Thursday, May 2, 2013 Print Edition

WALK THE LINE FOR THE LAST TIME Thursday May 2, 2013

see page 5

An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 www.collegiatetimes.com

COLLEGIATETIMES 109th year, issue 111 News, page 2

Weekend, page 5

Opinions, page 3

Sports, page 8

Study Break, page 6

Tech announces Steger will be commencement speaker CAMERON AUSTIN news reporter

Virginia Tech announced this morning that university President Charles Steger will be giving the commencement address for 2013 graduates.

“It’s not uncommon for a Virginia Tech president to give

a commencement address,” said Larry Hincker, Associate Vice President of University Relations. “It’s a long-standing tradition for the president of the university to deliver at least one commencement address.”

Previous presidential commencement speakers include Marshal Hahn who spoke

four times, Joseph Eggleston who spoke three times, Julian Burruss and Walter Newman who each delivered two commencement addresses as president.

Last year’s graduation speaker was first lady Michelle Obama with Virginia Senator Mark Warner, with the event being

announced at the end of March.

The previous year’s speaker was Kenneth Feinberg, administrator of the 9/11 victims fund and the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund. That speaker was also announced in late March.

With speculations abound, the graduation date pushed closer and closer, and no speaker

had been announced. Andrew Bracy, a senior accounting and finance major, had a feeling that the speaker might not be a big name because of the delayed announcement date.

“If they knew that Steger would be the speaker, why wait till an abnormal date to make the announcement?” Bracy

said.

“There were complications leading up to this, and we’re just really pleased that President Steger has the opportunity, as many other Virginia Tech presidents have had,” Hincker said. see SPEAK / page two

Mad Dog owner Request for on-campus polling denied discusses closing

BY MALLORY NOE-PAYNE | news editor

ANDREW KULAK news reporter

For now, Mad Dog’s iconic carved wood sign still swings in the breeze over Main Street, but large clearance posters mark the boutique as the latest addition to the long list of Blacksburg businesses closing their doors this spring.

“I’d been thinking about it for a while. Th is isn’t a new thought,” said Dorothy Egger, Mad Dog owner and Tech alumna Dorothy Egger, between helping shoppers.

“It’s been a nice ride, but all things have to end.”

Mad Dog has received Blacksburg-based awards for its unique selection of clothing and gifts and the homey atmosphere that has drawn customers in for years.

Whimsical metal sculptures, warm lighting, and cheery hardwood floors greet shoppers once they enter — unless Molly, the namesake pooch, greets them first.

“I’ve always had a dog — there’s always a dog in here,” Egger said, laughing.

Egger has a long history in

retail. She owned and operated Second Seasons clothing store for 21 years prior to purchasing Mad Dog with her daughter in 2003.

The store opened in Blacksburg as a skate shop several years prior, but shifted to women’s clothing in order to appeal to a stronger customer base. While the merchandise changed, the name of the store did not. Under Egger’s ownership, Mad Dog took off.

“We’re the number one store in town,” Egger said proudly, gesturing at the display of award certificates behind the register.

Remaining fiscally successful during the economic downturn proved challenging, but Mad Dog stayed afloat. Egger worked to provide unique fashions at a price point lower than other local women’s clothing stores to appeal to cash-strapped shoppers.

“We used to be a lot more expensive than we are now,” Eggers said of the shift in consumer sentiment during the recession. see DOG / page two

Time to reach the Airport polling location from West AJ Hall:

The Electoral Board would like to reconsider an oncampus location, and once again we ask for your permission and help in locating a suitable space – one that will be even more convenient to students than the airport...”

32 min 10 min 11 min

Letter to Virginia Tech from the Montgomery County Electoral Board

BRAD KLODOWSKI / THE COLLEGIATE TIMES

“

We believe, after careful consideration of the alternatives, that the airport location will continue to provide the best services when voter turnout is not at the unusually high levels experienced during the most recent election.”

Letter to the Montgomery County Electoral Board from Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech opts not to renew the search for an on-campus voting location for the E3 precinct

It

seems unlikely that Virginia Tech will host an on-campus voting location for students anytime

soon.

Montgomery County’s Electoral Board, which is responsible for determining and changing polling locations, sent a letter to the university at the end of March requesting help in “reconsider(ing) an on-campus location.”

Tech, however, declined the request.

“There is still not an on-campus location that is better suited to accommodating the diverse requirements of the voting constituents,” wrote Vice President of Administration Sherwood Wilson, in a response letter sent April 8.

After the 2008 presidential election, the Electoral Board formed a new precinct that was composed primarily of on-campus students. The E3 precinct has 4,339 registered voters.

Of those, 3,748 are on-campus stu-

dents. During the most recent election, many turned out to vote at the Virginia Tech Montgomery County Executive Airport.

However, long lines and heavy voter turnout led the Electoral Board to determine that the airport was not the most ideal location for students, and to reach out to the Tech once more. see POLL / page two

Security at sporting events Fighting Gravity to debut will not increase next year show in NYC this fall MICHAELA REARDON news staff writer

Hokies united in mourning with the friends and family of those affected by the Boston bombings this past week.

The Boston bombings raise the question of security at sports events everywhere — including Virginia Tech. Lane Stadium holds approximately 66,000 people at any given game — a small number compared to the 500,000 spectators and almost 30,000 participants that flood Boston every year for the Boston Marathon.

In response to April 16th, Virginia developed legislation requiring every school to have a threat assessment team designated to help prevent violence on campus. Virginia Tech’s Threat Assessment Team (TAT) is comprised of representatives

of student affairs, law enforcement, human resources, counseling services and residence life. The team regularly meets and evaluates risks referred to them by the community.

“Our level of security is already pretty elevated. We believe that our existing strategy is sufficient,” said Major Gene Deisinger of the Virginia Tech Police. “Many of the things that other places are starting to do such as bag checks, having K-9 availability and sweeps of facilities, we’ve been doing for years.”

The specific details of security for Virginia Tech events are confidential — but the security needs of every event are assessed and resources such as officers and K-9’s are assigned as needed.

The most important part of threat assessment on campus is

info on the go

KATRINA SPINNERWILSON features staff writer

individual awareness. Students are asked to do their part by reporting suspicious behavior.

“The public’s sensitivity to if they see things that cause them concern — there is a higher likelihood that they will report objects that are unattended or look strange or people’s behavior,” Deisinger said.

It all began when five brothers of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity volunteered to perform at Delta Gamma’s Anchorsplash philanthropy in 2009, creating the group Fighting Gravity.

Five years later, the thirteen brothers of Pi Kappa Alpha are taking their talent to yet another venue — New York.

This fall, the group will debut its full-length show in New York with the aim of sharing its story.

“It’s a pretty exciting time for us because everything up to this point has been five, ten minutes doing corporate events, which are fun and good, but this is really building up a 90 minute show in New York City,” said member of Fighting Gravity, Phil Deverna. “It’s about to get real.”

see LANE / page two

see SHOW / page two

There are 8 gates that lead into Lane Stadium.

Stadium personnel will visually search anyone entering.

COURTESY OF PHIL DEVERNA

CT BURRITO WARS

The Pi Kappa Alpha brothers performed at Anchorsplash in 2009.

SEE PAGE 4

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news

may 2, 2013 COLLEGIATETIMES

editors: priscilla alvarez, mallory noe-payne, dean seal newseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865

Dog: New trends contribute to closing

Twitter began blowing up yesterday with the announcement that Tech President Charles Steger will be delivering the commencement speech at Tech’s graduation on May 17. With this being the first speech given by Steger, the tone of these tweets ranged from compassionate to disapproving.

from page one

“It was just totally different then.”

But even as Egger continues to work to discover new affordable styles, she has found that changing trends and increased concern with brand conformity have resulted in a diminishing clientele for her small shop.

“The whole market has really changed,” Egger said. “All these girls have to have the same things. If you walk down the street you will see every girl with a Longchamp bag. Every girl. You see every girl in a pair of leggings and pair of brown boots. It’s so cookie cutter that there can’t be any originality.”

In addition to changing fashion tastes, Egger added that doing business in Blacksburg has become especially difficult for small retail business owners.

“I don’t think (Blacksburg) is necessarily positive for business,” Egger said. “From signage to you name it, it’s just very difficult to get anything started.”

In addition to sign regulations, Egger identified metered parking and harsh enforcement of parking laws as key difficulties downtown merchants face when trying to attract potential shoppers. She noted that nearby towns Christiansburg and Radford both offer free parking.

She added that taxes in both Blacksburg and Montgomery

student voices

VT spends 3mil on a house for guys to f*** girls, drink beer, and party but they can’t spend a few thousand to get a decent speaker? #VTGP @VTGirlProblems VTGirlProblems

“

Sidenote: One of you #VirginiaTech seniors should totally raise a sign that says “It was a snow day” when Steger starts speaking. #Hokies @PhilthePhil Phil

KEVIN DICKEL/SPPS

Owner Dorothy Egger announced on April 24 that Mad Dog would be closing its doors in two weeks.

County have been on the rise with her desire for more auton- ers, especially young women lately, leading to further dif- omy and flexibility, led Egger to from Tech’s athletic teams who ficulty for small business own- her final decision. She attempt- loyally frequented her store, ers. The county recently mailed ed to locate a buyer who would she knows that the time is right her a statement seeking prop- continue to operate the shop, to move on. She looks forward erty taxes — taxes not due for but ultimately could not find to sleeping in and having time another 8 months — because anyone interested who could to go to the gym. they heard she planned on clos- qualify for a loan to purchase “I would just like to be freer ing her store. the business. and not have a store after 31 “I called them up and asked The future of the space years,” Egger said. “I think I’ve them if they were for real,” remains uncertain, but for now given it a good run for the Egger said. “I can’t imagine it looks ready to join a grow- money.” something so nasty and so ing number of vacancies downsnarky. It blows me right out of town.

Follow us on Twitter: the water.”

While Egger said she would @KulakCT These considerations, along miss seeing her regular custom-

“

Poor Steger, he’s just trying to get a commencement speech in. Can’t be the only president to never give one! @hokielove Taylor Lynne

“

Hold on. They couldn’t get ANYBODY so Steger is giving the commencement speech?

Are you serious? Wow. @cougarhokie Alex Harriman

Poll: Parking is among many issues stalling progress PHOTO FINISH

During the 2012 Presidential Election, margins in Montgomery County were extremely close.

0.25% of the vote separated President Obama from Republican candidate Mitt Romney.

Just 103 votes.

In the E3 precinct, 2,254 voters showed up at the polls. Their votes broke down as follows: OBAMA, 1,293 ROMNEY, 858

JOHNSON, 90

OTHER, 13

ANDREA LEDESMA / COLLEGIATE TIMES from page one

In November, some students waited outside after dark for almost three hours. Voting continued even after polling places were supposed to close.

“Having seen the difficulties we went through at the recent presidential election, we would think that Tech would (want) to help overcome those difficulties, because it’s important to make sure students have an easier time voting,” said Carroll Williams, chair of the Montgomery County Electoral Board and author of the request letter.

“I think locating a polling place

on campus would really help,” Williams said.

About two years ago, the board worked with Tech to try to find an appropriate polling place for the new precinct. After considering several athletic facilities, such as Cassell Coliseum and the locker rooms of Lane Stadium, the search ended at the Airport.

Since that time, Wilson believes nothing has changed.

“The same accessibility issues that were barriers in 2011 still remain,” Wilson wrote.

Those barriers include finding a space that is large and open enough, is accessible for people

with disabilities and has nearby, available parking. Additionally, political parties would have to be willing to accept the university ban on campaign signs.

“We would have a huge enforcement issue with the campaign people who always surround polling places,” Wilson said. “Where do we put that congestion of people, so it doesn’t interfere with the normal operation of the campus?”

When questioned about whether there is something about Election Day that inherently does change the normal operation of things, Wilson disagreed.

“Class schedule doesn’t change, the university is in operation just as it is any other day,” Wilson said. “It’s not the University’s responsibility... we provide an education. The Election Board provides the opportunities for you to vote.”

Parking was one issue at the airport location, and a large obstacle to finding somewhere on-campus. Parking would have to be provided for those who drive to the polls, for people working at the polls and potentially for political parties or volunteers who stand outside the polls.

“If we could have a poll-

ing place on campus, I’d like to think we would have fewer voters driving,” Williams said, speculating that parking would not be as much of an issue as it had been at the airport if a location on campus could be found.

Randy Wertz, the Montgomery County registrar who was highly involved in previous efforts to find an on-campus location, said that the discussion on parking would be different a second time around.

“By talking to them, we could come to an agreement on the number of spots that could be made available... how much could they give up? What do they see as reasonable?” Wertz asked. “Last time, we didn’t have any idea the numbers we’d be talking about.”

However, when pressed for whether a specific number of parking spots could be provided, both Williams and Wertz seemed unsure.

“It’s so hard to tell,” Williams said noncommittally. “I just don’t know.”

Andrew Whitley, a sophomore political science and history major and president of Young Democrats, is currently working with the Montgomery County

Democrats to exert more pressure on Tech.

“I’m not trying to point fingers,” Whitley said. “I just think that they have a solution right now, and it’s not the best solution, but they just don’t want to touch it anymore.”

Wilson referred to the airport location as a “win-win” for everybody, including students.

A bus line runs to the airport, and it is located just near the Corporate Research Center.

“We have students who go to the CRC for class every day,” Wilson said. “Is it any more outrageous to ask that they go to the CRC to vote?”

A voting location on campus would need to be made available for the yearly November election. It would also need to be available for annual primaries, at least once and up to three times a year.

“I don’t see a way around all the issues,” Wilson said. “We tried diligently, truly, but logistical issues were just insurmountable.”

Follow us on Twitter: @MalloryNoePayne

Show: Group launches campaign Speak: Mixed reaction to Steger from page one

However, this is not the first time Fighting Gravity has been recognized for its unique entertainment.

From the beginning, the brothers got pulled into a crazy world where they learned to float a ball, float themselves, and teleport.

The crazy world they describe was based on finishing third on season five of America’s Got Talent and, shortly thereafter, touring Moscow and Vienna.

During season five, Fighting Gravity exceled through each round. Despite their excitement, the group faced quick turnarounds in having to decide what their performance would be for the following week’s act.

“For the next week we’d be at the studio every single day when everyone [the other performers] left. We’d still be there trying to figure out what we were doing.

So that was really exciting and scary,” said member of Fighting Gravity, Travis Dalrymple.

Looking back, Deverna says their most prized performance happened when they returned to

AGT to do a guest performance.

“That was great to just come back a year later and see we still had all the support. I think we got 40,000 fans in a couple minutes just from coming back on the show,” Deverna said.

The outpouring of support encouraged the group to take its story to New York.

Fighting Gravity has been in contact with judge and choreographer Sonya Tayeh from “So You Think You Can Dance,” who plans to assist in the show’s choreography.

“We used to practice in the weight club and it would take us a month to get it together,” Dalrymple said, “Now it takes seconds to go to her with a kind of illusion and she’ll say, ‘Okay, yeah I got it.”

In January, the group did a small creative workshop with Tayeh, which only included basic props and no black lights.

In order to enhance the workshop, Fighting Gravity started a KickStart campaign to raise money for a full stage technical workshop, which would include

all the dancers, props, illusions, choreographer, and director.

The KickStart Campaign, launched on April 18, allows users to donate to reach their goal and get all of the money.

Without it, however, Fighting Gravity will not be able to see their show happen in New York City.

The group has especially been looking close to home and yearning for the support of Blacksburg and the Hokie community.

“This community helped us through the show,” Dalrymple said. “We need the support again.”

Fighting Gravity hopes to add something new to this generation through its talent.

“You don’t have to take the road that everybody else is taking,” Dalrymple said, “There’s a big difference between knowing the path and walking the path.

And that’s what we’ve really tried to make the show about.”

Follow us on Twitter: @collegiatetimes

from page one

According to the release, “University commencement officials encouraged Steger, now in his 14th year as president, to give his first commencement address this year.”

Steger has been the president of Virginia Tech since January, 2000.

Graduation will be on Friday, May 17 at noon in Lane Stadium when over

5,000 students will be honored.

Rumors on social media had been circulating that the graduation speaker would be Bill Nye, the host of a popular PBS children’s science show in the 90s. Hincker however laughed off the notion, and said there were never any plans for that.

Kristina Pellegrino, a senior psychology major, likes Steger, but was surprised to find out he would be giving

the commencement address.

“I can understand him speaking at the small graduations in the fall, but spring should be an all-out affair.

Doesn’t he already get to speak at commencement?”

Pellegrino said.

“I’m convinced that he will give a great talk,” Hinker said.

Follow us on Twitter: @CAustinCT

Lane: Attendees more cautious from page one

“That is not so much what the police are doing different than what the people are doing differently.”

Although security will not change because of the Boston Bombings, individuals can be more cautious while attending

games.

“I think I will be more aware of someone doing something strange — I will think about it more and strange things will pop out more, but I will still feel safe going to Hokie games,” said Brigid McCormick, a sophomore business major.

“I will probably me more

aware of what’s around me, but overall I feel safe at Virginia Tech,” said Daniel Garbus, a freshman mechanical engineering major.

Follow us on Twitter: @MReardonCT

opinions

editors: josh higgins, shawn ghuman opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865

may 2, 2013 COLLEGIATETIMES

3

The Collegiate Times is an independent student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 Collegiate Times Editorial Staff

MCT CAMPUS

Our Views [staff editorial]

Lack of on-campus polling locations creates inconvenience

H

aving a polling location on campus is becoming increasingly necessary as the Virginia gubernatorial election draws closer.

The presidential election last semester drew large turnouts from students, but many of those living on campus were forced to shuttle to the airport in order to cast their vote. Once there, these students encountered long waits in line.

There are many locations on campus which could plausibly work as polling stations.

Parking was cited as the main concern for using Lane Stadium or Cassell Coliseum as a polling location.

These concerns over parking are petty, especially since many students who would vote on campus also live on campus and would be within walking distance.

Creating an on campus polling location should be a priority for us as students and the university as a whole in order to increase accessibility, cut wait times and promote civic participation.

McDonalds advertises unhealthy incentives

H

ow many times has this happened to you? After a Friday night full of shenanigans you find yourself waking up on Saturday morning with blinding pain from temple to temple and a stomach that has decided to go on strike.

The only thing that can calm the ever-approaching storm is a nice, greasy breakfast. You roll over in bed only to discover that it is past 11:00 a.m.

McDonalds has stopped frying hash browns and making biscuits, and has instead begun cooking french fries and Big Macs, which, while certainly greasy — are not breakfast foods.

There is good news for anyone who has experienced this struggle.

In a recent interview with CNBC, President and CEO of McDonalds, Don Thompson, has said they’re currently looking into serving breakfast all day long, citing the increasing demand from the millennial generation.

In the past McDonalds has said that serving breakfast and lunch at the same time was infeasible due to the way their kitchens are set up, but that is no longer an issue.

McDonalds is now willing to redesign their kitchens to avoid possible cross-contamination between beef, chicken, pork, and eggs — but should they really be doing this?

According to recent Gallup and Center for Disease Control data, American obesity rates have been increasing, albeit very slightly. In 2008 25.5% of Americans were considered obese, and that number has risen to 26.2% in 2012.

With these numbers in mind, I find it hard to justify providing more reasons for people to eat

unhealthily. McDonalds should instead be focusing on ways to improve the nutritional value of their products, decreasing their portion sizes, and promoting healthier lifestyles.

“

I find it hard to justify providing more reasons for people to eat unhealthily.”

More incentive to go to McDonalds isn’t a good thing, considering both the World Health Organization and CDC report that obesity-related diseases and complications are some of the leading causes of preventable death not only in the U.S., but the world.

Granted, there are many personal factors that increase the likelihood of obesity (apathy, socio-economic status or even genetics), but we as a society shouldn’t be supporting avenues to eat unhealthy.

Instead an increase in public awareness and public promotion of healthy lifestyles and an overall reduction in the price of nutritious food should be favored against 24/7 McDonalds, 64 oz. drink sizes, and quadruple stacked hamburgers stuffed with bacon.

Ultimately each individual holds their own obesity gun, so to speak, and McDonalds doesn’t need to provide us with more bullets.

MARCUS WILLIAMS - regular columnist - junior - economics

Our Views [staff editorial]

Choice of Steger to speak reflects lack of planning

On

Tuesday, it was announced that Virginia Tech’s president, Charles Steger, will be the 2013 graduation commencement speaker.

It has become tradition at Tech for every president to be a commencement speaker at least once in his tenure, and in his 14th year in the position, this will be his first time doing so.

However, as a student body, we can’t help but be disappointed.

After having first lady Michelle Obama speak last year, anyone else would be a let-down, but the timing of this announcement is what is particularly upsetting.

Last year, seniors found out Obama would be speaking on March 28, more than a month before the class of 2013 was told Steger would be speaking.

All month, students have been trying to figure out who would be speaking, and the end result was a bunch of unfounded rumors about people like Bill Nye being the speaker.

Had the decision to have Steger speak been made earlier in the semester, it would have been easier to accept, but given the timing — 17 days before graduation — it appears that the administration simply forgot about getting someone and picked him as a last resort.

Graduation is the culmination of four years of hard work, and the fact that the school let down its students by forgetting a key piece of that day is unsettling.

we’re YOUR newspaper. send a letter to the editor and express your views. send an e-mail to opinionseditor@ collegiatetimes.com with your letter or guest column attached.

Editor in Chief: Michelle Sutherland Managing Editor: Nick Cafferky Design Editors: Andrea Ledesma, Alicia Tillman Special Section Design Edtitor: Danielle Buynak Public Editor: Erin Chapman Web Editor: Chelsea Gunter Senior News Editor: Mallory NoePayne Associate News Editors: Priscilla Alvarez, Dean Seal News Blog Editor: Cameron Austin News Reporters: Leslie McCrea, Justin Graves, Andrew Kulak, Donal Murphy News Staff Writers: Alex Gomez, Sean Hayden, Max Luong, Cody Owens, Features Editors: Emma Goddard, Nick Smirniotopoulos Features Staff Writers: Ben Kim, Katie White, Kara Van Scoyc, Allie Sivak, Jacob Wilbanks Senior Opinions Editor: Josh Higgins Associate Opinions Editor: Shawn Ghuman Sports Editors: Matt Jones, Zach Mariner Special Sections Editor: Chelsea Giles Copy Chief: Nora McGann Copy Editors: Allison Hedrick, Kristin Gunther, Sam Huff, Mackenzie Fallon, Alexis Livingston, Kayleigh McKenzie Photo Editor: Kevin Dickel Collegiate Times Business Staff Business Manager: James Dean Seal Circulation Manager: Keith Bardsley Student Publications Photo Staff Director of Photography: Brad Klodowski Lab Manager: Trevor White College Media Solutions Assistant Ad Director: Carla Craft Account Executives: Robert Alberti, Taylor Moran Inside Sales Manager: Amanda Gawne Assistant Account Executives: Catie Stockdale Jordan Williams, Elizabeth Dam, Emily Daugherty Creative Director: Diana Bayless Assistant Creative Director: Nik Aliye Creative Staff: Mariah Jones, Samantha Keck, Kitty Schaffernoth, Seden Craig Voice your opinion. Readers are encouraged to send letters to the Collegiate Times.

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may 2, 2013 COLLEGIATETIMES

BURRITO WARS

Moe’s

Cost: $8.20 $7.20* * with Student ID

Pros: “Most tightly wrapped, with a good distribution of ingredients.” “Ideal on the go, assuming you’d want to eat a burrito on the go for some reason.”

“Comes with free chips, guac included.”

SCORE: 5 / 10

Cons: “Least fresh ingredients, with dry chicken.” “Bland.” “Not worth finishing.”

SCORE: 9 / 10

Chipotle Pros: “Tastiest, most flavorful burrito.” “Best ingredients, tasty tomatoes and juicy char-grilled chicken.” “Burritos are huge.”

Cons: “Badly wrapped in aluminum.”

“Got some pricy guac.”

Cost: $8.94 Cost: $7.48 $3.74*

Qdoba

* using Flex Dollars

SCORE: 7 / 10

Pros: “Can be purchased with flex dollars on-campus.” “Solid taste.” “Queso can be applied.”

Cons: “Not open on weekends.” “Bad distribution of ingredients.” “Guac costs extra.”

*All scores based on size, presentation, price, quality of ingredients, functionality and taste of the burrito. *All burritos served on a flour tortilla, with chicken, sour cream, rice, guacamole, tomatoes, lettuce, shredded cheese and a variety of salsas.

BRAD KLODOWSKI / THE COLLEGIATE TIMES

editors: emma goddard, nick smirniotopoulos featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865

weekend

may 2, 2013 COLLEGIATETIMES

I MAY BE WRONG, BUT I DOUBT IT

The long road that brought me here F or those of you who have suffered through reading my sass this entire year, I want to thank you for doing so.

And as my final goodbye, I’d like to spend this column sharing the story of how I got to this point in my life, so my fans can know me better and my haters can at least understand where I’m coming from.

Considering “sincerity” isn’t a strength of mine, this should be interesting. But here it goes…

How I got here On Aug. 12, 2007, I tried to do a front flip into the ocean and I broke my neck. I was about to start my senior year of high school, and the accident brought what had been an amazing summer to an abrupt end.

I can’t complain too much, though; it was my own fault — uncoordinated, 6’5” white guys who got D’s in elementary school gymnastics shouldn’t be doing front flips.

Obviously, the whole experience was life changing. I spent two months in the ICU, five months in physical therapy, missed six months of school and had to get used to the whole “no longer being able to walk” thing.

I ended up graduating high school that year anyway, but had to take a year off after that.

Finally in 2009, I had claimed what I considered my birthright: an acceptance to Virginia Tech.

To this day I cannot explain how my parents were OK with me moving four hours away just two years after my accident, but I’m grateful they did.

My time at Tech My first semester was miserable, even if I didn’t tell anyone.

You see, outside of campus, Blacksburg is pretty awful at being wheelchair accessible. Most off-

campus housing has at least one flight of stairs — a wheelchair’s kryptonite — and so I didn’t go out much.

Add that to the fact that this was the first time I was trying to make friends while in a wheelchair — something that can be awkward if you’re not outgoing enough — and the result was that I was pretty lonely.

But then something amazing happened. I met someone who wouldn’t let me use an apartment having stairs as a reason to not go out. In fact, he forced me to go out. That was my friend Austin Eason.

Two months later, I was pledging his fraternity and had finally found my niche.

The guys in my fraternity are the reason I’ve been carried up the stairs of TOTS; they are the reasons I have gone to formals in South Carolina without a caregiver; they are the reason I have as many humorous anecdotes as I do.

Has it always ended well? God, no.

I’ve fallen down countless flights of stairs, broken my wheelchair numerous times and gotten into scenarios where I’m fairly certain the only reason I wasn’t arrested or punched was that I was in a wheelchair (it really can be a “get out of jail free” card at times).

Looking back at it all though, I regret nothing that has happened because of my friends’ boldness, even if it resulted in me permanently scarring myself.

The most important thing they’ve done for me, though, is push me to do things that are out of my comfort zone.

Now, I’ve never been a reserved person, but I’m definitely not a risk taker. Thankfully, I’ve never been good at handling peer pressure.

If you don’t have at least one person that pushes you to do things outside your comfort zone like

my friends have, find one. And don’t let anyone tell you that peer pressure is a bad thing.

Writing WTL A few days after my accident, I was sitting in the ICU with my mom watching “Talladega Nights,” and the scene where Ricky Bobby stabs himself in the leg to “prove” he’s paralyzed came on.

While I had seen it probably 20 times before, this time was different, as I really was paralyzed.

So when he stuck that knife in his leg and jumped up in pain, my mother and I both simultaneously gave a “is it too soon?” look to each other.

We laughed anyway.

That’s why I decided to start “Walking the Line.” It has been my way to tell people that they shouldn’t take things so seriously. Sometimes, you just have to laugh.

And to those who were legitimately angered by my column, I’m sorry you chose to take my humor so seriously. Just know it was nothing personal.

This column has been the most challenging and rewarding thing I’ve done at Tech, and hopefully a few of you have enjoyed reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

There are so many things in life where the only logical reaction is to either laugh or cry.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the last six years, it’s that the former is always better than the latter.

NICK CAFFERKY -senior -managing editor -communication major

5

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may 2, 2013

Regular Edition Today’s Birthday Horoscope: Between now and June 25, a barrier dissolves and ushers in new career opportunities.

After that, community, home and family responsibilities busy you for the rest of the year. Teamwork magnifies efforts.

Education and networking for positive impact inspires.

Balance work with abundant play.

Piled Higher and Deeper by Jorge Cham Quote of the Day

“A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle.”

- Gloria Steinem

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65 Cast topper 66 Disney et al., or, when added to the starts of the starred answers, a 1965 musical (listen!)

67 Raise

By Ed Sessa

Week ending May 3, 2013

ACROSS 1 16-Across’s style 5 Step like Bigfoot 10 Panache 14 Two-time Italian prime minister Moro 15 Writer who said, “I am not young enough to know everything” 16 1-Across singer 17 *Fifth Amendment right 20 Factor in the Andrea Doria/Stockholm collision

Hot New Songs Breezeblocks • alt-J Come & Get it • Selena Gomez Wings • Little Mix Kiss You • One Direction If I Lose Myself • One Republic

5/2/13

21 Water pipes 22 Flamenco shout 23 Portmanteau name for an OCedar cleaning product 25 *Decorator’s forte 30 Shower accessory 31 “__ out?”: dealer’s query 32 Wall map marker 36 Navigational suffix 37 Bleach 40 Magic org.

41 Tuxedo part

43 Word game piece 44 V8’s veggies, e.g.

46 *No place in particular 49 Thickness measurer 52 Sit in a cellar, perhaps 53 Have because of 54 As a point of fact 59 *End of an old pasta product jingle 62 Woody scent 63 Firefighter Red 64 Lieutenant Tragg creator Gardner

DOWN 1 Teen safety gp.

2 Lead for Poirot 3 Port of Yemen 4 Caps 5 Broadway deal 6 Suitor of 57-Down 7 Designer Cassini 8 OR workers 9 Latin foot 10 Assumed value 11 Plumb tuckered out 12 Much street talk 13 Ship’s anchor hole 18 Prepare to shoot again 19 Katz of “Hocus Pocus” 23 Hot 24 Dear, to Donizetti 25 Shasta no.

26 Days gone by 27 A really long time 28 More touch-andgo 29 __ Gay 33 Opening stake 34 Transmitting trucker 35 Hudson of “Almost Famous” 38 To be, in Paree 39 Cheap hooch 42 Toward that place, to Shakespeare

45 Proctor’s concern 47 Long verse 48 Antique dealers, at times 49 Masterstrokes 50 At all 51 Hotelier Helmsley 54 “(I’ve Got __ in) Kalamazoo” 55 Voucher

56 Currency discontinued in 2002 57 “Copacabana” siren 58 Strategic WWI river 60 Hillbilly relative 61 Org. for drillers?

Wednesday’s Puzzle Solved

(c)2011 Tribune Media Services, Inc.

5/1/13

WORDSEARCH: Characters from The Hobbit Locate the list of words in the word bank in the letter grid.

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Taurus (April 20-May 20) Assume new duties, and prepare for inspection. Remain irmly patient with a resister. Having love makes it easier to stick to a budget. Find a pleasant surprise at home.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Stick to practical issues, especially if controversy arises. Gather information for an expanding project, and include important details. Make minor repairs.

Increase your skills in the coming Gemini (May 21-June 20) You don’t week for a new understanding. have to spend a lot to impress your date. Find inventive ways to Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Take on show you care. Travel, studies and more work this week. You gain education tickle your fancy. Have in popularity. There’s a potential an adventure. clash with authority. That’s part of the process, so anticipate some Cancer (June 21-July 22) Follow a disagreement. Share ideas with hunch, even if it seems ridiculous your partner, and dare to stand at irst. Don’t overspend, and out. report clearly. A con lict between love and money makes it a tricky Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Don’t time for romance. Learn from an overstep your bounds. True, experienced tutor. things are getting stirred up.

Obligations may force a delay.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Put your More money is coming soon, but talent to work, and keep to the resist an enthusiastic salesperson budget. It’s not a good time to anyway. Don’t take risks or travel travel yet, but you’re lucky now. long-distance yet.

Handle that main obligation irst.

Getting it complete satis ies.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Be careful as you address ancient issues. Consistent effort wins.

Accept acknowledgement from a person you admire. There’s positive cash low ahead, but keep to your budget anyway. Sidestep a controversy.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Make a sales call. Stick with your principles, and work to achieve immediate goals. You can achieve abundance together. Tempers may be short. Discuss; don’t argue. Take a timeout, if needed.

Build up reserves.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Work interferes with play. Continue to increase your investigation in the coming week. Consider whatever might go wrong. Develop greater skill. Financial shortages will be overcome. Go out somewhere nice together.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Circumstances change quickly, so bid high if you really want it. Don’t force things. Continue to decrease obligations and worries this week. Get out into the community.

There’s enough money, but spend thoughtfully.

Aries (March 21-April 19) Consider the money, but don’t get stopped by lack of it. If you have trouble adjusting, discover other resources, like groups and networks with valuable connections and opportunities.

What can you trade?

editors: emma goddard, nick smirniotopoulos featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865

people & clubs

may 2, 2013 COLLEGIATETIMES

7

Students jumpstart educational program in Kenya MADELEINE GORDON features reporter

For some, studying abroad is a viable opportunity while in college, but for nine students who studied abroad in Switzerland last year, it was life changing.

During a semester in Lugano, Switzerland, nine Virginia Tech students decided to take a class project outside the classroom and into the real world. Senior communication major Whitney Weeden said they decided an impromptu trip to Africa was a good way to implement curriculum they had been working on.

Students traveled to Kenya to spend time teaching at a boarding school for primary education called Bambakofi Academy.

“We went there with our curriculum, expecting to teach them, but in the end, they taught us more,” Weeden said.

“The impact that these kids had on us was overwhelming,” said Valerie Hengemuhle, a senior marketing and communication double major. “They weren’t just these kids asking us to help them. They are these passionate, happy kids who don’t have that much, but are passionate about school.”

Bambakofi is funded by the Swiss non-profit Associazione Ticino-Kenya Youth Education, which allows the students to attend school for free. However, students must go through a rigorous application process to be admitted, Weeden said.

Most of the students leave home to attend Bambakofi with the aspiration of bettering the lives of those in their home communities, Hengemuhle said.

Primary school is made up of grades one through eight, and is free to Kenyans. After the students finish primary school however, they must find their own way to pay for secondary school.

“All of the potential is there (in the kids), but they don’t have

enough opportunity to continue their education. We wanted to help with that in terms of providing money for scholarships,” Hengemuhle said.

Students in Kenya must pay a tuition of $525 per year. The cost may not seem out of reach for some Americans, but this price is often the reason Kenyans aren’t able to further their education, Weeden said.

“They are so deserving and such generous, kind people, that the fact that some of them can’t go to high school is devastating,” Weeden said. “They are so smart. These kids would even study during recess.”

Faced with the reality that the dedicated students they met at Bambakofi might not be able to afford more education, the Tech students resolved to help.

When they returned from Kenya, the students began brainstorming ways they could help.

Their first ideas started small, from sending pens and pencils to getting Tech to donate t-shirts.

Then they decided to start a club.

“We decided to make it broader and create something sustainable,” Hengemuhle said.

Thus, The Taaluma Project was born. Taaluma means “education” in Swahili, and the goal of the project is to raise enough money to send an entire graduating class from Bambakofi to secondary school every year.

“People in Africa want to learn and want to have a life. They just don’t have the means of doing that like we do,” Hengemuhle said. “What they need is an education. They don’t need money and donations so they can have a home. They need money so they can build an education and have a sustainable lifestyle.”

The Taaluma Project was officially recognized by Tech in September, and they have applied for a tax-deductible status with the IRS. The members have set up fundraisers like “KenYa Wrap a Mummy?,” Fall

Keep the law COURTESY OF WHITNEY WEEDEN

The Taaluma project helps so Kenyan students can attend school.

Festival and a “KenYa Kompete” February fundraiser at Big Al’s.

They have raised over $2,000 so far, and the members hope to see their fundraisers become annual and well-known events throughout the community.

Though they have yet to reach their goal, the club realizes that any little bit of money will help. They plan to send as much money as they can every December, which marks the end of the school year in Kenya.

“These kids are so genuinely happy with nothing,” Weeden said. “They look forward to receiving an education and giving back to their families. Helping them would be so rewarding and would be such a worthwhile cause.”

While the primary goal of The Taaluma Project is to help provide means for Kenyans to pursue a higher education, sophomore management major Meghan Miko said that she hopes the project will help Americans realize what a privilege it is to attend school.

“Its important to take a step back and realize how blessed we are, how much we have and how

we can give back,” Miko said. “It can change our lives and theirs, and it’s important to try to help others in whatever way we can.”

While Miko wasn’t part of the original nine students, she was inspired to get involved because of her love of children and service. Miko will be traveling to Africa this summer, and Hengemuhle and Weeden hope that her trip will be as inspiring as theirs.

Although most of the original nine will be graduating in May, Weeden and Hengemuhle said they hope to see the organization grow, and they will continue their involvement beyond college. They’re relying on members like Miko to continue the mission of this project.

“One day in the future I would love to be able to talk with the people at Bambakofi and have them tell me something like ‘Anna, the girl from the class you worked with, is actually going to be a doctor,’ which is what she wanted to do,” Hengemuhle said. “Just knowing that something we did contributed to their success and their happiness would be a great reward.”

101

on your side.

Lesson: Staying Hydrated How does consuming water before and while drinking help prevent negative outcomes?

ANSWER: staying hydrated increases energy levels and cognitive alertness throughout the evening, reduces probability of vomiting, and significantly reduces hangover symptoms How much water should I drink?

ANSWER: It is recommended that you consume 24 ounces of water before you start drinking, and consuming between 6 and 12 ounces for each standard drink consumed.

it ’s choose to drink WHEN

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8

sports

may 2, 2013 COLLEGIATETIMES

Softball takes down UVa and Liberty ALI BOWKER sports staff writer

The Virginia Tech softball team went on the road this weekend and came away with a series win over rival UVa before sweeping Liberty in a doubleheader on Tuesday.

Head Coach Scot Thomas said that the wins were an overall team effort.

“We always have someone different step up. Against Liberty it was Bkaye Smith,” Thomas said. “Bailey Liddle and Kylie McGoldrick have also been coming up with big hits.”

Liddle has been a steady player ever since Kelsey Mericka went down with an injury.

“It’s always tough losing a player, and if it hadn’t been for Bailey stepping up it would have been tougher,” Thomas said. “She had big hits against Radford (last week) and a big home run Monday.”

In the fi rst game against the Cavaliers on Sunday, it was Laruen Gaskill’s two-run home run in the second inning that got the Hokies rolling. In the fift h, Tech added to their lead when Smith singled up the middle to score Dani Anderson.

Liddle’s double in the sixth drove in her older sister Courtney, followed by Anderson’s single, which scored Bailey and gave Tech the final edge, 6-0.

The pitching effort came from a pair of freshmen on the mound, as Kelly Heinz went six innings and Maggie Tyler finished out the last inning. The pair combined to allow six hits and three walks as they struck out three.

The Hokies got to UVa’s Melanie Mitchell early and often, as they scored six runs off of eight hits.

Sunday’s second game started off well for the Hokies, as Smith’s two-RBI single got Tech on the board in the second frame. UVa countered in the fourth to cut the lead to just one.

However, that was the last time the Cavs would score, as Jasmin Harrell went all seven innings allowing just one run on four hits, one walk, and produced seven strike outs.

Kat Banks contributed to the scoring effort in the fifth inning with a home run and Gaskill hit her second home run of the day in the sixth to secure the Tech victory.

In the third and final game of the series on Monday, Tech suffered a setback as they fell to Virginia 7-3.

“

We always have someone different step up. Against Liberty it was Bkaye Smith.”

Scot Thomas Head softball coach

UVa jumped onto the board in the fi rst, taking a 2-0 lead. However, McGoldrick crushed her ninth big fly of the season in the second to cut into Cav’s lead. In the fourth, Bailey Liddle smashed a tworun homerun, the first of her career, to give the Hokies the advantage.

However, the UVa offense fought back, as they added on three in the fift h and two in the sixth inning.

The Hokies stayed on the road and they faced Liberty in a doubleheader on Tuesday.

In the first game, the Hokies used a nine run fift h inning to seal Liberty’s fate and end the game due to the mercy rule.

Liberty jumped on the board quickly in the first inning of the second game, as Amber Donovan’s single to right field scored Katie Zavodny.

However, that would be the last time that the Flames would score.

In the fourth, Dani Anderson scored on a wild pitch to get the Hokies on the board. That same inning, Smith’s grounder to second plated Amanda Ake. With bases loaded in the fift h, Liberty’s pitcher walked back-to-back batters, contributing to Tech’s cause.

Ake then singled to left field to score Bailey and increase Tech’s lead to 4. Smith stepped up with the bases still loaded and pounded her first home-

editors: matt jones, zach mariner sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865

Golf team unites to finish second at ACC tournament JAMES O’HARA sports staff writer

CHEN JIANG / SPPS

Kylie McGoldrick (17) and the Hokies have won six of their last seven games. run of her career to center field.

Anderson produced the last two runs of the game, as her single to center field plated Banks and Alex Barnes.

Harrell pitched all five innings, allowing one run off three hits using four strikeouts to get the best of Liberty.

In the second game of the series, the Hokies’ bats were not quite as hot in the beginning of the game.

Again, it was Liberty who jumped onto the board in the home half of the first inning.

In the second, Anderson singled to left field to plate McGoldrick, allowing the Hokies to tie the game up at one. However, Liberty’s Kassidy McCoy’s solo home run gave the Flames the advantage.

Tech’s bats came alive in the

last inning, when McGoldrick smacked her tenth home run of the year to tie things back up.

Then Smith’s double to left-center plated Ake and Anderson, allowing Tech to take a 4-2 lead, which would end up being the fi nal score.

With the wins, Tech improves to 33-16 on the season and 8-9 in the ACC. The Hokies will stay home this weekend, where they have their last conference series against Maryland before heading to the ACC tournament next Thursday.

“I think if we win the series it will help us from an RPI standpoint,” Thomas said. “The committee looks at how teams finished in the last few weeks, so it will be big.”

Golf is the ultimate individual sport, but nobody told the Virginia Tech golf team that.

“We have five solid players,” said Head Coach Jay Hardwick. “They have confidence in each other to play their best.”

The team tied for second last weekend at the ACC Championships, its second best fi nish ever in the tournament, finishing with a three-day total of 22-under-par, 822. They also placed four golfers in the individual top ten of the tournament, a feat no other school accomplished.

Going into the rain-soaked final round, the team was sitting at fourth place, needing to make up ground.

“The bad weather was no problem — we’ve dealt with it before and had success,” Hardwick said.

“It’s easier to make up shots in bad weather.”

With his team needing a grand finish, the last man on the course, sophomore Trevor Cone, birdied the last four holes in the rain, making him the low scorer for the team on the day and giving the Hokies the best round of the day.

“We have depth down the line, any one of those guys can be the low scorer on any day,” said Hardwick. “Some teams have just one low scorer and when he struggles, they struggle, but that’s not us.”

“We aren’t a one man team,” said Hardwick. “We put an emphasis on that to recruit top-to-bottom.”

Individually, senior Mikey Moyers tied for second at tenunder-par 206 in his last ACC Championships.

“The Navy Spring Invitational was his only finish outside of the top 25, so he had a bit of a chip on his shoulder going into the ACC Championships,” said Hardwick.

The finish capped off an accomplished career for the senior, who Hardwick pointed to as being a team leader.

Sophomore Scott Vincent, who hails from Harare, Zimbabwe, finished in sixth at six-under-par, 210. Vincent finished the regular season as all-time leading scorer for Tech.

Vincent is also the fift h player from Zimbabwe to play for Tech.

Another current player, Marc Macdonald, is also from Harare and the friendship between the two helped them adjust to being at Tech. That camaraderie demonstrates the cohesiveness of the team.

Already the all-time leading scorer, Vincent still has much to accomplish before his collegiate career ends.

“Despite the success this year, we didn’t have a player win an individual title,” said Hardwick.

“I think that’s something Scott could accomplish in the future.”

All five golfers have dreams of playing professionally after college, but also recognize that their education is paramount. To that end, Moyers is returning in the fall to graduate, before looking into his professional prospects.

But they still have a lot of golf to play this season as the NCAA regionals are coming up. The team finds out on May 6 whether they will head to regional tournaments.

Regionals take place from May 16 to May 18, and the top five teams at the regional tournament advance to the national championship.