11 05 15

Low voter turnout doesn’t dampen civic duty >>See page 3

Opinion: “You are more than your productivity.” >>See page 7

Twin sisters bring family back to cross-country team >>See page 10

Walk-in art studio now available in the Old City Megan Patterson

Arts & Culture Editor

The Basement is a community art center located in Old City.

All photos by Justin Keyes • The Daily Beacon

Volume 130 Issue 52

Ten years ago, no Knoxvillian would have considered bringing their child to an art class in downtown’s Old City.

However, today the Old City is in the midst of a transformation from a strip of bars, clubs and quick turnover restaurants to an artistic urban cultural hub. So it is the perfect time for The Basement Community Art Studio to move into town.

Co-owners Jennifer MacIssac and Brynn Crowell have been long-time friends for years, but it wasn’t until MacIssac moved out to Portland, Oregon that the two conceived the idea to become business partners.

“In Portland, there are several communitybased studios that I used to frequent with my kids, and when she (Crowell) came to visit, I took her to a few of them and she liked the idea,” MacIssac said.

utdailybeacon.com @utkdailybeacon

Crowell, owner of Old City’s Lox Salon, recalled the experience as eye-opening.

“Just watching the kids go to town and seeing their eyes light up made me think,” Crowell said. “I’ve been in the Old City for going on ten years, and there is nothing like that in Knoxville that is kid-driven and that’s just for the community to come in and be able to create with all the materials already provided.”

Once MacIssac returned to Knoxville, Crowell mentioned the open space for rent below her salon, and MacIssac quickly got the ball rolling. The studio opened in June, offering walk-in times five days a week for any age to come use the art materials in stock.

They also offer weekly classes geared mainly toward students and monthly rotating workshops conducted by either MacIssac herself or a guest artist.

See THE BASEMENT on Page 8

Thursday, November 5, 2015

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CAMPUSNEWS

The Daily Beacon • Thursday, November 5, 2015

Humans of Knoxville

Trailblazer Series recognizes UT alum Alahnah Ligon Staff Writer

The Commission for Blacks and the Office for Diversity and Inclusion will continue to sponsor a series of events to celebrate UT affiliates who set important examples for students from all backgrounds.

Beginning in 2014, the “African American Trailblazer Series” is a set of four events hosted each year to recognize “trailblazers” who highlight achievements of African Americans affiliated with the UT community.

Michael Nettles, senior vice president at the Educational Testing Service and 1976 UT graduate, was chosen as this year’s kick-off trailblazer for the series after a selection committee lobbied for candidates for the semester.

Nettles is nationally recognized for his policy research on education assessment, student performance, student achievement, educational equity and higher education finance policy.

In 2014, Nettles was appointed by President Obama to serve on the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for

African Americans.

Lili’a Neville, Communications Director for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, said trailblazers are those with “serious affiliation to UT” with complex achievements in their field or work within diversity and social justice.

The Commission for Blacks works alongside the Office for Diversity and Inclusion to solicit these names of African American trailblazers who have significant impact on society.

Aaliyah Johnson, junior in supply chain management, served on the Commission for Blacks at the time Nettles was selected and described her experience in selecting speakers as “humbling.”

“Learning about (Nettles) in the meeting was eye opening — especially being an alumni from school and going on to do such big things,” Johnson said. “It was inspiring to hear about the journey he made.”

Robert Nobles, the Chair for the Commission for Blacks, said bringing trailblazers to UT campus will “provide avenues for engagement for our students currently and once they graduate.”

See TRAILBLAZERS on Page 4

THE DAILY BEACON STAFF

EDITORIAL

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What is something not many people know about you?

“That I miss my friends from high school. Which people usually do I guess a lot. I joined a sorority and I wasn’t going to really dive into being in a sorority. Then I got in and I was like, this is cool, but this is also really awkward because suddenly everyone’s like you’re best friends with these strangers that you don’t know. So now like recently I kind of just learned how long it takes to make friends that I am comfortable around again because I haven’t had to do that in so long. I am starting to now, it’s just like I forgot how hard it was to make new friends all over again.” Kelsey Copeland, freshman in neuroscience Alyssa White • The Daily Beacon

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Malaysia returning remains from site of 1945 US plane crash Associated Press

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LETTERS POLICY: The Daily Beacon welcomes all letters to the editor and guest columns from students, faculty and staff. Each submission is considered for publication by the editor on the basis of space, timeliness and clarity. The Beacon reserves the right to reject any submissions or edit all copy in compliance with available space, editorial policy and style. Contributions must include the author’s name and phone number for verification. Students must include their year in school and major. Letters to the editor and guest columns may be e-mailed to letters@utdailybeacon.com or sent to Editor, 1340 Circle Park Dr., 11 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0314.

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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — The Malaysian government on Thursday planned to return to U.S. custody human remains recovered from the crash of a U.S. military transport plane in 1945.

After a military ceremony attended by U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter, the remains were to be flown to a Defense Department lab in Hawaii to attempt to positively identify them.

U.S. officials declined to name the individuals associated with the remains or say how many sets of remains were recovered.

It has been widely known for years that the only three servicemen aboard the C-47B cargo plane were Judson Baskett, William H. Myers and Donald E. Jones. The three were presumed to have died but have been listed ever since as missing in action.

The aircraft crashed on a mountain slope while flying from Singapore to an airfield in Penang, Malaysia on Nov. 27, 1945, just months after the conclusion of World War II. The exact cause of the crash is unclear.

The Pentagon says 50 U.S. military mem-

bers are still listed as missing in action in Malaysia. The remains from the Nov. 27, 1945 crash of the U.S. Army Air Force C-47B cargo plane are the first to be recovered in Malaysia. Pentagon officials say more U.S. excavation efforts with the Malaysian military are expected.

The wreckage of the C-47B cargo plane was spotted from the air as far back as 1966, but the Pentagon did not undertake a recovery effort until recently.

In a May 2012 news story about the case, the Knoxville News Sentinel quoted a nephew of William H. Myers as saying Myers’ mother, Edith R. Myers, had unsuccessfully pushed for years for a U.S. military search mission in Malaysia. The nephew, Bill H. Myers of Knoxville, told the paper that Edith Myers died in 1973 not knowing for certain what had happened to her son.

The Pentagon’s Defense POW-MIA Accounting Agency conducts excavations around the world in search of remains of U.S. servicemen missing from World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars. The agency was recently reorganized and renamed following years of criticism by MIA family advocacy groups that call the Pentagon’s remains recovery and identification efforts weak and ill-managed.

CAMPUSNEWS

Thursday, November 5, 2015 • The Daily Beacon

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Local elections elicit civic pride from Knoxville voters Connor Barnhill Contributor

Knoxville’s general election was held on Tuesday, where citizens voted on candidates to fill four city council seats.

While voter turnout was low, the importance of local elections was duly noted by those who visited the polling locations throughout the city. Although only four of the nine council seats were voted upon, those four seats can make a tremendous difference.

Joe Graves, a Knoxville resident who walked out of Central United Methodist Church with an orange, Tennessee-shaped, “I Voted” sticker on his chest, believes the voting process to be not just a right, but a privilege.

“Getting out here and voting is a privilege every citizen should take advantage of,” Graves said. “Not everyone has that power.”

Graves, like many other voters, came out to support those currently in council seats who have served his interests for four years.

Stacey Diamond is one such voter who also realizes the importance of re-electing members that have done well in their previous term.

“The city’s going pretty well, and there are candidates on the council right now that I always love to support,” Diamond says. “I think it’s important for everybody’s voice to be heard, and they do a good job of listening.”

Chris Derolph is new to Knoxville but has personally met some of the candidates himself.

“Since I haven’t been living in Knoxville for very long, I’ve just been trying to get acquainted with the local politics and I even met two of the candidates today,” Derolph said. “They seemed nice and so I just thought I’d come out and support them.”

In a city of nearly 200,000, to know a council member apparently is not that uncommon. Rachelle Scott, professor of Religious Studies at UT, also happens to know one of the candidates.

“One of the people on the ballots is actually my neighbor,” Scott said.

David Morgan also happens to know Finbarr Saunders, one of the other council members, and voted to ensure that Saunders secures his final term.

“I’d like to see him stay in office for another four years because I know him pretty well and he’s just a good, Christian guy,” Morgan said.

(Top) The voting booths were located in the gymnasium of Fort Sanders School, along with helpers who verified each voter’s credentials.

(Left) Voting took place on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at many locations, including the Fort Sanders School.

All photos by Alex Phillips • The Daily Beacon

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The Daily Beacon • Thursday, November 5, 2015

TRAILBLAZER continued from Page 2 “It’s important for all of the UT community to recognize those with strong ties to UT making differences across the state of Tennessee as well as nationally and globally,” Nobles said. “It provides insight into navigating the world beyond the walls of our academy.”

According to Nobles, the commission also hosts a welcome event at the beginning of each semester to “greet incoming and existing (multicultural) students and to look forward to a successful year.”

Nobles said when information about empowerment and support is needed on campus, the Commission for Blacks often provides it.

The “African American Trailblazer Series” for the 2015-2016 school year begins this Thursday, Nov. 5 from 5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Room 321 of the Communications Building.

Don Frieson, executive vice president of operations for Sam’s Club, will speak in Feb. 2016 and Emerita Fleming, the first woman to earn a Ph.D. from Duke University, will speak the following month.

The elephant in the room

Noah King

Contributor Why did the leader of the Muslim world send an elephant all the way from Baghdad to Germany in the Middle Ages?

The answer may surprise you, but Islamic historian Paul Cobb answer that question during his presentation entitled “Charlemagne’s Muslim Elephant: Kingship, Nature and Monotheism in the Early Middle Ages” as the 12th Annual Riggsby Lecture.

As a professor Islamic history at the University of Pennsylvania, Cobb’s lecture will focus on the political ties between the Muslim and Christian worlds in the Middle Ages, specifically the relationship between Charlemagne and Harun al-Rashid as Christian and Muslim rulers.

An author of multiple books, Cobb’s interest in Islamic history resulted in his first book, “White Banners: Contention in ‘Abbasid Syria,” focuses on the years of 750-880 A.D., including the unusual gift exchange.

Around 800 A.D., al-Rashid sent an elephant as a gift to Charlemagne, but Cobb

and other scholars still question the reasons behind the gift-giving.

As a scholar of history, Thomas Burman, the director of the Marco Institute, also emphasized the lecture as a way to explore the complicated and elaborate diplomatic relations between rulers in Christian and Islamic domains.

“The questions he will discuss will be things like why did Rashid send an elephant?” Burman said. “Why was the elephant the right gift? Did the Islamic ruler understand what he was doing?”

Burman is particularly excited for Cobb’s lecture due to the contested nature of this account since there is no mention of the gift from Muslim sources.

Such a gift also provides context between the political relations between these two rulers, Burman explained, because of Charlemagne’s status as one of history’s most powerful Latin rulers.

Heather Kee, junior in psychology, commented that her interest in medieval studies attracted her to attend the upcoming lecture.

“I’m taking my second medieval studies class, and I feel I’ll really enjoy the lecture,”

Kee said.

While sending an elephant across such a vast distance is unheard of, Burman expressed doubt that an elephant could have made it as far as Germany during that time period.

Cobb comes as a well-versed historian and a recipient of various awards and fellowships to the American Philosophical Society, the Fulbright program and the Guggenheim Foundation among others.

The lecture will be held in the Lindsay Young Auditorium on Thursday, Nov. 5 from 5:30-7:00 P.M.

EVENT INFORMATION

When: 5:30 -7 P.M.

Where: Lindsay Young Auditorium How Much: Free and open to the Public

ARTS&CULTURE

Thursday, November 5, 2015 • The Daily Beacon

Humans of Knoxville

On-the-Rise Chattanooga rapper to play Longbranch

If you could be anywhere doing anything right now, and money was not an issue, what would you be doing?

“I think I would want to be in Jordan. I was there this summer, and I heard so much about the Syrian refugees. I think I would love to spend some time working at a refugee camp in Jordan.

That is what I would be doing right now if nothing was in my way.”

- Sara Poarch, junior in anthropology and classical archaeology Alyssa White • The Daily Beacon

Sterling Martin

cool how we can network from city to city and eventually get the whole state recognized.”

Thelo-Que performances normally consist of his die-hard fans, who sing along with every Southern Bounce music is making a big song, often at this same venue.

“I want people to feel exactly how I feel return to the Scruffy City.

Not only is Chattanooga rapper TUT com- when I made the song,” Thompson said. “I ing through Knoxville, but he is also playing want that emotion to be conveyed by me and in Nashville the next night on his “Tennessee felt by the listeners.”

This isn’t the first time TUT is to play Tour…,” which will wrap up the following the Longbranch Saloon, either. He celebrated night on Sunday in Memphis.

Independence Day at TUT is bringing the saloon this summer along with him “The alongside Colt Cupit, House Band,” which junior in nuclear engiare a group of artists neering, who performed who, along with foundan opening hip-hop set ers TUT and Top Dawg as his rap persona QP the Entertainment’s Isaiah Rapper.

Rashad, have helped Cupit also works create and spread The as a booking agent for House name. the Longbranch, and The House is a is responsible for bring movement — a brand TUT to UT’s Strip during for the Southern the summer. He discussed Bounce sound that how TUT has established this crew, their fans a sound and is developing and other artists have it as an artist, comparing pushed — inspired and him to artists such as nottaken from the heart of so up-and-coming Chance everything from jazz to the Rapper. soul to hip-hop to funk.

“Initially, I was turned Eric Cromartie on to his music by a serves as a manager friend. I knew he was relaand promotion guru Quemoni Thompson, local artist tively local,” Cupit said. for TUT, as well as the “He was really beginning House Band. to bud as an artist, and “Our production has was gaining a lot of buzz.” inflated even more …

Cromartie shared that the House remains now it’s just insane,” Cromartie said.

He revealed that the band has also been tak- independent today — from merchandise, to ing part in more and more of the production the live band, to music releases. Among those alongside K. Toven, the producer mastermind in the works is a project with K. Toven and the House Band, as well as a new TUT release behind the Southern Bounce sound.

“That man is a genius,” Golden Styles (aka underway.

Doors open this Friday, Nov. 6 at 8 p.m.

G Styles), keyboardist for the House band, said of K. Toven. “Putting my musicality to his The Longbranch Saloon is located at 1848 Cumberland Ave. Tickets are $10 at the door. genius, just adds more fuel to the fire.”

Styles attributes setting high goals and creating timeless music, among other things, to the steady growing popularity and success of this Chattanooga music collective.

“The chemistry just keeps creating itself When: 8 P.M. between us. I’m speechless about it … TUT is really making a name for himself, and making a name for Tennessee as a whole,” Styles said.

Where: The Longbranch Saloon “He makes album-ready music.”

Local artist Thelo-Que, real name Quemoni Thompson, is slotted for an opening set as How Much: $10 at the door well.

“I think it’s great what (TUT) is doing for Chat. That city is coming up, and Knoxville shortly after,” Thompson said. “I think it’s

Copy Editor

“

I want people to feel exactly how I feel when I made the song. I want that emotion to be conveyed by me and by the listeners.”

EVENT INFORMATION

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New Egyptian-owned deli is delightful Jesse Bellew

Contributor The Pyramid Deli & Cafe is a small, familyowned restaurant about 15 minutes down the road on Kingston Pike. It’s not a classic deli, though — it’s actually one of the tastiest Mediterranean food restaurants I’ve ever had the mouth-tingling pleasure to eat at.

Let’s start at the beginning of my journey when I missed my turn about three times. If you’re trying to find the deli, you should look very carefully, because it’s tucked away in half of a larger building and overshadowed by the giant Calhoun’s next door.

Now, if by any chance there is actually someone who reads this newspaper on a very regular basis and by an even smaller chance has read any other of my articles, then you might by the smallest chance now realize that it usually takes me longer than most people to find the place that I want to find. But nonetheless, this restaurant is a very real “hole in the wall” joint and lives up to the connotations that come with that title.

When I finally pulled into the parking lot, I had no idea what kind of food I was about to gorge. All I knew was that there would be meat; deli usually means meat.

Immediately after stepping into the doorway I was ecstatic, because I could recognize that pungent and robust smell of herbs of Mediterranean cuisine, my favorite of all the cuisines. And, I’m not just saying that — it

really is.

The dining area was not very big, about the size of 3 dorm rooms put together. The woman who helped me was Fatima Soliman.

She and her husband, Ahmed Soliman, own this restaurant together. Fatima was very kind and very engaging, which led to a great conversation, but I’ll save that story for later.

I ordered my food, and before long my meal was set on the table in front of me, ready to be devoured. It took me all of about five minutes to eat my gyro. On a scale from 1 to 10 it was definitely a 9.5. It’s not a 10 because I need to leave a little room for when I go back there, in case the next one is better.

After eating, I approached the bar to pay.

Fatima and I talked a little bit, and I can say with absolute certainty that she is the nicest lady to ever own a restaurant. She and her husband came straight from Egypt a few years ago and took up this restaurant.

Her English was a little rusty, but as we talked I learned she grew up in Morocco speaking French. It just so happens that I dabble in French myself, so I tried to express how much I enjoyed her food. It turns out that I am about ten times worse at French than she is at English.

Any time you are over on the west side of Knoxville, try this place out. There’s no way you would not be happy with it. One last try in case she reads this — Merci, Fatima, ta nourriture était très bien et je retournai pour votre restaurant (or in English – your food was very good and I will return to your restaurant).

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The Daily Beacon • Thursday, November 5, 2015

Islamic Acceptance: What’s the holdup?

Adam Weatherell Dreaming of Dolly

Well, it’s finally November, which I know because all of a sudden it’s 5:30 p.m. and the sun is gone, I’m wearing pants more often than not and my father is calling me about elections.

Now, first and foremost, I would never deign myself to speak ill of my parents, as for better or for worse they have stuck by me through some of the most trying times/haircuts in my life, but as a budding social commentator with a collegiate following, it would be both an injustice to myself and the larger community were I not to accost them in a weekly periodical. That being said, they are also products of a different time: Montgomery, Alabama in the 1960/70s. Both my parent’s parents employed help, and both my parents have an understanding of the world that is reflective of the time in which they grew up.

This is all to say, that sometimes my Dad says stuff that is mildly xenophobic, and it always astounds me that someone whom I hold in such high regards can occasionally sweep entire minorities under a rug of intolerance. I mean come on, the man put shoes on my feet and took me to Disney World, like three times.

It’s unsettling and weird, but what is even more unsettling and weird is that his opinions are in many ways representative of a larger group of voting adults that college has really cut out of my field of vision. Unabashedly misinformed, outspoken and terrifyingly organized, this group of Americans continues to shape public opinion concerning Arabs and Muslims. And as much as I would like to cackle alongside all my ironic

“

It is senseless that a country with as much political clout and selfprofessing goodwill should continue to pick and chose specific cases to stereotype and marginalize an entire community.”

haircut friends over cosmos and Jezebel, I can’t shake the feeling that these people are serious, and serious political power is legitimizing their concerns.

For example, Ben Carson publically stated that Islam is “incompatible with the U.S. constitution,” which is a pretty repulsive statement by itself, but then he further extended it when said that he would “…not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation … I absolutely would not agree with that.” Repugnant, to be sure, but even more repugnant is that Ben Carson does not stand alone in this promulgation of fear.

Donald Trump , the OG arbiter of “OBAMA IS NOT EVEN FROM THIS COUNTRY,” sided with a supporter about anti-Muslim views at a rally, citing that he was going to look into those (camps where Muslims are planning on killing).

Ted Cruz’s campaign chairman in Tennessee, Kevin Kookogey, is vocally anti-Muslim, and even went so far as to publish a resolution in the TN House of Representatives to condemn Gov. Bill Haslam for appointing a Muslim as the head of the Department of Economic and Community Development.

These dialogues are not uncommon, but it begs the question; why hasn’t the U.S. cultural tolerance extended itself to the Islamic community? It was not so long ago that the prospect of a Jewish or even a Catholic president would seem impossible, but progress prevailed and acceptance followed suit. Now it’s 2015, and the U.S. understanding of Islam is still centered in fear and recognized as tantamount to terrorism.

However, Islam is the world’s second-largest religious group with over 1.6 billion adherents and 2.5 million here in the United States. It is senseless that a country with as much political clout and self-professing goodwill should continue to pick and chose specific cases to stereotype and marginalize an entire community. It’s 2015. It’s politically incorrect to make fun of once politically marginalized communities such as Jews, Asians, Latinos and yes, even Catholics. So why is it that our national conscienceness fails to accommodate Islam? What does that say about our candidates? And even more so, what does that say about our country?

At the end of the day, I can’t believe these people/my dad exist, but at least I can hope they won’t vote.

Go Vols.

Adam Weatherell is a junior in political science and Africana studies. He can be reached at aweath10@vols.utk.edu.

VIEWPOINTS

It’s #ThirstyThursday, and you need songs to get you ready and get you through. You’re welcome.

“Red Solo Cup” Toby Keith

“Work It” Missy Elliott

“No Diggity”

Blackstreet ft. Dr. Dre and Queen PenDr. Dre and Queen Pen

“Downtown”

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

“Satisfy Me” Anderson East

“Dance, Dance” Fall Out Boy

“Talking Body” Tove Lo

“Ignition (Remix)” R. Kelly

“Doses & Mimosas” Cherub

Columns of The Daily Beacon are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or the Beacon’s editorial staff.

“I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor” Arctic Monkeys

VIEWPOINTS

Thursday, November 5, 2015 • The Daily Beacon

The Golden Rule: Alcohol Edition Katie Scott Vol Well

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

The Golden Rule. When it was first taught to us, it was probably in the context of a parent, teacher or other mentor lecturing us on bullying and kindness. Now, I think it’s time to refresh the Golden Rule in our minds and reapply it to a situation that might be more relevant to college students.

I’ll begin with a personal narrative as an example.

For those who don’t know me, I am a relatively introverted person. My typical Friday night is spent alone on the couch watching “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”* *Well, not entirely alone. My two cats join me at their discretion.

The point is that it has taken me until Halloween of my junior year in college to attend a “real” college party. You know, the kind with at least a hundred people in various stages of intoxication. I have to say, though, it wasn’t horrific.

I actually enjoyed myself a lot. There were some amazingly creative costumes, great music and impressive decorations. This was clearly a well-planned event, and I was beginning to relax as much as a health educator can around their intoxicated peers.

Wait, I spoke too soon. Around 12:30 a.m., I saw a man sitting in the corner of the apartment we were in. Someone was holding a trashcan

up for him while he emptied the contents of his stomach. It looked like the cast of “Scooby Doo.” Fred was sick, while the rest of the gang was standing around taking care of him. I was so proud of Mystery Inc. for being good friends and active bystanders.

About 10 minutes later, I looked back in the corner to see that Fred was alone, on the floor and still puking. I let out a few colorful words on my way over to where he was, mentally cursing the Mystery Inc. gang. My friend and I got Fred on his side. Another active bystander, a lifeguard who was ready to help however she could, came to check Fred’s pulse and breath.

Although he was vomiting and could not keep himself upright, Fred was not exhibiting any other signs of alcohol poisoning (slow breathing, cold skin or unconsciousness). We elected to stay with him and keep him on his side while he was sick, but we did not feel the need to call an ambulance. We found the apartment owner and informed him that Fred would likely be sleeping there that evening.

That is where my interaction with Fred, and the rest of Mystery Inc., ended.

I see three potential opportunities to apply the Golden Rule in this situation.

First, be a responsible drinker. Don’t put your friends, or strangers, in a position where they are worried for your life. Nobody wants his or her

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evening to conclude in the hospital.

Alternate alcoholic drinks with water. Avoid binge-drinking (four drinks in two hours for women, five drinks in two hours for men). Feeling buzzed, lacking coordination and slurring your speech are signs that you’re approaching alcohol overdose. At the point that you are vomiting, you have officially overdosed on alcohol. Do not “rally” and keep drinking after puking.

Second, be a responsible friend. It is unacceptable for friends to abandon someone whose life and safety could be at stake. Admittedly, nobody wants to spend the evening babysitting a sick person. Consider though how you would feel if your friends left you alone on the floor of a stranger’s apartment. Do unto others … you know the rest.

Third, be a responsible bystander. When someone’s friends have failed them, be prepared to rise to the occasion. As a friend or stranger, you can be prepared by knowing the signs of alcohol poisoning, knowing how to help someone who has overdosed and knowing when to call 911.

Vols helping Vols, and the Golden Rule, can literally save lives.

Katie Scott is a junior in communication studies and a Vols 2 Vols Peer Health Educator for the Center for Health Education and Wellness. She can be reached at katdscot@vols.utk.edu

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Planning, adhereing to personal time a must Summer Awad Quite Contrary

I haven’t gotten enough sleep since I was in middle school, and I’m angry about it.

I’m angry at my high school teachers and peers, who taught me that I wasn’t worth more than a resumé or the name of the college I got into. My friends weren’t into popularity contests, but they sure did care about who could take the most AP classes and still survive the year. This mentality carried over into college, and I’m just now learning to break free.

Looking back, I can’t believe I took 18 and 19 hours during my freshman year. But since all my friends were doing it, I had to prove that I was just as capable.

Well, I’m sick of it. I’m sick of being told the amount of work you pile on your plate is a mark of your success. I’m sick of watching my friends fight about who got less sleep the night before, who has more meetings to go to or who has the longest paper to write. Sleep deprivation is not a badge of honor.

Bags under your eyes are not the latest fashion statement. You are more than your productivity. Screw the capitalist ideals that tell you otherwise.

I don’t think I understood how ridiculous my workload was until I started to experience serious mental health issues during my sophomore year. The anxiety and depression I think had always been there started to come out in full force. When I went to group therapy, people would ask me what I did for fun or how I dealt with stress, and I realized I didn’t have an answer. I didn’t know what fun was; stress was my entire life. I had taken too much on my plate, and it

seemed impossible to get out of it now.

It’s a little early for me to be giving sentimental senior advice, but I need to tell the kiddos before it’s too late. If I have learned anything in college, it’s this: learn to say no. Say no to being team leader for that group project. Say no to prioritizing homework over sleep. Say no to your friend Timmy when he begs you to join his new group Students Against Plastic Silverware. Whatever it is, your health is more important. Even more than your grades.

People keep asking me what I’m going to do after I graduate in May. I never realized how freeing it would be to say, “I don’t know.” I have no idea where I’m going to be in a year, and I am perfectly content with that. I don’t have to go to graduate school if I don’t want to. I don’t have to get a high-paying job if I don’t want to. In fact, I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to do.

Say no to stress. Say no to anything that does not make your life more meaningful. Reserve “yes” for the joyful and the fulfilling, the silly and the mundane.

Skip that chapter of reading and head to Waffle House with your friends. Run a bubble bath and blast the Backstreet Boys. Schedule time on your to-do list to sit with your thoughts and stare blankly. We are more than tests and homework and productivity machines.

We need time to just be, and just because our society doesn’t value that, doesn’t mean we can’t.

Next time people ask me what I’m doing after graduation, I’m going to tell them this: I’m catching

We are more than tests and homework and productivity machines. We need time to just be, and just because our society doesn’t value that, doesn’t mean we can’t. ”

up on all the books on my reading list. I’m sitting still with my thoughts and processing my college experience. I’m spending more time with my cat and my little sister. I’m catching up on all the NBA basketball I missed over the past 4 years. I’m working on my writing and trying out different styles of poetry. I’m writing my grandma letters. Sure, I’ll apply for jobs, and I’ll make something of myself eventually. But not before I have a little time for myself.

Summer Awad is a senior in College Scholars. She can be reached at sawad@vols.utk.edu

8

ARTS&CULTURE

The Daily Beacon • Thursday, November 5, 2015

THE BASEMENT continued from Page 1 Crowell emphasized that despite the studio’s inclination toward children’s programming, adults will also find the environment fun and welcoming. “It’s definitely a very fun process, and it’s fun for adults too, whether they participate or just sit back and watch the kids have fun,� Crowell said.

MacIssac wants to be sure the studio remained truly representative of the community. “I did not want to just have it for children however; I wanted to make sure that it was a space where adults could also feel welcome as well and be really representative of the community,� MacIssac said.

The studio has begun holding special event nights such as Ladies Night and Date Night, which are open studio hours exclusively for adults where patrons are welcome to bring wine and beer plus snacks.

MacIssac described the studio as a creative play area, open to amateurs and aspiring professionals alike, including, “people who are looking for a way to come together with friends and do something creative.� “We have had a few people come in and bring their own things and work on their own artwork. I would love to do more of that,� MacIssac said.

Since the start of school, the studio has seen a decrease in walk-in traffic, and to combat this Crowell and MacIssac have

recently made efforts to partner with local elementary schools, especially in the downtown area. “We’ve been trying to get local schools in the area to participate as well at a discount rate, but I think what our goal is now is to work toward more of a nonprofit,� Crowell said.

Crowell explained that despite many art teachers’ excitement and encouragement among their students, it remains difficult for students in downtown’s lower income schools to frequent the studio, even with a discount rate. Crowell and MacIssac are currently working out the details for a school scholarship program to the studio. “I think our main focus was just community and being able to reach kids who maybe don’t have that outlet would be very rewarding but also very successful too,� Crowell said.

In addition to collaborating with local schools, Crowell and MacIssac have also begun discussing a form of community promotion with other local workshop studios in light of the artistic rebirth of downtown. “I think there’s a great energy in the air right now. A lot of creative art type people are opening a lot of interesting businesses, and there’s a great vibe,�

MacIssac said. “The area will always have a vibrant bar scene and night life, but I think we are going to start to see more of a daytime scene down here.�

The Basement Community Art Studio has walk-in hours Tuesday-Friday from 2:30-5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Humans of Knoxville

What is something not many people know about you? “I am a mom. I have a 5 year old. I work in a hospital, and it’s really hard. I think it is really important because I am going to school for my son. It sounds kind of clichĂŠ I guess but it really is to make things better for us, but I keep having to tell myself that I really can do it. I’m trying to decide between social work and nursing as a major, and it is really hard because of my background. I feel like I have been through a lot for my age. I am 23, and I have already been married and divorced, moved out of state and back. So I feel like I am set up for social work. I wish I had had someone with that background to help me out with a lot of things, but nursing is the thing that interests me more. I am worried though that I wouldn’t be as good at it because it is a lot harder.â€?

-Faith Held, sophomore in social work Alyssa White • The Daily Beacon

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PUZZLES&GAMES

Thursday, November 5, 2015 • The Daily Beacon

9

Get Fuzzy • Darby Conley

NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD • Will Shortz ACROSS 1 Any old person, so to speak 6 French connections 9 Top

I’m Not A Hipster • John McAmis

12 Super-

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39 Bandleader who became a 1950s sitcom star

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16 Party spreads

47 Capital in sight of Kilimanjaro

17 Like triple plays

49 Percussive dance

18 Radio button

51 Post-surgery place

19 Chat room overseers, for short

52 Buster of rock

20 Low camera perspective

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29 Budding

31 Band with the 1988 65 Depend #1 hit “Need You Tonight” 66 Goddess in a chariot drawn by 33 Eyesore peacocks 35 Currency 67 ___ acid that features 68 Field ration, for architecture, not short portraiture

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24 Command and control

O P E R A

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53 Mad rush 55 Judge of 1980s-’90s TV

22 Slept with

H I F I S

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43 Desert royal

15 Cooper preceder

Cartoons of The Daily Beacon are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or the Beacon’s editorial staff.

36 “Birthday” or “mother’s maiden name,” e.g.

A L I F E

M A T I C

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60 64

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39 Provider of underground entertainment?

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10

SPORTS

The Daily Beacon • Thursday, November 5, 2015

TRACK & FIELD

Twin cross country runners navigate through freshman season Shane Switzer

Staff Writer

The word family is thrown around a lot in sports, as athletes nonchalantly refer to teammates as “brothers” or “sisters” during interviews.

However, when two certain members of the cross country team call each other sisters, it’s not just lip service. They actually are biological sisters.

Freshman twin sisters Julia and Jessica Rizor have made the most of their first season running cross country at Tennessee. In the season-opening race, Jessica Rizor led the team to a second-place finish. The very next race at Vanderbilt, she again led the team as the top finisher. At the Louisville Classic, Jessica again turned in a strong performance by finishing second on the team. Meanwhile, her sister Julia made her collegiate debut and finished behind her sister in third.

The strong performances at Louisville caught the attention of senior All-

American Chelsea Blaase.

“We all placed in the top 25, so it was really cool to share in that experience,” Blaase said.

The trend of leading the team continued for the sisters as it was Julia’s turn to be the No. 1 finisher on the women’s team at Pre-Nationals. The sisters were again second and third-place finishers on the cross country team at the SEC Championships.

With so much early success, one might expect that the twin sisters have been running track or cross country all their life. That isn’t the case. It was another family member, their mom Terri Rizor, that started them running.

“Probably like fifth grade my mom was running some 5K road races near where we live, and she asked us if we wanted to do one,” Julia said. “We played soccer at the time so we were like ‘Yeah, we can handle it, like no big deal’ and so we ran it, and we did pretty well. I think we both ended up getting some award for our age group and ever since then, you know, it just progressed until we competed for

BEHIND

HAPPY FACES

ROSS SZABO

TAKING CHARGE OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

Thursday November 5 // 7PM AMB 210

our middle school and we did high school bring that family aspect to the team as well,” Blaase said. and now we are competing in college.”

Blaase said the freshman sisters have Jessica said her parents realized that she and her sister were better than they helped her enjoy her senior season.

“They’ve help me through just having realized and kept encouraging them to run. Julia added that their parents want- a team,” Blaase said. “I spend all my time ed them to have fun and enjoy running with them and a few of the other freshand training, and as long as they enjoyed man as well, and we just hang out together. It takes it, their parents my mind were behind them off of the 100 percent. stress of As for having a the comtwin sibling on them petition or same team, Jessica c l a s s ro o m said it’s great. or any “It’s unique small probbecause we are lems. We already so used to do fun stuff training with each like carve other and we train pumpkins as a team, but Julia and go see and I can push each movies. other,” Jessica said.

“I didn’t “I can’t do that with have that other people. We in the past just unknowingly because push each other to Chelsea Blaase, senior All-American our team do better.” w a s n ’ t Having a sibling really conhelps when they nected.” are frustrated, too.

Blaase They can go to each other and understand how the other said that the sisters and the other freshfeels. Julia said having that close rela- man have brought a cohesiveness to the tionship has helped navigate not only team.

Head coach Beth Alford-Sullivan has their first season of cross country but noticed as well. also their first semester of college.

“Those two are great team members,” Adjusting to college is difficult, but the adjustment from high school running Alford-Sullivan said. “They really, really are great team members. They work to collegiate running is just as difficult.

“High school was more relaxed,” hard, they have great grades, great stuJessica said. “College, obviously you’ve dents and great personality. Very team gotta have more focus. It’s more serious.” oriented, very Tennessee oriented, and The sisters praised the coaching staff they work towards what they want to for helping keep the stress level down achieve.

“I’m very proud of them.” and not throwing them into the deep Alford-Sullivan and Blaase both see a end. They said the coaches gradually worked up their workouts and doing that bright future for Jessica and Julia.

“I think they’re able to achieve so has been big. Their teammates have been much,” Blaase said. “I hope and I important during the transition as well.

Knowing someone else is having to know that they will eventually be Alldo the same thing as they are having to Americans. Just their drive and their do has been beneficial. Julia and Jessica focus towards just doing well in the classpraised the seniors on the team for giv- room as well as doing well in practice ing them pointers and showing them the and everything. They just seem to have that drive and that mentality. ropes.

“That is what it takes to be at that “I can’t imagine not having someone to level. They’re doing so well right now, look up to,” Julia said.

While the sisters look to the seniors when I started I wasn’t where they’re at, for leadership and guidance, Jessica and so they are already stating on this block Julia have brought a sense of family to and it’s like they’re already halfway up the staircase.” the cross country team.

“Because they’re a family, they kind of

“

Because they’re a family, they kind of bring that family aspect to the team as well.”

SPORTS

Thursday, November 5, 2015 • The Daily Beacon

11

BASEBALL

Navy Seal training brings baseball team together in offseason David Bradford Staff Writer

Coaches sometime use unique tactics to help build team-bonding.

At the beginning of the school year, Vols baseball coach Dave Serrano had his team go through a Navy Seal training regiment.

This program has been used by various coaches in Tennessee athletics, each giving rave reviews.

Serrano implemented this program early hoping that the team not only increased its physical strength, but also strengthened bonds between teammates.

“We decided to do it three days into when school started,” Serrano said on Wednesday in the Ray and Lucy Hand Digital Studio, “Our guys really didn’t know one another completely.”

With the new faces, the program put the players in tough positions where they not only had to focus on their survival, but their teammates survival as well.

“I think that’s where the growth of the team happened.” Serrano said.

According to Serrano, the program, which features grueling physical exercises on land as well as in the pool, passed with flying colors.

“It built a togetherness, it built a toughness, I’m seeing the results of that,” Serrano said, “... we accomplished what we wanted to … I don’t regret one moment about going through that, I thought that was a fabulous two day training for our guys.”

Promising Fall Ball: The team is hoping that the promising performance during fall baseball will help them blossom into a competitive force in the SEC this spring.

“It was very fun and competitive fall,” Serrano said. “This coaching staff along with this team walked away after fall ball and feel like we’ve accomplished something, but also knowing we have a long ways to go as a team.”

One of the challenges fall ball presents is the culmination as well the arrival of the holidays, meaning the players are left to work on their own. However, Serrano is not concerned about his player’s commitment to excellence.

“They’ve kinda got a little bit of a lunch pale mentality. Anytime you come around our facility they’re doing something to get better as an individual, as a team,” Serrano said.

The return of eight seniors also has the team excited after this fall. Serrano is hopeful that his returning veterans will give huge contributions to the team.

Student-Athlete Balance: The Vols are putting the “student” in student-athlete, with last year’s team achieving a perfect APR (Academic Progress Rate) score of 1000.

“That’s basically unheard of in collegiate baseball,” Serrano said, later mentioning how the team’s graduation rate continues to increase.

Now that the Vols have established their academic prowess, Serrano wants to further emphasize the athlete aspect of student-athlete.

“Even though our winning percentage hasn’t been as high as I’d like, or as high as our APR has been,” Serrano said, “if we can balance those two out, there will be a lot of good things going on in Tennessee baseball.”

Nick Senzel continues to impress: One of the Vols’ most productive and promising players has been infielder Nick Senzel, who is coming off of a highly praised summer performance. While playing for the Brewster Whitecaps for just 40 games this past summer, Senzel finished with a batting average of .364, 56 hits, 33 RBI, 14 stolen bases and 34 runs scored.

Despite his production over the first two years of his career, the junior has shown more maturity and power in the eyes of his coach.

“I see more of a calmness with him,” Serrano said. “His power has come out now.”

Power Protection: With Senzel establishing himself as the team’s power hitter, Serrano still has yet to determine who is going to protect Senzel in the lineup.

One player mentioned was junior infielder Jordan Rodgers, who batted .278 in 38 games last season.

“Jordan’s a guy who is very unselfish,” Serrano said. “He just wants to play.”

Rodgers not only has the ability to be in the four-hole for the team, but is also a versatile player on the field, as he can play practically any position in the infield.

Another player mentioned was senior outfielder Vincent Jackson, who batted .321 last season and stands at an imposing six-foot-five.

“We’re hoping that Vincent has a big spring,” Serrano said. “His presence and his stature in that four-hole with his experience in the SEC will be big.”

Coach Dave Serrano and son, Kyle Serrano, watch as the golfers play during the 2015 Dave Serrano Golf Classic.

Hayley Pennesi • The Daily Beacon/Tennessee Athletics

12

SPORTS

The Daily Beacon • Thursday, November 5, 2015

FOOTBALL

Jones pushes for focus during South Carolina matchup Jonathan Toye

Sports Editor Playing in opposing venues isn’t easy.

The comforts of home, however, bring their own challenges, Tennessee coach Butch Jones said on Wednesday.

Jones believes that playing at home for the first time since Oct. 10 — a 38-31 win over then No. 19 Georgia — will test his team’s maturity.

“The challenge that we have challenged our football team with this week is ‘Neyland focus,’ a great home focus,” Jones said in his weekly press at the Ray and Lucy Hand Digital Studio. “I think this will really show how much we have matured as a football team. When you go on the road, you talk about road focus. It’s almost like you against everyone else. You are kind of isolated from everyone in a hotel. You really come together.

“You don’t have much distractions being on the road, well when you play at home your distractions become more — they become a little bit different.”

Tennessee (4-4, 2-3 SEC) didn’t have many problems overcoming distractions in its two-game road trip. The Vols briefly flirted with an upset against Alabama before eventually succumbing to the Crimson Tide 19-14 on Oct. 24. Tennessee rebounded the next week to blow out Kentucky 52-21.

The Vols will look to maintain that focus entering their game against South Carolina (TV: SEC Network, 4:30 p.m.)

Jones said Tennessee will have to play great at home on Saturday to secure a victory. While Tennessee is currently a 17-point favorite according to Vegas Insiders, Jones is prepared for another game that comes down to the wire.

That’s why the Vols have to tune out distractions before the game.

“We all know the last two games (against South Carolina) have come down to the final play of the game,” Jones said. “Again, this is going to be another 60-minute (game). If it’s multiple overtimes, whatever it takes to get the job done. But we have had a good week of preparation.

“We talk about being a great home football team and the honor and the privilege of playing in front of 102,455 (fans). We have

to understand that maturity as a football team of what it really takes to play at home.”

Tough Critic: Jalen Reeves-Maybin has been a tough critic on freshman linebacker Darrin Kirkland this season.

He’s not Kirkland’s biggest critic, however — that honor goes to Kirkland’s mom.

Kirkland, by most people’s standards, had a great game against Kentucky, recording six tackles and an interception.

His mother, though, had no trouble spotting a mistake Kirkland made.

That interception that Kirkland returned 26 yards to the Kentucky 4? Kirkland’s mother thought he should have scored.

“My mom is my biggest critic,” Kirkland said. “She said I should have gotten caught by a quarterback. I guess I got to put more speed on.

“I knew it was the first thing she was going to say. She was like ‘Why did you get caught? You should have scored.’ I was like ‘I don’t know, I was pretty tired.’ ” Injury Report: Tennessee offensive lineman Brett Kendrick will miss his fourth-straight game, Jones confirmed on Wednesday.

Jones also said that wide receiver Preston

Williams and offensive lineman Jashon Robertson are questionable.

Kendrick practiced on Tuesday but is not ready to play in the game. Kendrick started in the Vols’ first five games at right tackle but has missed the last three games with injuries to the knee and elbow.

Freshman Chance Hall has started in place of Kendrick the last two games, making his first appearance in the Georgia game.

Williams injured his hamstring the week before the Alabama game and didn’t travel with the team to either Alabama or Kentucky. Williams had seven catches for 159 yards and two touchdowns before the injury.

Robertson started at Kentucky but suffered an injury on the Vols’ first drive of the game and did not return.

“All these individuals have worked very hard to get themselves back,” Jones said.

“I really appreciate their efforts. So I will know a little more about those individuals as the week continues to progress.”

Jones said that freshman Quart’e Sapp is heading towards a medical redshirt. Sapp played in four games in 2015.