Volume 75, Issue 23

News | 2

Opinion | 5

Religion| 5

Lifestyle | 6

Celebrating the graduating Class of 2020

Letter from the Editor: A journey of learning

God is calling us to live by faith: Learn from Habakkuk

Enjoying your summer break from home

April 30, 2020 Collegedale, Tennessee

Southern Accent

Vol. 75 Issue 23 Online Edition

The student voice since 1926

Student teachers adapt to working online with their students Sam Oliveira Staff Reporter After Southern Adventist University moved to online-instruction for the rest of the 2020 winter semester, many programs—including student teaching that require off-campus practicums—faced uncertainty about how they would continue. Pheobe Maciel, a senior English education major, was one of those students.

"When I left Southern two days before spring break, …they told me that I was still going to come back and teach at Collegedale Academy. It became apparent that Collegedale Academy was not going to be open and that I wasn't going to easily be able to return to Southern,” Maciel said. “I was just kind of wondering what's going to happen. … It’s not something that you can just do from home, because you need a student in the classroom."

According to Director of Teaching Krystal Bishop, “All programs across campus have had to rise to the challenges. Our challenges are somewhat unique due to the fact that much of the learning takes place in K-12 classrooms, and that was abruptly ended.”

Despite the rapid changes, Bishop said the situation shouldn’t hold seniors back from graduating in May as all of Southern’s student teachers still have placements.

“All students will graduate according to their scheduled completion. We were able to provide placements for each of them. And even though the requirements have gone through some necesSee STUDENT TEACHING on page 4

Fighting on the front lines: How Southern community healthcare professionals are impacted by COVID-19

Medical masks sit on a surface. Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash

Madi Reinschmidt Staff Reporter Healthcare professionals across the United States continually face extreme circumstances while working on the front lines to fight the virus.

This issue has affected Southern students and faculty with healthcare workers in their families as well.

For many, direct exposure to the virus brings added stress to life at home. Healthcare workers have had to take extra precautions to keep their family members safe.

“My husband is a nurse practitioner and works at a family office,” nursing professor Kerry Allen said. “He

My family is very wary of who we let come into the house and where we go when we leave. wears a mask when he is at home and conforms to social distancing from our family.

He has also been keeping a distance by living in the basement.”

The issue becomes even more prevalent when there are family members who are more susceptible to catching the virus.

“Providing for a household with a newborn grandson, and a daughter who has Crohn's during the outbreak of COVID has been stressful for my mother, who is a nurse,” said

Serving Palau:

The student who stayed behind

Alexis Lavertue, senior mass communication advertising major. “Because we have a newborn in the house—my nephew—there is added stress about bringing germs in from outside. My family is very wary of who we let come into the house and where we go when we leave.”

Beyond the worries of health, many healthcare professionals have faced financial struggles as well.

“The reduction in my mom’s work hours has caused our family financial stress and has

Kelly Gustrowsky Staff Reporter Despite the threat of COVID19 around the world, Student Missionary Joe Mixon opted to remain in Palau, the tiny group of islands in the Pacific Ocean north of Australia and east of the Philippines. “[I chose to stay in Palau because] school is still happening online and the kids need me here to keep going,” he said.

Mixon, working on his master’s in Global Community

[I chose to stay in Palau because]...the kids need me here to keep going.

Development, teaches freshman geography, sophomore world history, junior U.S. history, and senior government.

As of April 29, there were no suspected or confirmed cases of in Palau. As of April 29, there were no suspected or confirmed cases of COVID19 in Palau, according to the country’s ministry of health.

The lack of cases convinced

Mixon to stay; however many others went home due to the uncertainty of flights.

According to Christian Bunch, Student Missions Director, 37 Student Missionaries went home after spring break, including three from Palau.

Even though Palau has not been affected yet, Mixon said See PALAU on page 4

See HEALTHCARE on page 4

Southern alumnus creates new company to produce protective equipment Cheyenne Wilson Staff Reporter

Joe Mixon with his students in Palau. Photo courtesy of Joe Mixon

forced my mom to find other means of income as a travel nurse,” Lavertue said. “The thought of my mother working in a local hospital wasn't as threatening as the thought of her traveling to a different state for work.

“When she first applied for the travel nursing position, they wanted to send her to New York City, New Orleans, or other locations saturated with COVID,” she continued.

“Although she declined those offers and settled with one in North Carolina, it is stressful knowing she'll be out on the front lines, still fighting for her family, but now much further away.”

Southern Adventist University alumnus Seth Hill started a new company called Kinetik Sourcing to produce Personal Protective Equipment in response to the coronavirus pandemic.Since the company began, Hill has sold 50,000 units of PPE – both to hospitals and other consumers in need.

Hill started at Southern with a construction management degree, but after going on a mission trip he decided that he wanted to pursue business. He started his entrepreneurial journey with Swayy – an insulated hammock and camping gear company.

“I knew that I wanted to do something different with my life,” Hill said, “I realized that I really liked creating new things, creating brands and designing things people would flock to.”

With his establishment of Swayy, Hill decided to create Kinetik Relations - a consulting company in Asia. But with the escalation of COVID-19 in Wuhan, Hill’s colleagues in Asia asked if his company could start providing masks to the area.

“We shipped them protective equipment,” said Hill. “I reached out to a couple of my friends who worked in health care just to gage the need [for masks] … it was a barrage of emails of

I realized that I really liked creating new things, creating brands and designing things people would flock to.

people inquiring about getting PPE.” The increasing demand for protective equipment has made Kinetik Relations – now renamed Kinetik Sourcing– more successful than Swayy.

“We’ve made more revenue in two weeks [with Kinetic Sourcing] than Swayy has made in its entire life,” Hill said.

Kinetik Sourcing now serves various businesses and hospitals including Dominion Senior Living Center, Morning Pointe Senior Living and several clinics across the U.S. Hill has also been providing masks to the common public on the direct consumer info and order page on Swayy’s website.

Hill claims to lower the price by grouping individual orders into one, larger order. He said this provides a “competitive price” so consumers can buy what they need without paying too much for an excessive amount of masks.

See PPE on page 4

2 | Thursday, April 30, 2020

For more related news visit our website at accent.southern.edu

Classof 2020:

News

Michaela Lewin Public Relations

L-R: Daijah Stowe, Sierra Correia, Tierra Hayes, Mish Hughes, Michaela Lewin

L-R: Graphic Design, English, Mass Communication, Marketing, Public Relations

Rodny Aquino Business Management

Cindy Ma Theology

Joi McClellan Music

Brenda Ramos Media Production

Madeline Mace Fine Arts & Religious

Priya Roberts Nursing

3 | Thursday, April 30, 2020

For more related news visit our website at accent.southern.edu

News

Celebratingthegraduates

L-R: Joel Negrillo, Mark Galvez, Angelica Rodriguez, Dakota Bemis, Autumn Dunzweiler L-R: Accounting, Theology, Social Work, Accounting, Mass Communication

Kaitlin Joy Callahan Nursing

Rebecca Oxentenko Accounting

Delaney Harris Psychology

Heather Carr Nursing

Emily Ramirez Nursing

Britni Barlow Health Science

Michael Branda Biology research and Religious Studies

If you would like to be a contributor, contact Paola Mora at paolam@southern.edu

4 | Thursday, April 30, 2020

NEWS PPE

“Do what you can. If there’s an opportunity for you to be able to supply people with what they need – do it. ...There are a million different things you can do,” Hill said. “I would say don’t be afraid to act. ...I believe if you have good intentions and are making smart decisions… and if you have God on your side then there’s nothing you can’t do.”

continued from page 1 According to Hill, Kinetik Sourcing produces KN95 masks which are currently approved by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) as an alternative protectant to the N95 mask. Both are said to decrease the spread of contamination through respiratory droplets.

While Hill has been successful in providing masks to consumers, he still encounters challenges. There is a lot of stress involved with meeting such a large demand for face masks, managing shipping problems, as well as staying up-to-date on CDC regulations.

Even so, Hill loves being a part of his business as he enjoys, “working together to see a project come full circle.”

Ultimately, Hill said that he wants Kinetik Sourcing to enable people to be “together

Seth Hill. Photo courtesy Seth HIll.

more” as he believes that together we are stronger, and together we can overcome this situation.

“We’re still offering security and comfort to a lot of people by being able to provide this

type of gear,” Hill said. “[We give them] confidence to be able to walk forward, to go onto the front lines or wherever they are.”

Hill encourages other businesses to help in this crisis.

I believe if you have good intentions and are making smart decisions… and if you have God on your side then there’s nothing you can’t do.

HEALTH CARE continued from page 1 The University Health Center (UHC) also had to make changes due to the pandemic and has adapted to a telehealth approach to meet students’ needs.

“At this time, we are not seeing patients in the clinic anymore – with few exceptions for immunizations, allergy shots, etc.,” said Michelle Mix, nurse practitioner for the UHC. “While we miss the students and are looking forward to returning to our normal healthcare model, this new telehealth capability means we are able to reach students who have returned home and A visualization of the novel coronavirus. Illustration by Fusion Medical Animation on Unsplash. continue to provide continuity of care, which is invaluable in the treatment of chronic conditions.”

“It is a blessing to be able to help students across the counyou see someone in public try through this difficult time,” scary and stressful experience other professions.

“Remember that medi- wearing hospital scrubs, don't Mix continued. “While we are for many of our students and still working full days, we are staff, but we want everyone to cal professionals are giving shy away from them. Instead, only present in the clinic from know we are still here for you their lives and doing what give them a smile and thank they can, day after day, to them for their sacrifice. Don't 8:00-12:00 daily and work from – even if you are far away!”

People who work in the help us overcome this pan- let fear deter you from being a home 1:00-5:00. Students or staff needing assistance are medical field are at a higher demic,” Lavertue said. “Social bright light during this seemstill able to call or email and risk to get the virus, making distancing is important. But ingly dark time.” will be responded to promptly. their lives more difficult and our voices travel, and saying This pandemic has been a dangerous than for those in 'Thank You' goes a long way. If

Remember that medical professionals are giving their lives and doing what they can, day after day, to help us overcome this pandemic.

PALAU

continued from page 1 the locals treat the threat similar to people in the United States. “There are two extremes just like everywhere else. On one end, you have people without a care in the world.

And, on the other end, you have people who are absolutely freaking out. On average, though, I think people are okay as long as we don’t have a confirmed case here.”

Contact has been a little harder, but still perhaps better than in other places, Mixon explained.

“We have definitely been self-isolating for a while,” he said. “But now that we are sure we don’t have any cases here yet, we can be a bit more social.”.

Like Southern and many other places, transitioning to online schooling has been challenging for the school. With daylight savings time, Palau is 14 hours ahead of Southern (EST), making it difficult to continue teaching for those student missionaries who returned to the United States.

“It’s been tough work,” he acknowledged. “But we are getting through it together.”

It's been tough work, but we are getting through it together.

With his decision to remain on the other side of the world during this pandemic, Mixon is grateful for the continued support from friends and family. “They are all very supportive of anything I feel called to do,” he said.

Mixon believes there is a lot of confusion surrounding COVID-19.

“I don’t necessarily buy into any one thing,” he said. “I’m just focusing on what matters—spreading the love of God until Christ comes again.”

I’m just focusing on what matters— spreading the love of God until Christ comes again.

STUDENT TEACHING continued from page 1 sary revisions, the completion is assured as long as each student-teacher continues with completion of the revised requirements,” Bishop said.

However, for Maciel, the campus shut-down created a significant impact due to her being in the Pacific Time Zone. Therefore, she has to wake up at 5:30 a.m. to be able to virtually teach her students at Collegedale Academy, which is in the Eastern Standard Time Zone.

Despite the time zone differences, Maciel has felt disheartened by how sudden her student teaching experience changed.

“I was super excited to be in the classroom and meet my students and have those face-to-face interactions,” Maciel said. “ …We were planning really cool things to do in the classroom. We were going to have a 20s party because we were [reading] ‘Great Gatsby,’

Editor-in-Chief Paola Mora Zepeda Managing Editor Tierra Hayes News Editor Joel Guerra Advisor Alva James-Johnson

I'm really hoping that by August we're back in the classroom....

When [teachers] don't have that personal interaction with students, it really affects how much motivation we have. and we were going to have a day where [students] could dress up and come eat food. Obviously, we can't do that online.”

Some have concerns regarding the teaching in general and

what’s going to happen moving forward by next fall.

“I am really hoping that by August we’re back in the classroom,” Maciel said. “When [teachers] don’t have that personal interaction with students, it really affects how much motivation we have.”

While there is still uncertainty surrounding what will happen going forward at Southern, Bishop gives students some words of encouragement.

“We continue to be committed to providing you with teaching and learning experiences designed to nurture you as teachers of excellence,” Bishop said.

“Teaching is all about flexibility and problem-solving, and this disruption to the status quo may make you stronger teachers in the future. Every day the faculty are praying and planning for your success now and in the future.”

Pheobe Maciel. Photo courtesy Phoebe Maciel.

The Accent encourages readers to write articles and voice their opinions. However, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Accent, Southern Adventist University, or the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

For any questions, comments, and article submission information email us at accent@southern.edu

5 | Thursday, April 30, 2020

If you would like to be a contributor, contact Paola Mora at paolam@southern.edu

Letter from the editor A journey of learning and growth: Thank you for letting me serve you Paola Mora Zepeda Editor-in-Chief A bit over a year ago, despite part of myself telling me I wasn’t ready, I decided to apply to be the Editor-in-chief of the Accent. Now, after finally reaching the end of the road, I have only one thing to say about the experience: What a journey it has been.

I think in the end, though, the biggest emotion my mind is going through right now is a wave of nostalgia as I look back at the year.

I am currently filled with a mix of emotions. A portion of me is relieved that I actually made it to the end (there was a point in December where I really considered throwing in the towel). Another part of me is excited about what is coming ahead, both for the Accent and myself.

There is a piece of me that is still kicking myself over the mistakes (those on the front page that everyone noticed and those small ones that only a few did).But the other half is overflowing with pride as I look at the issues my team put on each week (Many don’t realize all the work that goes behind a single issue). I think in the end, though, the biggest emotion

my mind is going through right now is a wave of nostalgia as I look back at the year.

The thing is, I could not have gotten this far by myself. So, there a few people I want to thank.

First of all is my advisor, Professor Alva James-Johnson. She pushed me to do better and to not be satisfied with a mediocre job. She has called me out when needed, but also stood up for me time after time.

I need to thank my professors at the School of Journalism and Communication. They have advocated the importance of student media on campus while also providing constructive criticism to help us grow.

I could also not have done any of this without my Accent team. Though I was supposed to be the one guiding them, many times they were the ones teaching me. They stepped up when sometimes I couldn’t, and they comforted me when it got too hard.

I especially want to thank Tierra Hayes and Joel Guerra.

Tierra, you’ve been a great mentor and friend. Thank you for showing me the reins, and for doing it so patiently. Joel, I really admire your work ethic and enthusiasm. Thank you for always going the extra mile and looking after even the smallest details.

I also want to thank my Student Association team. Though

things were not perfect, I knew that I could always count on your support. Thank you for the laughter, late weekends and all of the love.

Someone I could not leave out of this is my roommate Betsy Cortez. She is the one who had to see me at my best and worst. She looked after my health and put up with my complaining, and she did so without ever complaining herself.

A special thanks goes to my parents. They’ve been my supporters since day one. Even though they live thousands of miles away, I know that they prayed for me every day.

Finally, I have to thank God. He gave me the strength to get through this year, and the passion to do this job.

It’s been an amazing journey,

thing I love. I feel encouraged knowing that I have grown while recognizing that there are still areas that I need to improve. I feel reassured that I am in the right major, and

ecstatic that I will be doing this for the rest of my life.

Thank you, everyone, for allowing the Southern Accent to be the students’ voice and allowing me to be a part of it.

Thank you everyone for allowing the Southern Accent to be the student’s voice and allowing me to be a part of it. but I don’t think I am at the end of it. Here is the deal: despite the crying, the late nights, the errors, and frustrations, I have loved every single moment I’ve spent working with the Accent.

I feel blessed to be doing some-

RELIGION

God is calling us to live by faith: learning from the struggles and prayers of Habakkuk Andrew Korp Contributor It is easy right now to look around at all the tragedies and wonder where God is in all of this. First, we had COVID-19 force us all off the campus that we love dearly. And then, to top it all off, we had tornadoes run rampant in the South destroying many homes and stores.

Church doors are closed, and pastors are preaching to a camera rather than a full congregation. We are sealed in our homes not able to have the social lives we once had. Extroverts are in desperate need of recharge with others, and introverts are overcharged and need to expend their energy. I do not know what is happening in your life, but I know it is not easy. Recently, have you found yourself asking where God is?

Have you found yourself asking how can God allow all this pain, suffering and hurt?

Remember, your circumstances do not change who God is. God is always and forever will be love. Nothing will ever change that. God’s ways are so far above my level of comprehension and so far above my ways.

Well, sometime around 640615 B.C., a certain individual was asking the same questions that you may be asking yourself. His name was Habakkuk.

Habakkuk was having a conversation with God about all the evil that he was seeing around him. Life in Israel had become corrupt and evil and Habakkuk was observing all of this. He asked God many questions relevant to our lives today.

In Habakkuk 1:2-3 he asks, “How long, Lord, must I call for help and you do not listen or cry out to you about violence and you do not save?

Why do you force me to look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Oppression and violence are right in front of me. Strife is ongoing, and conflict escalates.”

Ever ask any questions of that nature? I know I have. But God’s response after Habakkuk’s second prayer astounds

me and gives me hope. In Habakkuk 2:4 God says these words, “But the righteous one will live by his faith.”

Throughout the beginning of this short book, Habakkuk is questioning who God is because of the circumstances around him. In a way, you could say that Habakkuk is allowing his circumstances to define God. God never directly answers his questions. But, rather, He constantly reminds Habakkuk of who He is and the main characteristic of God that is seen throughout the book is a Sovereign God. A God who

allows kingdoms to rise and fall. A God who allows certain situations to arise so that He can work through that situation and bring about the salvation of His people. This is the character trait that God calls Habakkuk to have faith in.

Remember, your circumstances do not change who God is. God is always and forever will be love. Nothing will ever change that. God’s ways are so far above my level of comprehension and so far above my ways. I will not understand everything that happens around me, nor am

I called to understand everything. I am called to have faith in the very character of God. As I put my faith in that character, I hope to turn out like Habakkuk, whose confidence is restored when he writes the final words in the book, “Yet I will celebrate in the Lord; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation! The Lord my Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like those of a deer and enables me to walk on mountain heights.”

6 | Thursday, April 30, 2020

For more related news visit our website at accent.southern.edu

LIFESTYLE Enjoying your summer break from home: Five things you have to try while quarantined Bailey DuBose Lead Reporter Summer break is usually a time when college students do internships, summer camp jobs, vacations and/or summer classes. But with the unprecedented times we are facing because of the coronavirus, most of our summer plans have probably changed. But we shouldn’t let that stop us from enjoying our summer break.

Why should students still have a good summer? Because we deserve it. Students across the nation had to deal with the unexpected closure of their universities and make the quick decision of how they were going to pack up their dorm rooms in less than a week. After moving out, they then had to deal with the uncertainty and stress of online classes on Zoom.

Because our summer plans may have been cancelled, we should instead use this new free time to refresh ourselves. For me, I have found that a few things have already been helping me to do a recharge. Spending time with friends and family, finding a new hobby and relaxing have already made all the difference.

Here are some ways you can improve your summer 2020:

1. Spending it with friends and family Here me out. I am not saying we should pack bags to go and have sleepovers, because staying at home to social distance is still very much important and necessary. I am suggesting to schedule video calls with your friends and have it be a regular scheduled get- together. You can create funny Powerpoints and present them on Zoom, have a movie night or just have a check-in. By keeping in touch with friends and family, it could make quarantining just a little bit easier.

2. Finding a new hobby Because I knew we would have to be in quarantine, I started water painting. While I am definitely not a good artist, I find that it allows me to get off of my phone and use my imagination. Some hobbies you could explore are learning a musical instrument, cooking, knitting or gardening.

3. Relaxing We have just finished a very hard semester. We should treat ourselves by relaxing. Some ways you could do this is by creating a regular sleep schedule, taking a calming bath or watching the sunrise and sunset.

5. Rereading an old book This is an activity I completely recommend because I am sure we all have a good title on our shelves. Reading books is not only good for the brain but it allows us to take our eyes off of our devices. I finally have time to read “Les Miserables.”

4.Getting our bodies moving Working out and exercising does not have to be a chore but rather a fun time to get our bodies moving. My favorite activity has been playing Just Dance. They recently made it available to play on your phone and laptop. Some other activities you can try are taking a walk, following a Zumba routine or bike riding.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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Twitter

#SAUlife Alejandro Sanchez

Adele Uta

Taylor Dean @taylitafajita me: *is not a mom* also me: *only reads blogs written by moms*

Monica Mendoza @monicafoorever So who’s going to help me hide my credit card so it can stop me from buying unnecessary stuff online?

Gia Arroyo @giannimairie I’ve been more illiterate than usual these days

Jonathan Rodney @shelovestheRod at this point, my mustache has grown its own bangs.

hondocubansanchez Can’t wait to explore more of this earth with you! #SAUlife

Heather Mariano

adeleuta_xox wn honor of wearing sweatpants for a whole month :) #SAUlife

Josh Donesky

Stephanie Chavez @stephychav But seriously, where are you guys finding the motivation to do homework ??? I’ve been staring at my computer for a good hour .

Luis Moreno @trealluism The first church service when things open up is going to HIT

thatsheather i was supposed to have my junior recital

jdonesky #SAUlife

this evening but i guess corona had other plans.#SAUlife

Emily Turk

emilyturk photoshopping my way around the world #SAUlife

Stephanie Siliezar

stephanie_siliezar ya girl got stung by a bee after taking these #SAUlife