Issue 12 | Volume 150 | December 3, 2018
theavion.com | (386) 226-6049
A Campus B Semester in Review
Mars is Now InSight
Michael Weinhoffer Staff Reporter On Nov. 26, at 2:52 p.m. EST, NASA’s newest robotic spacecraft touched down on Mars, joining the Curiosity rover which landed in 2012. Called InSight, this lander will conduct a few experiments that will expand our knowledge of the interior composition and activity of Mars. Along with a few firsts in the history of spaceflight, InSight will tell us more about the interior of Mars than any other mission in history. Like the majority of NASA mission names, InSight is a clever acronym. InSight stands for Interior exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy, and Heat Transport. InSight was launched in May of this year on a very foggy morning from Vandenberg Air Force Base in southern California and took about six months to travel directly to Mars. The launch itself was historic, as it was the first deep space mission launched from the west coast of the United States. All other crewless NASA missions have been launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida. InSight was selected to be NASA’s next Mars mission in Aug. 2012, which is the same month that the Curiosity rover landed on Mars. The lander was initially supposed to launch in March 2016, but a problem with one of its scientific instruments forced a two-year delay due to the
narrow launch window. InSight is a stationary lander, which means that it will sit in one location on Mars and study its immediate surroundings intently, unlike the Mars rovers, which move very slowly on the surface and are mobile laboratories. The lander has three scientific instruments: SEIS, HP3, and RISE. SEIS stands for the Seismic Experiment for Interior Structure and was built by the French space agency, CNES. SEIS is an extremely sensitive seismometer that will detect seismic vibrations from Mars’ interior, which may include “marsquakes.” The instrument will also detect meteor impacts on Mars’ surface. Understanding the seismic activity of Mars will allow scientists to determine the similarity of Mars’ internal activity with that of the Earth. The second experiment is called HP3 (pronounced “h-p-cubed”) and stands for Heat and Physical Properties Probe. It was designed and built by the German space agency, known as the DLR. This device will collect heat flow and temperature data by digging a sixteen-feet hole into the Martian soil. A metal rod called a penetrometer will be driven into the ground using an electric motor that tensions and releases a spring. A tether follows the penetrometer into the ground and takes temperature readings on the way down using attached
temperature sensors. After the dig is complete, the rod will remain in the ground for the duration of InSight’s mission and collect long-term data about the thermal activity of Mars’ interior. Both SEIS and HP3 will be placed on the Martian surface early next year by a robotic arm, which is operated remotely from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Until science experiments start, InSight will take pictures of its surroundings to help NASA determine the best location to place the instruments. The third instrument, the Rotation, and Interior Structure Experiment (RISE) consist of two antennas mounted on the lander’s body that will measure the “wobble” of Mars on its axis to learn more about the interior composition of Mars. InSight landed on the western side of a flat plain called the Elysium Planitia, which is near Mars’ equator. A flat surface with few rocks was necessary because if InSight had landed on a rock, it could have been titled to its side, which would have complicated operations. The HP3 instrument also requires a flat area. The entire landing sequence took six and a half minutes, from atmospheric entry to touchdown. InSight entered the atmosphere at 12,300 mph but using a combination of a heat shield, supersonic parachute, and retro-rockets, the lander touched down with nothing more than a
little bounce at five mph. A few minutes after touchdown, InSight sent an image of its new home, and later took another photo with the camera on its robotic arm. NASA also had some help during the landing phase courtesy of the two Mars Cube One (MarCO) spacecraft, which are about the size of a briefcase. Their primary mission as the first deep space small spacecraft was to relay data from InSight to NASA as the landing occurred. This is a more reliable method than relying on InSight itself or another Mars orbiter to communicate with Earth. Both spacecraft performed flawlessly during their flyby, and one of them even took a picture of Mars as it flew away from the planet. The MarCO twins may have their mission extended after all data is collected and if the spacecrafts are healthy. InSight will tell us more about the interior of Mars than any previous mission, which could help scientists understand the contrasts between the geology of Mars and the Earth. Although the U.S. has landed spacecraft on Mars a handful of times, each landing attempt presents its unique challenges, and there is no guarantee of success. With InSight safely on the ground and powering itself using its solar arrays, science operations will soon commence, and Mars will be explored from an entirely new perspective. Photo Credit: HiRISE
THE AVION
A2 Campus
Executive Board Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor News Editor Business Manager Photo Editor
Payton Muglia Jorja Gwaltney Nick Hernandez Rajan Khanna Vipul Telang
Page Editors Cover Editor Jorja Gwaltney Campus Editors Jorja Gwaltney Victoria Jordan Keenan Thungtrakul Samy Fooda Madaline Eitniear Andy Bronshteyn Connor Strobel In Review Editors Jaclyn Wiley Nick Hernandez Jorja Gwaltney Sarah Fairchild Rajan Khanna K’Andrew France Vipul Telang Comics Editor Rajan Khanna Copy Editors Sarah Fairchild Madaline Eitniear
Contributors Reporters Photographers
Michael Weinhoffer Samy Fooda Rev. David Keck Jordon Thomas Keith Markovich Nicholas Maxted Christie Miller Kelsey Krupicka Connor Strobel
Keenan Thungtrakul Collin Anderson Korbin Martin Abigail Johnson Chaz Pokracki Joshua Rosado Connor Adair
Staff Advisor Ronnie Mack Asst. Director, Media & Marketing
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relationship advice
weekly
Reverend David Keck & Dr. Christina Frederick
Dear Humane Factors, Help! My boyfriend and I have only been dating a couple of months and the holidays are here. We decided we would exchange gifts but I am nervous about what to get. I don’t want to buy anything too personal or too impersonal. And what if he hates it? Do you have any tips for me so that a bad gift doesn’t tank a potentially long-term relationship?
Dr. Frederick’s thoughts:
I feel your pain. When I was about your age, I was dating a guy I really liked. He was a successful farmer, who owned lots of land and was considered quite a local catch (I know, it was a long time ago…). Anyway, the holidays rolled around, and we exchanged gifts. I don’t even remember what I gave him, but I’ll never forget what he gave me – two cases of canned vegetables!! No, I am not kidding. They were vegetables from his farm that were processed and canned. While I understood that the 24 cans of vegetables that I received may have been a source of pride for him, they were a disappointment to me. They weren’t personal, they didn’t reflect anything that had meaning to me, or that indicated he knew anything about me. As you can imagine, we didn’t last as a couple, but I’ll never forget that gift. Gift giving can be tricky. You want to show that you have a connection with your boyfriend and that you care for your him, but your relationship is still relatively new. You don’t want to overspend or underspend, or buy anything either too personal or too impersonal. You are headed into the gift selection danger zone.
David Keck’s thoughts:
First, a disclaimer. I’ve never received canned vegetables as a Christmas gift. Nor have I ever given canned vegetables as a gift to a friend, for Christmas or other events. Second, I’m a historical nerd as well as a chaplain, so I think of gift giving in historical perspective. Economic historians sometimes speak of the gift-giving economy of earlier societies. Relationships, individual status, communal bonds, kinship alliances, peace treaties, all of these critical social elements and more depended on the meaning of being generous through giving prized items. A successful lord, for example, liberally provided for the community, but a stingy ruler alienated subjects. Religions, such as Christianity, include the giving of gifts for similar reasons, though believers also talk about receiving gifts and blessings from the Creator as a way of acknowledging that we receive far more in life than we actually earn. Hence, we are called upon to be grateful and gen-
Let me try and give you a few tips and ideas to point you in the right direction. First, if you haven’t discussed a price limit with your boyfriend, start there. That way, you both have the same expectations for how much to spend. You may even do something unique, especially if both of you are broke college students – like deciding the gift has to be something homemade, or that you’ll skip a purchase and do something fun and special together instead. The memories and pictures you take could be a wonderful and lasting gift. If you do choose a regular exchange and have set a spending limit, before headed out to shop, I’d spend a little time thinking about what you know about your boyfriend. What are his likes and dislikes in areas like music, hobbies, activities? Does he love his car or his dog or something special to him? When you’ve been conversing has he ever mentioned anything he’d like to have or something he thinks is a neat product? How does he dress and are there colors that make his eyes pop? If you engage in this exercise, in no time at all a few possibilities for gifts may pop into your mind. I hope they do because that makes the ac-
tual shopping process more focused and less stressful. If not, step 2 may be to hit the search button and get some help. If he has a Dodge Ram truck, then search on ‘best gifts for guys who drive a Dodge Ram,’ or some variation thereof. Hopefully, this process will give you some new thoughts and ideas. Whatever you choose to give your boyfriend, there are really two things to remember: 1) you are buying for him, so try to take his perspective when selecting a gift. 2) even if you give a less than perfect gift, if it comes from your heart, he will be touched.
erous to others. Although relationships shouldn’t be as hierarchical as ancient societies or Creator-creation relationships, the giving of gifts can have a great deal of meaning. Some people really, really, really value gifts, and receiving just the right thing for the holidays is more or less expected. Others are less into getting things and want to spend quality time together during the holidays. So a person who values quality time may not put too much thought into what to get for his/her beloved. But … their beloved may really, really, really want that one special item that shows you really, really, really care. Readers who have studied the 5 Love Languages will recognize that this scenario comes from the research behind this popular approach to relationships. I recommend exploring your Love Language with your significant other. Don’t take it too far, but do find out what’s important to each other. Does your beloved want an amazing act of kindness rather than
a piece of jewelry? Would taking the time to write a beautiful holiday card with words of affirmation be more meaningful? Or creating a special time to hold hands and snuggle by the fire (maybe by going super-inlove crazy, lowering the thermostat and chilling the apartment)? If you don’t ask, you might end up giving the equivalent of canned vegetables.
Dr. Christina Frederick frederic@erau.edu
Reverend David Keck keckd2@erau.edu
relationship
do you have
questions?
You can send an email to Christina Frederick or David Keck, or, if you prefer to keep things anonymous, you can drop off notes to Prof. Christina Frederick, Human Factors, COAS 4th floor or Chaplain David Keck, Center for Faith and Spirituality. To respect your privacy, real names and identifying details will be eliminated in our responses in The Avion.
THE AVION
Campus A3
Bringing African Culture to Embry-Riddle Keenan Thungtrakul Senior Reporter Students were in for a treat Saturday night as the African Students Association (ASA) put on their fourth annual “Coming to Africa” culture show for the campus community to enjoy. The Avion has had the privilege of covering the show each time it is held. Hosted by returning MCs Sabelo (Sabi) Mathebula and Vanessa Onyulo, “Coming to Africa” gives attendees a taste of African culture that allows attendees gain a perspective into the uniqueness of Africa as a continent. The event coordinator, Pepe Sibandze, said that African culture is unique in that it is centered around nature, arts and crafts, folklore, religion, clothing, cuisine, music, and languages. Africans hold these cultural aspects to high standards, maintaining strong family traditions that sow respect between the younger generation and their elders. Sibandze says that it would come naturally to any African native to want to teach one’s culture to the next generation. In her mind, this is something that most African students can agree with. Passing on cultural values is a way of cultivating good social conduct and serves as a way for one to learn his or her value and history while reminding the person to pay respect to elders who have served as mentor figures. “Coming to Africa” is the largest on-campus event that the African Students’ Association puts on. Held annually, the mission of the show is to introduce the audience to all the major aspects of African culture: fashion, performances, traditions, etc. Sibandze mentions that the event caters to this mission through skits, performances, presentations, a fashion show, free African cuisine, and other activities to name a few. The organization hopes that through hosting this show, the non-African community can get an idea of the significance of Afri-
Samy Fooda Staff Reporter
Keenan Thungtrakul/The Avion Newspaper
Sharing their culture in the annual Coming to Africa Showcase, members of the African Students Association along with Dean Bell pose for a group photo in front of a traditional African-themed backdrop. ca and show what the ASA has to share with everyone. Students who are more deeply interested can check out ASA’s campus activities, including social gatherings and other functions. Africa is a continent with rich potential shrouded in common myths. These myths were debunked as part of a presentation on how Africa is being looked at as a prime location for development and growth. While yes, Africa is a diverse place, Sibandze says to take that statement with a grain of salt. Africa has a myriad of opportunities for one to take advantage of: be it entrepreneurial, travel, sustainable industry & development, etc. Africa is a continent with many countries, each of which has its own unique culture. “Coming to Africa” aims to bring a piece of these unique elements to the community so that people can gain a curiosity to explore and investigate what Africa is really like. Yes, Africa faces challenges, but a large amount of progress has been made, and much of the world’s economic future lies in Africa.
Each running of “Coming to Africa” is unique in its own right. The best part of this year’s show, according to Sibandze, is the showcase of talents. It is not just the culture that’s showcased at this event. It is also a showcase of dedication and effort. Learning the traditional dances and recipes do not come naturally. It takes a great deal of commitment, leadership, sacrifice, and effort to be able to pull off such a great show every year. Sibandze looks beyond the students’ willingness to represent their culture as members of ASA to their professional development, stating that she is confident that she can count on her fellow members to support her and each other when the times are tough. ASA does not limit itself to Africa. The club welcomes every culture that wants to represent itself. Examples of this include Saudi Arabia and the United States in the Parade of Flags. There is a saying that food is the best way to experience a culture. Sibandze agrees. The traditionally
prepared African buffet allows attendees to sample food from many parts of Africa all at once. For a student who hasn’t had a chance to participate in “Coming to Africa” or to learn about the ASA or Africa in general, the great food is an excellent way to start. Being able to taste the cuisine of several countries at once is a great bird’s-eye view into what Africa’s really like. The ASA would like to thank everyone that supported them in putting together the show and for everyone who attended. The Avion is proud to be a part of this event and to have the opportunity to showcase the talent of the ASA’s members as they seek to stay true to their cultural traditions while sharing them with the rest of the community. For those who would like to know more about what “Coming to Africa” and what the African Students Association can do for them, the ASA is available for conversation at erauasa@gmail.com or on ERAU Connection under “The African Students Association.”
Humans of Embry-Riddle
Samy Fooda/ The Avion Newspaper
“When I first arrived at Riddle in 2011, I didn’t have any attachment to any aviation-based material; I came from a high school known for the movie Remember the Titans. Starting out as a student here, I felt the need to be engaging with other students, and even though I’m an introvert, I was very involved my freshman year. A few of the organizations I was involved in when I started was Emerging Leaders, first-year initiative and Taskforce 1 (An extension of the Student Government Association for freshman students). Participating in those organizations helped me to gain a better understanding of marketing on campus. The only experience I had with marketing was a class I took my senior year of high school that taught me Adobe Photoshop. Of
course, being the average college student, I didn’t have access to Adobe Photoshop. I had to make fliers from Microsoft Word and believe me, if you looked at those fliers, you’d be surprised that they were made on Microsoft Word. I think one of the most common things that college students have to experience is using the resources they have to make something out of nothing. Even though I had no experience in doing marketing, it was something I was passionate about and wanted to learn more. After freshman year, I couldn’t remember all the designs that I had made, but down the line, I felt that I had to take the initiative on marketing and making fliers for organizations around campus. I eventually became involved in the Student Representative Board as Chairperson of the Marketing
Committee. During that point, working in the SGA, I realized that not everyone was interested in effective marketing. I felt that everything that I was a part of gave me a sense of duty to take charge and make a change so that the organizations on campus were effectively advertised. At the time when I was working a lot on campus, I had one conversation that sparked my passion for digital signage. Now, I currently advise the Student Union Media group who takes on design requests from student organizations and manages digital signage on campus. As well as manage the digital signage and kiosks in the Student Union. No matter where you start from, as long as you’re passionate, you can put your mind to it and succeed.” (The Wright Flyer, ERAU)
THE AVION
A4 Campus
Campus Christian Community Worships with One Purpose
Keenan Thungtrakul Senior Reporter As the Christmas season prepares to enter full swing, Embry-Riddle’s campus Christian organizations came together to show that despite the divides that make each denomination of faith different, all of them serve one purpose, shared amongst all the believers present. This event is a one-of-a-kind gathering, bringing together three different campus faith groups: Fellowship of Christian Athletes, LoveWorld, and the Catholic Student Union. Andrew Teubl, head of the event, said that the goal of One Purpose is to influence lives. He wants to create a space where Christians of all backgrounds can unify under one common belief and pray for the Embry-Riddle campus. Teubl hopes that the believers who attend will gain a mindset that allows them to love others without conditions, embracing similarities while sidelining differences. He hopes that people can walk away knowing that they have a purpose, are here for a reason, and that they are not alone in the struggle that is college life. The night turned out to be a success. A group of roughly 30 believers came out to bond with one another over pizza, enjoy worship time campfire-style, and leave denominational boundaries aside as they hear a sermon on how Christians ought to live in unity with one purpose and embrace each other despite the differences in beliefs. Teubl mentions that it is the common core beliefs shared among believers that makes them Christians. In an age where divisions seem to be rampant, finding similarities among people of different backgrounds is something to be cherished. Being able to connect with other people on common beliefs is key to
being able to support each other through a mutual friendship. Teubl says that there is an emotional difference between a friendship built on shared values and trust and a simple “hey, what’s up” kind of friendship. The former enables one to feel a deeper bond with the other person and allows individuals to be open and honest. This paves the way to the friendship becoming one where both sides can emotionally support each other when the going gets tough, trusting the other with information that poses as emotional weights, keeping one from performing at full capacity. Life will never cease to throw out challenges, so it is essential to have a strong support network of friends that one can rely on for comfort when it is needed. The latter does not provide an open door for building a support bond. It keeps interactions at surface-level and does not touch on what is going on inside the other person, if at all. Observing the deep, powerful, and intensive night of prayer leaves one in awe at how much this group cares for the campus and for each other. Each person wants to positively impact lives and provide emotional support to those that need it. Planning out such an impactful event requires placing aside differences at the beginning. Teubl said that it takes people of multiple backgrounds to organize and hold such a night. The main speaker was Catholic, and the prayer leader was part of a non-denominational group. This conjoining of multiple faith organizations shows that there truly is a common goal and a single purpose that all of the organizations share, and what went on that night served as a powerful testimony to that fact.
Keenan Thungtrakul/The Avion Newspaper
Students proudly worship with hands held high as the band from FCA’s Launch Service performs live music.
Keenan Thungtrakul/The Avion Newspaper
Leaders from the three Christian groups in attendance gather to start a prayer circle that would later become a sea of bold prayers voiced by everyone in attendance that evening.
ERAU Hosts Its First Annual Sports & Aviation Symposium On Monday, November 26, students, faculty, and staff gathered for Riddle’s first annual Sports and Aviation Symposium. Their goals were to explore career and research opportunities in sports and aviation for students, faculty, and staff by examining the many ways these two multi-billion-dollar sectors influence each other. The theme of this year’s symposium was Developing the Field. Presentations were a collegial effort to describe the contours and significance of this area of inquiry. Undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and staff all gave talks, and each of the colleges as
well as Athletics was represented. Business-related topics included airline sponsorships of teams and venues; the importance of golf for Avianca Airlines; the impact of major sports events on air travel; and Air Serbia’s use of Serbian athletes for marketing and promoting national pride. A talk on career opportunities for those interested in sports
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Undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and staff all gave talks...
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Rev. David Keck Chaplain
and aviation also highlighted the ways student-athletes bring valued skills to companies. Aerospace engineering topics included the engineering of planes to improve the performance of elite athletes and the contributions of the sport of air racing to airplane design and manufacturing. One presentation explored how the needs of sporting events shape airport design. Presentations from the field of Human Factors included a discussion of circadian rhythms, air travel, and baseball; the effects of hypoxia, and medevac operations for sports-related injuries. Other topics included the increasingly significant impact of drones
for sports and the historical connections between the requirements of being a pilot and having an athletic background. John Paul Riddle’s determination to include sports and recreation as part of his school was also highlighted. A poster session on how sports has prepared astronauts and a presentation on space suit design and the benefits of being a competitive athlete demonstrated that these connections apply to the aerospace sector as well. Riddle’s interest in sports and aviation goes way back. One presenter explored our “all pilots” basketball team formed in 1929. It is entirely possible that this was the first organized sports team in America to fly to their away games.
THE AVION
Opinion A5
“…With Liberty and Justice for All?” Please, raise your hand if you are a US citizen. Keep your hand up if you are registered to vote. Keep your hand up if you voted in the past election. According to Aaron Steckelberg and Chiqui Esteban in the Sep. 27, 2017 issue of The Washington Post, there are over 4.4 million American citizens who do not have the right to vote in presidential elections. These are US citizens living in US territories such as Guam, North Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. These citizens pay federal taxes like Social Security and Medicare, yet they have a minimal voice in the government. They are not allowed to vote past the primary elections. They do not have a representative in the US Senate. They do not have a voting member in Congress. The ability to have and vote for representation within the US government is a right that should be afforded to every US citizen. For many, this may be the first time hearing about this predicament. But in actuality, this debate has been going on for decades, especially when it is questioned whether or not delegates from these territories be allowed to vote in Congress. In the Jan. 11, 1993 issue of Insight on the News, Bruce Fein argues that “The extension of congressional voting rights to representatives of US territories is blatantly unconstitutional.” Article 2 of the US Constitution states that each STATE shall appoint an elector to vote on their behalf. Because the aforementioned territories are not considered states, this article of the Constitution blocks the ability of citizens in these territories to vote in the Presidential elections.
It is worth mentioning that the US citizens living in these territories are permitted their right to fight within the US military. In fact, 75% of the land of the often forgotten territory of Guam is utilized for military operations. And, according to Josh Hicks in the Oct. 24, 2016 issue of The Washington Post, one in eight adults in Guam serve in the US military. Valerie Woodward stated in Contemporary Pacific Volume 25 Issue 1, “The people of Guam have attempted to change the terms of their status through political and legislative channels. The United States, however, has thwarted almost all attempts through simple inaction or amnesia.” Frank Blas, Jr., a Guam Senator, even spoke about the citizens paying the ultimate sacrifice for liberties they are not even allowed to have. Guam is not the only territory contributing to the military, however. Today, there are more than 10,000 active duty military personnel from Puerto Rico across all branches of the armed forces. According to the 2010 census, there were over 15,000 US veterans, including my father, residing in the US Virgin Islands. Yet, they are still not allowed to vote for their “Commander-in-Chief.” There is, however, one location in the US where the citizens are allowed to vote within Presidential elections, despite them not being a state. I am referring to the District of Columbia, also known as Washington D.C. Residents of DC were granted electoral votes, even though they are not an official state. It is interesting how this is allowed, but allowing US territories to vote is considered unconstitutional. Honestly, this is downright hypocritical. However, DC is also going through their own battles as they, like the other US territories, do not have a voting member of Congress or representation
is the US Senate. The most permanent solution to this problem would be amending the constitution. This amendment to the constitution will allow for the US citizens residing in the US territories to not only be able to vote in Presidential elections but also to have representation within the Senate and Congress.
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How would you feel if you wanted to help make a difference, but...you were denied your right to make the difference?
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Jordon Thomas Correspondent
To amend the constitution, a bill will first have to be introduced within Congress. By signing a petition for this amendment, the wheels of this movement can begin turning to allow for the delegates to Congress to actually put forth the bill. As stated before, this is an ongoing debate for decades. While this seems like a simple issue as to whether or not all citizens should be given the same rights, in actuality, it requires a much more in-depth discussion. One ridiculous argument previously used to help block past legislation was the consideration of political parties within these territories. The rights Americans should be granted regardless of political affiliations. It is asinine for this even to be considered within an argument about the rights that should be extended to the citizens of this country. As I have stated before, there are over 4.4 million US citizens who are not given proper representation within the government. This is approximately the population of Idaho, Montana, North
Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming combined. There are more US citizens than in that of five states that currently do not have a voice. Any concerns these citizens have are just fleeting fantasies as they do not have the power or rights to do anything about it. But, you have the ability to do something about it. If everyone in this University called their delegate to Congress for Florida on behalf of this movement, the seed would be planted. Once the petition has a significant amount of signatures, the bill can be considered by an actual voting member of Congress to be brought forward to the floor. Every citizen of America should be given the right to vote whether they live within the continental US or one of its territories. The citizens within these territories are aware of the disadvantages they face regarding representation, but they are also mindful of their lack of power to change any of this. You can ignite that change by three simple steps: 1) Calling your delegate to Congress and bringing this issue forward to them, 2) Signing the petition as a way to stand with the slighted and, 3) spreading the word about this cause so that others can do the same. Amending the Constitution may seem like an impossible and unattainable feat, but it can happen if the word is spread and you pledge your support. Think about it. It was not too long ago that African Americans were not allowed to vote in America. It was an even shorter time since women were allowed to vote. Think about it. How would you feel if you wanted to help make a difference, but because of a technicality, you were denied your right to make the difference?
RESPECT FOR THE FLAG Keith Markovich Correspondent Stand up if you respect the United States of America. Remain standing if you or someone you know serves in the United States Military. Recently many people have been sitting during the playing of the “Star Spangled Banner,” specifically at sporting events. This is setting a bad example for others and ultimately dividing our nation. I don’t know about you all, but when the national anthem plays before a sporting event, chills run down my spine. Nothing else can get me fired up the way it can. I am fortunate to have never been a victim of discrimination, but I am disheartened by the fact that it does exist in our society. No one deserves to be treated like they are less than someone else. Although racism exists in our society, I believe that most people are good, and the United States of America provides us with many privileges we take for granted. We can all agree that improvements need to be made to make our country a safer and more accepting place to live; however, I feel that kneeling for the national anthem targets the wrong audience. This issue came to the surface when the quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, Colin Kaepernick, chose to sit during the playing of the national anthem. The news of this spread like wildfire and several players decided to join him. Evelyn Stratmoen writes
in the Jan. 2018 edition of Personality and Individual Differences: “Players have stated protests are meant to draw attention to racial inequalities, not to disrespect the United States.” Many people did understand what Kaepernick was sitting for, but there was still some confusion. Kaepernick’s message was interpreted in different ways. When interviewed by Ryan Wilson of CBS, Malcolm Jenkins, safety for the Philadelphia Eagles, said, “But for me personally, I have a lot of friends that served. My grandfather served. And this is a country that I love. So, me not standing for the national anthem isn’t really going to get me the results that I want. I’d rather be doing something in the community. Talking to people that can actually make some change.” Jenkins actually kneeled for several national anthems before he realized that it was sending the wrong message. That wasn’t who he was. In an interview by Mike Triplett of ESPN, Drew Brees said, “The American flag is ‘sacred.’ It’s an oxymoron that you’re sitting down, disrespecting that flag that has given you the freedom to speak out.” Drew Brees went on to discuss that he has no issues with speaking out against racial injustice, just the method of protest. We love our country, and we love the freedom it gives us. Some other nations around the world do not grant those same fundamental freedoms. In an interview with CNN on Sep. 19, 2016, Barack Obama commented on Kaepernick’s actions:
“as I’ve said before, I believe that us honoring our flag and our anthem is part of what binds us together as a nation.” Obama respected his decision to kneel because that is his right, but he said, “I want (the protesters) to listen to the pain that that may cause somebody who, for example, had a spouse or a child who was killed in combat and why it hurts them to see somebody not standing.” Staying united as a nation is something that we can never afford to lose. The foundation of America is built on a mix of races and cultures coming together for a cause. We cannot let disagreements and anger cloud the meaning of our flag. There are men and women out representing our flag and fighting to uphold it. They are not to blame for any of this injustice taking place on our home soil. I believe that as a country it is our responsibility to show respect for the flag at all times. At the 2012 Olympic Games, Usain Bolt stopped an interview to stand at attention for a national anthem that wasn’t even his own (Shladebeck, 2018). To me that is respect. He set an example that I think everyone should follow. No matter the nation, we should all be standing when a national anthem is playing because we are respecting each country and what they have done to get their flag to stand. The only solution is to always stand for the national anthem. Encourage everyone you know to also stand in respect for the United States of America and be thankful for the freedom
of speech and thought it provides us. Several NFL teams have adopted a routine of locking arms during the national anthem instead of kneeling. This lets people know that not only do they stand united for those not receiving the equality they deserve, but also for our nation as a whole. Peaceful rallies or marches are a way to start a movement and fight for a cause, but ultimately the “Star Spangled Banner” should be left alone. I understand that it is a person’s constitutional right to do as they please during the national anthem, but if there is a specific issue they want to address, I believe that they should be clear about that. The only thing that the kneeling has caused is confusion and a lack of understanding of what the real root of the problem is. Jonathan Intravia writes in a report about national anthem protests: “The reasoning underlying anthem protests strike right at the heart of trust, justice, and legitimacy—themes of which echo prominently throughout all aspects of the criminal justice system.” Never stop fighting for what you believe in because that is your right, but never show disrespect to the people who fought to give you that right. In conclusion, it is ultimately your decision, and I will respect that, but I hope that you will also respect my opinion that standing for a country’s national anthem is necessary. I stand for my late grandfather who served, and I hope that you all will stand for a soldier that serves to protect you as well.
THE AVION
A6 Opinion Net-Neutrality and Chill
Nicholas Maxted Correspondent We all love to watch Netflix, listen to Spotify, and browse Amazon for hours and hours; but what if your videos kept buffering, your songs kept freezing, and you weren't allowed access to Amazon because your internet service provider does not support it? This nightmare that we couldn't possibly wish upon even our most despised enemy may soon become a reality with the downfall of net neutrality. Congress needs to pass the Congressional Review Act to reverse the FCC's decision to keep net neutrality which will keep the online market competitive for companies, keep the internet equally open for everyone, and keep the customers from having to pay more. Without net neutrality, large companies will easily beat out smaller online companies, slowing the drive for innovation and competition, ultimately slowing down the whole market. Net neutrality keeps the internet equally accessible for everyone. Without net neutrality, internet service providers will be charging customers much more for their internet service. I may not be a congressman who can directly vote on the CRA to reverse net neutrality, however, I am part of a generation who uses the internet more than any other and sees how directly this can impact young adults and students in the future if this is not repealed. Before we can begin making an impact, we must first understand what net neutrality exactly is. Net neutrality is the principle that internet service providers should enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source, and without favoring or blocking particular products or websites. One of the most substantial issues that would occur if net neutrality no longer existed is seen from an economic standpoint where small businesses will not be able to pay the ISP's
enough money, so their websites won't be supported or will be extremely slow. This will give them much less of a chance of competition, and can potentially ruin the whole company, especially if they are entirely web-based. In a 2012 article published in the Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, author An-Shou Cheng describes the internet with net neutrality as, “an open and competitive foundation for innovation.” Without net neutrality, internet service providers will have free reign over what websites their customers can see, the speed at which they can access certain sites, and they will ultimately charge you more if you want more or faster access. Dan Barry stated in an article published in Santa Clara Computer and High-Technology Law Journal in 2008: "AT&T and Comcast generally oppose net neutrality rules and view the network as an investment...as they see fit to reap the greatest return.” Not only will they be charging more, but we can expect them to be slowing down our speeds too or even blocking certain websites. Additionally, Shane Greenstein explains in an article published in the Journal of Economic Perspectives in 2016, "Internet service providers also might sign contracts to provide preferential treatment to the services or some content providers.” Now some may argue that it would be beneficial to get rid of net neutrality altogether such as Emily Roxberg who shares in an article published in the Journal of Corporation Law in 2011that ending net neutrality is“A cost-effective solution to the increased traffic and congestion plaguing their [the ISPs] shared networks.” Although the FCC has already passed the bill to end net neutrality, it has not gone into effect yet, and Congress has the power to reverse it. Congress has the power to implement a Congressional Review Act. This would
Photo Courtesy: Huffpost
This image depicts predicted price points for various services. allow for Congress to reverse regulatory actions within 60 days of the bill being enacted. Millions of Americans have attempted to persuade the FCC not to put this plan into action, but the bill still passed. The FCC may be able to ignore the petitions they received. However, they cannot ignore Congress. Congress holds the power to reverse the bill and reinstate net neutrality. For those of you who may still be on the fence or even that do not fully grasp the impact that this can have on all Americans who pay for internet service, which is almost everyone, here is a visual that will show what life would be like if the bill is not reversed and net neutrality is abolished. This is what you could be seeing when signing up for internet service. The base price as we can see starts at thirty dollars a month, and then if you want access to specific sites you love, you will have to pay extra. Adding up all the options shown here, the bill would be over eighty dollars per month and would grant the user access to all the sites and services listed. Right now, I pay fifty dollars per month, just over half of what this is suggesting, and I get access to any website, all at the same speed. So how does this make you feel? Angry that someone could even
do this? Scared for what may happen in the future? Wondering how long you would survive if you went off the grid? These are all normal reactions to this topic; however, it does not have to be this way. Right now, Congress holds to power to either reverse this or let it through. We may not be congressmen and women; however, we are the people who they are representing, and their job is to make the best decisions based on the interests of their people. Here is how we can all help: Go to www.battleforthenet.com. It is a website directly designed for writing to Congress. All you have to do is put in your name, email, address, and zip code and you can have your voice sent to Washington. If you don't feel like writing a message, there is already a pre-written one that can be edited or wholly changed before being sent off. Ionela Baltatescu points out very clearly in an article published in Knowledge Horizons Economics that "All internet traffic should be treated equally by the internet service providers not discriminating or charging different fees by user, content, site, platform, etc.” We are the ones who use the internet, so we deserve a say in what happens to it. Write to Congress today so we can continue to binge watch Netflix at 2 am without constant buffering because we didn't pay the extra $10 for that internet package.
THE AVION
Campus A7
Dancing with the Eagles 2: Popular Artists
Kelsey Krupicka Correspondent This past Friday, ten organizations around campus competed for the title of Dancing with the Eagles Champions. These groups performed routines to songs made famous by popular artists. Artists like Michael Jackson, LMFAO, Brittney Spears, Rhianna, and Pentatonix. The performances were judged on crowd appeal, technique, group execution, and creativity. With a perfect score, Alpha Omicron Alpha and their pro, Kiristan Waters took home first place showcasing the many different styles of Taylor Swift. Needless to say, they have a big reputation for next year’s competition! Coming in second place was FIJI and their pro, Bailey Porter putting on their poker face with a mashup of Lady Gaga songs. Two teams tied for third place: Delta Chi and their pro, Alexis Rose, as well as Parkour Club and their pro, Skye Colonna. Delta Chi performed a flawless routine to a
mix of Beyoncé songs. We turned up the music with Parkour Club’s performance of Chris Brown’s hits as well! The audience members also played a part in the show by voting for their favorite routine. Congratulations goes out to Sigma Chi and their pro, Amy Burch, for their Fergalicious routine to songs by Fergie. All the time they come around, their brothers gather ‘round. Always looking at them up and down looking at their…. audience choice medals. Other organizations who participated in the event were the Riddle Players and their pro, Zach Sydnor, Sigma Sigma Rho, and their pro, Alyssa Lang, Delta Upsilon and their pro, Paris Wyatt, Acabellas and their pro, Holly Scammon, as well as Theta Phi Alpha and their pro, Kelsey Krupicka. There were also two historical
performances of the evening. Both of the newly founded Dancing Eagles Competition Teams took the stage for the first time. The jazz team performed a routine to Bishop Briggs, “River.” The hiphop team started the second act with an upbeat routine to “That’s Right” by Ciara ft. Lil John. Both competition teams will be competing in the Sunshine State Classic at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Florida on Jan. 27th. The Embry-Riddle Dancing Eagles need you to show your support at the competition because audience appeal is factored into the final score. If the competition teams score high enough at the Sunshine State Classic, they will be qualified for the Collegiate Nationals Competition in April 2019! Special appreciation goes out to Touch N Go, the Waters family, Ryan Welsh, Jonpaul Talmadge, Nathan Monterio, all the ERDE members, and our panel of judges: Hafiy Hadi, Naia Butler-Craig, Dean Lisa Kollar, and Professor Katie Esguerra.
All photos: Rajan Khanna/The Avion Newspaper
Thanksgiving Basket Brigade Christie Miller Assistant Director of Leadership and Civic Engagement Congratulations Embry-Riddle students and staff! The Volunteer Network collected over 35 baskets for the Thanksgiving Basket Brigade. Our goal was 20 baskets, so the ERAU family stepped up to make a difference for local families. Many athletic teams donated baskets. Many student organizations donated baskets. Many staff departments gave baskets. Even individuals donated baskets.
These baskets were filled with all of the ingredients for a wonderful Thanksgiving meal, including stuffing, corn, green bean casserole ingredients, cranberry, mashed potatoes, gravy, dessert, a gift card for the turkey, and extra canned goods for the rest of the month. Not only were these baskets overflowing with food, but many of them were beautifully adorned with fall colors, decorations, table cloths, plates, napkins and much more. These fabulous baskets will be given to the Thanksgiving Basket
Brigade, which will distribute over 2,000 baskets to families in need in Volusia County. A very special thank you from the Volunteer Network to all of the clubs, organizations, departments, and individuals who contributed to make this event a huge success. If you are interested in doing more this holiday season, the Volunteer Network is hosting more ways to make a difference: 1. Thanksgiving cards. Come to our table to make a Thanksgiving card for a senior citizen in a
nursing home. 2. The Angel Tree. Come to select an angel from the tree and bring a wrapped present for a child whose parents are incarcerated. 3. Christmas/Holiday cards. Come to our table after Thanksgiving to make cards for military personnel serving overseas. Thank you all for your generosity during this holiday season! ERAU really can make a difference in our community!
THE AVION
A8 Campus
Battlefield: A War for the World
Connor Strobel Staff Reporter Having played Battlefield 1 for the past two years, I was undoubtedly excited for the Battlefield franchise’s next installment, Battlefield V (BFV). Earlier this year, fans of the series were unsure of where the game would go. Would it follow a chronological timeline and go to World War Two, or would they do something else, given that the Call of Duty franchise had come out with a World War Two game? As the teasers started coming out, it became very clear that BFV was going to take place in WWII. I myself being an avid war historian was excited. From early on, gameplay looked beautiful. However, the game faced criticism early on for portraying a British female with a prosthetic arm. Later down the line, Dice, the creators of BFV, decided to remove said female. As the months wore on and gameplay footage was released, the hype was building. A few months ago, Dice released a beta for Battlefield V, and everyone got a chance to experience what this new game was truly going to be like. After the beta came, the grueling wait for the final product. When Battlefield released at midnight of Nov. 20, I hopped on for a bit to get a taste of the magic before I went to sleep. For those of you who played Battlefield 1, you may remember the opening scenes and accompanying gameplay. For those of you unaware, when you boot up Battlefield 1 for the first time, the screen goes all black, and text begins appearing. The game goes on to describe how brutal World War 1 in all its totality was. How many people died, the horrible new weapons, the destruction of homes and land. All are mentioned in this text. The game then tells you that you are about to experience frontline
combat. “You are not expected to survive.” As the screen goes dark again, the game starts you as a nondescript person holding a line in the middle of no man’s land. And you will die. As you die, your person’s name, year of birth, and year of death appear. You then spawn again as someone else. You then die again. This continues for some time. For me, it was a very chilling experience that accurately portrayed the brutality of war. It was so well done, that Call of Duty tried to something of the same, to the extent of just text without the gameplay in their hit, Call of Duty: WWII. As I started up BFV, I was praying for the same experience to happen. As the screen went black,
cutscenes, amazing mechanics, and at times, absolute freedom. In the second section of the first mission, you are given three objectives, some with sub-tasks to complete. You start near a jeep and are given the freedom to do said tasks in whatever order you want. As I drove to the airfield I had to destroy; I did not yet realize the power Dice was giving us. As I approached the airport, I saw Stukas (German dive bombers) sitting on the runway. As a long time Battlefield player, and a curious gamer overall at heart, my first instinct was to see if I could access said bomber and fly away. To my absolute joy, I could. For a mission that probably would’ve taken me
Photo Courtesy: Dice Games
and text began appearing, I knew it was happening again. BFV then tosses you into gameplay by way of an invasion of Norway by British forces. As you push ahead, something happens along the line, such as a Tiger tank crashing through a building, where the moment freezes and then shoots you forward into another location and time of the war. Battlefield’s claim to their single-player campaign this time is telling the “Untold stories” of the war. The single player campaign is indescribably beautiful — stunning
over 30 minutes to complete on foot, took me about five as I dive bombed all my objectives across the map. In the Norwegian war story, you are given a pair of skis, and you can get to the target in any way you want. You can go loud or stealthy. The third war story accessible is more straightforward in pure combat until you get to the final section, as once again, you get the ability to play the game as you see fit. However, this final section quickly turned into a pure all on combat rampage. A fourth war story, “The Last Tiger,” comes out
on Dec. 4. Multiplayer is beautiful and fun, although I have heard some criticisms, and have wondered myself if I enjoy the game just because I am good at it. On a good note, the starting maps that BFV gives us are enjoyable and diverse. From the snowy mountain peaks to the deserts of Africa, to the city streets of Rotterdam. Multiplayer is quicker than the older games of Battlefield 3 and 4. It feels a little faster than Battlefield 1 as well, and I’m not sure how I feel about that. With medics no longer being able to place a med crate and have health be automatically given to the player, players are liable to die quickly. With much less ammo than previous games, you must be more considerate of when you fire and how much, and not to waste any ammo. This goes for all parts of the game, even tanks and planes. Tanks are absolutely beautifully designed and feel just like a metal beast of war. I still have quarrels with the planes not feeling “right,” and instead awkward. The specializations as you level up your weapons and vehicles is an excellent change to the game, and you can reset your tree down the line. However, I do very much enjoy my Panzer IV that sticky explosives cannot effect and an S Mine launcher for those enemies that get just a little too close. The bugs that were in the beta have been fixed, but there are still some here and there that I have noticed. But given that Dice and EA have stated that all DLC for BFV will be completely free and accessible to all players, as well as the quality of the game, I highly recommend picking this game up as soon as you possibly can. Christmas is right around the corner and would be an excellent gift for people you know that play video games. Overall, I rate this game a solid 9/10.
Photo Courtesy: Dice Games
Photos by: Collin Anderson, Samy Fooda, Jorja Gwaltney, Abigail Johnson, Rajan Khanna, Korbin Martin and Vipul Telang.
THE AVION
B2 Campus in Review
Photos by: Vipul Telang, Rajan Khanna, Abigail Johnson, K’Andrew France-Beckford and Connor Strobel
Photos by: Chaz Pokracki, Joshua Rosado, Abigail Johnson, Rajan Khanna and Vipul Telang
THE AVION
Homecoming in Review B3
THE AVION
B4 Industry in Review The Blue Angels were the talk of the town in Jacksonville this past Oct. as they performed their high flying routine at the NAS Jax Air Show! Otherperformances included the Warrior Flight Team, Greg Shelton & Ashley the Wing Walker, the Paul McCowan Skydiving Team, and more!
Delta IV Heavy Main Engine Fun Facts Nominal Thrust: 702,000 lbs Specifc Impulse: 362 seconds Length: 204 in Weight: 14,876 lbs Fuel/Oxidizer: Liquid Hydrogen/ Liquid Oxygen
The SLS booster forward skirt houses booster avionics that communicate with the SLS avionics to monitor booster conditions and steer the booster exhaust nozzle. Photos by: Rajan Khanna and Collin Anderson
Photos by: Rajan Khanna, Vipul Telang and Collin Anderson
THE AVION
Technology in Review B5
THE AVION
B6 Sports in Review
Teddy “Ted” West is a midfielder for the Men’s Soccer Team. As a 19-year-old sophomore, he has already proven himself a valuable asset to the team. One of our international students, he hails from Brighton, England. He is currently majoring in Business Administration with a minor in Forensic Accounting. Other than soccer, he enjoys boxing. In his spare time, he likes to hang out with friends, watch soccer, or practice more on his own to perfect his skills. He is not active on other organizations on campus. He chose Embry-Riddle for the location and excellent academics and enjoys playing for the Eagles because the tight team has brought him some of the best friends he’s ever had. He started playing soccer at the early age of four and got started in the sport by his father and grandfather, who both played themselves. After graduating, Teddy plans to head home and hopefully keep playing soccer. His favorite part of Embry-Riddle being soccer, Ted currently has two assists, and his coaches say that his work ethic and persistence make him a vital part of the team. Keep up the good work Teddy!
On a normal school day, women’s volleyball player #6 blends into the rest of the student body, but come game time, she is a force to be reckoned with. Theresa Jordan is a junior studying business administration and is an integral part of the ERAU Women’s Volleyball team. Theresa fell in love with volleyball at age 10 and has not dropped the sport since. Theresa was born and raised in Vienna, Austria and came to the United States for school. She chose ERAU specifically for the school’s prestige but also wanted the ability to play in the NCAA Division 2 so she could focus on academics as well. Her hobbies include skiing, hanging out with friends, and putting together jigsaw puzzles. She can also speak three languages: German, English, and a little bit of French.
Helena Hansson is a Centerback on the Lady Eagles Soccer team. Hailing from Eskilstuna, Sweden, she is currently in her 6th year at Embry-Riddle and is working on her Master’s degree in Human Factors; with minors in Psychology and International Relations. She has been playing soccer since she was five years old: or for 20 years. Helena’s story is somewhat of a comeback story itself. In 2015, as a junior, she was playing against Lynn when she tore her ACL for the first time. Helena then returned in Spring of 2016, before re-tearing her ACL that April. In a display of true dedication and perserverence, she came back this past spring, and this is the first season she’ll be playing again. Helena, keep up the great work!
Alyssa Rudd is a junior here at Embry-Riddle and hails from Tallahassee, Florida. She is 19 years of age and is a Lady Eagle on the school volleyball team. Academically, she is majoring in Aviation Business, with a minor in Psychology. After she graduates, she wants to continue her education and get her Master’s degree. She says that she won’t be pursuing the Master’s here at Embry-Riddle, but is not yet decided on where she will study. Alyssa chose Embry-Riddle because it was far from home, but not too far away. She also fell in love with the community here and decided to make this her home. Although she isn’t a participant in any other organizations on campus, in her spare time, she enjoys going to the beach on the weekends. Alyssa also enjoys taking photos as a hobby. She says that her favorite part of Embry-Riddle as a whole is the people, from students to staff and faculty. She didn’t get started in volleyball at a very young age, as some do, and did not get involved until later. Before volleyball, she played golf. In the 4th grade, her friends started volleyball, and Alyssa joined two years later to be with her friends. As of now, she is the Eagle’s setter and does a fantastic job. Alyssa has played in all 22 sets of the seven matches the team has played as well as holding the highest number of team assists easily, holding 254 of the 270 team assists. Great job Alyssa, keep doing great work!
Photos by: Connor Strobel, Connor Adair, Korbin Martin, Rajan Khanna and ERAU Athletics
Photos by: Vipul Telang, Rajan Khanna and Samy Fooda
THE AVION
Motorsports in Review B7
Comics and Games
When I was a kid, someone told me the end of The Giver was ambiguous, which surprised me. I had just assumed Jonah died--because the book had a medal on the cover, and I knew grown-ups liked stories where sad stuff happens at the end for no reason.
12/2/2018
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