Mental Health | 5
Opinion | 6
Religion | 6
Lifestyle | 7
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December 11, 2024 Collegedale, Tennessee
Southern Accent
Vol. 80 Issue 11
The student voice since 1926
Deck the streets: Collegedale Christmas Parade returns
Children cheer at the Collegedale Christmas Parade. Sunday Dec. 8, 2024 (Photo by Shengzhe Zhao)
Anaya Parker Reporter The Christmas spirit returned to Collegedale on Sunday as the city’s Christmas Parade marched through the campus of Southern Adventist University. The event started at 3 p.m. and lasted about an hour, with a lively crowd cheering on the sidelines as the parade went down the road. The parade route started at the Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists and followed University Drive to Brock Hall. It involved several schools, businesses, scout groups, first responders and local and state political representatives, among them Collegedale Mayor Morty Lloyd.
One of the largest schools to participate was Ooltewah High School, which brought several performing groups. The high school band was one of the groups at the front of the parade. “I found the parade to be absolutely astounding and exciting,” said Thien-An Le, a freshman theology major. “I just love music, and the band made a fine touch to the parade.” According to Christina Clark, parks and recreation supervisor for the City of Collegedale, around 50 local businesses and groups participated, including gold sponsors McKee Foods and Morning Pointe Senior Living. Other participants were C&M Disposal, which featured
the Grinch riding on a trash bin; and Wright Pediatric Dentistry, which showcased a tractor towing a VW Beetle. Most participating groups handed out treats—from candy canes to Little Debbie snack cakes—to attendees. One of the grinches in the parade spotted a little girl dressed in a Grinch costume and came over to hand her candy. The many smiling faces in the crowd fueled the festive atmosphere. “I think that sitting here has made me realize how fun it is to just smile and wave and [appreciate] the joy it brings to see people walking around with [cheerful faces],” said Skyler Pankey, a junior automotive service management major.
The Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department appeared at the end of the parade with several fire engines honking their horns and flashing lights. “I really, really enjoyed it,” said Hannah Mortenson, a senior business management major. “I particularly enjoyed the Mr. and Mrs. Claus on top of the fire truck. She [Mrs. Claus] was so, so cute and absolutely beautiful, overall, it was a great parade.” The parade was founded in 1999 by Steve Ray, who runs a tire service and repair shop in Ooltewah, and was an annual event for nearly two decades. However, according to a 2023 Accent article, Ray transferred responsibility for the parade to the City of Collegedale in 2019.
Shortly thereafter, the city was forced to cancel the event due to COVID-19 restrictions. In the 2023 Accent article, Clark said the city had difficulty finding a suitable parade route for several years and closing Little Debbie Parkway, Ooltewah-Ringgold Road or Apison Pike proved too disruptive to businesses and traffic. However, this year the City of Collegedale Commission asked Southern to host the event, he explained. City Manager Wayon Hines said he believed the logistics of running the parade through campus would prove safer and more practical for the entire See PARADE on page 2
Nearly 100 students move Students debate SA President Edvan Benitez's leadership to Mountain Cottages Allisa Flores Reporter Southern’s Reflection Pointe residents are moving back to campus to occupy the university’s Mountain Cottages apartments, located on Bear Mountain Loop. According to Marty Hamilton, associate vice president of Financial Administration, nearly 100 students were issued keys last week and began the move-in process on Dec. 6 at noon, with females having priority until the other 16 Certificates of Occupancy from the City of Collegedale were completed.
Hamilton said he attended a meeting in Thatcher South on Nov. 18, with multiple deans and the vice president for Student Development, Dennis Negrón. According to Hamilton, approximately 40 students were also invited to ask questions and discuss the move-in plans. At the meeting, many students said that, due to outdated information given about the original estimation of the cottages’ completion, they had understood the move-in date would be Dec. 1. Benjamin Dos Santos, a junior nursing major, said he wished administrators had communicated clearly with students
Julia Juler Staff Writer A recent petition has surfaced at Southern Adventist University as some students express concerns about Student Association (SA) President Edvan Benitez's leadership. The petition aims to initiate impeachment proceedings against Benitez, with the debate sparking a range of opinions across campus. The push for impeachment began with conversations on social media, where some students aired concerns about the SA president’s handling of specific issues, such as bringing scooters to campus. Chris Sandi, a freshman mass communications major, shared his perspective, citing dissatisfaction with Benitez’s leadership.
"I didn't like how he ran and what happened after it." "I didn't like how he ran and what happened after it. ... He was talking about scooters, and that's not even allowed on campus due to our own policies,” Sandi said. “It just feels like [he] didn’t do enough research based on the school to underNolwin Guilarte helps Erin Campbell move into her cottage.
(Photo by Elias Zabala)
See COTTAGES on page 3
Edvan Benitez delivers a campaign speech.
(Photo by Andrew Boggess)
stand that that wasn’t allowed.” At the Student Association Town Hall, Benitez explained that after initial meetings with administration during his campaign, he thought his proposal was plausible. Sandi also pointed to a perceived lack of presence and visibility from the SA team. “I feel like last year, we saw a lot more of the Senate and other leaders just being around and open about certain things," he explained. "All I’ve seen is the president and the social vice, and that’s very rare."
Sandi believes that a rerun for the presidency would be necessary if impeachment moves forward. "If he does get impeached, I would like to have, like, a rerunning for president. ... We still have the same candidates," he said. Despite the criticisms, some students have come to Benitez’s defense. Jaziel Soto, a sophomore accounting major who has worked closely with Benitez, emphasized the president's positive impact on-campus events. See LEADERSHIP on page 2