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April 20, 2021
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We Remember 32.
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PAGE 2 April 20, 2021
Americans must understand stock market apps before using them Trading apps offer users new perspectives on the stock market, though these apps are not perfect.
In 2011, a movement named Occupy Wall Street gained force. Disenchanted with the economic disparity between wealthy and poor Americans, protesters marched and camped in Wall Street’s Financial District for two months. It was a sensational occurrence that took up news headlines and disrupted daily grinds, but in the long-term, ultimately lacked substance. It seemed to solidify the fact that the wealthy will continue to line their pockets regardless of the effects and anger of the working class. In 2021, very few people imagined events in the first months of this year caused by the pandemic would strike fear into the hearts of hedge funds and banks alike, achieving the economical toll Occupy Wall Street couldn’t — even fewer would predict that this virtual revolution would be carried out within retail stock market apps. However, their availability begs the question: will these apps settle the ongoing power imbalance between corporations and consumers, or have they commoditized stocks in a way that will further harm the average user and benefit the exploiter? About a decade into the 21st century, trading apps such as Robinhood were introduced to the public, and skyrocketed in popularity because of features like direct deposit and no trading fees. Such innovations magnified the ease and accessibility of trading to millions of people who would otherwise have no interest in or knowledge of the market. However, these conveniences leave small-time, inexperienced investors susceptible to more personalized and hasty
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exploitation. Thomas Reilly, a Virginia Tech economics professor, points out how the accessibility of retail apps can be a double-edged sword. Small-time, normal investors can participate more in trading; however, because they lack experience, random stock market fluctuation can become normal, sometimes contributing to significant money losses on either side of the class collective. “With these apps, people can trade options and know nothing about those options,” Reilly said. “But if you want the market to be more accessible, you have to let people actively participate.” His view was emphasized during the stock market standoff we saw at the beginning of this year. In this case, the COVID-19 pandemic led to increased participation through online apps during this time, particularly among small-time investors. Even if you didn’t participate by trading the targeted stocks — GameStop, BlackBerry and AMC Entertainment to name a few — slogans like “To the Moon” and tweets by Elon Musk certainly caught your eye. In January, hedge funds bet low on such companies’ future stock values, but Reddit users colluded to bid high and short the stock. With rapidly increasing prices, hedge funds were forced to buy back the stock at ridiculous numbers; GameStop’s value skyrocketed 1,900%, while BlackBerry hit a record nine-year high. The rub here is that none of these stocks had any particular reason to explode other than disenchanted, everyday citizens purposefully inflating the prices as a way
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COVID-19 UPDATE Over 21% of the Virginia population is fully vaccinated pg. 3
to stick it to the man. Subsequently, hedge funds lost billions of dollars and panicked, which caused these apps to limit the number of shares users could buy. Many users, including myself, logged onto the market and were met with restrictions on certain trades, and some couldn’t access the market at all. Small-term investors underestimated the manipulation of the market, just as corporations underestimated the will of the people. Robinhood, the biggest app for online trading, didn’t execute trades directly; they sold them to high frequency firms. All the short squeezes –– when stocks are forced higher –– meant these firms were losing money and in turn, they relied on the apps to cut off any more room for artificial inflation. From a platform promising to cater to the less financially devoted, its users’ feelings of betrayal and anger were understandable. Big banks and hedge funds were manipulating small investors for years, but the moment the little guy had the advantage, things were swiftly ended. The COVID-19 pandemic and economic stressors most definitely contributed to the move against Wall Street, but anger and frustration between low-to-normal wage workers and high earners had actually been building for a long time. “Adjusting for inflation, the bottom 50% of wage-earners have seen no difference (in wages) for 30 years… they don’t have $500 in the bank for emergencies,” Reilly said. Consistent inequality between economic classes, coupled with the financial desperation that many feel permanently stuck in,
led to a perfect January storm bred through volatility of the stock market. The tactic used by Reddit users and small traders was revolutionary. It’s satisfying to see justice occur, especially against an entity that’s seen as invincible. Retail trading apps allowed for it to happen as rapidly and chaotically as it did, which attests to their positive side; maybe they will allow an equal bridge between the stock market and everyday people after all. However, potential users must remember that they’re dealing with something that won’t just hurt the big man’s pockets, but their own as well. “Many students who have never seen a down market tell me they don’t want to be saddled with student loan debt, and think the apps are a quick way to make easy money,” Reilly said. “Desperation can be a bigger motivation than anything else.” I find the stock market itself hard to support, solely due to the exploitation and advantageous nature of all things financial. As the fiasco in January showed us, trading apps provide an unprecedented platform to the previously exploited, as they help address class inequality and increase financial literacy. The experiences and lessons you can learn from accessible investments are valuable in maintaining good financial health — but be careful that it’s not something that will leave you in a bigger hole than you were trying to get out of.
TARANA SADR • junior • political science
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April 20, 2021 PAGE 3
VTVCARE Honoring survivors and families on Remembrance. Day pg. 4
New River Valley COVID-19 updates
There are over 1,300 new COVID-19 cases in Virginia, yet over 21% of its population is fully vaccinated as of April 14. BRYAN ZAPATA news writer
Editor’s note: The information regarding COVID-19 was collected on April 14 and is subject to change. The New River Valley has confirmed 35 new COVID-19 cases as of April 14. By April 14 the total number of cases in the New River Valley region was 15,618 with a weekly average of 30 cases. Total fatalities are 205. The New River Valley Task Public Health Task Force has developed information sheets for the general public to use. These sheets contain information on how to make vaccine appointments, the Virginia COVID-19 call center
information, COVID-19 facts and data on the case count in the New River Valley Region. The Virginia Department of Health reported 1,310 new cases, 28 hospitalizations and 14 new deaths related to COVID-19 as of April 14. The positivity rate in the commonwealth is currently at 6.1%. Since the start of the outbreak, Virginia has had 636,862 cases by (April 14). Of these cases from April 14, 496,623 have been confirmed by testing. 140,239 are probable cases, meaning a patient who shows symptoms is diagnosed without testing. Virginia’s total number of COVID19-related hospitalizations is 52,808 as of March 11. The total death count
state wide is 10,486, with 8,794 of those cases being confirmed and 1,692 being probable cases. In Virginia, 36.6% of the population has received at least one vaccine, and 21.3% is fully vaccinated. Hampton Roads and the Tidewater region have reported a total of 249 cases April 14, making up 19% of the daily increase statewide. According to the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, 1,046 residents in Virginia are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 as of this writing. This number consists of positive COVID-19 patients and hospitalized patients with COVID-19 symptoms with test results still pending. In response to the surge in cases,
hospitals have increased the use of ventilators by 29%. ICU occupancy is at 78% with COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients. 942 ICU surge beds have been put into place to limit the congestion of hospitals. Average COVID-19 vaccine administration in Virginia by day is 75,029 doses as of April 14. As of April 12, 931,908 of total vaccines administered have been through hospitals.
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Virginia Tech alum wins Whiting Award for poetry Xandria Phillips is one of 10 winners to receive a $50,000 prize aimed to allow writers to focus full-time on their work. ADIAH GHOLSTON news editor
Virginia Tech alum Xandria Phillips has won the 2021 Whiting Award for poetry. They are one of 10 people selected to win this award for the year of 2021. Whiting Award winners receive a $50,000 prize aimed at allowing emerging writers to focus full-time on their work. Since 1985, many Whiting Award winners have moved on to receive other prestigious prizes, such as Don Mee Choi, whose poetry “DMZ Colony” won the 2020 National Book Award. The selection committee praised Phillips’ poems, writing that they “revel in brevity and lushness . . . (and) feel revolutionary: formally superb, but with a constant tilting of expectation in image and phrase.” Phillips’ poetry has been published in places such as the American Poetry Review, Poets.org, Black War rior Review, Crazyhorse and more. Their chapbook “Reasons for Smoking”
won the 2016 Seattle Review chapbook contest judged by Claudia Rankine. Phillips received a Lambda Literary Award for their first book, “Hull,” which explores the “emotional impacts of colonialism and racism on the Black queer body and the present-day emotional impacts of enslavement in urban, rural, and international settings,” according to the book’s description. They are currently working on a non f ict ion m a nusc r ipt t it le d “P resenting as Blue/Aspi r ing to Green,” about color theory, gender and modes of making. Phillips is a 2017 Virginia Tech Creative Writing MFA graduate.
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Lifestyles
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WE REMEMBER 32 Honor the 32 names of the April 16 victims pg. 5
Victim-to-Victim Care: Honoring survivors and families through a continuum of care on this year’s Remembrance Day
An organization founded by Joseph Samaha continues to support Blacksburg and families of victims of other national mass shootings. MOLLY DYE & OLIVIA FERRARE lifestyles editors
On the news, we hear constant coverage of the plethora of mass shootings that take place across America. After the immediate relief and national mourning, many forget about the families affected by mass shootings who continue to grieve years after their losses. Joseph Samaha, father of Reema Samaha, a victim of the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting, founded Victim-to -Victim Fa m ily Outreach Foundation (VTV) in 2009 along with other families and victims to address and advocate for campus safety. The advisory board of VTV is made up of surviving family members of those lost on April 16. “As we hear of the recurrence of mass shootings, we brace ourselves and understand what lies ahead for those impacted,” Samaha said. “Our hearts break, but we need to focus and prepare to assist in their recovery.” VTV’s two-fold mission began with campus safety initiatives through the VTV Family Outreach Foundation and has since phased into providing continued support and relief to families affected by mass shootings through VTVCare. Whether it be group therapy or financial resources, VTVCare is dedicated to funding and supporting a continuum of care for victims of mass shootings and their families. “The need to respond and find purpose to honor and remember our 32 Hokies and professors that were tragically lost, as well as 24 injured survivors, was at the forefront of our movement and mission,” Samaha said. “Members and supporters of VTVCare advocate for a continuum of
care for mass shooting victims across the country. From our collective experiences, we have found that there are three important phases that victim-survivors endure from day one: Response, Recovery and Resilience. The three R’s can last over a lifetime for those physically and psychologically traumatized.” Fina ncia lly, V T VCa re provides money that covers any trauma-related care and fees that are not covered by insurance. “Over a period of the last 12 years, members of the collective VTV families and survivors have been reimbursed approximately $600,000 for out-ofpocket expenses that insurance did not cover,” Samaha said. “These are not taxpayer dollars, but (are) reimbursed through the Virginia Criminal Injuries C om p en s a t ion F u n d. V T VC a r e, through its endowment fund, emulates this unique donor assistance to those with long-term needs.” Apart from the endowment fund, VTVCare also provides consultation services from professional trauma-informed specialists on its Advisory Care Council. VTV additionally routinely organizes remembrance events and activities such as the VTV Gran Fondo cycling event in which all proceeds have gone toward improving school safety and assisting victims of mass shooting violence. Providing this assistance has been essential to affected victims and families as they navigate the journey to coping with trauma. “(Families and victims) don’t realize that the journey (to recovery) is just starting and it’s going to go until the end of their lives,” Samaha said. “It’s not about learning how to deal with it, it’s learning how to cope and survive.
ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES The April 16 tragedy memorial in front of Burruss Hall, April 16, 2021.
But there are ways to do that through seeking help.” Since its founding in 2009, VTV has made significant legislative progress in protecting affected individuals and taking proactive steps to stop further disasters. Financed by a federal grant, VTV created the 32 National Campus Safety Initiative which is a free, confidential and self-paced online self-assessment program that looks at key areas of campus safety. Using this new resource, colleges and universities can better assess themselves across nine important areas including campus public safety, hazing, mental health, missing students, sexual violence and much more. This program is being implemented in high schools and college campuses across the country and provides a safe and effective way for student safety to take priority in school administrations. V T V a d d it iona l ly for ef r ont e d
securing the passage of the Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act in 2013, which updated federal campus sexual violence prevention and response guidelines, placing more emphasis on victim safety and health. The organization strives to keep support and protection at the heart of its actions as it adapts to new practices, unexpected costs and the politicized nature of mass shooting violence. An integral part of VTV’s current initiative is the Crisis Response Team (CRT). The CRT consists of VTV staff and family members who provide assistance to the victims of mass school violence. The team received responder t r a i n i ng t h r oug h t he Nat iona l Organization for Victim Assistance to offer stand-by support and assistance in trauma reduction for victims and families. continued on page 5
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continued from page 4
CRT members take their experiences working through tragedies to help others in need. Since the April 16 tragedy, VTV’s CRT members have offered assistance to victims of mass shootings throughout the United States, including Chardon High School (Ohio), Northern Illinois University (Illinois), Aurora Century 16 movie t heater (Colorado), Sa ndy Hook Elementa r y School (Connecticut), Umpqua Community College (Oregon) and Pulse nightclub (Florida). In terms of future goals, Samaha
hopes to grow VTVCare’s endowment to $1 million, as this will help serve even more groups of people affected by tragedy who can receive care. Additionally, VTVCare aims to form a coalition of those not often thought of when it comes to healing after a shooting; many first responders and emergency medical staff experience intense psychological trauma that should be properly addressed and treated. Understanding how this trauma can affect many of our nation’s most important workforces is necessary to help those impacted after tragedy. VTVCa re was bor n from the
community of Blacksburg and evolved to aid those all over the country. To learn more and support VTVCare, visit its website, Instagram and Facebook and sign up for the monthly newsletter which features articles written by the VTVCare Advisory Care Counsel. Samaha emphasized the importance of donations as a way to help VTVCare grow its endowment fund and be able to provide care to victims and families of mass shooting violence. Additionally, those in the Blacksburg community who have been impacted by mass shooting violence and may need financial help or support can fill
out VTVCare’s “I Need Help” form on its website. “What we want to do is bring peace to people who have experienced this t rauma,” Sama ha said. “Healing from April 16 is not something that happens organically – – it ta kes time, support, and professional and financial resources to cope and help heal. We don’t heal in isolation, but in community. VTVCare can assist with a path forward.”
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We Remember 32
Below are the names of the 32 victims who died on April 16, 2007. Ross A. Alameddine
Caitlin Millar Hammaren
G.V. Loganathan
Michael Steven Pohle, Jr.
Christopher James Bishop
Jeremy Michael Herbstritt
Partahi Mamora Halomoan Lumbantoruan
Julia Kathleen Pryde
Brian R. Bluhm
Rachael Elizabeth Hill
Mary Karen Read Lauren Ashley McCain
Ryan Christopher Clark
Emily Jane Hilscher
Reema Joseph Samaha Daniel Patrick O’Neil
Austin Michelle Cloyd
Jarrett Lee Lane
Waleed Mohamed Shaalan Juan Ramon Ortiz-Ortiz
Jocelyne Couture-Nowak
Matthew Joseph La Porte
Leslie Geraldine Sherman Minal Hiralal Panchal
Kevin P. Granata
Henry J. Lee (Henh Ly)
Maxine Shelly Turner Daniel Alejandro Perez Cueva
Matthew Gregory Gwaltney
Liviu Librescu
Nicole Regina White Erin Nicole Peterson
ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES The 2019 memorial service in remembrance for April 16, 2007 when 32 lives lost, April 17, 2019.
ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES The 2019 memorial service in remembrance for April 16, 2007 when 32 lives lost, April 17, 2019.
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MEET THE STAFF
HEY HOKIE FAMILIES! Looking for a special way to congratulate your graduating student? Surprise them with a "Goodbye Grad" note in the Commencement issue, which will be distributed at the various commencement ceremonies! Visit https://buff.ly/2X2YjXT to learn more!
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April 20, 2021 PAGE 7
HOKIE DRAFT PROSPECTS CONT. Darrisaw, Deablo and. Herbert pg. 8
HOKIES HEADED TO THE NFL DRAFT Caleb Farley and Christian Darrisaw are a few Hokie players among the expected first-round picks.
Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley (3) celebrates following the Hokies’ 42–35 victory over the Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium, Oct. 5, 2019. LOGAN MACDONALD sports staff writer
In roughly three weeks from now, from April 29 to May 1, the NFL Draft will be underway in Cleveland, Ohio. Virginia Tech has a long history of producing NFL talent with legends like Michael Vick, Antonio Freeman, DeAngelo Hall and the NFL all-time sack leader Bruce Smith. The Hokies’ most recent NFL Draft stars have been the Edmunds brothers, both of whom were drafted in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. With the 2021 NFL Draft coming soon, the Hokies once again will be represented by a handful of NFL hopefuls who look to take their Hokie legacy with them into stardom. Four different Hokies this year are pretty safe bets to be drafted and they all provide a
different skill set. Cornerback Caleb Farley and offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw are expected to be the first pair of Hokies to be drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft since 2018. Meanwhile, strong safety Divine Deablo and running back Khalil Herbert will be mid-round steals for any team willing to invest in their skill sets. With four Virginia Tech players leaguebound in just a few weeks, let’s break down each prospect and what they bring to the scouting report. Caleb Farley, CB Farley has just about every physical trait that makes a defensive backs coach salivate. When it comes to scouting cornerbacks, both size and speed hold premium value when teams make their big boards. Luckily for Farley, he has both. Farley is 6’2” and
207 pounds, and a video recently released by NFL insider Adam Schefter shows him running a blazing 4.28-second 40-yard dash. For some comparison, future NFL Hall of Famer Patrick Peterson ran a 4.34 40 time and one of the NFL’s fastest cornerbacks, Denzel Ward, ran a 4.32. That kind of speed at the CB position is near impossible to find, especially for a prospect of his size. It isn’t just Farley’s athleticism that makes him special; he also has the best ball skills of all corners expected to go in the first round. In just two seasons, Farley hauled in six interceptions and recorded 19 pass deflections. Meanwhile, the cornerback expected to go first in this year’s draft, Patrick Surtain II, had just four interceptions in his three seasons at Alabama. Farley does a magnificent job jumping passing lanes and is always looking to stick his hands in to make a play
ANISHA KOHLI / COLLEGIATE TIMES
on the ball. While Farley’s instincts and aggressiveness on passes generate a lot of turnovers, it also happens to be his biggest fault. Several times as a Hokie, Farley had his instincts play against him as he was often susceptible to biting and getting burned by double moves. Additionally, while Farley has the fluidity in his hip flips to change direction fast and mirror receivers in coverage, his route recognition is slightly lacking. This causes him to sometimes be a step behind the receiver and end up having to use his speed to stay in the receiver’s pocket. Farley’s excellent length and well-timed punches when jamming make him very disruptive at the receivers’ release points. He also has the length and size to win hand fights at the catch point when handling contested pass plays. Despite his physicality
PAGE 8 April 20, 2021
collegiatetimes.com when having to hold blocks for extended periods. Nonetheless, he should be a lock to be drafted in the first round and start as an offensive tackle for a team needing edge protection.
ANISHA KOHLI / COLLEGIATE TIMES Chamarri Conner (22) and Divine Deablo (17) take down the UVA ball carrier, Nov. 29, 2019.
at the catch point and in press coverage, Farley lacks physicality when defending the run and combines poor pursuit angles with inconsistent tackling ability. In high school, Farley played quarterback before coming to Virginia Tech and switched to the defensive side of the game to the cornerback position. His injury history and lack of experience at the position provide concerns about his readiness to start immediately in the NFL, but his ball skills and physical intangibles provide a high-ceiling prospect. Farley will be a work in progress at the next level as he learns to balance his aggressiveness on passing lanes with discipline, becomes a more willing tackler and gains experience at the position. Nonetheless, the ceiling is high for Farley and he should be a first-round pick in just a few weeks. Christian Darrisaw, OT Darrisaw has all the tools needed to be able to shut down both speed rushes around the edge and bull rushes right through his frame. With a very smooth side shuffle that also possesses great lateral quickness, Darrisaw has the ability to mirror edge rushers looking to outrun him. Meanwhile, he has an anchored and flexible lower body that stands its ground against bull rush moves. He is very bendy as a blocker and is very rarely off-balance as his stability and pad level at the block point are impeccable. In the run game, Darrisaw has the speed and power to take defenders out of the play in a hurry. Essentially, he provides the perfect
mix of hand strength, lateral quickness, bend, balance and hip fluidity to make any block needed. Where Darrisaw falls short is a mix of motor, hand placement and reach. Frequently on film, it seems as if Darrisaw plays a bit short-armed and lets defenders into his frame too often. It almost seems as if, instead of engaging in a block, he’s catching the defender and just impeding their progress. Additionally, his punches are occasionally low, and on a couple of instances when watching film, it seems his hand placement was almost closer to the defender’s stomach than their chest. When this happens, it allows edge rushers to keep him at an arm’s length,throw off his blocks and have greater control at the point of attack. Darrisaw’s biggest weakness,however, is his effort level. First and foremost, he often quits on the block too early. Several times on film, Darrisaw won initially by shutting down the rusher’s first move, but then disengaged too early and allowed the rusher to go unblocked as a result. Furthermore, he often seemed a bit lackadaisical on the second level and looked lost in space when climbing to the linebackers. There were more than a few occasions where he was caught looking around for a defender while they made the tackle right by him. Darrisaw is another Hokie who provides a prospect with a high ceiling due to his athleticism and natural ability, but a raw prospect due to his technical shortcomings. He is an excellent run blocker and solid pass blocker whose weaknesses show most
Khalil Herbert, RB The bright spot of the offense this season, Herbert was in Heisman contention for much of the season due to his electrifying backfield play. At 5’9” and 212 pounds, Herbert has a compact and powerful frame perfect to make tacklers bounce right off him. The reason for Herbert’s success is primarily his vision and burst. Herbert excels when the blocks in front of him are well executed and he can hit running lanes with speed. While his combination of speed, vision, power and build make him a very talented runner in a zone run scheme, there’s more to be desired in his twitch, agility and passing game production. Herbert’s change of direction is good enough for him to excel as a “one cut back” and make the cuts needed to hit open lanes in the run game. However, when the blocks break down and defenders enter the backfield in a hurry, Herbert’s lack of twitch and agility hinder his ability to bounce out and escape. Additionally, while Herbert is an adept pass blocker, he had just 10 catches the entire season for the Hokies and doesn’t provide much value as a pass-catcher. His vision and speed do provide him with value in the screen game, but his inability to run many routes out of the backfield will certainly hurt his draft stock. Herbert provides the straight-line speed, frame and vision to be a great one cut back and take advantage of a good offensive line at the next level. Additionally, while his agility and twitch don’t allow him much ability to escape a broken backfield, his straight-line speed is sufficient enough to beat defenders to the edge to some extent. Herbert should be a solid running back at the next level on early downs if he’s put on a team with plus run blocking and not asked to do much on passing downs. Expect him to be a rotational and complimentary back on the next level and a round three to five pick come draft time. Divine Deablo, Strong Safety Divine Deablo has imposing size for the safety position that promises to bring physicality to an NFL defense. At 6’3’’ and 226 pounds, Deablo has the ability to cover big tight ends who would typically be matchup nightmares for other defensive backs. Deablo’s size gives him positional utility as well, as he also excels at playing as a hybrid linebacker down in the box.
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Deablo gets wide at the tackle point and wraps up well to take the ball carrier down effectively. In the run game, Deablo shoots through gaps and puts his head into the crowd as a willing tackler. He also brings power at the release point for tight ends and receivers, using his hands and frame with power to disrupt route releases. In the passing game, he plays aggressively on the ball in the air and undercuts routes with great ball skills. However, he is a bit late in his reaction at times and takes some time to gain traction downfield. Deablo is not slow by any means, but lacks twitch and burst to change direction suddenly in the open field. His route recognition could also use work in order to stay in phase with receivers throughout their route tree. Keanu Neal is the best NFL comparison to Deablo. With intimidating size, physicality at the route release point and also in the running game, and encouraging ball skills, Deablo provides a versatile strong safety and hybrid linebacker prospect at the next level. Just don’t expect him to match up with shifty wideouts in the slot or be a single high safety. He should provide value as a day three sleeper pick with a draft ceiling of late round three and a floor of late round six. Conclusion This Hokie draft class is full of potential with high ceiling prospects across the board. Farley and Darrisaw lead a class that should provide solid prospects to any team looking for Virginia Tech talent on their NFL roster. Losing these players is certainly disheartening for the Hokies football team for next season, but every extra player who represents Virginia Tech in the NFL is just more fuel for Hokie pride.
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