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The Appalachian 01.23.14

Appalachian State University’s student news source since 1934

Vol. 88, No. 27

Fifteenth MLK Challenge sees record turnout

Staff Reports

wenty groups of volunteers left Legends at approximately 10 a.m. Monday to start their eight-hour day of giving back to the community in the 15th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Challenge. Participants in the challenge, organized by Appalachian and the Community Together, included 245 students, faculty and staff, as well as groups from AmeriCorps and Wingate University making this the biggest MLK Challenge to date as far as turnout, MLK Challenge Chair Rebecca Burwell said. “We served over 20 different community partners throughout the day,” Burwell said “I think it was a great opportunity to share the MLK spirit.” It was the first time AmeriCorps and Wingate University participated in the challenge with Appalachian State University. The 20 groups of volunteers signed up for the task as a way to commemorate the message of Martin Luther King Jr. The goal was to spread his message as they worked throughout the community. The groups were sent to randomly assigned sites where they worked on projects and raised money for the bonus challenge, collecting funds for Our Mother’s Garden, a transformation of current vacant land off Pop-

lar Grove Connector near the Watauga County Health Department into a community space. A total of $663.56 was raised in cash by the groups. The Appalachian visited worksites throughout the day to report on participant’s activities.

The Children’s Playhouse One group of participants volunteered at The Children’s Playhouse, a non-profit children’s museum off King Street. The Children’s Playhouse welcomes parents and their children and provides them with different activities and resources, including art supplies, toy dolls and a play veterinarian’s lab. The volunteers built a bench and wall easel for the playhouse, as well as cleaned rooms and reorganized storage units. Appalachian students have volunteered at The Children’s Playhouse during the MLK challenge for at least a decade, said Kelly Parham, one of the original founders and executive director of The Children’s Playhouse. Freshman marketing major Jacqueline Hundley was assigned to the group working at the playhouse. “I’ve always liked doing service and I never really thought about doing anything

Dana Clarke | The Appalachian

(Top) Volunteer John Marty builds and paints a window for The Children’s Playhouse of Boone. (Bottom) Junior psychology major Jenny Graham, sophomore sustainable development major Zach Ruby and junior criminal justice major Olivia Sings build and paint a bench for The Children's Playhouse of Boone.

SEE MLK PAGE 2

Obacha takes steps to help Nigerian children

Vigil held for W. Va. spill victims by Carl Blankenship Intern News Reporter

Maggie Cozens | The Appalachian

Individuals brave the cold in Durham Park for the Honoring the Waters candlelight vigil Tuesday night. The vigil was held to honor the West Virginia communities affected by the chemical spill Jan. 9.

A&E

A candlelight vigil was held at Durham Park Tuesday night to stand in solidarity with the people affected by the recent chemical spill in West Virginia, who reported adverse health effects after drinking contaminated water. The water was contaminated when a chemical leaked from a holding facility owned by Freedom Industries, a company that produces chemicals for the mining, steel and cement industries, including mountaintop removal mining, into the Elk River on Jan. 9. The leak contaminated the drinking water in the state including the water of the state’s capital of Charleston, according to The Washington Post. Six people attended the vigil that night at the bridge over the creek. A poem was read by community member Sandra Diaz followed by thoughts on the sanctity of water by attendees, and a symbolic pouring of water from a vase into the SEE VIGIL PAGE 3

SEE RESTAURANT REDESIGN PAGE 4

Sports Editor

Growing up in Nigeria, Michael Obacha often found it difficult to spend time on the basketball court. It wasn’t because he lacked skill, and it wasn’t because he was too tired. It was because he didn’t have the right

File Photo | The Appalachian

shoes. Now a sophomore forward for Appalachian State basketball, he decided this year to do everything he could to make sure that doesn’t happen to kids in his native country. “Out here, you guys are very, very fortunate with the things you guys have,” Obacha said. “I just want to find

a way to see how I can help other guys play the game they love.” He began by asking friends and family to donate new or gently used shoes, which he plans to take back to Nigeria this summer when he returns. Former Davidson basketball player and SEE OBACHA PAGE 7

Dana Clarke | The Appalachian

Sophomore forward Michael Obacha is collecting shoes to bring with him when he returns to Nigeria this summer. The goal is to collect 500 pairs of shoes and $2,500. Donations are accepted at remaining home games.

SPORTS

Photo courtesy of Jeanne Mercer-Ballard

Interior design students take on an international design project for a renowned Kenyan restaurant.

by Cory Spiers

ON THE WEB Junior forward Maryah Sydnor provides App State women's basketball with strong leadership and on-court production to lead a young Mountaineers team in their final season in the SoCon. Her recent accolades highlight how effective she has been this season.

SEE MARYAH SYDNOR PAGE 7

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Thursday, January 23, 2013

MLK

Continued From pg 1 for MLK day,” Hundley said. Appalachian Brian Estates A group of MLK Challenge participants spent their day at Appalachian Brian Estates and helped plan and host a birthday party for seniors currently residing at the independent living community for retirees in Boone. The community throws a birthday party each month for all the residents who have birthdays within that month. The volunteers were able to plan the birthday party for January, celebrating with residents turning 74 to 103 years old. The volunteers were given a $60 budget to buy party supplies, decorations and food. Many local businesses offered them tax breaks, discounts or donations. “[Martin Luther King Jr.] was about giving back to the community and that’s what we’re hoping to accomplish through this challenge,” sophomore political science major Jordann Smart said. The birthday celebration included a studentmade Jeopardy board, karaoke, music and three birthday cakes. Adrienne Sader, a graduate college student development major, is an ACT leader who helped plan the birthday party. “I think getting to see how happy the residents are and seeing the looks on the residents’ faces

was rewarding for all of us,” she said. The residents listened to an excerpt from King’s famous “I Have A Dream Speech” to commemorate the day, along with the birthday celebration. Colleen Lurie, one of Appalachian Brian Estate’s current residents, shared her memory of attending the speech in person in 1963. “It was amazing to see that many people coming together, all gathered together in one place,” Lurie said. Community Care Clinic Students were also challenged to volunteer at the Community Care Clinic, a volunteer-run organization that provides healthcare for people in Boone who cannot afford health insurance. Students assigned to the clinic spent their day giving the facility a thorough cleaning. Will Hathaway volunteers at the clinic regularly and said the help from the challenge participants was extremely valuable. “It helps us feel good about the clinic and it provides a clean environment for the patients that I believe helps bolster their spirits,” Hathaway said. Hathaway believes what the students were bringing honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy by upholding his goals, he said. “His goal was sharing within the community and contributing across lines,” Hathaway said. “This is contributing across all different

NEWS

Photos by Dana Clarke | The Appalachian

(Top) A volunteer scrubs the base boards of The Children's Playhouse of Boone. (Bottom) Freshman marketing major Jacqueline Huntley cleans mats in The Children’s Playhouse of Boone.

lines: race, education, monetary. It’s a contribution that goes deep within the community.” Grace Lutheran Ministry Builders One group of students was sent to the Hunger and Health Coalition worksite to work with Grace Lutheran Ministry Builders to prepare firewood to be given out based on need. Grace Builders was started by the Grace Lutheran Ministry whose volunteers work at the Hunger and Health Coalition year round to prepare firewood for people who cannot heat their homes. Firewood is gathered and donated from different sources in the community, said Harold Schopel, founder and leader of Grace

Builders. “I think students enjoy seeing the results of their effort,” Schopel said. Some of the students participating in the challenge operated 27 ton woodcutters, while others retrieved firewood or chopped it with an axe. “Being out in the cold all day with our warm coats and still shivering made me think about how cold it must be for people who don’t have proper heating in the winter,” freshman psychology major Madeline Keller said. Hospitality House Other students spent their day working at the new and old locations of Boone’s Hospitality House. Hospitality House

The Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com is an organization that provides temporary housing and food to people struggling with crisis, poverty and homelessness with a goal of helping them to rebuild their lives, according to their mission statement. The original site of Hospitality House, located on West King Street, is being cleaned and repaired in preparation for sale, which is what the volunteers helped with. The students in this group spent their morning off moving furniture, cleaning rooms and patching up the roof. At noon, the group moved to Hospitality House’s newer location on Brook Hollow Road where they cooked lunch and ate with residents. After lunch, the group solicited donations from local businesses to help fund the ongoing transition to the new location. ACT members Anne Mason and Jeremy Dale helped lead the Hospitality House project. “I think it’s important for students to utilize a day off by putting service forward and give their time to people in their own community” Mason said. Mason and Dale both said the day was a unique way of honoring King’s legacy. “Additionally, they get to meet new people by being put randomly into groups and earn a good night’s sleep at the end of the day,” Dale said. “They get to see what the collective group of students can achieve for themselves.”

Two Rivers Community School For the first time, a group of MLK Challenge volunteers visited the Two Rivers Community School, a public charter Kindergarten through eighth grade school with 187 students. “This year we had a couple of big projects that we needed volunteer help with,” said Jessica Gilway, the director of Two Rivers Community School. The challenge participants added layers of gravel to the school’s track and driveway and dug out the school’s drainage to improve the playground. The school partners with Appalachian State University and gets volunteers and student teachers each semester from the music, dance, theater and education departments. “We work with a number of educators in all of those different departments, each semester we have about 20 interns,” Gilway said.

F.A.R.M. Cafe Feed All Regardless of Means Cafe hosted a group of volunteers who were tasked with cleaning the restaurant. “The students [did] some of the deep cleaning that we simply can’t get to every day,” said Board of Directors member Tommy Brown. “The students are helping us do detail work that we couldn’t get to otherwise with our normal operations.” The Cafe on King Street operates off of donations for meals, but requires no standard payment for meals.

NEWS

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Thursday, January 23, 2014

Student Programs installs movie rental kiosk in student union by Laney Ruckstuhl Intern News Reporter

Appalachian State University’s Student Programs recently put Student Government Association legislation into action by installing a movie rental kiosk in Plemmons Student Union. The movie kiosk Croc Box can be found at the end of the International Hallway toward the entrance of the bookstore in Plemmons Student Union. Newly released movies can be rented for $1.99 per day with a credit card. After 60 days of being available, the price drops to $1.49 per day. SGA President Dylan Russell helped to pass the legislation allowing the kiosk written by Senator Dave Dykes. Russell said the idea was one that SGA had been discussing with Student Programs for a few years now. “I think it’s perfect for snowy days like we’re having now,” Russell said. “It’s a great alternative form of entertainment and it’s not costing the students anything to maintain.” Student Programs tried contacting larger movie rental companies initially, such as Red Box, but could not work out a contract. Jim Tarelli, the owner of the Croc Box company then contacted the

university in early 2013, said Brad Vest, associate director for union operations in Appalachian’s Department of Student Programs. Vest and Tarelli have spent the past year working out contracts and payment methods. Vest said that the Croc Box’s operation will not cost the students anything, although the university does not plan on gaining revenue through it either. The movie rental fees will go to the company, aside from a small percentage used by the school to offset its operation and utilities costs. “We’re doing this as a service to provide entertainment for students,” Vest said. Tarelli said his original concept for Croc Box was to target college campuses. In addition to Appalachian, Tarelli currently owns a box on Western Carolina University’s campus and is pending a contract with UNC-Wilmington. He has also installed two boxes in Naples, Fla., and one in Charlotte independent from universities. As of now, only standard DVD rentals are available. But Tarelli said he plans to offer select titles in Blu-Ray format starting in February and is trying to work out a way to offer some video game platforms as well. Tarelli said another one

of his goals for the future is to make payment possible through student accounts on AppCards. “It’s turning out to be more difficult than I originally thought,” Tarelli said. “A different system needs to be integrated and it’s a high cost [for the company and the University].” Tarelli said one of Croc Box’s best selling points is its promptness in offering newly released movies. “We put in new releases every Thursday, but we receive them approximately 30 days before companies like Redbox due to their agreements with movie studios that we don’t share,” Tarelli said. The box’s capacity is 700 movies total, which cycle through when new releases come in. The company offers a free mobile application as well as a weekly newsletter that can be received via email. The newsletter includes information on new releases, the week’s top ten rentals and occasional promotions. Movies can also be reserved online up to an hour ahead of time using the company’s website, crocboxmovierentals.com. “I hope it catches on and will provide entertainment to the students,” Tarelli said.

Paul Heckert | The Appalachian

Sophomore nursing major Alicia Hernandez takes a moment to look through selections at the Croc Box on Wednesday afternoon. The Croc Box located between the Solarium and Bookstore in Plemmons Student Union has been open since the start of the semester.

Vigil

The Appalachian

Continued From pg 1 creek. Appalachian Voices Water Quality Specialist Erin Savage said that even though the weather greatly limited the turnout, the vigil was still a success. “I think anytime people show support for communities in need, that is a success,” Savage said. “Mountaintop removal in West Virginia is a serious threat to public health in coal mining communities.” Diaz said that even though the spill happened in West Virginia, its effects are felt all over the country. “This happened in our country, and it’s a huge tragedy,” Diaz said. “[Three hundred thousand] people lost access to clean water for days. The chemical in question is used to clean coal, and that coal comes to places like here in North Carolina.” There were more than 50 other vigils held in 20 other states across the country Tuesday night to honor the victims of the spill.

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Thursday, January 23, 2014

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On Stage

Zephyr Lightning Bolts bring old-time music to square dance by Kelsey Hamm Intern A&E Reporter

he first square dance of the semester kicks off at Legends on Friday at 7:30 p.m. with old-time music band, the Zephyr Lightning Bolts. The Zephyr Lightning Bolts, known for blowing away the competition at North Carolina fiddler conventions, will provide students with an opportunity to learn basic square dancing moves, such as the swing and the do-si-do, while listening to traditional Appalachian music. Accompanying the band is Chapel Hill native Aaron Ratcliffe who will serve as the official caller for the band. The caller instructs the dancers about how to perform particular moves and when to execute those moves. “The Lightning Bolts have played here a couple times before, and a lot of the people that I’ve talked with in the community say that Ratcliffe is a great caller,” Tyler Peterson, APPS Heritage Council president, said. Peterson is partly responsible for bringing the band to Legends, and said he

understands why old-time music plays an important part in Appalachian mountain history. Before the university, the Appalachian mountain community would gather for dances. These dances also played a part in establishing the community of the university. Appalachian square dances, which have brought crowds of 20 to 60 people in the past, can be a more intimate experience than many of the events at Legends. Attendance by a smaller crowd allows an increased amount of interaction between the participants, and many of the attendees are able to speak personally with the band. “It’s actually really funny with a smaller crowd, especially when everyone forgets the moves,” freshman sociology major Serena Saxton said. “It’s a good laugh, and it makes us all work harder to understand what the caller is saying.” For some students, attending a square dance can contribute to the earning of classroom credit. Last semester, sophomore biology major Samuel Fritz attended the Buckstankle Boys square

Photo Courtesy of the Zephyr Lightning Bolts’ Facebook page

The Zephyr Lightning Bolts perform at HoustonFest. The Lightning Bolts will kick off this semester’s first square dance with Aaron Ratcliffe at Legends on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

dance for his Appalachian Music class and wrote a paper on the event. “Many show up and think that it will be silly, but that’s not how it is at all,” Fritz said. “These people are professionals, and they are concerned with the history of this kind of music.”

The Zephyr Lightning Bolts consists of three band members. Diane Bowen started the band and plays the banjo while her husband Steve Bowen plays the bass and sings most of the lead vocals. Their son Jacob is the band’s fiddler. All three members earned their undergraduate degrees

from Appalachian State University. The band has recorded eight albums and is currently working on their ninth album, “Poor White Folks.” Entry to the square dance is $3 for students in advance and $5 at the door for the general public.

Review

‘12 Years a Slave’ presents a powerful depiction of human triumph Director Steve McQueen’s Oscarnominated “12 Years a Slave” is not for the faint of heart. The film offers few moments of emotional respite in depicting the conditions of slavery in the antebellum American South. Inspired by actual events, Chiwetel Ejiofor plays Solomon Northup, a free man living in New York who is abducted and sold into slavery. Lupita Nyong’o acts as the resilient Patsy and Michael Fassbender makes for a terrifying, drunken slave owner. Brad Pitt, Benedict Cumberbatch and Paul Giamatti solidify a quiet A-list cast. Hollywood in general takes flak for, if not shying away from difficult depictions, glossing them over. There are no such shortcuts here. We witness brutal whippings, rape and mental breakdown. Northup is a man who struggles to remain composed in a world he never thought could be so unjust. McQueen’s two previous full-length films, “Hunger” and “Shame,” both in

which Fassbender stars, explore similarly intense subject matter. In the former, an Irish Republican organizes a hunger strike with his fellow inmates, and in the latter a sex addict in New York City painfully faces his own harmful lifestyle. However, if the intention was to simply shock, McQueen would fail in his own right. Each of these films, particularly “12 Years a Slave,” present a stark and honest realization of humanity. The scriptwriting is tight and every acting performance is cringingly believable. In the film, we are never sure who is trustworthy. A jealous slave owner’s wife sports politeness and jealousy in equal measures. Another master treats his slaves justly enough, but cannot separate himself from his life’s trade. Even when Canadian abolitionist Bass (Pitt) shows up, there is no guarantee against him secretly plotting. As such, Northup is forced to make do when every decision is clouded by doubt.

Should he follow fellow captive Clemens’ (Chris Chalk’s) advice to “tell no one who you really are and tell no one that you can read and write,” or should he seek the favor of the plantation owner in hopes of obtaining any modicum of freedom and perhaps a chance of escape? The reality of experience is messy, but McQueen’s integrity in filmmaking is refreshing. Not everyone will enjoy “12 Years a Slave,” but in my eyes it is required viewing. Such emotional maturity coupled with an experienced cast and unflinching treatment of what may be America’s greatest atrocity makes for one of the most powerful films in years. “I will not fall into despair,” insists Ejiofor as Northup. Northup’s resolve in the face of nearly unreal inhumanity is this film’s real draw. It is what brings such unlikely possibilities to life. -Sam Lineberger, Reporter

Intern

12 Years a Slave

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Feature

Appalachian State University students design on a global scale by Lovey Cooper Senior A&E Reporter

Photo courtesy of Jeanne Mercer-Ballard

Senior interior design major Brianna Martin sketches a design concept for the internationally renowned restaurant The Carnivore in Nairobi, Kenya. Students are waiting on feedback for their designs in hope that one is chosen.

Following a semester of work, a group of students in the interior design major are awaiting feedback on their visual concepts for the remodeling of internationally acclaimed restaurant The Carnivore, located in Nairobi, Kenya. Jeanne Mercer-Ballard, associate professor in the Department of Technology and Environmental Design, teaches a course in global design and relations. Mercer-Ballard usually works with real companies and real information for fictional design projects. “Students need to learn not only how to deal with international clients, but how to think about appropriating culture in design and spaces and being sensitive to that,” Mercer-Ballard said. While researching new ideas at the start of last semester, Appalachian alumna Michelle McMillan, a former student of Mercer-Ballard’s, proposed a real project with Planning Interiors Limited, where she now works full time in Nairobi. The task was to freshen up the 30-year-old design and decor of a world-famous restaurant and tourist destination, keeping its African flair while avoiding cliches. “If you’ve gone to Nairobi,

you’ve gone to The Carnivore,” Mercer-Ballard said. “It’s just one of those places.” The collaboration helps support Planning Interior’s mission to bring the best of Kenyan interior design to the world, McMillan said. “This opportunity allows us to bring our experience, passion, and expertise to future interior designers,” she said. Throughout the semester, the students studied the culture and history of the region, bringing in the help of professors from the history and communication departments to address issues of awareness in conversation and the Department of Theatre and Dance for ideas about fabrics and uniforms. Based on their studies, each of the 21 students developed their own conceptual idea and designed their vision for the restaurant in-depth, down to details on bathroom fixtures and seating patterns. “We had a lot to do, everything inside – the gut work,” Brianna Martin, senior interior design major, said. Her linear concept, based on the restaurant’s iconic barbecue grill, drew from cultural influences as well as the restaurant’s classic image. “It was really cool to explore their culture and identify the differences so we could adapt our design style to their culture.”

Communicating over Skype, the two groups were able to provide feedback throughout the design process. “I believe the language of design transcends the boundaries of both spoken and written languages, and both cultural and physical borders,” McMillan said. “Interior design is a universal language and a global community.” Alongside this business connection also came a personal one. In September 2013, gunmen attacked a mall in Nairobi, where one of the clients had been just days before. “It gave us the chance to have this conversation about having a client in an emergency situation, and it gave us a real connection to that international story on the TV,” Mercer-Ballard said. “It wasn’t something that we planned for, but it’s something you have to stop and think about.” For now, the students are awaiting feedback on their designs, in hopes that one gets chosen for the remodeling project. While there is no set deadline for construction as of yet, the company is reviewing each piece of student work as a real option. “Hopefully we’ll see that this was more than just a good exercise for our students to work on an iconic project, and to have the story that it actually did get executed,” Mercer-Ballard said.

Opinion Thursday, January 23, 2014

The Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com

Staff Opinion

Fee increases are inevitable in light of state policy, athletics move intended to cover new AppalCART routes and changes to residence halls. I think any reasonable person can see that it is often necessary to pay more in order to get the benefit of increased services. But we should examine the factors that have lead to this fee increase to see if they are actually necessary, and warrant the cost. Athletics is one such factor, which is contributing to the increase in the form of athletics and athletic facilities debt services, according to a breakdown of the fee increases. The combined increase for these purposes is $66 of the total $531. It is understandable that we

Kevin Griffin Opinion Writer

Few students, even those who attend relatively low-cost institutions such as Appalachian State University, would like to see the costs of college rise. Unfortunately, cuts to the university have necessitated some changes. Appalachian’s Board of Trustees voted Dec. 13 to raise the university’s fees by $531 for in-state, oncampus students, according to an article in The Appalachian. The additional fees are

would incur additional costs given that we are moving into the Sun Belt this year. For all the benefits that will come from this move, there will also be costs, including the $600,000 Appalachian must pay for leaving the Southern Conference, according to the March 26, 2013, edition of The Appalachian. The costs of entering the Sun Belt is $1 million, according to the News & Observer. Additionally, the athletic budget is set to increase from $16 million to $20 million, according to the News & Observer. Overall, I believe the added prestige that moving into the conference would give us does

justify this move. Athletic Director Charlie Cobb has said that the costs for the change will be paid for in a number of ways, including Sun Belt revenue sharing, ticket price increases, fund raising, as well as the increases in student fees, according to the News & Observer. When taken in the context of the fee increase, the cost is relatively small. The $66 of fee increases going to athletics are relatively small in comparison to the $531 in total fee increases. At the same time we should be careful to see that there is accountability in how the money is spent. Both athletes and the ath-

letic program should be examined to ensure that we only spend as much as we need to for the program. Right now, I do not believe we have much of a problem. Any change in conference would require some additional contributions and the ones called for in so far have been fairly modest. As we move further in the conference change process, we should be mindful to see that the costs to the university are reasonable and do not place an unnecessary burden on students. Griffin, a sophomore journalism major from Madison, is an opinion writer.

Editorial Cartoon

Andrew Cox | Editorial Cartoonist

Staff Opinion

Teenagers should not be sentenced to life in prison for murder adults, because they have not reached adult maturity. The issue is whether or not this ruling affects young killers who were sentenced before June 2012. Up until this point, first-degree murderers between the ages of 13 and 17 were automatically sentenced to life without parole if found guilty. Because the ruling did not specify whether or not previously convicted offenders would be affected, some defendants have been granted new sentences while others have not. Cathy Marcum, assistant professor in the Department of Government and Justice Studies, supports the change in legislation and believes that each individual’s case should be reviewed and considered based on the circumstances. “While the crimes that these juveniles committed were very serious, it is important to remember that the brain of a

Erica Badenchini Opinion Writer

North Carolina judges are trying to decide if inmates who are serving life sentences for murders they committed as teenagers should be given a chance at parole after 25 years, according to the Fayetteville Observer. Minors should not be expected to serve life sentences without parole eligibility. A June 2012 U.S. Supreme Court ruling referred to as Miller vs. Alabama prevented offenders under the age of 18 from being sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the U.S. The court decided that it is unconstitutional to sentence teenage killers as

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juvenile is not fully developed until age 23, 24,” she said. “These individuals are more likely to make irrational, impulsive decisions compared to an adult.” I certainly agree with Marcum, particularly in cases in which the defendant was affiliated with the crime, but was not the actual killer. Miller vs. Alabama made sure that individuals in such situations would be eligible for parole after 25 years, according to the Fayetteville Observer. I definitely think that those convicted before the ruling should have their cases reviewed, as well. Jefferson Holcomb, an associate professor in the Department of Government and Justice Studies, noted the difference between making someone eligible for parole and releasing them from prison. “There may be inmates who committed terrible acts but

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eventually deserve consideration for release after serving a meaningful prison sentence for their crimes,” he said. “The fact that these were juveniles when they committed their original crimes may further justify consideration at some future time.” At the time of the Miller vs. Alabama ruling, 88 defendants were in prison in North Carolina for crimes they committed as teenagers. These defendants should have the opportunity to have their cases heard by a judge. The decision of whether to make them eligible for parole should be made on a case-bycase basis, but in many situations juveniles do not have the discretion that adults have. Inmates who show remorse and are not likely to murder again should at least be able to have their voices heard. Holcomb was not surprised that the legislation change re-

Our Mission The Appalachian, a student-run publication at Appalachian State University, strives to provide fair and accurate news for the campus community; to inform, entertain and create a forum for ideas; to provide an outlet for readers’ opinions; to be a champion for student, faculty, staff and community interests; and to remain independent, exercise and ensure its First Amendment rights.

quired parole consideration only after the offender served 25 years in prison, he said. “While that will never be enough for some people, especially victims’ families, it still represents a significant punishment…it does not mean they will actually be released,” Holcomb said. It is important to take into consideration the severity of the crime and the impact on the victims’ families, but it is also important to understand that the parole eligibility does not mean the inmate is automatically released from prison. I certainly hope that the legislation change will apply to those convicted before June 2012, and that inmates who show remorse will have the opportunity to apply for parole in the future. Badenchini, a freshman journalism major from Apex, is an opinion writer.

Letters to the Editor The Appalachian welcomes Letters to the Editor. Letters should be 250 words or less and include the author’s name, ASU Box, phone number, classification and campus affiliation, if any. Although we are unable to acknowledge those letters we cannot publish, we appreciate the interest and value the views of those who take the time to send us their comments. Letters should be submitted electronically via our Web site or e-mail. Letters may also be mailed to “Letter to the Editor,” The Appalachian, ASU Box 9025, Boone, N.C. 28608. Letters may also be brought to the newsroom, located on the second floor of Plemmons Student Union.

APP NEWS

Thursday, January 23, 2013

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Official University News & Announcements

To submit your campus events or announcements, please email it at least two weeks in advance to dycheab@appstate.edu. Submissions should be 100 words or fewer, and include the event title, time, date, location and cost, any registration deadlines or other pertinent information, and contact information (email, phone and/or URL). Announcements will be edited as needed and will run as space allows.

Meeting Notes

A Service of the Division of Student Development

Flu vaccinations department open house River Room motion, 12 Varsity Gym, The peak flu season is hours during the event. or email Joseph HamSend copy to Directorhouse of Student for Student Involvement February, soDavid it’s W. notFreeman, too Open is aPublications, way for Center Academic Achieve-and Leadership, acher at hamacherjk@ second floor, Plemmons Student Union, or e-mail:students freemandw@appstate.edu. late to get vaccinated. The prospective to ment Series email.appstate.edu. All flu vaccination is recom- meet faculty, current Presented by Universi- participants must com‘Gasland’ Sustainability film and ty Housing. All events are plete a health history mended as thenext healthy, graduate students, of computer sciencep.m. at Carnegie Mellon University was young adult population is learn more about avail- held 5:30-6:30 in form and have itwho turned “GASLAND”, the next Sustainability Film Series presentation dying of pancreatic cancer. On Sept. 18, 2007, he stepped in the group most financial room 114 of Belk Library. into Health Promotion will be shown Aprilseriously 23 at 7 p.m. able in theprograms, I.G. Greer Auditorium. of an 27: audience 400 people at Carnegie UniThe screening will be free and open to the public. school, front affected this year. aid for graduate • Jan. “Justof Give before startingMellon the chalversity to deliver a last lecture called “Really Achieving Your Flu shots students fellowshipsinvestigation and scholarA Reason: Building lenge. “Gasland”, an for award winning documentary into Me Childhood Dreams.” His lecture has become a phenomenon are available without ships, admissions. Positive Relationships the truth about environmental impacts of hydraulic fractur- and the inspiration for this event. an Active Bystander ing, appointment called “fracking,”inforthe natural gas. Filmmaker Josh Fox with Faculty” presented Homegrown on May 1 Student Clinic, Housing options Thomas MuellerFilm Festival Intervention Trainembarks onHealth this journey after being asked to lease his land by for drilling. Gasland was an OSCAR nominee in 2011 for The 8-11:30 a.m. and 12:30program • Jan. 28: “Gone, Gone, Aings Homegrown Film Festival: Celebration of Sustainability Best Documentary. This film is hosted by the Sustainable in the High Countrythe will be held MayHosted 1, 7-8:30by p.m., Parkway 3:30 p.m. Monday-FriThe program will pro- Gone: Making Most theinRed Flag Development program. Ballroom, Room 420ExperiPlemmonsCampaign, Student Union. event is day (and Wednesdays vide information about of Your Academic theThe trainings free and theSearch” public. Refreshments will be provided. starting at Sustainability 9 a.m.). Cost: on- ences in open Your to Job are an opportunity for The spring Film how Seriestois reapply designed for to raise Sustainability are growing strongto in the High about Coun$11. Students mayenvironmental also campus and presented byendeavors Jessica Long students learn awareness of current issues housing and help provide where shareHold a richUs: historyinterpersonal, of working together to ensure choose toEach receive about off-campus Jan. 29:you “Can’t dating and solutions. film their will beflu followed by afinding panel discussion with •try, that your mountain region will forever be a wonderful place local activists, community leaders, academics and students Combing Your Passions sexual violence. Individshots at several of the lorental housing. to call home. The Homegrown Film Festival celebrates some whocommunity will answer questions wayswho of personally cal pharma-and discuss Students plan to with Undergraduate Re- uals who participate in of these efforts through a series of eight mini-documentaries, getting involvedwhere on local, national and international levels. cies in Boone their move off-campus will search” presented by and thisorganizations, training leave with a each spotlighting local people including: insurances might be pro- Film learn about being an N. Jordan and Rahman better understanding of The fourth annual Sustainability Series continues January 350 Boone (climate change); Appalachian Mountain Brewery cessed. consumer The as Tashakkori to intervene, deflect 29 with films focusing on issuesinformed relating to sustainability. (small business sustainability); how ASU Office of Sustainability Department of Geology, Belk Library, Appalachian Popular they venture into the (campus sustainability); Biophilicand/or stop(sustainability perpetraArt Installation Programming Society (APPS), and the Office of SustainabilClub presidents housing market. Each art); Winter Olympic (land tion protection); before it Blue happens. Blue Ridge Conservancy Ridge ity sponsor the series. ‘Thank one-hour you’ to the series’ generous Women in Agriculture (sustainable Grandfather meeting program is Challenge Theagriculture); trainings will be held sponsors. Foundation tourism); The meeting for club identical; presentations Mountain The Stewardship Winter Olym7-9(sustainable p.m. Jan. 28, Feb. and 10, National Committee for the New River (water protection). Atpresidents will be held have been scheduled at pic Challenge, held Jan. Feb. 27 and March 12. ‘Girls on the Run 5k’ set for May 4 tend for film, food andincenfun. Representatives offor many oftrainthese 5-7 p.m. Jan. 23 in the various times over sev27-Feb. 21, is an A location the Registration is open for the ZAP Fitness Girls on the Run 5K organizations will be on hand to tell more about their work and Parkway months to facilitate campaign hosted by ings is TBA and will be to be heldBallroom, on May 4 atPlem10 a.m. eral The non-competitive run will tive how you can support it. This event is hosted by participants mons Student Union. studentKidd schedules and Health Promotion for announced at http:// begin at Appalachian State University’s Brewer Football in the Sustainable Development course Outreach Skills for The meeting is mandatomaximize the number of faculty and staff. The goal redflag.appstate.edu. stadium and follow a mostly flat course through campus. Sustainability, including students and instructor Laura England ry forevent all club presidents. students reached. the campaign is to help The is sponsored by Appalachian’s Blue Cross and of (englandle@appstate.edu). ABlue makeup meeting will Institute For more information, Wellness workShield of North Carolina for Health and Hu- motivate participants and Tom Moore 5Kwith planned man Services. ThisJan. is the27, first time that the 5Kruschkp@apis open to the teammates be held 5-7 p.m. contact to stick shops for May 4 public as a community event since Girls on or the Run of the New Table Rock, Plemmons pstate.edu 828-262Counseling The 8thYear’s Annualresolutions Tom Moore 5K The Run/Walk will takeCenter place High Country started in 2009. Director Saturday, May 4, at the Boone Greenway“Feelin’ Burnley-Clawson Student Union. 8284. Mary Sheryl Horine and increase amounts of presents Good in explains, “This is such a fun and energetic event; issues we wanted Park. If particpants register before May 1, the event will Learn about re- personal physical activ-on orthe Neighborhood!” welltoGraduate be able to share it with the larger community. We’ve be $15. thehelp day ofofthe event ness it will beworkshop $20. There will be a programs lated to both on and kept off- ity withOnthe four series. the registration fee very low hoping that kids, families and pasta dinner at F.A.R.M Café Friday, May 3, from 6-8 p.m. for The Graduate School campus housing, includ- teammates. Competitors Extra credit slips will be Appalachian students will want to join us and get active on a early packet pick-up. This will be a pay as you can donation will haveSaturday contactspring tables ing timelines, be divided into teams made available. For more beautiful morning.” To register,procedures please visit will dinner to contribute to the Tom Moore 5K event as well as help at the Student Union 11 for obtaining housing, of five, a captain, co- information, call 262http://gotr.appstate.edu/5K Anyone under the age of 14 will F.A.R.Mwith Café in their mission. Registration on the day of the a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. to cost, location, utilities, and team3180 to promptly counseling. need a running buddy23 to register and run with them. Regis- captain event will beginthree at 8 a.m., and the 5K or willgo start at 9 promote Appalachian’s choic- mates named of reg- t-shirts appstate.edu. tration fees are $15 and includeleases, a T-shirtroommate if fees are received a.m. There will beaslong-sleeve available to those who Graduate to ones,beetc. All programs Eachon team • Ask a Question/Save by April 17.Programs Registration will also accepted on the dayare of istration. have registered a firstwill come, first serve, basis. After the the eventstudents. starting at In 8 a.m. to the will compete campus ad- In addition one-hour andrun, willthere be held against other a Life: Suicide race, there will be a raffle with lots of fun prizes andPrevenrefreshalso beto warm-up activities, station, an Student art table, teams dition graduate schoola happy in hair Plemmons involved, the tion 11:30 a.m.ments. Parking will and be available at theTraining, Burnley-Clawson Lot. visits from Yosef and the Appalachian staff, current graduate Union. cheerleading team three teams with the 1 p.m. Jan. 30, Rough Tom Moore, of Boone, was diagnosed with Huntington’s disand food provided by Earth Fare, •Chili’s Bread. students will be available Jan.and 24,Panera at noon in highest points Ridge, Plemmons Stuease (HD)amount 10 yearsof ago. Huntington’s Disease is a hereditary, For more information on this event or volunteering for Girls on to talk about what gradu- New River Room will place as gold, silver dent Union degenerative brain disorder for which currently there is no the Run, please Mary ate student lifevisit at www.gotr.appstate.edu Appa• Jan. 28,oratcontact 11 a.m. in and bronze. • Cultivating Self Love Sheryl Horine at Appalachian’s Institute for Health and Hu- cure. HD slowly diminishes the affected individual’s ability to lachian is like. Many of New River Room To talk register, callSomeone 262- with on Valentine’s Day,rely 7:30walk, and reason. HD will eventually on man Services at 828-252-7557 or horinems@appstate.edu. the programs will hold • Feb. 3, at noon in New 6314, stop by Health 8:30 p.m. Feb. 12, Three family members for his orProher care. Huntington’s Disease does

ACT to sponsor May event

not affect just one person, but a whole family and community.

2014

JANUARY

Appalachian & the Community Together (ACT) at Appalachian State University will sponsor an International ASE May Break event May 13-28, in Thailand and Ghana. Sign up now in the new ACT Outreach Center located in Plemmons Student Union. A $500 deposit and your ID is required. The Appalachian Popular Programming Society (APPS) Films Council is pleased to announce its remaining schedule for the Spring 2013 semester. Our Popular Film Series at I.G. Greer SuperCinema will feature some of the most acclaimed movies of the awards season, as well as a blockbuster or two, and a few gems that are not as well known. The CinemaVintage series in the Greenbriar theater will start out creepy, reflect some dystopian tendencies, then veer off toward the tales of unruly ghosts and science run amok. Show times are listed with the schedule and as always, admission is still only $1. Here’s what APPS Films is bringing: IG Greer SuperCinema Popular Film Series: (All Showings at 7 and 9:30 p.m., except where otherwise noted; Admission $1.) April 18-20 - Rise of the Guardians; April 25-27 - Hansel and Gretel Witch Hunters (Show times TBD); May 2-4 - Warm Bodies. Greenbriar Theater CinemaVintage Series: (All showings at 7 p.m.; Admission $1.); April 17 and 19 - The Fox and the Hound (‘81); April 24 and 26 - Cinderella (’50); May 1 and 3 - The Nightmare Before Christmas (‘93) * denotes showings on Wednesday and Thursday. All titles, dates and show times are subject to change. If you would like to have some input on what movies are brought to campus, the APPS Films council meets at 5 p.m. Thursdays in the Rhododendron Room of the Plemmons Student Union. If you would like to suggest a film for viewing on campus, APPS Films can make arrangements for you to come to a meeting and make a case for it to be shown.

24th Morgan Lecture Series to start

The 24th anniversary of the Morgan Lecture Series in the Sciences, sponsored by the Morgan Committee, in cooperation with the College of Arts & Sciences and the University Forum Committee, announces the second Morgan Lecturer, Harold McGee, will be on campus Wednesday, April 24, to deliver a public lecture, The Chemistry of Food and Cooking. McGee is a noted journalist“Daisy’s” who specializes in explaining the chemistry of food and cooking to the public. He is author of screening and the Q&A the bestselling book, “On Food and Cooking: Science and Lore of the Kitchen.” McGee’s public lecture will be at 7 p.m. with director, writer in I.G. Greer Auditorium.

sunday

monday

Plemmons Student Union. It will be catered by Casa Rustica One out of every 10,000 Americans has HD. After the onset of and an RSVP is required to attend. The Last Lecture is an the disease someone usually only lives for 10-20 more years. opportunity for selected faculty to tell the world what they’ve The younger you are when onset occurs, the faster the disease had on their mind and what they would say if this were their progresses. The Huntington’s disease Society of America is a “Last Lecture.” The campus community is invited to attend at non-profit agency dedicated to finding a cure. They are here no cost, but reservations are required and will be approved as support, guidance and a resources to families, friends and on a first-come/first-served basis. With our limited seating, those with HD. All of the proceeds from this event will go to please consider making your reservation today. To RSVP for this event, please visit http://housing.appstate.edu/lastlecture. the society for research. “The Fifth Carbon Diox“The Fifth You will receive a confirmation email and mailed tickets to your For more information or to register for the event, screening, go to campus Estate” 7 ide Emissions Caraddress prior to the event. Estate” screening, 5k.appstate.edu. p.m. and 9:30 p.m., tography talk, 1:45 7 p.m. and 9:30

tuesday

APPS Films ready for spring showings

and actor Ciera

Lastly, the committee is finalizing a visit to ASU by Dr. Jerry Danielle Parrack, 8 Coyne, Professor of Biology at the University of Chicago on p.m., Schaefer Cen- by the Thursday, May 2. Dr. Coyne is being co-sponsored Departments of Biology, Geology ter, freeand the External Grants Program from the UFC. He is the author of a textbook on speciation and evolution, and the bestselling book, “Why Evolution is True,” which is also the title of his extremely popular blog on science, reason, and religion. Dr. Coyne will give a scientific presentation on speciation (his research specialty) at 12:30 p.m. in Room 183, Rankin Science West. Dr. Coyne will also give a public lecture on The Relationship between Science, Religion and the Acceptance of Evolutionary Theory in the United States, at 7 p.m., in the Blue Ridge Ballroom, Plemmons Student Union.

Faculty Last Lecture set for April 22 The Faculty Last Lecture will be held April 22 at 6 p.m. Nominations are being collected from students for the Last Lecture.

We will extend the invitation to speak at the Last Lecture event, which includes dinner catered by Casa Rustica, to two faculty members who have the most nominations. These invitations will go out to nominated faculty the first week of April. The Faculty Last lecture is an event based on the book The Last Lecture, written by Randy Paush. Paush was a professor

Top Mountain, Plem- that celebrates these mons Student Union marks and the ways they • Mindful Eating: Make have changed over time peace with what’s on and space in a series of your plate, 4-5 p.m. Feb. discussions and perfor26, Three Top the Mounabout NAPSA to provide campus mances community with athe newAfriweb tain, Plemmons Studentcalled can, American, based resiliency program CU African Thrive. All currently enrolled to take part Diaspora in this exciting Union ASU students are eligible and African exopportunity! program, students will • Sex in By theutilizing Dark: the Ev-CU Thrive perience. have access you’ve to a large been database of helpful information. CU erything Thrive articles, videos, other information afraid offers to ask will be an- courses, Tax and assistance that will help students adjust to campus life, stayand healthy, swered, 6-7 p.m. March Students, staff facenhance study skills, and build relationships. And this is just 3, Three Top Moun- ulty may use myfreetaxes. a quick sampling of the types of topics covered by CU Thrive! tain, Plemmons Student com/appstate to prepare You can set up your own accountand todaye-file using your App State Union federal and username and password. Simply visit www.appstate.cuthrive. • Tips for Managing state income tax returns. com/ for more information. A The The first 80service studentsiswho sign up March “Madness”: available for an account will automatically win a free t-shirt! Any quesStress Reduction Work- immediately and users tions or comments may be directed to Mary Cantrell via email shop, 8-9 p.m. March can e-file as early as Jan. at mc74237@appstate.edu. 18, Three Top Moun- 31. Act hosting 2nd annual Farm tain, Out Plemmons Student In addition, App isDay proUnion viding IRS-sponsored In celebration of Earth Week, ACT OUT is hosting its second • Getting Out Facilitated Self-Assisannual Farm Day Aprilof20the from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to help local sustainable such as to Moretz’s Mountain Orchard, Horse Happinessfarms, Trap: How tance (FSA), in which Helpers, House, and Foggy Likelyvolunteers Farm. For more Accept Spring Disappointment trained will information and to register for the pleasetovisit the ACT in the Pursuit of Your beevent, available guide usOutreach Center Plemmons Student Union.the TransportaHappy, 3-4 p.m.in April 9, ers through process tion and from the farms will beand provided. Lunch questions. will also be Newto River Room, Plemanswer provided at each farm. mons Student Union In-person assistance will Operation • ScreeningMedicine of Life- beCabinet availableplanned 5-7 p.m. time’s “Call Me Crazy” Tuesday and Wednesday Operation Medicine Cabinet will take place April 19, from 11 Filmtowith Brittany evenings, Feb. 4-April a.m. 2 p.m. This is Snow a time for a spring cleaning on your & Love iscabinet. Louder, 6-8:30 Medicine 15 (closed during medicine Operation Cabinet gives spring you an environmentally safeBeacon method of disposal of outdated, unused p.m. April 28, break) in room 21014 of and unwanted over-the-counter and prescription syHeights Room, Plem- Raley Hall. No drugs, appointringes and otherUnion medical supplies. Any mons Student ment is prescription necessary. or over the counter drugs will be accepted, For no questions asked.about Clean questions outExchanging your medicine cabinet of outdated/unused prescription and Counthis service, call 262over-the-counter meds. Bring to Plemmons Student Union try Marks: A Forum 6228 or email hofmanFriday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. near info desk. If you Celebrating African nma@appstate.edu. miss this collection, participate in the Watauga County collecandonAfricana commution May 4 fromStudies 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. atAdditional the following locations: The fourth annual nity-wide free tax 421/ asFood Lion - Hwy 321 near WalMart; Food Lion - Hwy meeting will be held Feb. sistance with the VITA Old Hwy 421; Food Lion - Blowing Rock; Foscoe Fire Dept 3-27 105). in Plemmons Stu- are program available with (by (Hwy These collections held in is coordination dent Union. Traditionally appointment only) at Watauga County Sanitation Department’s Household Hazardous Waste marks Collectionsignify Day, Saturday, May 4, fromlocations: 9 a.m. to country the following 2 p.m at the County Landfill. Items include:Public paint, cultural andWatauga ethnic simiWatauga County household niCad lead3-6 acidp.m. batteries (car larities orbatteries, economic, so-batteries, Library, Fridays, batteries), antifreeze, ethylene fluid, solid and cial, political, racial and gasoline, and 9 lighter a.m.-noon Saturliquid pesticides, oxidizers, used days; oils, household cleaners and gender differences. They Watauga County fluorescent lights. tradition Senior Center, 9 a.m.-4 also signify University ‘Last Lecture” and custom. Housing “Exchang- hosts p.m. Tuesdays; and Westing Country Marks” is a toern Watauga Community University Housing is pleased present the “Last Lecture.” multidisciplinary forum on22Mondays. This banquet-style event will be Center held April at 6 p.m. in the

wednesday

thursday

‘Persepolis’ discussion April I.G. 30 Greer, $1

friday

saturday

APPS’ annual Spring Fling

p.m., Rankin p.m.,Society, I.G. Greer, The Appalachian PopularScience Programming APPS, $1 will A discussion of the film and graphic novel, “Persepolis,” will be host its annual Friday from noon to 4 p.m. on West, Spring roomFling 293,onfree held April 30 at 6 p.m. in Room 114, Belk Library. Admission Duck Poind Field. There will be inflatables, henna tattoos, tie The Fox Fire conis free and open to the public. dye, a DJ Foam & Paint Party, food and fun!! And it’s all for free.

cert, 9 p.m., “The Fifth Estate” Students, faculty and community members are invited to readLegthe graphic novel “Persepolis.” The library has placed copies ends, $4 advance, $6 screening, 7 p.m. of the book on 24-hour reserve. There will be a showing of the Belk Library is sponsoring its “Through My Eyes” photography door 9:30easy! p.m., I.G. It is really Take an awesome Belk Library photofilm “Persepolis” Tuesday, April 23, at 6:30 p.m. at the library. contest. and graph. Upload it to Instagram and tag it #BelkLibraryContest. Greer, $1 Both the book and the film will be discussed afterwards. Make sure your app is set to allow public posting of photos. “Persepolis” is a 2007 animated film based on Marjane Sa- Go to Edit Your Profile, and turn “photos are private” to off. The trapi’s autobiographical graphic novel of the same name. The winning “Dr. snapshot will will a $50 University Bookstore gift card. Strangelove” film received numerous awards including being a co-winner of Have fun and be creative! Show us a feature that you love or 7 p.m., the Jury Prize at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival. It was also a part of screening, the library that is special to you. Here are some ideas nominated for many awards including a Academy Award for to get you Greenbriar Vintage going: Belk Library in the spring; Get collaborative Best Animated Feature. The story follows a young girl as she in a group study room; Find the library’s best keep secrets; eater, $1 comes of age against the backdrop of the Iranian Revolution. Relax in Th the Fox Reading Room; Go digital in the Digital Media The film will be introduced by Dr. Renee Scherlen, who Studio; and, Find your inner child in the Instructional Materials The public is encouraged will also lead discussion on the film and book following the Center. Square Dance w/ the to enter the Belk Library My Eyes contest often by tagging multiple Instragram showing. Dr. Scherlen is a professor of political science at ThroughZephyr Lightning Appalachian State University; comparative politics, foreign photos with the hashtag #BelkLibraryContest. The snapshot can include a few words a single line caption. The library’s Bolts & callerorAaron policy, international politics, and gender are among her areas public relations committee will choose the winning snapshot. of specialization. Ratcliffe, 7:30 p.m., The contest will officially end on April 28. The contest winner The event is presented by ASU Library in conjunction with will be notified Legends, students, via an$3 Instagram comment from the Belk Library the ASU Humanities Council and the Muslim Students As- Instagram account. The winner must respond with their email $5 public sociation, with support from the National Endowment for the address in order to be eligible to receive the book store gift Humanities (NEH) program. This is the fourth in a series of certificate. The photographs must obey all laws, including programs that compose the 2013 Bridging Cultures, Muslim applicable copyright and privacy laws. Journeys Program.

‘Through My Eyes’ contest at Belk

Muslim students to31host conversation 30 1

Filmmakers Vincent Paronnaud and Marjane Satrapi colstudents from the Muslim“Carrie” Student Association will laborated to co-write and co-direct of Satrapi’s A panel of “Lolita” Make Your this adaptation “Carrie” bestselling autobiographical graphic novel detailing the trials host a conversation with first-year seminar faculty, interested screening, p.m., andscreening, OwnIranian CoffeegirlMug, 7 p.m., 7 p.m.,disUniversity community 7members Summer Reading faced by an outspoken who findsscreening, her unique atcussion leaders regarding the summer reading selection for titude and outlook11 ona.m.-4 life repeatedly challenged during the Greenbriar Vintage p.m., I.G. Greer, $1 I.G. Greer, $1 2013-2014, American Dervish, by Ayad Akhtar. The panel Islamic Revolution. ThApril eater,23$1 Plemmons Student will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. in Tater Hill (Room 155), The Guardian described the film as “superbly elegant” and Plemmons Student Union. The University is privileged to Union, free Corey Smith congoes on to note: “Persepolis gives us the sheer pleasure of host this author and highlight his work. He was just awarded “Carrie” screening, cert, 9fiction: p.m.,aLegends, narrative, rarely found in modern cinema or indeed a Pulitzer Prize for his stage drama, Disgraced. This panel of gripping story of what it is like to grow from a lonely imaginative 7 p.m.,students I.G. Greer, ARTSpectrum Lec- $15 advance, $20 diverse Muslim will introduce topics related to Islam child into an adult, and to find this internal tumult matched by and Muslim-American identity. It will provide a good beginning $1 ture Series: Orna door geo-political upheaval.” to initial thoughts about teaching American Dervish and leading Bentor, Artist GalFor more information contact Allan Scherlen, Belk Library, discussions surrounding it. The student panel will be moderated by Dr. Samuel Avery-Quinn. Dr. Avery-Quinn earned atscherlnag@appstate.edu. lery Talk, 6:30 p.m., his PhD in Anthropology from UT Knoxville, his Master’s in Turchin Center, free Religious Studies from the University of Denver, and his BA Today’s college students face unique challenges that when from the University of Tennessee. combined, can negatively impact their overall success. In “Lolita” screening, order to succeed, students must find ways to successfully 7 p.m., Greenbriar juggle their academic studies with their social life and financial The fourth annual Blue Mountain Documentary Festival will responsibilities, among many other life stressors! This balanc- present the best student documentary projects on campus Vintage Theater, $1 ing act would cause anyone’s anxiety and stress level to rise. Thursday, April 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. in Belk Library Room 114. The event is free and open to the public. The festival highlights The American College Health Association’s National College audio and video documentaries created by currently enrolled Bombadil concert, Health Assessment found in their 2001 survey that 30 perstudents at Appalachian State University. Subjects for the short cent of college students reported feeling 9 p.m., Legends, $4so depressed that it films range from local artists and Olympic wrestling to marwas “difficult to function” at some point during the past year. riage equality. Winners will be announced at the festival. The advance, $6 door Depression can lead to lethargy, irritability, social isolation, Blue Mountain Student Documentary Festival is sponsored by and disturbances in eating and sleeping cycles. It takes a University Documentary Film Services. Light refreshments will concerted campus effort to adequately address issues such be provided. For more information please contact Tom Hansell as depression and the ways that it impacts our students. at University Documentary Film Services, 828-262-7730 or In response, ASU’s Counseling Center has teamed with hansellts@appstate.edu.

CU Thrive program for ASU students

4th Blue Mountain Festival tonight

Sports Thursday, January 23, 2014

The Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com

Football

Four Mountaineers make Freshman All-America Team

by Nick Joyner

Senior Sports Reporter

our Appalachian State players were named to the College Sports Journal 2013 NCAA Division I FCS Freshman All-America Team. Running back Marcus Cox, tight end Barrett Burns, linebacker John Law and punter Bentlee Critcher were all recognized as first-team freshmen, according to the journal. The four selections from App State is the most among FCS programs this season. In one of the most impressive freshman performances in App State football history, true freshman Cox was also selected as runner-up for the 2013 Jerry Rice Award, which goes to the FCS freshman of the year. Cox ran for 1,250 yards and earned 1,809 yards from scrimmage and 21 total touchdowns. Tight end Burns caught 22 passes for 205 yards. Both of those marks ranked him fifth and seventh on the team in those respective categories. Freshman punter Critcher set both App State and Southern Conference records by averaging 45.9 yards per punt. The yardage mark put Critcher as the leading punter in the SoCon. Redshirt freshman inside linebacker

Marcus Cox

Paul Heckert | The Appalachian

Bentlee Critcher

Keith Cline | App State Sports

Law ended his 2013 campaign with 71 tackles and three interceptions, which tied him for the SoCon lead. Law sat out his first year due to injury. This was the last season App State

Barrett Burns

John Law

will play in both the Southern Conference and Division I FCS, as the program moves to the Sun Belt Conference beginning next season. App State opens up the 2014 season

Keith Cline | App State Sports

Photo courtesy of App State Athletics

at “The Big House” to take on Michigan University on Aug. 30. It will be the first time the two programs have met since the 2007 upset in which the Mountaineers defeated the Wolverines 34-32.

Women’s Basketball

Women’s basketball looks to Maryah Sydnor for leadership by Jess Lyons Sports Reporter

by Cory Spiers Sports Editor

Appalachian State’s Maryah Sydnor has been blowing up for the women’s basketball team this year, and has been named the most recent SoCon player of the week, as well as studentathlete of the week for the week of Jan. 12. Sydnor is a junior from Radford, Va., and is currently the most-played member of the team with 172 minutes this season. Not only is Sydnor the most consistently played member of the team, but she has also been the top scorer for the Mountaineers in 14 out of the 17 games played. Sydnor leads the team in overall points this season with a personal total of 346. “Maryah is just our leader in every direction possible for us,” head coach Darcie Vincent said. “She’s so strong academically and she’s obviously the best player on our team.” Sydnor has been a powerhouse for the Mountaineers since the start of her career at Appalachian. In Sydnor’s freshman year she appeared in all 34 games and started two of them. She was named SoCon freshman of the year and led the

Mountaineers in scoring in six games. In her sophomore year, Sydnor played in all 31 games and started 29 of them. She was awarded multiple SoCon titles and was 13th in the NCAA for free-throws. She also ended as the fifth-highest scorer in the SoCon. Sydnor has also been named SoCon player of the week during all three seasons she has played at App State, and received the title twice as a sophomore. “We lost so much to graduation in numbers and leadership that it was basically [Kelsey] Sharkey’s, [Anna Freeman’s], and [Courtney Freeman’s] team for so long and all of a sudden they’re just gone, and you can’t ever really prepare for that,” Vincent said. “But, I think Maryah is, right now, the strongest she’s ever been as a leader and this is her team.” Sydnor has been given the primary leadership role for the Mountaineers this season because of the strengths she possesses on and off the court, Vincent said. She has played in all 17 games this season and has started 16 of them. Sydnor currently averages 34.7 minutes and 20.4 points per game. “I pretty much want to do the best I can in whatever the team needs from us at that time

whether it be scoring, rebounding or getting a stop,” Sydnor said. “I just want to be the goto player, and that’s what really my focus is: doing whatever the team needs at that time.” Sydnor scored 29 total points when the Mountaineers took on Lees-McRae earlier in the season, her single-game seasonhigh. Along with her position as the top scorer and leader to her coach, Sydnor is also looked up to by many of the younger players on the team. “She does it all,” sophomore guard and forward Bria Huffman said. “Sometimes we don’t even recognize what she does at the end of a game because we just expect her to do it, but we really appreciate her. She scores, she gives us steals, she rebounds and she’s averaging like a double-double. She got 20 points and 14 rebounds the other night so she just does it all for us and she’s a big contributor to this team.” With such a young team behind her, Sydnor has stepped up into a new leadership role that she has filled almost naturally. Although Sydnor still has another season to play with the Mountaineers, this is the team’s last season in the SoCon, and the pressure will be on to lead the team in the last 11 games.

Maggie Cozens | The Appalachian

Junior forward Maryah Sydnor was named SoCon player of the week by the league office Tuesday. Sydnor scored 27 points Saturday, leading the Mountaineers to the victory over UNCG.

Men’s Basketball OBACHA

FROM PAGE 1

File Photo | The Appalachian

Senior forward Michael Obacha shoots a layup over a Georgia Southern defender earlier this season. Obacha is collecting new and gently used shoes at the five remaining home games to bring with him to Nigeria this summer.

Nigeria native, Andrew Lovedale, started a similar drive in 2009 and also founded the Access 2 Success Foundation, which helps provide charitable services to the people of Nigeria. Lovedale contacted Obacha in December and offered to help with the drive. Now, shoes will be accepted at all remaining Mountaineer home games at the northwest and southwest entrances of the Holmes Convocation Center and monetary donations will be accepted via the Access 2 Success website to help cover the $5 cost of shipping for each pair of shoes. The Mountaineers’ players are always quick to recognize how beneficial it is to have a player like Obacha. “If we don’t have something, he’s always the first to offer,” junior guard Tab Hamilton said. “He will always get his last just for somebody else’s happiness. It’s good to have a teammate like that.” Fourth-year head coach Jason Capel said it is a coach’s dream to have a player like Obacha.

On the court, Obacha has been very consistent, appearing in all 18 games for App State and starting 16. He averages 26.7 minutes per game, 8.9 rebounds per game and scores 5.9 points per game - a mark that ranks him sixth on the team. “Obacha is a kid that is everything you want out of a student athlete,” Capel said. “He’s going to give you maximum effort on the court, he’s going to do well in the classroom and the biggest thing is he cares about other people, he cares about his teammates and he cares about the community.” The drive’s ultimate goal is 500 pairs of shoes and $2,500. To date, the drive has received approximately 60 pairs of shoes with five home games remaining. Regardless of the final number of shoes or money, Obacha said he will reach the goal he set for himself long ago. “My parents taught me since I was a kid that it’s not always about you,” Obacha said. “My goal is I just want to make someone smile, just bring joy to people - that’s my motivation.” Fans interested in learning more about the shoe drive can contact Ryan Bower, associate sports information director, at bowerrp@appstate.edu.

The Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com

Thursday, January 23, 2014

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