University of the Cumberlands Student Newspaper Fall 2024
Issue 5
December 10, 2024 Inside A2 A3 A4
Article Continuation Lifestyle Entertainment
Lifestyle
Entertainment
The Christmas Story
Women’s Basketball Christmas Crossword
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Sleighing Finals Sweater Weather Snacks
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We Bid You Good-bye! 2024 Recap
BY: NICHOLAS JACKSON STAFF WRITER
PHOTO BY HANNAH PHILLIPS
As 2024 nears its close, the world has witnessed a year of thrilling sports victories, captivating pop culture moments, and intense political events. From historic Olympics performances to a Super Bowl comeback and a fiercely contested U.S. presidential election, here’s a breakdown of this year’s most defining stories. The Paris Summer Olympics showcased athletic excellence, bringing together nations in a global sports celebration. The Games were filled with historic performances. Caeleb Dressel dominated the swimming pool and set multiple world records. Team USA continued its tradition of strength, but Kenya’s distance runners and Jamaica’s sprinters also captured attention with impressive victories. A new face, Stephen Nedoroscik, took over the Pommel Horse and, later, the dance floor where he was featured in Dancing with the Stars. We additionally saw Yusef Dikec take over the Olympic Shooting world and even some rather interesting dancing in the first and only ever Olympic Breakdancing competition. The Olympics celebrated athleticism and reflected rich cultural history, making
Paris a perfect backdrop for these international feats. The 2024 UEFA Champions League Final at Wembley Stadium in London was a European football spectacle of passion and intensity. Real Madrid claimed their 15th European title after defeating Borussia Dortmund 2-0. The match was a tactical masterclass, with Madrid’s experience shining through against the German side, who had hoped to claim their first-ever Champions League trophy. Madrid’s dominance in the competition remains unmatched, cementing their legacy as the most successful club in European history. Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas was a game for the age of American football. The Kansas City Chiefs staged a dramatic comeback to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles 31-28, clinching their second title in four years. Patrick Mahomes, named Super Bowl MVP, threw for over 300 yards and led the Chiefs’ offense with poise, even after suffering an injury during the game. The halftime show, featuring Rihanna, added to the spectacle, making this Super Bowl one of the most memorable in recent history. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce became the most talked-about couple of 2024 off the field.
Their relationship began quietly in 2023 and took center stage in the media in 2024. As Kelce continued attracting attention on the football field, Swift’s presence in Chief’s games stadiums caused a media frenzy. Their relationship was more than just a Love Story—it became a cultural phenomenon that blended the worlds of music and sports. Fans followed their every move, speculating about the influence of their high-profile romance on Kelce’s game performances and Swift’s music. 2024 was also an impactful year on the big screens. February 2024 started strong with Timothee Chaletmet and Zendaya in the release of “Dune 2,” a powerful sequel where we follow Paul Artredies as he goes on a revenge drive against the conspirators who destroyed his family. We had an incredible slate of movies with Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling in “The Fall Guy” released in May; in June, “Inside-Out” 2 tugged at heartstrings, as the film followed main character, Riley, as she continued to develop new and intense emotions. Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman starred in “Deadpool 3,” a hilarious but profound film that followed Wade Wilson as he tried to hold his world together. The 2024 U.S. Presidential Election was one of the most polarizing in American history, with the candidates’ contrasting visions for the country reflected in every debate. Key issues such as immigration, healthcare, abortion rights, and foreign policy occupied the discourse. Throughout the election, though, the Democratic Party faced setbacks as President-Elect Biden dropped out and VP Kamala Harris took over the campaign. After strong campaigns from each party, which notably included Donald Trump taking a bullet, it was former President Trump who came out with the victory across the nation. As 2024 closes, it is clear that this has been a year of significant milestones in sports, entertainment, and political developments. The stories of triumph and adversity in the Olympics and the presidential race have shaped global narrative.
Christmas at the Cumberlands BY: SYDNEY SCHWENKE
Featuring Eric Gabbard and Kaylee Burke
faculty soloist, Sharon McGinley. Music professors Dr. Tara Warfield and Dr. Jeff Smoak STAFF WRITER facilitated and organize the annual concert. Dr. Jeff Smoak started the tradition seven years ago. Since then, the extravaganza has been a success, growing each year. Dr. Smoak said, “It’s the kickoff of the Christmas season here at Cumberlands and also in our little itty-bitty town of Williamsburg.” UC senior and music education major, Eric Gabbard, stated, “I love Christmas, and I love Christmas at the Cumberlands.” Gabbard claimed that the atmosphere is “immaculate with all the decorations and lights up.” He added that “it’s a lot of work on the production side of it” for the music department students and staff, “but it’s worth it to see people PHOTO BY BRITTANY SMITH enjoy it and celebrate Christ when we perform.” University of the Cumberlands’ music UC’s Kaylee Burke is also a music educaprogram celebrates this year’s accomplishments tion major who will be graduating next May. and the holiday season season. Graduating senior She said, “Christmas at the CumberKaylee Burke noted, “It [The Christmas at the Cum- lands is a big deal for me. Since I’m going to berlands concert] shows off what we’ve done. We be a teacher. I take into consideration some celebrate Jesus and make some good music, too.” of these kids that are in band and choir, some Christmas at the Cumberlands is a musical tra- of them don’t have the same Christmas tradition that involves every single ensemble in ditions that other families have. Sometimes, the music department, including the Jazz, Per- this is all they have, so it’s nice to all gather tocussion, Trumpet, and Flute Ensembles, Cum- gether and perform for hundreds of people.” berland Voices, Chorale, Concert Band, and a While celebrating the end of the semester and the
beginning of the Christmas season, Dr. Smoak and Mrs. Dr. Tara Warfield also honor students like Gabbard and Burke, who are graduating and beginning careers. Dr. Smoak and Mrs. Dr. Warfield echo the idea that their success as professors has always been their students. Dr Smoak said that students like Gabbard and Burke, who are music education students, have so many hoops that they have to jump through in order to get to student teaching. Smoak described the way he and other faculty prepare their students for their futures, saying, “We have them set their own objectives as to what they want to get out of the degree and then lay the groundwork to help them achieve them. Then they have to have the self-motivating desire to get through all of those hoops.” Eric Gabbard graduates in May of 2025. After graduation, he hopes to move to Georgetown, Kentucky in July. He said, “I’m getting married to my fiancée, who’s already graduated from here, and we plan on teaching together.” Gabbard appreciated UC’s music program which he said “Has been really great building me up towards becoming a music teacher.” He credits the majority of his success to classes and additional conversations with Dr. Smoak, Mrs. Sudduth, and Mrs. Dr. Warfield.
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SEE CHRISTMAS AT UC, PAGE A2