000, and to surveillance, citizen identification and privately funded companies in the awareness regarding public Boone would account for nearly and, in some cases, movement the U.S. access, gather and exploit surveillance came to a head when 20,000 of that number. Now, tracking. personal information.

Edward Snowden, while abroad according to the North Carolina The government needs to stay Just as Snowden wasn’t going to in Hong Kong, conducted a series State Bureau of Investigation’s most of interviews with The Guardian back down against the NSA’s threats, out of people’s business. People

deserve to live their lives free of constant observation and even more constant inappropriate and invasive practices, especially when in the comfort of their own property, even if it is their car. By making advanced forms of surveillance both legally and socially acceptable, any sense of privacy and democratic freedoms will be completely eroded.

Providing companies, immigration enforcement and police departments with access to a citizen’s personal information, whereabouts and travel activity will only encourage human rights violations and make those violations permissible under the law.

Keep Flock out of U.S. communities and out of people’s private lives.

Big enough to do the job, small enough to care!

Order Online | Fast & Friendly Service - Student Projects - Copies - Business Cards - Envelopes - Posters - Banners

- Multimedia Conversion - Resumés - Portfolios - Labels - Brochures - Stickers - Art Prints - Wide Format

CREATIVE

Welcome

PRINTING Serving Boone since 1994

You name it... we can do it all!

23

Hours

9 am - 3 pm Monday - Friday

Go App State!

www.creative-printing.com 1738 NC HWY 105 Bypass • Boone, NC 28607 • 828-265-2800

Back Cover by Cayley West | Assoc. Graphics Editor