Issuu

collegiatetimes.com

112th YEAR, ISSUE 198

December 1, 2016

COLLEGIATE TIMES An independen independent, nt, sstudent-run tudent-run news newspaper spaper sserving erving tthe he Virginia Tech com community mmunity since 1903

ZACK WAJSGRAS / COLLEGIATE TIMES

BUSINESSES RAISE WAGES TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE In order to compete with Virginia Tech’s high-paying student jobs, local businesses in Blacksburg are now offering additional beneﬁts and increased worker wages. news reporter

CHASE PARKER football beat reporter

JUN YU / COLLEGIATE TIMES

A Blacksburg Transit driver lets students onto his bus, Nov. 30, 2016. Blacksburg Transit is one of the businesses raising its wages to persuade students from working on campus. there for convenience’s sake, so I could walk to work instead of having to drive.” Mayo has moved off campus since then, but still works for Owens because of Dining Services’ willingness to work around schedule conflicts. “Basically, Dining Services is a

really great place to work as a student due to the benefits; I am really satisfied with the job,” Mayo said. “I would recommend anyone who is looking for a job that works around his or her schedule as a student to look into an on-campus job.” see WAGES / page 3

Battalions battle in lab to relieve stress of ﬁnals LIBBY HOWE Corps of Cadets reporter

ILLUSTRATION BY CAT PIPER

With ﬁnals around the corner, ﬁnd out which peppermint mocha will help you power through the all-nighters.

A peppermint twist on this season’s coffee KATELYN MEADE lifestyles staff writer

It’s that time of the year again. Finals are around the corner and the light at the end of the tunnel that is the holidays is almost here. What do both of these things have in common? They both require loads of coffee and sweets — and where these two things meet is the peppermint mocha. There are many places to get a peppermint mocha in Blacksburg, each with their own different versions of this classic holiday drink. But there are a few that cannot be missed out on: Bollo’s Ca fe a nd Bakery Located right off Draper Road, Bollo’s provides a large selection of unique

To earn its stripes, Tech must tame Clemson Tigers Jerod Evans and the Hokies will have to be nearly perfect to knock off Clemson in Orlando.

CLAIRE CONNOR In a competitive hiring market, many businesses in Blacksburg have been increasing their wages in order to interest prospective employees. Numerous businesses have been trying to increase their staff since the beginning of summer to no avail. Owners say they are unable to compete with the convenience and benefits of working on campus for Virginia Tech. One of their greatest threats is Virginia Tech’s Dining Services, the largest employer of students on campus. Dining Services offers a starting wage of $9 an hour, flexibility in scheduling and opportunities for leadership and management positions. Dining service employees also receive a meal voucher worth $8 for every shift worked. “Currently, I make $9.75 an hour as a student assistant manager,” said Joe Mayo, a sophomore university studies major and employee at Owens Food Court. “I started working at Owens last semester when I was on campus. Mainly I tried to get the job

Adonis Alexander (36) pumps up the crowd in between possessions against U.Va., Nov. 26, 2016.

coffees all year long. The shop offers a small space with a very relaxed energy. Not too quiet or too loud, Bollo’s fosters a unique study space right in the heart of downtown Blacksburg. In addition to its charming nature, this is definitely a spot to check out while on the hunt for the perfect peppermint mocha. It’s guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit while keeping you awake through the last couple weeks of the semester. This peppermint mocha is surely the mintiest of them all, proving to be a perfect balance with the chocolate flavor. This drink will give you the

To counteract t he academic stresses of finals week, the cadets of Virginia Tech’s Army ROTC Battalion spent Tuesday afternoon unwinding on the Drillfield, competing against each other in a dodgeball tournament, physical fitness contest and tug-of-war match. The battalion’s competition pits the different companies against each other, simultaneously building unit cohesion within the companies and battalionwide morale. Each company played as a dodgeball team and manned one side of the tug-of-war rope. Both teams were tasked with completing 1,000 push-ups, squats and sit-ups for the physical fitness aspect of the competition. This Army “lab,” an ROTC class that meets every Tuesday, differs from the others held throughout the semester, aiming to mimic a

similar regimen as the United States Army. “The company competition is a break from our normal routine. Normally, Tuesday labs are very focused on tactical leadership development. This is a time at the end of the semester where we can break from that and develop morale as cohesive units,” said Ben Paddock, senior economics major and this semester’s cadet battalion commander. “This is not unlike anything you’d see in the real Army — they have plenty of field days and family days so we’re trying to implement that a little into our program.” The battalion has regularly held the event for several years and it has evolved into a more focused, cohesive unit. “For the exercise part of the competition they go down to squads, but that’s the smallest unit they break down to, and it’s still all team work. see ARMY / page 3

TUAN TRAN / COLLEGIATE TIMES

The Army cadets partake in physical training during their lab to relieve stress during ﬁnals.

see COFFEE / page 4

“GILMORE GIRLS: A YEAR IN THE LIFE”

VOLLEYBALL BEATS U.Va. IN FINAL GAME

Does the revival live up to the hype? Find out inside.

Lindsey Owens’ big year couldn’t save the Hokies.

page 5

page 6

Just over one year ago, on Nov. 29, 2015, Virginia Tech announced that Justin Fuente would replace legendary head coach Frank Beamer. At the time, the consensus was that cracking the six-win mark to reach bowl contention would be enough to dub the newcomer’s first season as a “success.” After all — 2016 was going to be a rebuilding year, right? Well, 368 days, nine wins and one Coastal Division Championship later, it’s safe to say that the “consensus” was dead wrong about what to expect in Fuente’s first year. The 2016 ACC Coach of the Year has guided the Hokies back to where they were five years ago — the conference Championship Game. Their prize? A date with No. 3 Clemson, which was in the College Football Playoff National Championship game a season ago. “We have a tremendous challenge ahead of us this week,” Fuente said. “We’re playing a very talented, well-coached Clemson team. They’ve got great players all over the place. They’ve got good coaches and good schemes and really good players.” Ma ke no m ist a ke about it — Clemson has one of the best players in all of college football under center in Deshaun Watson. He finished third in Heisman Trophy voting last year and is among the finalists to win the award this season. The 6-foot-3 Georgia product leads the ACC in passing yards (3,626) and touchdowns (34). He is also a threat on the ground, as he’s rushed for 444 yards and four scores this year. G oi ng up aga i nst Watson reeks of disaster for the Hokies. In each of Tech’s three losses this season, the opposing team utilized its mobile quarterbacks, each surpassing the 100-yard rushing tally. If there’s been one constant struggle for the Hokies all season, it’s been just that — containing a quarterback that can run. “There’s no schematic issue (with mobile quarterbacks),” Fuente explained. “It’s difficult to defend a guy that can run and throw the ball. Deshaun (Watson) is no different. He’s extremely athletic, maybe the best athlete on the field.” Clemson also boasts a defense that is seemingly

impenetrable at times. Nationally, the unit ranks eighth in total defense, fourth in team sacks, third in tackles for loss and 10th in interceptions. “They’re pretty athletic,

info on the go The ACC Championship Game will take place in Orlando, Florida, at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016. especially on the back end. They’re really long. I know (Cord rea) Ta n kersley, No. 25, is pretty good and the other corner is pretty good as well,” said Tech wide receiver Isaiah Ford. “So yeah, they’re long. I know their front seven is pretty good. It’ll be a tough matchup for us.” Overcoming such a stout defense starts with quarterback play, and the Hokies have a pretty good one. Jerod Evans has already established program single-season records for touchdown passes (26), total touchdowns accounted for (34) and total offensive yards (3,752). He’s only 205 passing yards away from breaking Don Strock’s mark of 3,243, which has remained unbroken since 1972. Although the Virginia Tech offense has rallied around Evans this season, the unit struggles in the red zone, where it has a touchdown rate of just 56.7 percent, which ranks 95th in the country. With Watson and company on the other sideline, it will be essential for Tech to capitalize on any and every scoring opportunity, and that means not settling for field goals in the red zone. While making it to the ACC Championship Game exceeded expectations for many experts and fans this season, the Hokies still made it there. However, just being a part of the big game doesn’t satisfy the champions of the Coastal Division. “We’re not just happy to go and participate in this game,” running back Sam Rogers said. “We want to go play and win, and that’s the goal.”

@ChaseParker_VT

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opinion Democratic Platform

ILLUSTRATION BY ANDREA PAPPAS

IS LIBERALISM MOVING TOO FAR LEFT? column

column

Progressive liberalism mislabeled as extremism

Extremism threatens the aims of modern liberalism

his is a response to complaints of liberal extremism and my response comes from a leftist perspective. I would first like to clarify that liberal extremism does not exist. Liberalism is more left than center, especially progressive liberalism, but it is not considered truly leftist and as such cannot be extreme. Leftism can be extreme, but the complaints here are of general left-motivated actions. These actions are misunderstood and are not in any way tarnishing liberalism. I would now like to address the complaint of ext reme pol itica l cor rect ness. Pol itica l correctness is a vague buzzword which has a di fferent mea n i ng depending on the politics of the person making the accusation. Using up-todate ter minology for minorities and rejecting casual use of stereotypes is simply civil. So, one may wonder why the correct terms for minorities change, and why one should bother keeping up. There are many factors that go into this, including a better understanding of the minority in question (such as transgender people), as well as old terms being repeatedly used as insults to the point where using it correctly will be taken as insulting (especially true of terms used for neuroatypical individuals). It is perfectly reasonable to expect to be called an accurate term that doesn’t

risk being taken as an insult. Of course, one may complain, how can anyone be expected to know all these terms? Well, seek out information, or at least try to remember when you’re corrected, just as you learn different types of anything else in your life. I have yet to see anyone complain that learning all the different types of food, for example, is too hard. If you’re open to learning, it will be easier. As for avoiding stereotypes, it is advisable to “punch up, not down.” This means that for example, jokes at people’s expense, should be at the expense of the group holding power, and not at the disadvantaged group in any situation. This helps dismantle the hierarchy to begin with. If your joke treats a power imbalance as normal or good, it’s not a good joke;

“

Seek out information, or at least try to remember if you’re corrected ... if you’re open to learning, it will be easier.”

don’t make it. That’s not too much to ask. Safe spaces and trigger warnings are also common complaints. They are not meant for coddling, however. Different groups

of people face varying degrees of day-to-day struggles. Safe spaces exist to specifically ensure to members of a group that if they are there, they will not be targeted for who they are in any way. They are not daycares, they are reprieves. Trigger warnings, too, do not exist to serve as a bubble. They are simply meant to give people t i me to emotiona l ly prepare themselves for heavy content that might remind them of traumatizing past experiences. They would not have to be very complicated — they could start off as similar to what makes a movie require an R-rating, with small modifications such as slurs instead of general swearing, and specifying the type of violence. There is no reason why extra specificity could not be evaluated on a case-bycase basis. Finally, “mansplaining” does not mean simply explained by a man. It specifically means someth ing per t a in ing to women or nonbinary folk explained by a man as if he would know it better than a woman or nonbinary person. As with the other complaints, with a little digging, one can find rational causes for these supposedly extreme behaviors.

SKYE WOOD • regular columnist • freshman/general engineering

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et me begin by saying that my political views are leftleaning: I believe in having a strong central government; I believe in social justice; I believe in, to some extent, government regulation of the economy. I even consider myself a feminist, based on the most fundamental principles of the ideology. Yet lately, I am hesitant to identify as a liberal because I dread being associated with “social justice warriors” and “feminazis.” This is not without reason; with their constant pursuit of political correctness, advocacy for “safe spaces” and support for the illdisguised misandry plaguing third-wave feminism, leftwing extremists have become detrimental to the face of modern liberalism. In the United States, each and every citizen is entitled to his or her opinions and has the right to express them. Civil discourse is not only good, but necessary for the function of an increasingly divided society; it fosters critical thinking skills and promotes honest discussion free of ideological barriers. One fundamental issue that liberal extremists face is the failure to realize that one cannot shut down or shield themselves from the speech and ideas of those who disagree with them. Nowhere is this more evident than in their advocacy for “safe spaces” and “trigger warnings,” two concepts that are especially popular among college students. The need for safe spaces is problematic in that it reinforces the highly-sensitive nature of extreme liberals, who are so offended when confronted with viewpoints different from their own that they feel entitled to what are essentially coddling sanctuaries. Instead of encouraging open discussion, it perpetuates the idea that running away from potential confrontation is an acceptable coping mechanism. Trigger warnings are admittedly a somewhat less

ridiculous request. In theory, these would require professors to indicate in their syllabi when students who have experienced trauma may be exposed to sensitive content. However, PTSD is just one of many psychiatric disorders. For example, a phobia, which is an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something, is the most common psychiatric disorder that affects humans. Does this mean that professors are obligated to give a “trigger warning” for every one of the hundreds of obscure phobias in existence? And if they were to do so, wouldn’t it only be fair for them to issue such warnings for other disorders? Following this pattern of logic leads down a very slippery slope; it is unreasonable to expect such accommodations for a lecture hall of 200 students who are supposed to be capable, mature adults. In the real world, it simply does not do to run away from one’s problems, and teaching that it’s okay to do so in college only makes them harder to face later on. There is a maddening irony behind the actions of liberal extremists, which can of late be seen at the national level: some of these so-called liberals—the ones who walk amongst peaceful protesters, echoing rallying cries of “Love Trumps Hate” — are the same ones who vandalized buildings, caused power outages and shattered the windows of cars and businesses following the election. Some even issued death threats to Trump supporters. By condoning such violence and carrying out the very actions they call deplorable when committed by the other side, members of the radical left-wing make themselves look like hypocrites and simultaneously undermine the issues that concern more moderate liberals. The failure of liberal extremists to communicate effectively is also prevalent in day-to-day life. Once upon a time, it seems the worst thing a person could

be called was racist, or perhaps sexist. But these days, neither of these terms evoke the emotional response they once did. Words like “racist” and “sexist” have become trite and devoid of any meaning and much less impact, because of how frequently they are overused by left-wing radicals. Nowadays, for instance, speaking out against Islam or illegal immigration is a surefire way to get some to say, “That’s racist!” However, these people seem to forget that racism is defined as believing one race to be superior or inferior to another. Thus, while Islamophobia is indeed pure bigotry and prejudice in their most visceral forms, being weary of Islam is not racist, because Islam is a religion that in fact encompasses people of different races. Radical third-wave feminists are especially guilty of such mongering. I have seen women dismiss dissenting opinions as “mansplaining” just because the person who initiated the discussion happened to be male. I have seen them deny a man’s right to speak about issues such as abortion solely because of his sex. Liberal extremists need to realize that simply crying, “Racist!” or, “Sexist!” whenever someone disagrees with them is at best a feeble attempt at rational debate. Furthermore, resorting to name-calling is not only childish, it is indicative of a losing argument. In analyzing their fanatic and often hypocritical rhetoric, it is no surprise that radical left-wingers have made a laughingstock of concrete liberal ideology. It is imperative that these extremists learn to pick their battles and fight them well, in the hope that modern liberalism may someday recover from its wounds.

NEHA OGALE • regular columnist • freshman/psychology and neuroscience

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TUAN TRAN / COLLEGIATE TIMES

The Army cadets partook in dodgeball, physical-training-offs and tug of war to relax and boost morale as the semester comes to an end.

ARMY: Dodgeball in lab builds morale from page 1

Each individual has to pull their own weight,” Paddock said. The officer in charge of the competition, Nate Goulette, senior math major, explained how he shaped the event around Paddock’s intent. Goulette is also the officer in charge of the Army lab. Throughout the semester, the officer in charge for each lab is appointed through a rot ation process, allowing each of the higher-ranking cadets an opportunity to practice

the leadership skills specific to planning and exercising a battalionwide exercise. “Our battalion commander distributes what he wants us to do or what his intent for lab is. He’ll give that to me and I am pretty free to work within his guidelines, within his intent, and pretty much take the lab in the direction I want to,” Goulette said. For this particular lab, Paddock provided Goulette with several requirements. “He wa nt e d it to be a physically vigorous competition,

a team-on-team kind of exercise, companyversus-company, and he wanted to do an outside activity,” Goulette said. “I had a decent amount of leeway with what I actually wanted to do. I figured that dodgeball and a tug of war were two great ways to do that.” When asked if this exercise was in any way intended to prepare the battalion for the annual Joint Military Athletic Competition, an event held by the Corps of Cadets every spring, Paddock resp onde d, “That was not our focus, and we don’t really have

to focus on that at all because we clean up every year at JMAC.” Both Paddock and Goulette had the impression that the cadets of the battalion enjoyed the exercise a nd Ja mes Myer s, freshman business major, confirmed these impressions. “I had a great time. There’s nothing like some good competition between Army cadets,” Myers said. “Regular lab is good, you need it, but it’s always good to kick back and relax and do some PT.” The event also allowed

lower-ranking freshman cadets an opportunity to interact more directly with the upperclassmen in the battalion. In fact, the final round of tug of war pitted one company against the battalion staff, the highest-ranking cadets in the battalion. “It’s great being able to talk to upperclassmen during Army ROTC; it’s time to develop that kind of professional relationship so that we can continue to grow as cadets,” Myers said.

fter a couple of days of warm, wet weather here in Blacksburg, the temperatures will drop and bring clear skies as a low-pressure system comes through. A jacket will be needed throughout the rest of the week, especially during the morning hours. After the front passes through on Wednesday, it will bring mostly sunny skies for Thursday with breezy conditions. Expect the high to reach in the low 50s, while the low for Thursday night will be in the low 30s with partly cloudy skies. Expect Friday to also be a gorgeous day with mostly sunny skies and a high around the mid-40s for most of the day. That night, there will be mostly cloudy skies with the low reaching the upper 20s. Saturday will bring the same temperatures as Friday, with highs in the mid-40s and the low in the mid-30s with sunny skies during the day and mostly cloudy skies that night. Sunday will bring a 50 percent chance of precipitation with cloudy skies and highs reaching in the mid-40s. Sunday night, there will also be about a 50 percent chance of showers, with the low in the mid-30s. Looking forward into next week, we should expect highs in the 40s with lows in the 30s. Follow @HOKIEwxWatch on Twitter for any updates!

HEATHER DELANEY @yourlenny

• weather correspondent • @HOKIEwxWATCH

New escape room lets you be the detective Puzzlr, Blacksburg’s newest mystery attraction, includes a 1970s detective-themed escape room where participants solve puzzles. ELIZABETH QUILL news staff writer

Alvin Dela Paz, a Virginia Tech electrical engineering major, and Cesar Grado, a Northern Virginia Community College cyber security major, have done something few other people their age can attest to — start a business. Dela Paz and Grado recently opened Puzzlr, one of Blacksburg’s first escape rooms. An escape room is a form of indoor entertainment in which a group of people are locked in a room and must solve a puzzle to escape. Prior to the opening of Puzzlr in October, the closest escape room was two hours away in Lynchburg, Virginia. After visiting escape rooms all over the state, Grado and Dela Paz decided to open one for themselves. “There wasn’t any in Blacksburg so we thought we could probably make a good product in Blacksburg, and that’s what we did,” Grado said.

“It’s not your regular laser tag or arcade.” According to Dela Paz, the capital required to start Puzzlr was substantial. “My savings,” Dela Paz said. “All his savings, some of my parents savings.” The two estimated the costs to open Puzzlr were around $3,000. Grado mentioned that their extensive workload has been demanding and will eventually lead to the need for additional help in the future. “It definitely took a lot of time and money, and by the end of it we were both exhausted, both literally and figuratively,” Grado said. The partners noted that most of their sets came from a Virginia Tech auction at which they were able to acquire typewriters, desks, filing cabinets and other furniture. The set has undergone quite a transformation since their original plan for the business formed. “At first it was supposed to be more modern detective with DNA testing and stuff,

but we kind of went into the theme of 1970s,” Dela Paz said. “We wanted to do little blood samples for evidence and stuff, but we kind of ditched it since they didn’t have this kind of technology back then. We kind of want the whole theme.” Both Dela Paz and Grado have also worked out a way to stay competitive in the growing market. They hope to maintain a competitive edge with businesses such as Locked Up Lynchburg, a nearby escape room. In their research, Grado and Dela Paz spoke with companies, including Groupon, who noted that they had the best price point in comparison to their competitors. “I think $18 is a really good price point. It’s not too expensive. It’s just right in my opinion,” Grado said. “We do want to not just be local.” Puzzlr has become a popular destination for Virginia Tech students as well as residents in the Blacksburg community. Dela Paz notes

COURTESY OF PUZZLR

Puzzlr’s ﬁrst escape room has a 1970s detective theme. that older couples and groups in particular have expressed interest in their escape room. “It’s a good mix,” Grado said, referring to the large number of college students that have come through Puzzlr. According to Grado, Puzzlr’s popularity is due to its uniqueness. “It’s not your regular laser tag or arcade,” Grado said. “I think it’s new and I think a lot of people like it because it’s something entertaining that’s not just going to an arcade or just watching a movie.”

Not only have Dela Paz and Grado started their own escape room, but they have also begun work on a program called Controlr. “That’s going to be like a service to escape rooms that displays leader boards on the TV screens and timers and things like that,” Grado said. The software provides an interactive board where groups can see what their times are in relation to others who have previously gone through the escape room. How fast your team escaped determines your

ranking. Interested participants can reserve a room on the website. “The past few weekends we’ve been really booked,” Del Paz said. In the meantime, the two are looking beyond Blacksburg. “We do want to not just be local,” Grado said. “But instead serve other escape rooms across the country.”

@CollegiateTimes

WAGES: Student workers ﬂock to on-campus jobs from page 1

Virginia Tech currently employs over 1,400 graduate students and 1,500 undergraduate students in various jobs ranging from dining to residence life. Nevertheless, not all student employees are completely satisfied with working on campus. “I feel like I should get paid a little more than what I do, but I get why they can’t offer more,” said Riley Huber, a sophomore human, nutrition, foods and exercise major and employee at Squires Student Center’s Au Bon Pain (ABP). Huber started working at ABP during the spring of 2016, but despite the benefits of being on campus, she is looking for a new job. “I need more money, and I think I can make more doing the same amount of work elsewhere,” Huber said. “I’m currently applying to other places like Blacksburg Transit and restaurants downtown.” However, wages are only one factor in attracting students. Many restaurants and retail stores are unable to hire

employees due to the lack of relevance on students’ resumes. Daniel Carlson, a junior mechanical engineering major, said that he chose to work for the Virginia Tech Transport Institution despite its comparatively low pay of around $8 an hour. “I thought the experience would look good on my resume, and since I want to look into the automotive field, it’s very applicable,” Carlson said. “It was kind of semi-skilled labor, so it felt like it should have been higher pay. But my schedule was very accommodating; I was actually able to go to work for a few hours, then leave, go to class and then come back to work the same day.” While many local businesses struggle to compete with the accommodations that Virginia Tech offers its student employees, Blacksburg Transit is an example of a local company that is going out of its way to attract employees. Blacksburg Transit offers its employees a starting wage of $13.08, substantially exceeding Virginia’s minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. Prior to July,

Blacksburg Transit struggled to fill operator positions, but after raising wages it began receiving four times as many applications each month. Wayde Kass, financial analyst for Blacksburg Transit, explained how employee wages are determined. “We look at the responsibilities of the jobs, and then weigh the complexity of the responsibilities versus other positions and engage how much we want to pay for those types of responsibilities,” Kass said. “We do a survey of sorts in the region to see what other employers are paying for similar jobs. Finally, we look at the supply and demand in terms of potential employees out there. If there’s a limited supply of candidates to pursue, that’s going to affect it versus if there’s a huge supply.” Another essential component to its hiring success was its use of social media. “We advertised on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google AdWords,” said Fairen Horner, communications and customer support assistant for Blacksburg Transit. “The whole campaign was to push

the wage out there because that’s where (the students) are seeing job information go out.” Blacksburg Transit has also been able to offer various benefits in addition to its competitive wages, including opportunity for advancement, flexibility in hours and the ability to go home due to Blacksburg Transit’s reduced service during academic breaks. “We train you to get your commercial driver’s license, and you can take it and use it to do other types of professional driving,” Kass said. “All the training is paid at your full wage rate. We have very flexible hours, and you can adjust your schedule to what fits around your class schedule. We have a bonus plan, where you get a bonus at the end of the semester.” Eric Walters, a sophomore computer engineering major and bus operator for the Blacksburg Transit, was attracted to the Blacksburg Transit after seeing its ads and increased wages. “I was looking for jobs outside of dining because I

JUN YU / COLLEGIATE TIMES

A Blacksburg Transit driver on the clock, Nov. 30, 2016. was pretty sick of working in food service,” Walters said. “It was between a couple IT jobs or Blacksburg Transit, but then over the summer Blacksburg Transit raised the wage and that more or less sealed the deal. It’s a fun, unique job. I’m really happy with the pay and flexible hours, and the benefits I’m

eligible for are pretty good.” Other Blacksburg businesses will need to find their own niche to attract student employees and compete with the amenities offered through Virginia Tech’s paid positions. @CollegiateTimes

PAGE 4 December 1, 2016

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WATCH:

COFFEE: Minty mochas to spice up ﬁnals

BAD SANTA 2

from page 1

BRADY TICKLE movie columnist

For people who can take offensive humor, “Bad Santa 2” is a hilariously dirty little gift under the tree. Maybe it is because I work retail (and hence for the past four years have experienced the worst that the holiday season has to offer) that I find so much enjoyment in the anti-Christmas spirit that the “Bad Santa” franchise has to offer. Either that or it is just refreshing to see a movie that, for the most part, refuses to appeal to everyone. Let’s repeat that, for the people in the back — “Bad Santa 2” is not for everyone,

nor does it try to be. If you enjoyed the naughty laughs of the first cult classic, you will likely enjoy this one as well. If you are easily offended and derive no enjoyment from humor of the mean-spirited and bodily fluid variety, you will likely feel as if you wasted 10 bucks. “Bad Santa 2” sees the return of the hard-drinking, perpetually drunk antihero Willie Soke, played once again by the magnificent Billy Bob Thornton. In the same vein as Dr. Gregory House (albeit with a somewhat more profane vocabulary), Soke is still finding ways to insult anyone and everyone that comes near

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA

him. It has been 13 years since the events of the first film, and Soke is still a bitter drunk living in poverty. The only difference now is that the chubby kid from the first movie, Thurman Merman (played again by Brett Kelly), is still clinging to his Santa Clause hero, lovingly calling Soke, “My Santa.” No matter how many times Soke verbally berates poor Thurman, the guy just comes back like a loyal puppy, eager to please his father figure. Out of nowhere, Marcus, the little person from the first film, comes back to convince Soke to do one last safe-cracking job. However, there is a problem — and it is not the fact that they are robbing a charity. Rather, it is due to the need for Soke to work with his crook mother (played by Kathy Bates). Ever since she framed him for a crime she committed during his childhood, Soke has held a grudge. She swears that she has turned a new leaf, but Soke does not believe her; he only agrees to do the job when Marcus reveals his plan to cut her out of the final pay-off. The heist eventually goes underway, and Soke has to determine if he truly belongs with the vermin of society or if he might have a small, Grinch-size heart somewhere underneath all the booze and anger. For the majority of the movie, the film is a gleefully offensive exercise in bad taste. Even though it kind of gives in to more mainstream

sentiment by the final act, it feels somewhat justified due to the development of Soke and Thurman carried over from the first movie. It also helps that the performances are great all around. Thornton feels right at home returning to what may be his most iconic role; even when Soke is at his meanest, we can still feel sympathy for him due to Thornton’s portrayal. Brett Kelly is side-splitting as Thurman, playing him as stupidly innocent as possible. Kathy Bates is also great as Soke’s mother, portraying a mean drunk just as good as Thornton. Tony Cox is awesome as Marcus, providing some great comebacks to Soke. Christina Hendricks really serves no purpose here, though; she is merely there as a sexual interest for Soke, which is kind of disappointing considering her repertoire as an actress. Overall, “Bad Santa 2” is a darkly funny ride from start to finish. Thornton is fantastic, the supporting cast is solid, and although it does not quite reach the heights of its predecessor, it is still a worthy sequel. At the end of the day, in a world filled with safe spaces and seminars on how not to offend people, it is truly cathartic to laugh at a comedy that basically refuses to appeal to the masses, often making fun of those masses. I give “Bad Santa 2” four out of five stars.

leaving a distinct and fresh peppermint taste without the lingering feeling of a sticky chocolate residue. I g ive B o l l o’s peppermint mocha four and a half out of five stars. Mill Mountain Coffee and Tea Mill Mountain is located on North Main Street across from 622 North and has a lovely energy — quiet, with just enough bustle to offer white noise without being distracting, and the large windows in the front are perfect for people watching. With a friendly staff, Mill Mountain can be a relaxing place to get a cup of coffee at any time of the year. I f you’re look i ng for an extremely mild peppermint mocha, this is the place to go. While this drink is very light and creamy, neither the peppermint nor the mocha are very prominent in this version of this classic holiday drink. Despite this, it is still a pleasant, modest drink to make you feel cozy this winter. I give Mill Mountain’s peppermint mocha three out of five stars. Starbucks While it might not have invented the peppermint mocha, Sta rbucks certainly has the best take on this drink. Offering

@BradyTickle

the creamiest peppermint mocha of them all, this one is perfect for when you are craving somet h i ng swe et. R ich, creamy and steaming hot, this is the immaculate

“

While it might not have invented the peppermint mocha, Starbucks certainly has the best take on this drink ... This one is perfect for when you are craving something sweet.”

peppermint mocha you have been searching for. This drink offers the perfect balance between peppermint and chocolate and is just right for getting you in the mood for decorating and holiday shopping. While this drink was the most expensive of them all (just under five dollars for 12 ounces of deliciousness), St a rbuck s ma kes a peppermint mocha that you simply cannot skip out on. I give St a rbucks’ peppermint mocha five out of five stars.

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Vanessa: The journey of a transgender Hokie For Vanessa, the road to self-acceptance wasn’t easy. From self-harm to alcoholism to where she is now – just living her life as a new woman. SAMANTHA SMITH lifestyles editor

Even though Matthew Parent and Vanessa Brooks both attended Tech, they were never close in college. Now, they live on opposite sides of the country — so, what brought them together this past September at the ECU vs. Virginia Tech game? It all started with a Facebook post. While Matthew and Vanessa were not in the same graduating class at Tech, they did have one thing in common — they were both brothers of Theta Chi. Three months ago, Vanessa posted in their personal Theta Chi Facebook group — the first time that Matthew had heard from Vanessa in about four or five years. “The post essentially said that this has been a really rough time for her, but that she is transgender,” Matthew said. “If you don’t want to be my friend, that’s totally fine just go ahead and delete me, but if you do then I would love to catch up.” Since graduation in 2011, Matthew has led quite a number of lifestyles — from living in a van, to traveling to southeast Asia to the present, where he lives in Bent, Oregon, making adventure documentaries for a living. When Matthew saw Vanessa’s post, he instantly saw a story that had to be told. He reached out to Vanessa, first to catch up after all those years, and then to express interest in making a short documentary about her transition. “He Facebook messaged me out of nowhere, and I was a little taken aback as to why anyone would really care. I didn’t think it was that important,” Vanessa said. “But then I thought it

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would be a good opportunity to make transgender people more visible in the public eye.” Pre-acceptance The road to self-acceptance was not easy. According to Vanessa, before she came to terms with who she truly was, she was drinking to excess every evening with the goal of blacking out to numb the pain. “The past two years have been really, really tough. I was seeing myself every day as a woman, but I still wouldn’t accept myself as one,” Vanessa said. Eventually, Vanessa began to selfharm, which is when she reached out to a therapist for help. “With the help from (my therapist) and some support of the early friends, was when I wrote in my journal at the time, literally screaming it on paper:

‘My name is Vanessa. I am a woman,’” Vanessa said during the documentary. “And the relief I got from writing those words was single-handedly the best thing I’ve ever (experienced) in my life.” Homecoming Fast forward to the end of September when the two traveled to Blacksburg to film the documentary. About three minutes in, the film shows Vanessa walking down the street toward a house that is shared by brothers of Theta Chi — her feelings of uncertainty and anxiety almost radiating through the screen. Then, she caught a glimpse of a familiar face. “Kumar!” Vanessa exclaimed as she approached the small group huddled out front of the house. He turned around, and it was as if

nothing had changed. “Hey, what’s up man? Gimme the real thing,” Kumar said as he brought Vanessa in for a hug. After the initial greetings — and shock — from her fellow brothers, they invite her inside for a beer. It’s business as usual. Even though Matthew was behind the camera, he also felt that nothing between him and Vanessa had changed despite her transition. “To me, Vanessa is still really the same god damn person,” Matt said. “If you watch the film, she’s playing video games, she’s drinking beer with the boys — she just always identified as a woman.” According to Vanessa and Matthew, Kumar’s warm response was not alone. “All my brothers (whom I’ve

come out to) accept me for who I am,” Vanessa said. “I can go out and hang out with them, and that’s the weirdest thing; because you don’t see fraternities in that kind of mindset. Everybody is just happy. I’m happy, and that’s it.” The Present With the help of some old friends, her fraternity brothers, her therapist and Matthew, Vanessa has finally comes to terms with who she truly is. “As soon as I came out to myself … everything finally made sense in a way that I hadn’t experienced before, and it was kind of earth-shattering,” Vanessa said. “I have a confidence that comes from within now, not from relying on other people’s validation.” Near the end of filming, Matthew asked Vanessa one question that put everything into perspective for him. “I asked her, ‘When did you become transgender?’ and she said, ‘Matt, I’ve always been transgender,” he said. “I think that was probably the most powerful thing I could ever hear — that she has always been this way and has just recently accepted it.” The Virginia Tech chapter of Theta Chi was unavailable for comment. The documentary can be found on the Stateless Facebook page. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression, self harm or their own personal transitions, resources such as the Cook Counseling Center and the Intercultural Engagement Center may be able to offer help.

@CollegiateTimes

‘Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life’ brings closure The Gilmore girls have returned to Stars Hollow for four more episodes of shenanigans – but does ‘A Year in the Life’ live up to the hype? JESSICA BRADY copy editor

*Spoilers ahead; but don’t worry, I won’t say The Last Four Words.* As a lover of “Gilmore Girls” from the age of 10, I highly anticipated “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life,” Netflix’s revival of the show with the original cast. “Gilmore Girls” has been my go-to for every stage of my life. When I had my first boyfriend, I watched Rory kiss Dean in Doose’s and steal a box of corn starch. When I fought with my mom, I watched Emily and Lorelai battle it out in the Gilmore’s kitchen. When I anxiously awaited college acceptances, I watched Rory receive acceptances from three Ivy Leagues and Paris publicly announce her rejection from Harvard. As I have followed my path of life, I have sought guidance from the Gilmore girls and continue to do so to this day. My first impression of the revival was quite negative. I could tell that Alexis Bledel was out of practice, and her previously fast-talking ways now seemed forced. I also felt that a lot of the show was “Gilmore Girls” vomit – it threw as many quintessential “Gilmore Girls” moments into the revival as possible. For

example, Lorelai’s, “I smell snow” was just shoved in. These moments in the show always precede the first snowfall; this line would have been much more impactful (it would have even given me chills!) and been a perfect start to the revival, if she had not already been surrounded by snow. There were, however, many things that I loved about the revival. One of the reasons that the show felt like “’Gilmore Girls’ vomit” was because, for every single actor that came back, a part had to be written, and these characters do not usually all appear in four episodes in a row. Seeing the cast reunited was by far the best part of the revival. Even the piano guy came back! What I love so much about the original “Gilmore Girls” is its authenticity. Of course, some parts are unrealistic – it’s a TV show, after all. But the characters are so real, so unapologetically themselves. Also, the conflicts in the show are so lifelike – they are relatable and possible. Some people hate Lorelai; some people hate Rory. I appreciate them for being the flawed humans they are. This theme, almost always, was true of the revival as well. Richard Gilmore’s funeral

was so beautifully done and truly showed the phases of mourning that families experience. Emily’s response was so perfect for her character. She lashed out at Lorelai, harsher than ever before; had a brief rebound with a man from the club and then sold her house to move to Nantucket. Emily was my favorite character to see in the revival, especially her meltdown at the DAR meeting. Lorelai’s mid-life crisis, which manifested itself in her reenacting “Wild” (the book, not the movie), was both reasonable and realistic. She was at a complete standstill in her life, and had been for nine years. Her daughter is out of the house, she and Luke aren’t moving forward, her father died, and the Dragonfly Inn has been the same for years. Her extreme hate for “Stars Hollow: The Musical” came across as Lorelai growing sick of Stars Hollow, her home of 26 years, and needing a change. Lorelai and Luke’s marriage was the perfect change in every way – except for the actual wedding. The Lorelai and Luke I know, yes would have snuck away the night before to get married, but would have had a much simpler and intimate wedding, contrary to the flashy,

dance-y wedding I saw on screen. Finally, despite Alexis Bledel’s atrocious acting, Rory faced a reality that many individuals eventually must face – she is not going to be what she set out to be, and that is okay. Rory spends the majority of the revival chasing a dream that just seems to not be working out for her, and she must come to the realization that she is simply not a good journalist. The original ends with Rory leaving to go on the campaign trail with Obama, so clearly some things have changed since then. One of my least favorite parts about the revival is when she sleeps with a Wookie. It is supposed to be funny and a representation of both her love life and career being a mess, which they are, but instead the idea just flops and is an annoying affair. Overall, while Rory makes some poor un-Rory-like choices, her life tells the true story that we don’t have it all together. In the end, Jess gives her the idea for her book, “Gilmore Girls,” which Lorelai (understandably) initially hates, but eventually accepts. This fight between Lorelai and Rory is extremely painful; Rory is so selfish. She yells at Lorelai that she “(needs) this,” as if Rory has not already taken enough from Lorelai, she

Courtesy of Netﬂix now has to take her story too. Although I hate this entitled side of Rory, this behavior is what she has been exposed to and makes sense to her character, so I appreciate it. Now, The Last Four Words. I will not say what they are (I would have been furious had

they been spoiled for me), but I will say it is the perfect ending to “Gilmore Girls,” and I hope these were The Last Four Episodes.

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Volleyball closes season with a win MADDIE THOMPSON sports staff writer

JUN YU / COLLEGIATE TIMES

Cara Cunningham (3) prepares to block against North Carolina, Oct. 28, 2016. (ABOVE LEFT) Amanda McKinzie (10) and Jaila Tolbert (4) celebrate a point against North Carolina, Oct. 28, 2016. (ABOVE RIGHT) Senior Lindsey Owens (1) spikes the ball against Louisville. The Hokies dropped the game three sets to one, Oct. 21, 2016.

After a season riddled with injuries and nail-biting games, Virginia Tech volleyball wrapped up on Sunday with an overall record of 13–18, ending with a victory against the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. After the injury of their starting setter Rhegan Mitchell early in the season, the Hokies had to readjust quickly to the tempo of someone new. Setters are synonymous to quarterbacks, deciding where the ball will go, perfectly timed so hitters can smack the ball in just the right place to get a kill. Junior Mandy Powers stepped up to fill the role and helped lead the team to key ACC victories against Clemson and Wake Forest. Powers posted 529 assists for the season when Mitchell resumed play in

November. Frustration came in the middle of the season as Virginia Tech consistently found itself suffering losses in games with less than a fivepoint differential. Momentum that was built up in these games was lost after winning two sets in a row, forcing the games to go to five, an exhausting marathon. Half of the wins acquired over the season were won in the fourth or fifth set. This inability to maintain consistency during games hurt the team, as players were pushed to stay on the offensive and maintain a high intensity in order to continue a lead. They were regularly out-blocked as well, tallying 222.5 total blocks on the season, while opponents posted 266 against them. Despite these factors, many things did work in the Hokies’ favor throughout the season. The team’s outside

hitters were some of the best the program has ever seen, as seniors Amanda McKinzie and Lindsey Owens became the sixth and seventh players in Virginia Tech’s history to achieve 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs in a career. The power duo consistently delivered solid blows to their opponents that were crucial to the team’s success. This was also recognized by the ACC community, which named Owens to first team All-ACC for the third year. This is Owens’ fourth allconference honor in her four years. Not only was the offense a key factor to the Hokies’ success, but strength in the back row was critical as well. Liberos and defensive specialists are fundamental to any play, as they start the movement of the ball to the setter. Consequently, a shanked dig can skew a play, not allowing setters to prepare

their hitters enough to bat down a successful kill. This season, however, the Hokies totaled 1,734 digs, outscoring their opponents by eight. Libero Carol Raffety alone grabbed 478 digs, breaking the previous Virginia Tech record which had been held since 2004. The Hokies are looking to next season, as their two power outside hitters graduate and they work toward getting selected to the NCAA Tournament bracket. The team is still relatively young, with up-and-comers such as sophomore Alex Toben and freshman Raffety carrying the back row, as well as sophomore middle blockers Jaila Tolbert and redshirt-sophomore Kelly Esch.

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Beyond the ACC: Picks for conference champions With all eyes on the Hokies in Orlando, it’s easy to forget about the other big conference championships, like Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State. JORDAN HUTCHINSON sports staff writer

Conference Championship Week is here in College Football, and it always finds a way to keep things interesting. With that said, I’m going to do my best to pick each game. Starting out west, the Pac-12 Cha mpionsh ip will feature two programs that had dramatic rises in 2016. The Washington Huskies face the Colorado Buffaloes on Friday in Santa Clara, California. The Huskies have had a terrific year under head coach Chris Petersen, and have snuck their way into playof f considerat ion. While the Huskies are the favorite, Colorado is in the midst of its best season this century. If Washington wins, it is most likely going to sneak into the College Football Playoff as the Pac-12 Champion. If Colorado wins, making the playoff would be possible, but improbable. Look for Washington’s offense to put up big numbers behind its Heisman candidate quarterback Jake Browning, while the defense tries to put pressure on Colorado’s offense. Prediction: Washington 31 – Colorado 21 The next stop will be Atlanta for the SEC C ha mpionsh ip G a me. This game might be the easiest one to predict out of all of the conference championship games. The Crimson Tide of Alabama will meet the Gators of Florida for the second straight year in the SEC Championship. There isn’t much you can say about Florida’s chances of pulling this one off. If the Gator defense can play a perfect

game, and quarterback Austin Appleby plays the best game of his career, Florida could pull off the upset. Other wise, Alabama will cruise to its third straight SEC Championship and its third straight College Football Playoff appearance. Prediction: Alabama 49 – Florida 10 Another game with mag na n i mous playof f implications is the Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis. Penn State is finally back from the Paterno sanctions, and it’s back with a vengeance. The team standing in its way is Wisconsin, which has had a quiet, but solid season. This game is odd, because it won’t feature arguably the two best teams in the Big Ten, Michigan and Ohio State. With that said, the winner of this game will have a very strong case for making the College Football Playoff. Look for two strong football institutions to go toe-to-toe in a

“

These teams know how to score. A lot. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State feature two of the best passing offenses in the nation.”

slugfest of sorts. Penn State appears to have too much fire-power for Wisconsin this time and will pull off a close win over the Badgers. Prediction: Penn State 28 – Wisconsin 25 The Big 12 doesn’t have a championship game per se, but the winner of

this weekend’s matchup between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Oklahoma State Cowboys will be the de facto conference champion. This rivalry is called the Bedlam Game, and it is certainly filled with some of that. These two teams know how to score. A lot. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State feature two of the best passing offenses in the nation, both averaging around 330 yards per game. Coaching will be the difference in this game, as Bob Stoops will lead his Sooners to their second straight Big 12 Championship. Prediction: Oklahoma 52 – Oklahoma State 42 Last, but cer t a i n ly not least, Orlando will feature this year’s ACC C ha mpionsh ip G a me. This year, the Virginia Tech Hokies will face the Clemson Tigers in a quarterback-studded affair. Quarterbacks Jerod Evans a nd Deshaun Watson are two of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country and have fueled their respective teams to the Championship Game. This matchup also includes the last two ACC Coach of the Year recipients, Justin Fuente and Dabo Swinney. This game will probably be closer than most think, but I think that experience slightly wins out in this game, and Clemson is the more experienced team. The Clemson Tigers will eke out a win in Orlando, securing them a spot in the College Football Playoff. Prediction: Clemson 31 – Virginia Tech 28

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