Bay & Oa k A lifestyle magazine Spring 2016
About the Author
I’ve always been known as a people-person. Going to new places and building relationships are two of my favorite passions. I thrive under pressure and work best when I have a full to-do list in my planner. Connecting people with ideas and working to achieve a common goal is the underlying reason why I chose to major in public relations and minor in marketing. I love learning other people’s stories and hearing about what makes them tick, what they’re driven toward and where they’ve come from. Although the best kinds of stories are shared in person over a cup of coffee, I’m honored you’ve chosen to read the stories I’ve writtn for this magazine. This magazine is named after my time spent living near the ocean in Florida and my recent years living in Alabama surrounded by Southern culture and large oak trees. It is a collection of lifestyle stories about food, music, leadership and interesting individuals. Enjoy reading! Sincerely,
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Ashley Abbott
Table of Contents WOAH Women’s Event Celebrates Female Leadership
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The Whole Truth: A look at the Whole30 Diet
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Young Life Changing Lives in Local Community
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The Amazing Auburn Program celebrates locals with special needs
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A Fresh Take on Fresh Foods
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Second Annual Mental Wealth Week Promotes Mental Wellness on Campus
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WOAH Women’s Event Celebrates Female Leadership Since 1934, Miss Auburn has been the official hostess for Auburn University. The woman chosen to be Miss Auburn every year is an upcoming that embodies the ideals of the Auburn creed and desires to positively impact campus through her platform initiatives.
Elizabeth Moody, senior in elementary education, is the current chief of staff for Miss Auburn. Moody has worked alongside Jones in planning this event and is excited to see how the program will grow in future years to come.
Lauren Jones, senior in public relations, has served as the 2015-2016 Miss Auburn12705325_1020867710262 4424_1659362420421068194_n with a platform focused on the promotion and inclusion of students with disabilities at the collegiate level. Jones has also used her role to advocate for female leadership on Auburn’s campus. She is passionate about encouraging students to become leaders regardless of their gender, race or physical abilities.
“Diversity can be defined in many ways and gender is one that can sometimes be overlooked,” Moody said. “Strong female leaders are crucial for the empowerment of women’s voices and ideals.”
Jones hopes that the event impacted students in a way that will help foster a sense of unity between female leaders from different parts of Auburn’s campus. Whether they are serving in the Student Government Association, Black Student Union, University Program WOAH (Women of Auburn Helping) Women is a Council, Greek Life or in various honor societies, these program that Jones was determined to restart this year leaders can all relate to each other in their desire for at Auburn University. This year’s WOAH Women event female empowerment at Auburn. took place on Monday, February 15 at Auburn University, free of charge to students and the local public. Created in 2012 by former SGA Chief of Staff Collier Tynes, the event celebrates female leadership on Auburn’s campus. Several keynote speakers were featured at the event to discuss their own experiences in leadership roles around the Auburn community and the state of Alabama. Whitney Capps of Proverbs 31 Ministries and Megan Dixon Smalley of Scarlet & Gold spoke alongside Jones as Miss Auburn. “Promoting women’s leadership on campus is incredibly important,” said Jones. “Taking the time to cultivate ones leadership styles and figure out how to serve in a leadership role takes time and practice. That’s why as women it is important to always be promoting and encouraging other women to step out in boldness and confidence in areas they are called to lead in.” Photo: Lauren Jones
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“Unity within the community of women’s leadership helps voices to be heard louder and more clearly,” Moody said. “We are all working toward a better Auburn and a better self. “ WOAH Women is designed to be an open and safe avenue for students to discuss their leadership goals and the personal growth that comes from becoming vulnerable and available to lead others. Featured lecturer Whitney Capps is a national representative and speaker for Proverbs 31 Ministries based in Matthews, N.C. Capps shares messages that are both honest and hysterical about her experience as a female leader, working specifically in Christian ministry. At WOAH Women, Capps spoke to students about finding joy in their everyday routines. “As women we need to scrape the words ‘mundane’ and ‘ordinary’ from our vocabularies,” Capps said.
Scarlet & Gold founder and owner Megan Smalley shared her experiences being a female entrepreneur and running her own company. Smalley is a former Auburn University cheerleader and currently resides in Auburn. She spoke to students about her recent struggles with infertility over the past few years with her husband. “I’m learning that life doesn’t always go the way we plan it and that’s okay because I know I am growing and maturing through it,” Smalley said. The WOAH Women event drew a crowd of more than 50 female students and several adult women from the local community. Jones and her Miss Auburn staff members considered the event to be a success and are looking forward to see it carried on as a tradition for years to come.
“As women we need to scrape the words ‘mundane’ and ‘ordinary’ from our vocabularies.” -Whitney Capps
Photo: Whitney Capps
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The Whole Truth: A look at the Whole30 Diet AUBURN, Ala. – People try fad diets for a number of reasons: to lose weight, eat healthier or practice a lifestyle of discipline. There have been many famous fad diets over the years such as The Atkins Diet, The Paleo Diet and The South Beach Diet. The newest diet trend is the Whole30 diet program and has generated a lot of publicity since its release in April of 2009. The Whole30 Diet
The list of ingredients that are not allowed for the duration of the Whole30 are: real or artificial sugar, alcohol in any form, grains, beans of any kind or dairy products. Foods or beverages that contain carrageenan, MSG or sulfites are not allowed since those ingredients are typically associated with processed foods. Helen Jones, a regional agent in Human Nutrition Diet and Health with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, has worked as a nutritionist for more than 37 years. In Jones’ experience in the field, diets that are quick to eliminate food groups are not healthy or safe to practice.
The Whole30 is based on the idea that whole and natural foods are healthier than processed or imitation food products. However, the program eliminates entire food groups such as grains and dairy. Staying true to the program’s name, the diet lasts for a total of 30 consecutive days. The designed month-long plan of clean eating is called a healing process and can be completely stopped if there is any introduction of diet-forbidden foods. The official Whole30 website says, “one bite of pizza, one splash of milk in your coffee, one lick of the spoon mixing the batter within the 30 day period and you’ve broken the ‘reset’ button, requiring you to start over again on Day 1.”
Photo: Ashley Abbott “As nutritionists and regional Extension agents, we do not tell people to avoid eating grains or beans since they are a major part of the national dietary guidelines,” said Jones.
The approved foods in the Whole30 diet are meat, seafood, eggs, tons of vegetables, some fruit and plenty of good fats from oils, nuts and seeds. Participants are encouraged to eat foods with very few ingredients, pronounceable ingredients or no ingredients at all because the foods are natural.
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The national dietary guidelines call for an average consumption of 5 ounces of whole grains for each day. Grains are high in fiber and helpful according to Jones “we always want to increase the fiber in our diets.” Along with grains, beans are also high in fiber, rich in protein and a great meat substitute. “I would not recommend that someone do the Whole30 diet,” said Jones. “I know people want to lose weight quickly so they can get into their swimsuits or
Photo: Monstrou Estudio her diet affected her body in unusual ways she was not expecting.
prom dresses but you need to change your lifestyle of eating overall so you can live with it for the rest of your life.”
“While adjusting, some days I saw a revitalization while others I found I was tired and hungry,” said Knell. “It was a change to my eating habits and I soon found it to be a distraction in social settings. Having to navigate which foods I could and could not eat took away from time spent around the table in community and shed unnecessary light on a sharp lifestyle adjustment.”
Registered dietician and food safety specialist Dr. Jean Weese, is hesitant to support the Whole30 diet because of its promises to change participants life in only 30 days. “Every diet that promises you to do something quick is going to fail or not last in the long run,” said Weese. “A change in lifestyle over a long period of time is so much more successful, you can not make lasting changes in just 30 days.” Weese recommends that limiting your total calories and eating a high fiber diet is the best way to lose weight. Moderating the amount of refined sugar in a diet is necessary for a healthy lifestyle. Choosing a healthy diet plan that is consistent with a person’s already established lifestyle and food preferences is more likely to lead to a successful change in lifestyle. Katie Knell, coordinator for relationship development at a financial firm in Nashville, Tenn., recently attempted completing the Whole30 diet but had to stop for health reasons. Knell had seen a lot of publicity surrounding the Whole30 program and decided to try the diet for herself. However, the lack of dairy and sugar in
The Whole30 program’s mission to eat unprocessed foods is respectable but the elimination of necessary food groups like grains and dairy is not consistent with healthy eating habits according to the national dietary guidelines. For healthy eating plans, contact a local dietician, nutritionist or visit http://www.choosemyplate. gov/MyPlate.
Photo: Ashley Abbott
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Young Life Changing Lives in Local Community The premise is simple: meet young people where they are and love them wherever that place may be. For more than 70 years, Young Life has been impacting the lives of middle school and high school students in nearly every corner of the world. By being present at football games, going to popular local hangout spots, and volunteering to coach sports teams the Auburn-Opelika Young Life leaders work hard to foster genuine relationships with the high school and middle school students they meet.
leader at Lee-Scott Academy Young Life for two years, following his role as team leader for Lee-Scott Academy WyldLife for three years. “The biggest thing that I’ve learned as a leader is how to love people unconditionally,” Ankenbrandt said. “It’s an odd thing to try and love someone who doesn’t want to love you back, and who often rejects you when you try to get to know them. That is the life of Young Life leaders: rejection after rejection—you learn to love in a way that is not normal.”
Whether they are needed as a mentor, confidant, role model or friend, Young Life leaders are willing to walk alongside students in their daily lives and problems. Mitchell Springfield, a senior psychology major at Auburn University, currently serves as a WyldLife leader at Lee-Scott Academy. The WyldLife program is a branch of Young Life that is specifically geared toward middle school students. (Photo, right: Grayson Temple) “One of the most important aspects in this ministry is being consistent; [which] means consistently showing up for these kids, consistently hanging out with these kids, consistently showing these kids Jesus in both actions and words,” Springfield said. The relationships formed between Young Life leaders and the students they reach are based upon vulnerability and trust. However, as with any relationship, these friendships require significant amounts of time and effort. Jake Ankenbrandt, senior at Auburn University studying creative writing, is no stranger to the hard work associated with building relationships through Young Life. Ankenbrandt has served as the team
Photo: Grayson Temple The leaders who give up their need to be perceived as perfect and subject themselves to the vulnerability that comes with rejection, almost always see positive changes in their relationships with students. Over time, a sense of trust is developed and students begin to let Young Life leaders into their lives. “At the end of it all, The Lord has answered prayers and has been so faithful to this ministry,” Ankenbrandt said. “I’ll leave [after graduation] knowing that
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the future is bright and knowing that high school and middle school students will continue to be reached with the good news of the gospel.”
“They put leaders in the best position to succeed and to love kids, and it has made all the difference,” Ankenbrandt said.
“They have worked their way into my everyday life, and I’d like to think I have worked my way into theirs,” Grayson Temple said.
Auburn-Opelika Young Life has proven to be a strong program in the Lee County community for more than a decade. The positive impact that leaders have on high school and middle school students is immeasurable, and is earned through perseverance and honesty. To get involved or learn more about Auburn-Opelika Young Life, visit Young Life’s website.
Temple is a senior journalism major at Auburn University and is a member of the Lee-Scott Academy WyldLife team, serving middle school students. The focal point of Young Life is centered on weekly Young Life Club meetings. The official Young Life website describes Young Life Club as a “party with a purpose” that is “controlled chaos” designed to be the best night of the week for students. Comedy sketches, games and music allow students to have fun with their friends and leaders in a safe environment. Before the end of Young Life Club, a message is shared by a Young Life leader about the love of Christ. These simple messages are designed to spark longer and more intentional conversations between students and leaders outside of club meetings.
“They have worked their way into my everyday life, and I’d like to think I have worked my way into theirs.” -Grayson Temple
Auburn-Opelika has experienced significant growth in the number of leaders involved. In just four years, the number of Young Life leaders in Lee County has increased from nearly 80 to more than 120 leaders. Additional outreach programs such as summer camps, weekend retreats, and local camping trips are including higher numbers of students each year. These developments can be attributed to the innovative leadership of area directors Eric Faison and Mary Margaret Godley over the past several years. Faison and Godley have raised standards for leaders to be as consistent and present as possible in the lives of students.
Photo: Grayson Temple
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The Amazing Auburn Program celebrates locals with special needs The planting of the new Toomer’s Oaks in the Spring of 2015 symbolized a season of growth at Auburn University. As the new trees are introduced to a landmark steeped in tradition, plans are being developed for new types of Auburn students to join a history of Auburn Family members. The slogan “new vines from strong roots” was created during Lauren Jones’ 2015 Miss Auburn campaign. Jones’ winning platform focused on the promotion and inclusion of students with special needs at the collegiate level. As a result of the election, a Freshman Leadership Program group called “All for Auburn” was created to help integrate special needs students into the Auburn Family.
“The Amazing Auburn Program is an opportunity for people with disabilities to show the community how a diagnosis does not define a person, and how each boy and girl has something to contribute,” said Knowling. Each participant will be able to showcase their talents in the talent show portion of the event in front of a large audience. The pageant section will consist of participants modeling their favorite Auburn game day outfits and their best evening wear ensembles. “I am so proud of these freshmen and how they’ve worked so hard to come up with the best event they could think of to make those with disabilities feel special, loved, included and embraced by the Auburn family,” said Moates.
“They have special passions just like everyone else and we cannot wait to show that to the rest of Auburn.” The Amazing Auburn Program is designed to break down bar-Chase Walters riers and stigmas about indi-
All for Auburn has partnered with different organizations and campaigns on campus that advocate for individuals with special needs, such as the Best Buddies program and the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign. The group is led by Director Emily Knowling and her team of assistant directors: Chase Walters, Taylor Johnson and Ashley Moates. Forty-five freshmen were selected to be members of the group after an extensive interview process.
On Thursday, April 7, All for Auburn is hosting The Amazing Auburn Program to celebrate the differences of students with disabilities. The event will have a pageant portion and talent showcase that any special needs individual in the local area can participate in regardless of age or disability level. Guests and participants will walk down a Hollywood themed red carpet complete with a group of paparazzi-like photographers ready to capture every moment.
viduals with special needs and what they can accomplish.
“We are trying to break the stigma that people with special needs are not extraordinary or talented,” said Walters. “They have special passions just like everyone else and we cannot wait to show that to the rest of Auburn.” While all of the All for Auburn staff members are passionate about The Amazing Auburn Program, assistant director Ashley Moates has a special connection to the cause. Her sister, Anna Moates, has Down’s Syndrome and is dedicated to changing the perception of people with special needs.
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“Anna recently spoke to our All for Auburn group about how the hardest thing to overcome as a person with Down’s Syndrome is that it does not define her as a human being,” said Knowling. Anna discussed her passions, membership in the 4-H club and the goals she has for her future to more than 40 Auburn University students. The speech lasted around 15 minutes and was recited completely by memory. “I do not know if I could speak that long by memory,” said Walters. “[Anna’s public speaking ability] shows that people with disabilities excel in certain areas even if they have trouble in other areas, just like you and I, and we hope this program will bring those areas where they excel into the spotlight.”
Photo: Chase Walters The Amazing Auburn Program will take place on April 7 at 6 p.m. in the Foy Auditorium on Auburn’s campus. There will be no entry fee for participants or ticket purchase necessary for attendees. Instead, All for Auburn is hosting several fundraising events in March to collect money. A benefit night at Newks Eatery on Gay Street will be on Wednesday, March 9 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A portion of all meal proceeds will go directly to The Amazing Auburn Program. All for Auburn will also be hosting an on-campus event called “FLPie” where group members will be pied in the face by any students who purchase tickets. Prior to the event, tickets will be sold for $2 and during the event they will cost $3.
Photo: Chase Walters Moates is hopeful that one day, Auburn University will have an official college education program for students with special needs. As a proud Auburn student, Moates would love to share her educational on-campus experience with Anna. “She is so smart, and Anna, like so many others, deserves the opportunity to shine in a college setting,” said Moates.
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“I hope that with The Amazing Auburn Program, students will come and support those who are just as much a part of the Auburn family as they are, they only happen to have a disability,” said Moates. “With this program, I want people to learn to look for other people’s abilities, accomplishments, and what they can do, instead of only seeing their disabilities and what they cannot do.”
“She deserves the opportunity to shine in a college setting.” -Ashley Moates
A Fresh Take on Fresh Foods Auburn, Alabama---The saying “you are what you eat” has never been more true than in today’s society. In a culture where preservatives and chemicals almost cannot be avoided ingredients in foods, it can be hard to find genuine fresh foods to eat. Canning fruits and vegetables at home is a great way to preserve fresh foods in a safe way that also will not break the bank. Going to the produce market every week is a viable option, but incredibly time sensitive and expensive. The National Gardening Association states that 37 percent of all American households, an estimated 43 million households, have started home gardens over the past decade.
sure canning method. “There are more health benefits when you can at home because you know what is going into the jar,” Treadaway said. “You know where the product was grown if you grow it yourself or buy locally,” she said. The amount of different foods that can be canned are not just limited to traditional fruits and vegetables. Other popular items to can are salsa, applesauce, apple-pie filling, jams, preserves, broth, beans, pickles, poultry, seafood and meat.
“There are more health benefits when you can at home becuase you know what is going into the jar since you know where the product was grown.” -Angela Treadaway These households are growing their own food for a number of reasons: to save money on grocery bills, to ensure better food quality and to prevent the usage of harmful pesticides on plants. However, regardless if the fresh fruits and vegetables are grown from a home garden or bought from a local market, it is important to know how to preserve them. Angela Treadaway, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System regional agent in food safety and quality, is a supporter of canning produce at home using the pres-
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Photo: MarthaStewart.com
“Canning food is somewhat simple but you do need proper training to do it safely.” -Helen Jones Helen Jones, a regional Extension agent in human nutrition diet and health, has worked as a nutritionist for more than 37 years. She often recommends that her clients eat foods that are high in fiber such as beans. However, storebought, canned beans can contain high amounts of preservatives, salt and chemicals. “We always want to increase the fiber in our diets and beans or legumes are a great source of fiber,” Jones said. There are many benefits to home canning even though the process for a beginner can be complicated.
“Canning food is somewhat simple but you do need proper training to do it safely,” Treadaway said. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System is one of the only organizations that provides useful information and clinics about home canning methods. There are different classes offered in every county of Alabama that cover the basics in home canning. To learn more about the process of home canning, contact your county Extension agent. To find more information on food safety and storage, visit the ACES Food Safety website.
Photo: Unsplash.com
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Second Annual Mental Wealth Week Promotes Mental Wellness on Campus The fourth stanza of the Auburn creed states, “I believe in a sound mind, in a sound body, and a spirit that is not afraid.” This line is the basis of the mission of Auburn’s second annual Mental Wealth Week taking place from March 28 to March 31. Students are taking a stand to change the stigma about mental wellness on Auburn’s campus by creating an atmosphere for education and discussion about the mental health issues that are so prevalent among college students. Every fall, five women are selected to run for Auburn University’s Miss Homecoming title. Taylor Wesley, a senior communications major, ran with a winning platform that focused on promoting mental wellness on Auburn’s campus. Wesley’s slogan “Spread Wellness with Wesley” is more than just a campaign tactic, it is the embodiment of her life long dream to change the negative
perceptions surrounding mental health issues. As a student who once struggled with mental health issues, Wesley understands personally the challenges that are associated with asking for help and accepting treatment. The courage required to reach out to family members or friends about such a private and vulnerable issue is something that should not be taken lightly. “I was able to be a voice for those one in four students who may be suffering in silence,” Wesley said. “Becoming vulnerable about my story was scary at first, but in order to get the conversation started about mental health among the student body, someone needed to speak up.”
“Becoming vulnerable about my story was scary at first but in order to get the conversation started... someone had tospeak up.” -Taylor Wesley
Wesley currently serves as the Health and Wellness Director for Auburn’s Student Government Association and is co-directing this year’s Mental Wealth Week with Active Mind’s President, Alex Hall. Active Minds is a mental health awareness student organization on Auburn’s campus and is one of the leading sponsors of Mental Wealth Week. The week will begin with an official kickoff ceremony on Monday, March 28, featuring keynote speaker Jo Harvey, who is best known for her Ted Talk “Rewriting the Story of My Addiction.” Harvey speaks around the country about her experience with addiction and the recovery process. The kickoff ceremony will take place on Auburn’s campus in the student center ballroom at 6 p.m. and will be free of charge for all attendees.
Photo: Taylor Welsey
On Tuesday, Mental Wealth Week will be promoting a free QPR Training session at 7 p.m. in the student cen-
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ter on Auburn’s campus. The acronym “QPR” stands for “question, persuade, refer” and is a program designed to individuals how to detect signs that someone may be having suicidal thoughts. “I’m most excited for QPR Training on Tuesday night because it will train students to learn effective ways to prevent suicides,” Marketing Co-Chair Layton Dyess said. “Suicide rates are high among college students, but we have an incredible opportunity to prevent this tragedy among our peers and to make a positive impact on people’s lives.” The week will continue with a benefit night at the Gay Street location of Newk’s Eatery on Wednesday, March 30 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. All proceeds from the night will go toward raising awareness and educating Auburn students about the importance of mental wellness. On Thursday, March 31, Mental Wealth Week will feature a nationally recognized traveling exhibition called Send Silence Packing. During the school day, the Auburn University green space area will be covered with 1,100 donated backpacks representing the number of college students that commit suicide each year. The demonstration is designed to educate students about the seriousness of this mental health epidemic affecting college campuses across the country.
and now those passions are being recognized among the student body,” Dyess said. Co-Director of Marketing Alex Peña believes that Mental Wealth Week will become a catalyst event to inspire conversations among students about mental health wellness and change the negative stigma surrounding it. Taylor Wesley and her Miss Homecoming campaign staff. (Photo left: Taylor Wesley) “I think most students are not too excited to talk about mental health because they see it as a sore subject that is better left untouched,” Peña said. “However, one of the best things for mental health is to be open about it and I am so excited to be bringing that awareness to campus.” Wesley hopes that through the different events offered during Mental Wealth Week, Auburn students will be able to gain knowledge about different aspects of mental health. She is looking forward to seeing different organizations on campus work together to foster a community that promotes a greater sense of wellness. For more information about Mental Wealth Week, contact Taylor Wesley at tgw0004@auburn.edu.
A Send Silence Packing official demonstration. (Photo above: Send Silence Packing Website) To promote the positive correlation of physical wellness to mental wellness, a free stress-relieving breathing class will be offered from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the student center. Later that night, a panel of speakers will be answering questions and sharing personal testimonies about their experiences with mental health problems. Panel members will consist of student leaders and faculty members from various parts of Auburn’s campus. This concluding event to Mental Wealth Week will be at 7 p.m. in the student center ballroom. “So many leaders on our campus are passionate about increasing awareness about mental health and making the resources we have on campus more well known,
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Photo: Taylor Welsey
B a y & Oa k A lifestyle magazine Spring 2016