Oct/Nov 2022 Voice of the Wildcats

2022-- A Homecoming to remember

Homecoming.

That time-honored traditional where folks come back to relive their college days. Homecoming at B-CU—before COVID--- was always jumping.

In 2021, homecoming was practically subpar. This year, however, the bands, parades and the people returned in droves.

So, how was it?

VOICE staffers surveyed a panel of students and here are their opinions of this year’s events, starting with the parade. Parade, See page

Bethune-Cookman

The Voice of the Wildcats is written, edited and published by members of the student body at BethuneCookman University. All opinions are solely those of the author.

Editor

Shaneisha Myrthil

Online Editor Macayla Bell

Layout Editor

Carlesia Doleman

Feature Writers

Shay Myrthil

Carlesia Doleman Salvador Victor Tyler Barron Decembir Dukes

Photographers

Shaneisha Mythil Henson White Emmanuel Fields

Social Media

Carlesia Doleman

Publication Director Dr. Salvador R. Victor

Faculty Adviser Prof. Valerie Whitney

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Gen Z stepping up to the voting booth

By Shay Myrthil

Millions of people lined up to cast their vote on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in the general election, and I was one of them.

The general election is held on the first Tuesday of November and con sists of members from all parties and from all levels of government. Voting is considered to be part of an Ameri can’s civic duty.

Contributing to our democracy is part of what it means to be an Ameri can. We vote for people who represent our ideoogies in order to have our voices heard.

Voting is a right that all Americans should have the luxury of participating in. It gives us all a say, to be a part of the conversation that affects our future.

As an African-American woman, it is my duty to use my vote as my voice. For hundreds of years, women and African Americans were denied the right to vote. We were silenced for so long, now that we have the power to use our voices to shape our future, we need to take it.

African-American women were the last group to receive their right to vote in America. We were the last to receive a seat at a table and an opinion on all things that affected our very existence.

A vote means to have an identity, and your own opinions, ideas, and beliefs. This is our time to take back our voice, we can no longer sit back and be silenced.

This year’s election was the second largest turnout of young adults, right

behind the presidential election in 2020. Our generation is beginning to realize that our votes matter. Our voices have power and it’s about time that we use it.

Voting gives us control over our future laws and the control over the people who govern us. We have the chance to write our futures. Voting gives us that power.

Not too many people are happy that our generation is finally starting to step up.

Some Republicans are seeking to raise the voting age from 18 to 21 or 28 after seeing the turnout of the recent midterm election.

Many young adults voted blue during this recent election, which shocked both sides.

Young adults voted blue on contro versial issues such as gun control, reproductive rights, as well as climate change. These are all issues that are very important for our gen eration that the Republican Party has been trying to dissolve for years.

Republicans are worried that we, as a generation, are being brain washed.

Raising the voting age will only work in their favor. It seems that silencing the youngergeneration is the only way for Republicans to hold power. Raising the voting age will only work in their favor.

It seems that silencing the younger generation is the only way for Repub licans to hold power.

Now that there are issues that are di rectly affecting our lives, young adults are taking a stand and voting. This new wave of enthusiasm must continue to elicit real change. Every vote counts and it’s up to us to make sure that we are heard.

We need to continue showing up in record numbers, continue speaking up and calling out politicians and laws we don’t agree with. The future is here and it starts with our vote.

"We vote for people who represent our ideoogies in order to have our voices heard."

Shaneisha Myrthil is a mass commu nications major, who hails from Lake Worth, Florida.

Unidentified voluteers during a "Get Out and Vote" rally on campus this semester presented by the Student Activities Board.

A dining hall worker stops by to show support for the " Get Out and Vote" rally snagged a T-shirt.

Photos/ Shay Myrthil

Someconservativeswanttoincreasethevotingagetokeepyoungpeoplefromvoting.

The Election Results are in...

Ron DeSantis

Charlie Crist Val Demmings

Quanita May

Steven Miller

Marco Rubio

MUSIC REVIEW

‘Un Verano Sin Ti’ or A Bad Bunny Summer

By Salvador Victor Voice Staff

The summer of 2022 brought us music from some of the indus try’s most well-known names in cluding Drake, Future, Beyonce and even Kendrick Lamar, who returned to the scene after many years of absence.

And, while all these artists have seen plenty of success with their newest releases, one man from Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, stole the spotlight.Benito An tonio Martinez Ocasio, better known as Bad Bunny.

The Puerto Rican artist has been climbing the charts for a couple of years. His newest release “Un Verano Sin Ti” or “A Summer Without You” broke all barriers and introduced Latin music to all audiences. It dropped on May 5 and imme diately took over the charts. It is filled with all kinds of sounds that identify Caribbean culture, such genres as Reggae, Bachata, House, Reggaeton, Soca and Mambo.

The variety of frequencies and styles make it so that no song is like the last, giving the listener a unique and special experience every track. Similar to previous albums from Bad Bunny, this one contains many different themes, with the main one obviously being summer. Heartb break is another one that surfaces throughout the album.

You can really feel it once you enter the track “Un Coco.” The songs that follow also contain a melancholic feel and lyrics to

Rap world mourns the death of another star

Remembering Kirnisch" Takeoff" Ball

them as the summer is inevitably

1the rest is the love letter to Beni to’s home land, Puerto Rico, titled “El Apagón.” It fea tures two different sounds going from bongos to a house beat. The chorus goes “Puerto Rico esta bien Ca bron!!” or Praising Puerto Rico and its beautiful people and cul ture.

with its culture and riches.

In Berlingeri’s words,“Lo que me pertenece a mi, se lo quedan ellos, que se vayan ellos” which translates to “They keep what belongs to us, get out of here” referring to the American government.

This past summer belonged to Bad Bunny and with his “World’s Hottest Tour” continuing for the remainder of the year, the indus try will have to be under his shadow until then.

This album has reached all kinds of audiences and has opened the door for other Hispan ic artists to reach new markets and make their music be heard all over the world.

By Carlesia Doleman

ending. This is the beauty of the entire project; from beginning to end you feel like you are going through each week of the summer and really living the lyrics.

One song that sticks out above

Atlanta’s hip-hop culture suffered another blow recently with the unexpected death of Takeoff, a member of the rap group Migos group, following a shooting in Texas.

Now everybody knows that Atlanta is sipping with raw and serial talent among a lot of the rap community. Takeoff's Southern-influenced lyrical precision and elusive demeanor made "Migos" the group it is today. They achieved mainstream success with their 2016 single “Bad And Boujee” that topped the U.S. charts and was nominat ed for best rap performance at the Grammy Awards.

And while Takeoff did not appear on that song, saying he missed the recording session, he was considered to be one of the key architects of the Migos sound: full of punchy vocal triplets, and sparse, stuttering beats.

Kirshnik Khari Ball, 28, professionally known as Takeoff was killed Nov. 1 at a

At the end of the song, meanwhile, there is a hidden feature from Benito’s girlfriend, Gabriela Berlingeri, in which she protests against the U.S. government and its continuous attempts to “steal” the island along

bowling alley in Hous ton, Tex as. His record label issued a state ment saying, "Sense less violence and a stray bullet has taken another life from this world and we are devastated."

Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said he did not want to speculate on whether Takeoff was the target.

Meanwhile, the metro Atlanta raised rapper was set to be laid to rest at the State Farm Arena on Nov. 11. Among the big names said to appear were Alicia Keys and Justin Bieber.

Finally, Quavo and Takeoff released their debut “Only Built for Infinity Links” a few weeks ago. Fans are sad to see another star gone but never forgotten.

Nationwide, Takeoff was the 17 th rapper to die this year. One died from COVID and another from a drug-related illness. The others were shot to death, according to "theteamango. com."

Another website, mansworld india.com, noted that  more than 80 rappers worldwide have died tragic deaths in the past three decades.

Carlesia Doleman is a gradu ating senior majoring in Mass Communications raised in Atlanta, Georgia.

Salvador Victor Del Roasrio is sopho more studying Mass Communications, born in Santiago, Dominican Republic.

‘Hocus Pocus 2’ keeps the magic of the first film

By Tyler Barron Voice Staffer

Everyone hide your kids because The Sanderson sisters are back in the sequel we never knew we needed "Ho cus Pocus 2.”

The movie was released exclusively on Disney+ on Sept. 30.

The stars from the first film that was released in 1993-- Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy—all reprised their roles.

Nearly 30 years after the original film, the Disney+ sequel, with a bud get of $40 million, has busted records previously held by “Encanto” and “Frozen 2.”

According to Vanity Fair, it broke a Nielsen record for a streaming movie in its debut weekend with 2.7 billion-min ute views.

While keeping basically the same plot as the first “Hocus Pocus,” the sequel takes place in the present times.

It is now modern-day Salem and two best friends Becca and Izzy (Whit ney Peak and Belissa Escobedo), unknowingly go into a sacred forest to perform their annual Halloween ritual when they accidentally sum moned the witches back to life.

The best friends have to try to stop the sisters from kidnapping the towns mayor (played by Tony Hale) and prevent them from casting a forbidden spell to become the most powerful witches and cursing the town of Salem.

This movie was nostalgic at its best. I loved how they gave us Billy Butcherson (Doig Jones) the zombies side of the story.

Another thing that caught my eye is when it was time for the sisters to fly, Mary Sanderson flew using robot vac

uums--almost as if she were on a hoverboard.

Director Anne Fletcher and producer Lynn Harris filled many hearts with this Halloween comedy sequel.

Another thing I’d like to say is “Bravo” to the writers Jen D’angelo, David Krischner and Blake Harris. Without writers there is no script. If there is no script, then theres nomovie.

I highly recommend this movie for every one.

Meanwhile, Vanity Fair is reporting that the

HBCU Film Festival returning for its ‘sophomore’ year

Bethune-Cookman

University students that fancy themselves filmmakers now have 10,000 reasons to pursue that dream. Or, make that the chance to walk away with $10,000.

That the prize being offered by Autumn Sun, a platform created to be an engine of stimulation for the next generation of Black creatives, according to organizers.

This will be its second year.

Bruce Clifton, founder and executive director, said the goal of Autumn Sun is to provide a forum for students “ to not only showcase art, but also fellowship with experienced creatives

within the industry and peers across the academic community.”

“The next ‘Moonlight,’ ‘Get Out,’ and ‘13th’ will be found in Jackson, Missis sippi, Greensboro North Carolina, Nashville, Ten nessee, and every city that is called home by these historic institutions," Clifton said.

Submissions for the festival open Jan. 2, he said.

There are more than 10 categories. The top prize is $10,000.

This is the second year of the festival. This season will introduce an expanded format for the HBCU Invi tational that will allow for the showcasing of up to 100

student films next spring, Clifton said.

Top entries will be hosted in Detroit for a chance to take home the top prize at the Invitational Awards Gala during the Autumn Sun Arts Festival, June 29 - July 2, 2023.

For more information, go to FILMFREEWAY.COM/AU TUMNSUNFEST.

film stars and director have expressed interest in a third film and a musical adaption is even set to run amok on Broadway.

Tyler Barron is a sophomore hailing from Sun rise, Florida.

Photo by Matt Kennedy. © 2022 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Kathy Najimy as Mary Sanderson, Bette Midler as Winifred Sanderson, and Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson in HOCUS POCUS 2,

Bruce Clifton

New track coach named in wake of Cooper’s departure

Bethune-Cookman University Athletic Director Reggie Theus has announced the appointment of Or rin M. Hamer as Director of Track and Field/Cross Country.

"Mike Hamer is a proven leader, educator, winner, and exemplifies energy, high character, and high integrity," Theus said. "Coach Hamer is the right person at the right time to help build this cham pionship culture. I'm very excited for him and we look forward to the new era with his leadership of our Wildcat cross country and track and field programs."

Hamer replaces Donald Coo per, who has left the university to take the head coaching position at South Carolina State. Hamer served on Cooper's staff the previ ous two years.

"It's definitely a bittersweet mo

Ex-Wildcat basketball star dead at 27

Kendra Cooper, a former Womens basketball standout, died recently. Cooper was 27. Cooper, who played at B-CU from 2013-2017, was the programs all-time three-point field goal leader with 259, a record that stands today. She also finished at the sixth all-time leading scorer with 1,302 points.

She led the Wildcats to two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular season championships, an appearance in the 2017 champion ship and two WNIT post-season appearances.

Cause of death was unavailable.

ment for me, seeing such a great coach leave the program," Hamer said. "I have an extreme appreci ation for him entrusting me with a championship-caliber program that he leaves behind."

"I look forward to lead ing this team to compete for conference champion ships," Hamer continued. " I've worked hard to put myself in this position, and I look forward to making an impact on this program on and off the track."

Hamer previously served as head coach at Paine College in Augusta, Georgia. During his ten ure, he produced seven national qualifiers, two athletes off the Year, a conference MVP, 11 Southern In tercollegiate Conference champi

At Albany State as an assistant coach, Ham er helped produce five National Champions, 27 All Americans, 38 Conference Champions, 146 All SIAC team awards, six SIAC Athletes of the Year, four Men's Track and Field Athletes of the Year, three Men's Field Event Athletes of the Year, four Women's Track athletes of the year, two Women's Field Event Athletes of the Year, and six

SIAC Championships MVP.

On the high school level, Hamer worked at Evans and Jones high schools in Orlando, Florida. He was the CEO for the Explosive Training Group, which provided elite personal training services to over 250 at-risk youth over a fiveyear period. Over 85 students went on to attend college.

He is a 2007 graduate of Albany State University.

Meanwhile, Bethune-Cookman Univesity, womens track team and coach celebrated after win ning the 2022 SWAC cross countrychampionship in Octo ber.

B-CU’s Mathis finalist for Black College Hall of Fame

Former Bethune-Cookman great and Jacksonville Jaguars Pro Bowl cornerback Rashean Mathis has been named a finalist for the Black College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023, the BCFHOF announced Tuesday.

Mathis was one of 25 finalists select ed from a field of over 200 nominees by an 11-member Selection Commit tee.

Mathis is named a finalist after a prolific college and professional career. He joined Bethune- Cookman football in 1999, where he led the Wildcats sec ondary, shattering Wildcats' records and totaling 31 interceptions in four years as a cornerback and free safety.

He was a three-time Division I-AA All-American and became the first defensive back to win the Buck Buchanan Award for Division

I-AA top defensive player as a senior in 2002.

This years inductees will be an nounced on Dec. 8, 2022. They will be recognized for the first time at the Second Annual HBCU Legacy Bowl in New Orleans on Feb. 25, 2023 and honored during the 14th Annual Black College Football Hall of Fame Induc tion Ceremony on Saturday, June 10, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia.

For more information, please vis it www.BlackCollegeFootballHOF.org

TheBethune-CookmanUnivesity,womenstrackteamandcoachcelebrateafterwinningthe 2022SWAC crosscountry championshipinOctober.

ons and 32 All Conference award winners.

Rashard Mathis

Source: B-CU Athletics

O. Mike Hamer

HOMECOMING

Fred Hammond rocks the Gospel Explosion!

Gospel superstar Fred Hammond kicked off the official start of Bethune-Cookman Univer sity’s Homecoming on Sunday, Oct. 30 during the traditional Gospel Explosion.

Hammond, with more than 31 years of music minitry experience, is one of the most well-known gospel recording artists in history. Many refer to him as;The Father of Urban Gospel, and he has been nominated for numerous awards, includ ing a Grammy and numerous Stellar and Dove awards.

The opening act for Hammond was Bethune-Cookman Universty’s very own Inspirational Gospel Choir, which per formed a mix of gospel selections that got the crowd going with a few dance moves. Afterward, the university’s Wildcat Wor ship Team performed and ministered to the crowd through the voice of students and B-CU Alumni.

Although guests may have come to see Hammond, these two groups put on a show and got them warmed up.

Meanwhile, Hammond opened his show with the tune “Way Back When: Medley (LIVE)” that he released in 2021. He transitioned from

song to song with the intention to get the crowd excited and observe the present tone of the crowd. He went from his most recent hits to his latest hits to reel the crowd in.

He invited the gentlemen to the front and directed them to sing their note on a song and then invited the women—be they also or soprano-- to sing their parts. He created a family-like atmo sphere throughout his full performance which kept the audience engaged and enter tained.

ReportingbyDecembirDukes

He also interacted with the audience in mul tiple ways. A native of Detroit, Michigan, Hammond shared a story of his experience of having a spiritual moment with God. He talked about being able to see him face-to-face and interact with him at an extremely vulnerable level.

Goombay still going strong at Homecoming celebration

Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats celebrated Homecoming with an over-the-top celebration that started on Halloween (Oct. 31) and ended Nov. 5. This year the Student Activities Board or SAB went above and beyond to please those coming out to celebrate with the Wildcats. And, as always, the annual Goombay was a surefire winner.

For the uninitiated, Goombay refers to the calypso-style music as sociated with the playing of goom bay drums. This year’s Goombay celebration took place Nov. 4 on

the quad, also known as “the yard,” here at B-CU. It featured various Caribbean food vendors, pop up shops, and several crowd-pleasing artists also performed.

One entertainer that attracted a crowd was Miami rapper Ball Greezy, who performed at least six of his most popular songs such as “Nice and Slow” and “Come Thru.”

Before Ball Greezy hit the stage, B-CU’s own Rekonstruction Dance Troupe Inc. graced the stage with yet another electric dance perfor mance, leaving the crowd wanting more to no surprise.

There were a few unforeseen circumstances that interfered with the event such as rain and time restrictions but nonetheless those in attendance appeared to have a great time.

I can’t wait until next year.

ReportingbyTiyronDavis

Royal Court in Disarray

Last, but not least, what happened to B-CU’s Roy al court?

It has come to the at tention of the VOICE that there was no traditional coronation this fall ofthe court that was elected in the spring.

Likewise, we have con firmation that several of the members of the court have resigned and inat lease case, one has been replaced.

Moreover, the entire court was put on an “cease and desist” no tice and did not make an appearance during Homecoming. The VOICE has made several attempts via email and phone calls to reach officials but so far, no response. Stay tuned. We would hate to see a proud tradition disappear.

Hammond also created an exercise for the crowd in order to sing with him.

Fred Hammond singing one of his hits.

Tyler Kelly , Mr. B-CU and Rene White, Miss. B-CU during an appearance earlier this semester.

Rick Ross, rapper and businessman, showed loved at Bethune-Cookmans' tailgate and parade

Photos by Emmanuel Fields

Parade:

Low point: It started late and was poorly organized. High point: Good bands.

Pep rally: Low point: Again, folks were late showing up to perform. Three hours late. High point: Performers were good.

Game: Low point: We lost in the fourth quarter, 37-22 High point: Halftime show

Goombay: Low point: Rain High point: Ball Greezy

Tailgate: Low point: None High points: YES.

Comedy show: Low point: Low attendance due to cost. Students are poor. High point: All funny.

Gospel Explosion:

Low point: Poor attendance High point: Fred Hammond. Need we say more.

Step show: Low point: Only 3 organizations High point: Performance by Glorilla, the rapper from Memphis.

Battle of the Flags: Low point: Cost of food. High point: Food. Entertainment.

Young Nudy performing at the pep-rally.

Glorilla performing at the Greek Step Show.

Trina performing at the pep-rally.

Nardo Wick performing at the pep-rally.

B-CU Marching Wildcats sturting in the parade.