EAGLE NEWS
November 2019 Volume 18, Issue 5
DUNK CITY The official student media group at Florida Gulf Coast University since 1997
eaglenews.org
EN PHOTO BY JACOB POLLOCK
FINDING THE REAL FAKE NEWS IN THE WORLD TODAY
CATCH UP ON THE FALL SPORTS FROM 2019
It can be confusing to see so many different headlines in a world where news moves so fast. How do we combat this? See more on 6A
As the seasons are changing over, take some time to see how the fall sports teams fared over the course of their seasons. See more on 4B
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November 2019
INDEX
FOLLOW US
News ..........................................................................................3A-12A Sports .......................................................................................... 1B-5B Opinion ..................................................................................... 6B-12B
Twitter .........................................................................@fgcueaglenews Facebook ............................................................................ Eagle News Instagram .......................................................................... @eaglenews
Eagle News Executive Editor ............................................................ Sean C. Porter Eagle News Editor........................................................... Jordyn Matez Assignment & Features Editor.......................................... Leah Sankey Assistant AF Editor .......................................................... Brooke Stiles Beat Reporter .................................................................. Nina Mendes News Clerk ..................................................................... Lauren Miceli Opinion Editor .........................................................Samantha Roesler Assistant Opinion Editor ..................................................Alana Brooks Sports Editor .........................................................Harold Solomon IV Assistant Sports Editor .................................................... Jake Henning Photo Editor ....................................................................Julia Bonavita Assistant Photo Editor ................................................ Raphaella Matta
Graphics Editor.................................................................. Kris Locker Senior Copy Editor ............................................. Gabriella Livingston Social Media Editor ...................................................... Kara Gardiner
ONE COPY PER READER One copy of the print edition is free to anyone, but limited one per reader. Newspaper theft is a crime. It is also a terribly effective form of censorship. While most college newspapers are distributed without charge, they certainly are not “free.” Publishing a student newspaper is an expensive undertaking. Like other types of theft, newspaper thieves deprive rightful owners of their valuable property. If you are interested in obtaining more that one issue, please contact the executive editor in writing.
ENTV Director .....................................................................Kaela Thompson Assistant Director ......................................................... Sommer Senne Head Video Editor ........................................................Hassan Brissett Eagle Radio Station Manager ...................................................Abbey Tomaszewski Programming Director................................................Shelby Hancock
Eagle News, the official student media group at Florida Gulf Coast University since 1997, represents the diverse voices on campus with fairness. We select content for our publication and our website that is relevant to the student body, faculty and staff. Members are committed to reporting with accuracy and truth. Our purpose is to encourage conversations about issues that concern the on-campus community. Eagle News views every culture with equal respect and believes every person must be treated with dignity.
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November 2019
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Editor’s Note with Sean C. Porter
Basketball is back
W
hile most schools around the country have been able to watch their football teams compete, FGCU doesn’t exactly have that privilege. What FGCU has, in my opinion, is something far more valuable. Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams here have been successful, and I hope that trend continues. Dunk City was put on the map by the 2012-13 men’s basketball team after knocking off No. 2 seed Georgetown and No. 7 San Diego State in the NCAA tournament. Since then, the men’s team has made it back to the tournament twice, including in 2017. On the women’s team, FGCU has achieved plenty of success on its own, including six NCAA tournament appearances, including the last three seasons. With the season startingw at the beginning of November, there’s a lot of hype surrounding both teams. Follow us on Twitter @fgcuEagleNews for score updates and game results. Wings up!
EN PHOTO BY JACOB POLLOCK FGCU women’s basketball head coach Karl Smesko greets the crowd at Dunk City after Dark.
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November 2019
BONITA SPRINGS HOLIDAY IN THE PARK
By BROOKE STILES assistaNt News & FeatUres editOr
On Tuesday, Dec. 3, Riverside Park in Bonita Springs will be kicking off the holidays with a giant snow slide, train rides, free cookies and more.
The holidays are swooping in, romances are budding, the weather is (somewhat) cooling down and you need somewhere to chill. Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered with all kinds of seasonal events.
SMALL & LOCAL IS THE NEW SUPERMARKET: FARMERS MARKETS IN SWFL
FAIR AT FENWAY SOUTH The event we’ve all been waiting for: The Fort Myers Fair will be in town Nov. 8 to 10, Nov. 15 to 17, and Nov. 22 to 24. Don’t miss out on all your carnival cravings from rides to petting zoos to fair food and more.
CAPE CORAL’S VETERANS DAY PARADE On Monday, Nov. 11, Cape Coral will be celebrating Veterans Day with a parade from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Cape Coral Parkway. Pay tribute to lost soldiers and honor those who have served or are still serving our country. BONNIE X CLYDE CONCERT Put your shufflin’ shoes on and get ready for a headbanging Bonnie x Clyde concert at Society Restaurant & Lounge on Saturday, Nov. 16. The event is hosted by FGCU’s Sigma Chi and will begin at 9 p.m. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite. FGCU’S CANNACARN – CANNABIS EDUCATION CARNIVAL Don’t miss the opportunity to
EN PHOTO BY BROOKE STILES
The sun sets one evening on Bonita Beach. Bonita Beach is one place to go to destress during finals. learn all about the multidimensional world of cannabis on Thursday, Nov. 21. The carnival will be held on the library lawn from 11 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. and will include a taco eating contest, a tiedye t-shirt station, carnival games and more. NAPLES BALLOON GLOW Watch hot air balloons light up the night sky from Nov. 22 through 24 at the Collier County Fairgrounds. Glowing hot air balloons, food and retail vendors will
be onsite from 5 to 9 p.m. each night. You can purchase tickets on Facebook or Eventbrite.com. GULF COAST TOWN CENTER TREE LIGHTING What better way to get into the spirit of the holidays than a tree lighting? Head out to Gulf Coast Town Center on Saturday, Nov. 30 from 5 to 8 p.m. to enjoy cookie decorating, music, a hot chocolate station and more. The tree lighting is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Coconut Point Oct. 3 – April 30 Thursdays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Downtown Cape Coral (47th terrace) Oct. 5 - May 9 Saturdays, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Lakes Park Oct. 2 – April 29 Wednesdays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. River District (Centennial Park) Year-round market Thursdays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Koreshan State Park Year-round market Sundays, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Farmer Mike’s U-Pick Pick your own flowers, fruits and vegetables in the fields of Farmer Mike’s RELAX... Take a break from the books and put your toes in the sand It’s almost the end of the semester (we can practically taste winter break) but the end of the semester typically comes with stressors. Take a night to relax and dive your toes into our white sand beaches. Enjoy the sunset or a stroll with friends. You’ll return to the books feeling refreshed.
November 2019
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Insert shelter name here Doghouse Rescue Academy
Find your furry soulmate at Doghouse Rescue Academy (DRA). Insert information about shelter and other adoption DRA is a foster-based 501c(3) rescue that pulls dogs deemed information here. adoptable from predominantly rural areas and high-kill shelters, giving them another chance at life. DRA organizes fundraisers, events and in-depth training sessions for our community and volunteers. The adoption fee includes spay/neuter, microchip, and full vetting. If you’re interested in adopting and/or fostering, visit doghouserescueacademy.org to fill out an application.
Charlie | German shepherd |2 years old| Male This stunning guy is undergoing medical treatments in his foster home. Charlie is dog-friendly and has a laid-back personality. He is adjusting well to his new environment and will be available for adoption soon.
Spanky | bully mix| 10 weeks old| Male This little guy is 10 weeks old and full of personality. Spanky is almost fully housebroken, gets along great with dogs, doesn’t mind cats and knows a few basic commands. He would do best with a family who will continue training him.
Sierra| German shepherd|6 years old| Female Sierra is a beautiful, medium-sized female German shepherd. She is good with both cats, dogs and kids. This sweet girl is reserved at first but is doing great with adjusting to her foster home. She is good on the leash, knows all of her basic commands and is ready for her “fur”ever family.
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November 2019
Finding the real fake news FGCU class teaches students how to decipher which news is credible in the era of “fake news” By LAUREN MICELI News desk
WGCU Public Media highlighted News Literacy, a class Florida Gulf Coast University offers, to recognize Media Literacy Week. From Oct. 21 to 25, the National Association for Media Literacy Education hosted the fifth annual Media Literacy Week. Inspired by Canada’s Media Literacy Week, the NAMLE created its own week to bring attention and visibility to media literacy education in the United States. The internet and social media have made finding reliable information a challenge, so courses like News Literacy help students become more critical consumers of media. They also help develop students’ abilities to differentiate factual news from false material. “Students especially need to be able to make informed decisions,” said professor Lyn Millner, the founder of FGCU’s journalism program. “They are standing in a fire hose of information right now.” News used to be disseminated in a controlled manner. Consumers could rely on a select few outlets to deliver news they were able to believe was relatively accurate and honest. Now, anyone can post anything at any time, which can lead to confusion. “As new people come into the media consumption market, like students, they don’t know that NBC is more legitimate than some blog,” said Mike Kiniry, a producer and podcast host at WGCU. Offering classes focused solely
EN PHOTO BY JULIA BONAVITA The WGCU building is home to Southwest Florida’s local NPR and tv stations and is located on FGCU’s campus.
on news literacy stemmed from the Stony Brook University School of Journalism’s Center for News Literacy. That center was created around 2007, which is when the larger movement for media literacy began. “I still use elements of News Literacy in my daily life,” said Matt Kaminski, a senior in FGCU’s journalism program. “I wouldn’t be the same news consumer or writer without the knowledge I gained from that course.” Kaminski took News Literacy in the spring of 2017, and he went into the class not fully knowing how to decipher which
media outlets were credible. “It taught me how information has evolved over the years and showed me some of the ways to keep up with those changing trends,” he said. According to Kiniry, people tend to share information even if they know it’s not true simply because they want it to be true. “That’s what we have to defend against,” he said. “We’re in dangerous times where somebody could just say something and if the right number of people believe it, everything will change.” Millner said she believes being news literate is an essential skill
everyone should have, not just journalists. At FGCU, any student at the university can enroll in the course. Students receive general education credit, and journalism majors are required to take the class before they begin any upper-level journalism courses. “People are sort of choosing their own sets of facts and operating based on faulty information,” Millner said. “Even a straight news report could have bias in it because opinion is leaking more and more into news, so you really have to take it apart.”
November 2019
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Cobress By NINA MENDES beat repOrter
One southwest Florida cyberpunk band is on a mission to revive the synthwave scene by adding their own unique flair to the genre. Fort Myers act Cobress features four SWFL locals who have dubbed their style as “witchwave” with inspiration from gothic rock. They are best known for their avant-garde costumes and elaborate showmanship on stage. Frankie Orion (guitar/vocals/ synth) is the frontwoman of Cobress. She strives to empower her audience not only through her lyrics but with her appearance as well. “I begin the show in a huge sparkling dress, and by the end, I strip down to a bikini,” Orion said. “I don’t do it out of vanity; it’s about empowerment. I do it because, after 28 years, I’m learning to love myself and hoping I can inspire other women to love themselves too.” Colin Orion (bass/vocals/synth) is Frankie’s husband. The duo has been playing side by side in Cobress since the project’s start in 2017. Cobress’ sound mirrors that of the band New Year’s Day and includes techno influence similar to In This Moment. “Cobress has brought a different music genre to the collection of very diverse SWFL acts,” Colin said. “Having grown up here, the other musicians are our peers and our friends. Seeing their faces at shows will always be the best part about playing.” The band’s first release was an EP titled Stage Stomp, which hit stream-
ing platforms in March 2018. The six-track playlist details personal anecdotes through high-energy anthems like the title track of the album, “Stage Stomp.” Frankie’s enticing vocals provide a nice contrast against the band’s synth-rock ring. Louie Calavera (drums/triggers) and Xid (guitar/synth/vocals) complete Cobress. The two help give the band the industrial and electronic sound it’s known for. “We’ve all previously been in projects where the music produced wasn’t quite us,” said Colin. “Not to the fault of anyone else, but maybe just in the spirit of finding yourself over the years. It’s like when you fall in love, and you thought you had loved before, but it was nothing compared to this.” Colin sang vocals and played bass in the post-hardcore group, Scientist Versus Werewolf, which was active in the mid-2000s. Frankie remembers seeing Colin perform in that band when she was in her teens. She enjoys being able to share her passion for performing with her husband. Frankie also takes pride in overcoming the unspoken gender boundaries in the rock/grunge scene. “What I enjoy most about being a woman in the rock scene is being in a project where I get the freedom to express myself not just with sounds and lyrics, but with visuals like fashion too,” Frankie said. She also trains in the art of polesque, which is a mixture of pole dancing and burlesque. Frankie finds ways to incorporate a sensual show within Cobress’ performances. The band regularly plays at
PHOTO PROVIDED BY COBRESS Band members from left to right: Louie Calavera, Xid, Frankie Orion, Colin Orion.
different SWFL venues, including Nice Guys Pizza, Rack’em Spirits & Times and HOWL. Cobress’ most recent gig was a two-night party billed, “The Cobress Neon Halloween Weekend,” celebrating the release of the first chapter of their new album: Neon Royale. Chapter One: Fire was dropped on Halloween night during night one of the release party at South Street Grill in Naples. Chicago Boys Bar & Grill in Fort Myers hosted night two of the celebration on Friday, Nov. 1. Neon Royale will be released in four separate chapters, with each containing songs that will come together to create the whole album. “We’ve noticed a trend in the music industry where artists release albums gradually rather than all at once,” Colin said. “Even though we really love the nostalgic feeling of a full album, we also understand the reason for this technique. So
we decided to try and do both [and] we wrote the full album as a story separated into chapters.” The four complete chapters of Neon Royale are Fire, Water, Earth and Air, and they will be released in that order. Colin also illustrated the album art for the LP. Aside from being in the band, he’s a tattoo artist at Independent Tattoo. Each chapter’s cover will be a panel of an image that will become visible after all four covers are pieced together. The second chapter of Neon Royale, Chapter Two: Water, is expected to be released sometime in November. “The people of SWFL are our family,” Colin said. “It’s our job to give them [a show] to the best of our abilities and to always be striving to one-up ourselves for the next time. Of course, the road is great, but there’s no place like home.”
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November 2019
Cane Toads continue invading area Cane toads produce a lethally toxic substance, which can quickly kill pets By SAMANTHA ROESLER Opinion editor
Darlene first encountered a cane toad one evening in 2016 when she saw it hanging out of her dog Brooklynn’s mouth. Brooklynn is a 90 lb. boxer, but her large stature didn’t stop the toad from temporarily incapacitating her. When an animal licks or bites a cane toad, it can be extremely harmful or even lethal. “Brooklynn was having hallucinations; before I could get her in the car, she could hardly walk,” Darlene said. “When I got to the ER, it took three people to get Brooklynn out of my car and on a stretcher. I thought she was gone but they saved her.” Some dogs are not as lucky as Brooklynn. “I’m sure if my dog only weighed a few pounds when she caught (a cane toad) it would have been all over for her,” Darlene said. Darlene was born and raised in North Fort Myers and didn’t encounter any cane toads until three years ago. These poisonous toads have only recently became a problem that has plagued southwest Florida. Cane toads, also known as Bufo toads, are native to South America, being introduced to Florida in the 1930s as an attempt to control pests in sugar cane fields. In the 1950s, the toads started being released into the wild and are now a great threat to Florida’s native species. Cane toads have enlarged glands that produce bufotoxin,
which is lethal. Vince Mancini is a technician at Bonita Veterinary Hospital and has been practicing there since 1998. Mancini said he has definitely seen an increase in Cane toad cases throughout his two decades of practice in southwest Florida. “When I first started here it was an occasional thing,” Mancini said. “At a daytime practice it was unheard of. Now, we’re seeing a handful each year that we can confirm.” Mancini says that the hospital now gets five to six Cane toad cases each year that are confirmed, which is a great increase compared to the one to two per year that he experienced when he started. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is combating the growing Cane toad population by partnering with a post-doc from the University of Florida to work on getting more information on this invasive species. This partnership started in July of 2019 when they began trapping and tracking the toads. “They put little backpacks on the toads, and they were able to understand where they were moving for certain periods of time and understand where they were spending their time,” Katie Ferron, a representative for the Conservancy, said. “All we know is what they’ve done — they’re still punching numbers and collecting their data.” As the Conservancy waits for the statistical data provided by the post-doc, the organization is continuing to learn about the Cane toad’s general behavior.
“What we’re trying to do is understand more about the species and understand what their overall effects are,” Ferron said. “With invasive species in Florida, it’s so easy for them to thrive — it is hard to eradicate them. Obviously to get rid of all the Cane toads is the ultimate and ideal goal, but how we can better manage them and how we can better understand more about them and decrease their effects on native wildlife is the first step of that main goal.” Not only are large organizations working to eliminate the Cane toads, but southwest Florida residents are working together in the local community to face this problem through social media. There are groups on Facebook such as The Bufo Toad Eradication group which has almost 400 members who discuss how they have been affected by this invasive species. Members also provide advice to each other about how to keep the frogs away from their property and, consequently, their pets. “I’ve read all I can about how to deter them because you can’t kill them unless you catch them,” Darlene said. “They are extremely tough and very hard to kill; you can’t just step on them or knock them lightly because they continue to hop on and then you lose them.” Darlene goes through a monthly routine to prevent Brooklynn and her other boxer, Tyson, from encountering Cane toads. She sprays citric acid powder around
her fence where she also lays down water softener salt. “If it’s a toad in my yard, I’m going to do everything I can to eliminate it,” Darlene said. When it comes to reacting after your pet has been poisoned, Mancini emphasizes the importance of acting fast. “If they’re brought to us immediately, the survival rate is near 100%,” Mancini said. Veterinary practitioners prioritize flushing out the pet’s mouth and treat pets through IV fluids. Darlene, having firsthand experience with needing to take her dog to the vet after an encounter with a Cane toad, also knows the importance of taking action right away. “Now I don’t leave my dogs out in the yard unsupervised for one minute,” Darlene said. “It happens too fast and you have to react too fast or they might be done and gone in minutes.” When working to avoid your pet coming in contact with a cane toad, veterinary professionals say that keeping your eye on your pet at all times is most important. “If you’re going out at night during the rainy season, have your dogs on a short leash,” Mancini said. “Don’t let them dive in bushes. If you have a fenced-in yard, be with them. Watch them. Obviously, prevention is key.” Upon being interviewed, Darlene asked her identity remain protected and her last name be ommited.
November 2019
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FGCU’s Food Forest The eco-conscious food foresters aim to teach sustainability outside of the classroom
EN PHOTO BY JULIA BONAVITA The entrance of the FGCU Food Forest.
By NINA MENDES beat reporter
When entering the FGCU Food Forest, the serene atmosphere entices you to trek deeper. Thriving foliage with budding flowers line the dirt path beneath your feet. There are mangoes hanging, their ombre skin glistening against the sunlight. Other fruits hover suspended in the air. The land is healthy, breathing and alive. The FGCU Food Forest is an edible, botanical garden located near the Kleist Health Education Center at the front of campus. The land consists of a combination of tropical and subtropical fruits and plants. Its permaculture design is intended to provide education about geography and
lifestyle. “Earth Care,” “People Care” and “Fair Share” are mottos that govern the Food Forest. The Food Forest is student-led, and the produce is free for students and faculty. “The Food Forest creates a space for students to learn more intimately about the fruit, vegetable, medicinal, and native plants that do well in our area,” said Food Forest Coordinator Andrew Adkins. “The forest takes students away from classrooms and puts them into a situation where they can put their hands in the soil and learn via example.” Adkins runs an Instagram page dedicated to southwest Florida gardening, which highlights local, native fruits and plants. Every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Food Forest Coordi-
nators host events and welcome student volunteers. Many volunteers are pruning prune plants, clearing brush from walkways and planting new additions into the forest’s ground. Brendan Beardsley, a junior at FGCU, has been volunteering his time on Saturday mornings for over a year. “The Food Forest is a beautiful place to learn and to work with other students towards a common goal,” Beardsley said. “I met new friends here, and I really enjoy learning about how everything interacts with each other.” The Food Forest’s mission is to educate staff, students and community members about environmental sustainability and raise awareness of our sustainability efforts at the university.
“The Food Forest has taught me more than I ever anticipated, but it all comes down to [an] appreciation of our land and our connection to food,” said past Food Forest coordinator, Bo Cherry. “I hope volunteers take away the perspective that staying connected to where our food comes from is very important, and it helps build community in the local area through shared stewardship of the land.” Cherry began volunteering with the Food Forest during his sophomore year of college. He worked as a coordinator during his junior and senior years until he graduated in the spring of 2019. The forest has some basic guidelines and rules of proper etiquette that everyone must follow to ensure safety. The grounds are open from sunrise to sunset. The Food Forest coordinators ask people to not remove flowers, foliage, insects or plants from the terrain. Coordinators advise visitors to wear closed-toed shoes, sun-protective clothing, bring water and stay on the designated walkways. Students looking to get involved and earn service-learning hours through the Food Forest can learn more information through its website. “It’s very peaceful and fun to see all the life that resides in the Food Forest,” Beardsley said. “I would recommend students volunteer there to learn more about what the Food Forest is and all the things it has to offer the students at FGCU.”
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November 2019
Dumpster ducks The ducks penned near a dumpster at miromar outlets cause controversy By SAMANTHA ROESSLER Opinion editor
Miromar Outlets in Estero is facing backlash concerning the ducks used to entertain its shoppers. The nine Pekin ducks that are owned by Miromar Outlets are brought out to the mall’s fountains from Wednesday to Sunday for shoppers to look at and enjoy, according to Miromar Outlets Vice President Jeffery Staner. When the ducks are not entertaining visitors, they’re penned next to a garbage compactor behind the outlet mall. The SWFL community started speaking up against this when Vik Chhabra created the Facebook page “Save the Miromar Ducks.” Chhabra has seen the ducks at Miromar for years. “I would notice the ducks at the fountains awhile back when I was with my kid,” Chhabra said. “And then about three years ago when I was on my way to Starbucks and saw where they are kept I was like ‘Really? This is where you keep them?’ You get to this point where you just want to do the right thing and want to focus on what people are doing wrong.” Cat Chase became aware of the issue through Chhabra’s Facebook page and decided to take a look at the ducks herself. “I wasn’t a big fan of how they are living and what they look like,” Chase said. “Even if they were beautiful and pristine ducks, that’s not how they should be living.”
PHOTO PROVIDED BY CAT CHASE The Miromar Outlet ducks are kept beside the dumpsters at the shopping mall. The turf was put in after multiple complaints of the ducks being forced to stand on hot concrete.
Chase explained how some Miromar security officers were quick to get her away from the pen. “I was at the dumpster for less than 10 minutes when security came and told me I needed to get out,” Chase said. Instead of attracting shoppers to the mall, the ducks are now doing the opposite — turning shoppers away. “It makes me very hesitant to shop there,” Chase said. “I’m sure it’s really unfortunate for people that work there.” Andy Minoie is the store manager at the Starbucks in Miromar and sees the ducks regularly when he works, though not by
choice. “I hate taking the trash out because I see those ducks,” Minoie said. “They’re dirty and covered in algae. Also, I feel like they might be emotionally scarred because every time I grab the hose to clean the garbage, they run away. It seems like how their pen is cleaned scares them.” The mall recently set down turf in the pen for the ducks along with new bedding. “Ever since the petition circulated Facebook, they put grass down,” Minoie said. “But that doesn’t make it better.” Florida Rescue Farm is a nonprofit animal shelter that has recognized this situation and
agreed to take the ducks if Miromar decides to give them up. “If Miromar wants to re-home them, we are here to adopt them and that’s fine,” Florida Rescue Farm Vice President Glenn Maresca said. “It’s Miromar’s decision. We don’t judge; our angle is that we help animals.” If the ducks were to be brought to Florida Rescue Farm, they would only be penned at night. “Our ducks, chicken and geese free range all day long from sunup to sundown,” Florida Rescue Farm President Kelly McCormick said. “We know our enclosure is done well because they want to go back in at night.” McCormick and Maresca
November 2019 emphasized that the community can put the energy generated from this local issue and use it to impact problems on a bigger scale. “It is easy to see the ducks and be concerned about them, but out of sight out of mind,” McCormick said. “There are animals that are living in horrible conditions, so it would be great to take this energy and put it towards better regulating farm animals.” Chhabra created a petition on Change.org around a month ago that has gotten over 1,000 signatures and media attention from local news stations. “I didn’t expect it to get that much traction,” Chhabra said. “I just wanted it documented that the ducks are in these conditions and see what happens.” Besides signing the petition, people like Chase personally reached out to Miromar voicing their opinion on the situation, but it proved difficult to get a response. “I called them a couple times, and the first person will be like ‘Okay let me put you on hold’ and then I’ll get hung up on, so they won’t actually address it,” Chase said. “They are definitely recognizing that this is all happening. They aren’t blind to it.” Despite the negative attention Miromar Outlets is facing, the development is not planning on changing the pen to a different location. “We have had Lee County Domestic Animal Control out several times for inspections and have never found any issues with the health or living conditions of the ducks,” Staner said. On Oct. 15, Miromar Outlets released to the public the report conducted by Lee County Do-
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PHOTO PROVIDED BY VIK CHHABRA The Miromar Outlet ducks
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before the turf was put in their enclosure, after multiple complaints.
mestic Animal Services (LCDAS) stating that there are no violations observed. “We have never had any violations during all the years that the ducks have been at Miromar,” the report stated. “All nine ducks have had their annual physical and they are all in good health according to our veterinarian.” Some members of the SWFL community are still not happy about the situation despite it being cleared from LCDAS. “It’s the perfect example of how we’re treating the environment and how humans don’t care anymore,” Chhabra said. “I just want the good side to do the right thing and in this day and age it’s getting harder and harder to do that. Can we get the mall to do the right thing? That’s the gist of it.”
FGCU's 30 credit-hour Master's Degree in Engineering (MSE) offers two exciting emphasis areas in Environmental Engineering and Renewable Energy. Program faculty are experienced teachers who guide and mentor your post-baccalaureate education. The program schedule is designed for full-time working students—classes are held 2 days a week from 4:30 pm to about 7:15 pm. Degree completion is possible within 2 years, and tuition support is available in the form of waivers, assistantships and scholarships! The application deadline for Spring 2020 is November 15, 2019 and for Fall 2020 is July 1, 2020. To learn more about the program visit www.fgcu.edu/eng/mse. For assistance, please contact Dr. Danvers Johnston (djohnston@fgcu.edu) or Melinda Morra (mmorra@fgcu.edu).
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November 2019
SpORTS
FALL SPORTS COMING TO A CLOSE FGCU volleyball nears the ASUN Chamionship as the No. 1 seed in the conference. See how the rest of FGCU Athletics is doing as each team wraps up their fall season. See more on 4B
Dirty Birds flock to the nest: basketball is back!
EN FILE PHOTO BY JULIA BONAVITA
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November 2019
High hopes for hoops
EN FILE PHOTO BY JULIA BONAVITA Zach Scott starred for the Eagles in his freshman campaign a year ago, averaging 8.4 points per game and shooting 41% from the threepoint line, earning him a spot on the ASUN All-Rookie team.
By JAKE HENNING Assitant Sports Editor
MEN’S BASKETBALL: It’s been 212 days since the FGCU men’s basketball last stepped on the court, but if you ask head coach Michael Fly, he isn’t thinking about last year, or even March for that matter. “We just talk about what can this team do to get better, and I think our goal as a program is to make sure that we continue to get better year in and year out,” Fly said. Despite the loss of their starting center, starting point guard and backup point guard, the Eagles
still managed to place third in the ASUN standings last year. FGCU went 9-7 in ASUN play last season and finished the year 10-4 under the lights of Alico Arena. They then hosted the first round of the ASUN Tournament, where they lost to New Jersey Institute of Technology. Barring those setbacks, Zach Scott, Caleb Catto and Brian Thomas all saw substantial minutes, each contributing their own part in FGCU’s success. Scott was third on the team in points per game with 8.4, and was also second in 3-point percentage, shooting 41% as a freshman. Catto was fourth on the team in assists and shot 33% from three,
earning quality minutes in some very important games. Thomas led the team in blocks last season with 44, and was one of the top rebounders on the team. Both Catto and Scott were tied for first in games played, starring in every game that FGCU played last season. When asked how Catto and Scott would step up and lead the new players into this season, Fly said they have already shown tremendous leadership. “I think they’ve done a good job of kinda carrying our culture over to those newer guys,” he said. “The ones that returned have done a really good job of carrying over the pillars of our program
and what we believe in.” FGCU has brought in some new recruits, as well as some transfers in attempts to rebuild themselves into a new culture. Jutsus Rainwater is one recruit who not only fans, but the team is excited about having on their roster this year. Dunk City fans got a taste of his high flying antics at Dunk City After Dark, seeing the many alley-oops that were thrown his way. After playing two years in JUCO and averaging around 8 points per game, Rainwater transferred to FGCU, looking for an opportunity at DI basketball. Junior Sam Giagliardi is another new transfer hailing from Citrus
November 2019 College, where he averaged 12.7 points per game. The Eagles also get back redshirt sophomore Malik Hardy, who sat out last year in accordance with the NCAA rules. Hardy looks to contribute along with talented freshmen Jalen Harper, Dakota Rivers and Qwanzi Samuels. FGCU men’s basketball looks to showcase their young talent in their season opener on the road against Saint Louis on Nov. 5, then return to Alico Arena for their home-opener against UMBC on Nov. 9.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Coming off of a first-round NCAA Tournament loss to Mi-
Page 3B ami, the FGCU women’s basketball team is looking to bounce back for another successful season. In his 18th season as the Eagle’s head coach, Karl Smesko sits among the top coaches all-time in wins in DI women’s basketball. Smesko is ranked as the fifth winningest coach in Division I history; with a record of 524-119 (.815), behind legends like Geno Auriemma and Pat Summitt. “We expect the conference to be very strong this season,” Smesko said. “The ASUN has a lot of very good teams and hopefully our non-conference schedule prepares us for the grind of ASUN play.” Returning as the Eagle’s top
two scorers from last season are Nasrin Ulel and Keri Jewett-Giles. Jewett-Giles decided to return after thoughts of leaving after this past year. Both averaged over 10 points per game last season, Ulel with 14.6 ppg and Jewett-Giles just below her at 12.8 ppg. Ulel is the reigning ASUN player of the year, and had seven games where she scored over 20 points last season. “Nasrin had an outstanding season last year, and she is even better this year,” Smesko said. “We are expecting big things from her.” Jewett-Giles had an outstanding finish to last year, averaging 17 points over the team’s final seven
games, earning her ASUN Tournament MVP. The team also gets back proven shooters Chandler Ryan and Davion Wingate, both who shot over 40% from three last season. FGCU went undefeated in ASUN play last year, winning the ASUN tournament en route to an NCAA Tournament appearance. This was the third time FGCU has done that since the program became eligible in the 2011-2012 season. FGCU opens up the season when they travel to Miami to take on FIU on Nov. 5 at 7 p.m., the first game in their non-conference schedule and will return to Alico Arena for their home-opener against Weber on Nov. 7.
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November 2019
Fall sports highlights By HAROLD SOLOMON IV sports Editor
VOLLEYBALL: FGCU volleyball has shown the nation it is a force to be reckoned with as the team tied Stephen F. Austin State University and Western Kentucky for the most wins in the nation with their most recent 3-0 victory against UNF on Nov. 3, pushing their winning streak to 14 straight overall dating back to Oct. 11. During this impressive hot streak, several Eagles have left their mark in the volleyball program’s record books. Cortney VanLiew continues her incredible season as she moved into second place for most kills in the program’s Division I era with 1,138, which is only 313 kills behind teammate Amanda Carroll with 1,451. Dana Axner became the first sophomore in the FGCU’s Division I era to reach 1,000 digs. Axner also earned her fourth ASUN defensive player of the week recognition this season while pushing her consecutive matches with double-digit digs streak to 19. She had at least 16 in wins against North Alabama, Liberty, Stetson and 22 in the team’s most recent outing against UNF. Tori Morris has come on strong for the Eagles as the sophomore produced a career best 10 kills and six blocks against North Alabama on Oct. 27. Morris also proved key for the Eagles recording seven or more kills in their victories against NJIT, Bethune-Cookman and the revenge victory against Liberty. FGCU volleyball looks to continue their dominance as the current No. 1 seed in the ASUN conference by rounding out the regular season with upcoming matchups on the road against Kennesaw State, Lipscomb and NJIT before the start of the ASUN tournament on Nov. 21.
CROSS COUNTRY: The FGCU men’s and women’s cross
country teams wrapped up the season at the ASUN Championship on Nov. 2, the men’s side finished fourth overall and the women’s side finished eighth in the event. Lucas Kiprotich and Austin Redondo led the men’s side, finishing with times of 25:06.33 and 25:19.83 and eigth and 13th place finishes, respectively, earning them ASUN Second-Team honors for placing inside the top-14 (top-7 earn First-Team honors.) Boniface Mutai placed 25th in the event, while Bradyn Ricca and Cole Pruim finished just a spot apart in 34th and 35th. Benjamin Hermiston finished 45th, while Bryce Bell and Jan Figueroa rounded out the scoring coming in 54th and 56th, giving the Eagles a point total of 112 for fourth place in the event. Jillian Felton was the first to score for the women’s side, placing 30th overall. Emily O’Connor was behind her coming in 45th while Julia Filip placed 48th, just three spots after. Gianna Citarella finished 53rd overall as Madeline Wyers crossed the line at 58th. Reilly Ritter finished right after Wyers in 59th and Caroline MacKenzie was the final Eagle to round out the scoring with a 65th overall finish. Felton’s team-best finish of 19:01.76 led the women to 209 points, and their eighth place finish.
WOMEN’S SOCCER:
FGCU women’s soccer saw its stellar season come to an end at the hands of No. 5 seed Kennesaw State on Sunday, Nov. 3. Despite an early 2-0 lead in regulation, the Eagles allowed KSU to even the game by the end of regulation, battle through two scoreless overtime periods and eventually edge out FGCU 2-1 in penalty kicks. “I feel for our kids,
but nothing changes what they’ve done for us,” women’s soccer head coach Jim Blankenship said. “They’ve done so much for our program and me. Our seniors have left an unbelievable mark in a lot of peoples’ lives, this school and this community.” Despite the loss, there is plenty to acknowledge on the team’s 11-4-2 season. FGCU claimed their eighth ASUN Regular Season Championship and Blankenship was awarded ASUN Coach of the Year for the fifth time in his career. FGCU had six players earn ASUN all-conference team recognition including seniors Evdokia Popadinova, Lindsey Patton and Marjorie Boilesen earning First-Team honors, while senior Melissa Weck and junior Zoey Spitzer earned second-team honors. Louise Lillback earned all-freshman team honors following a campaign in which she recorded seven goals, which was the second most on the team. Though the Eagles will lose the dynamic-duo of Popadinova and Boilesen along with the saving prowess of Melissa Weck, Blankenship’s team sports seven true freshman which include
November 2019 the scoring presence Lillback and goalkeeper Emily McCue who played well in relief for Weck. The Eagles will use their early round exit in the ASUN tournament as motivation and look to bounce back next season.
MEN’S SOCCER: FGCU women’s soccer saw its stellar season come to an end at the hands of No. 5 seed Kennesaw State on Sunday, Nov. 3. Despite an early 2-0 lead in regulation, the Eagles allowed KSU to even the game by the end of regulation, battle through two scoreless overtime periods and eventually edge out FGCU 2-1 in penalty kicks. “I feel for our kids, but nothing changes what they’ve done for us,” women’s soccer head coach Jim Blankenship said. “They’ve done so much for our program and me. Our seniors have left an unbelievable mark in a lot of peoples’ lives, this school and this community.” Despite the loss, there is plenty to acknowledge on the team’s 11-4-2 season. FGCU claimed their eighth ASUN Regular Season Championship and Blankenship was awarded ASUN Coach of the Year for the fifth time in his career. FGCU had six players earn ASUN all-conference team recognition including seniors Evdokia Popadinova, Lindsey Patton and Marjorie
Page 5B Boilesen earning First-Team honors, while senior Melissa Weck and junior Zoey Spitzer earned second-team honors. Louise Lillback earned all-freshman team honors following a campaign in which she recorded seven goals, which was the second most on the team. Though the Eagles will lose the duo of Popadinova and Boilesen along with the saving prowess of Melissa Weck, Blankenship’s team sports seven true freshman which include the scoring presence Lillback and goalkeeper Emily McCue who played well in relief for Weck. The Eagles will use their early round exit in the ASUN tournament as motivation and look to bounce back next season.
MEN’S TENNIS: FGCU men’s tennis wrapped up its fall tournament season with the Finemark FGCU Collegiate Open with wins over Minnesota, Louisville and Memphis over the weekend of Nov. 1. Senior Felipe Ramirez highlighted the first day of the event with a doubles win with freshman Juan Lopez and a 6-3, 6-3 solo win against Minnesota’s Vlad Lobak. Carter Bradford ended day two of the event with a comeback solo win against Juan Paredas of Louisville, taking the final set 10-7 for the Eagles. Guglielmo Stafanacci ended his fall freshman campaign with a doubles win teaming up with Bradford and a 6-1,6-4 straight-set victory over Memphis’ Jeremy Taylor. “Hopefully, we learn from the opportunities we were given this weekend and we can rest and recover this off season to really get ready for the spring.” said head coach CJ Weber. FGCU men’s tennis will resume play in the spring for their 2020 championship season.
WOMEN’S TENNIS: The FGCU women’s tennis team capped off its slate of fall competition with a collection of singles and doubles wins over Minnesota, UConn and Purdue in the Finemark FGCU Collegiate Open, which ran from Nov. 1 through Nov. 3. The dynamic duo of Satomi Momose and Ida Ferding began their
weekend with a 7-5 win over the Badgers and followed it with a 6-3 win over UConn. Momose also picked up a 10-6 solo win on day two of the event along with a 10-8 tiebreaker win. The rest of the team continued to shine as junior Sara Kelly was undefeated throughout the weekend in both singles and doubles action. Freshman Alba Retortillo picked up a couple of singles wins including an impressive 11-9 comeback victory on the final day of competition. Senior Maja Ornberg rounded out the weekend for the Eagles, collecting a trio of singles wins and a doubles win with Kelly. “These girls are fighters. They play to always get one more ball back and it showed in the way they competed this weekend,” said head coach Courtney Vernon. “The gift of competition is being able to go out every day and fight for yourself and for your team. These ladies are learning enjoyment in the process.”
SWIMMING & DIVING: FGCU swimming and diving didn’t skip a beat as it reached a 5-0 record on the season after getting the program’s first win against an SEC opponent when they defeated Vanderbilt 172-121 on Oct. 25. Petra Halmai led the way for FGCU with three individual first place finishes and a first place finish in the 200-yard medley relay. Halmai’s first place 1:01.18 finish in the 100-yard breaststroke was good enough for 11th in the country. Wiktoria Czarnecka also starred for the Eagles in the meet, winning the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 23.24 and winning the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 50.92. Their following competition against Houston on Nov.1 gave FGCU their first loss of the season, losing the dual-meet 142-204. Despite the loss, the Eagles had first place finishes from Halmai in the 400-yard individual medley and the 200-yard fly and Reese Wakefield, who took first place in the three meter dive with a score of 313.50, qualifying her for the NCAA Zone Diving Championships. FGCU’s next meet will will be on the road in Ohio, against Marshall and Toledo on Friday, Nov. 8.
Opinion
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Amputation isn’t a minor surgery
EN PHOTO BY SAMATHA ROESLER Puff (left) and Gary have lived with Roesler for almost 15 years. Though Roesler’s family made the decision to declaw their cats before she had a say, Roesler would not declaw her cats now if given the option.
By SAMANTHA ROESLER Opinion Editor
Imagine waking up in a hospital room with the top knuckle of each finger cut off. You are then
sent home the same day and expected to perform all your daily tasks, and you’re treated like you only had a minor procedure. Unfortunately, this is the reality that around a quarter of household cats in the United States
face. According to the Humane Society of the United States, there are almost 20 million cats in the U.S. that have gone through an onychectomy, commonly known as declawing. Let me start by saying that I
got my two cats Gary and Puff (thanks, Spongebob) when I was 6 years old and they have since held the title as my best friends. Some things like the unconditional love I have for my cats will never change. However, if
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I could go back and change any decision ever made for them, it would be to not get them declawed. Last month as I was scrolling through the “Cat Lovers Community” page that I’m subscribed to on Facebook, I came across an article about the harsh reality of declawing. This immediately peaked my interest as I recalled my cats being declawed- to say what I read shocked me is an understatement. After perusing the story, I honestly wanted to cry. Did I really put my cats through something so terrible when it was not really necessary? I couldn’t help but open Safari afterward and continue my research on the topic. It did not take long for me to realize that declawing is actually quite the opposite of simple. Now, I have a passion in my heart for educating others who were like me who have no clue about what really happens during
this “minor” surgery. It is time for people to stop seeing the process of declawing cats as a quick procedure that comes without consequences. There are multiple techniques done to declaw felines; the most common is through the use of a scalpel blade. Contrary to popular belief, nails are not the only thing removed on the cat’s feet. The declawing procedure includes the amputation of bones, nerves, ligaments and tendons. When the third phalange is clipped, doctors oftentimes don’t slice the bone far enough, so partial nails grow back and end up pinching the nerves in cat paws. A study conducted in 2001 by the American Veterinary Medical Association showed that about 80% of cats that were declawed had some kind of physical complication after the surgery. When people go to the pet store or animal shelters and pick up their new adorable kitten, their
first concern seems to be that the little ball of fur might “destroy” the home furniture. Well, cats do not scratch with the intent to ruin your furniture. They do it to mark territory and to engage in healthy stretching exercises. If trained properly, your cat will learn from a young age to use a scratching post or board, not your couch. You may also trim your cat’s nails as an alternative- this is completely harmless to them if done correctly. Sure, declawing may save your sofas, but it doesn’t save your cats from behavioral issues. According to the Humane Society, declawing has proven to make cats more prone to biting humans and other animals, it can make them nervous as they have lost their primary source of defense, and they are more likely to urinate in inappropriate areas. On a positive note, declawing is getting more attention throughout our country. Last month, New
York became the first state to ban the declawing of cats according to The New York Times. A fine of up to $1,000 will be imposed if the procedure is performed without any true medical reason, such as an infection. There are a few other cities in the US that have made declawing illegal, such as Denver and Los Angeles. There are organizations throughout the country such as The Paw Project that are committed to educating people about the inhumanity of declawing. In the summer of 2019, Florida Senator Lauren Book filed a bill that would outlaw the practice of declawing in the state of Florida in 2020. If you have recently brought home a kitten or if you know someone who has, I ask that you do your research. If my 6-yearold self knew the reality of declawing, I would have done anything to preventing it from happening to Gary and Puff.
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November 2019
Dear FGCU, make the garage 3 boardwalk safer By ALANA BROOKS Assistant Opinion Editor
I have night classes three nights a week. Walking back to my car in the dark after class, I can’t help but fear the boardwalk connecting from Parking Garage 3 to the main campus by Whittaker Hall. My paranoid mind can’t stop thinking of the worst- a masked man hiding in the shadows, ready to pounce. I know it might seem extreme. But a large portion of the boardwalk is completely dark. Only one side of the boardwalk has lights on it, and for the first few weeks of the semester, a good amount of them weren’t working. Although the lights have been fixed, I still feel like the boardwalk could be much safer. Besides the lack of lights, the boardwalk also deems unsafe after it rains, which happens around here all the time. The planks are uneven in many places and the entire boardwalk gets slippery — begging for someone to fall. Sometimes, people do. FGCU junior Leann Chipman was riding her scooter to class one morning after it had rained earlier that morning. “I did wipe out,” Chipman said. “I had a bruise on my hip.” I’m sure Chipman isn’t the only one that has experienced an accident on the boardwalk. Obviously, it’s time for an upgrade.
EN PHOTO BY JULIA BONAVITA The boardwalk that connects from parking garage 3 to main campus is too dark at night.
To combat nighttime hazards, there should be a second set of lights on the dark side of the boardwalk. If not that, the lights should alternate sides so both sides have some type of lighting. There should be grip tape on each of the planks to combat the slickness after the rainy days and dewy mornings. Grip tape, often used on stairs and skateboards, is designed to increase tread on slippery surfaces. Its coarse texture would nearly eliminate the threat of slipping and falling. I don’t know how more lighting would be installed, or how long it would take, or who would be responsible for maintaining the grip tape on the planks. For now, the only advice I can give my fellow students is this — watch your step.
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Should service learning be required? By ALANA BROOKS Assistant Opinion Editor
When you’re in college, those four years seem to fly by. Florida Gulf Coast University’s students must find 80 hours of that time to help them soar. To graduate from FGCU, students must complete 80 hours of service learning. Service learning is designed to help students make a difference and make connections in their community. While service learning is meant to assist students in gaining experience and becoming better individuals, some feel that it does more harm than good. “I see the value in when we give,” Shallyn Sims, Program Assistant of the Office of Service learning and Civic Engagement said. “That is where our greatness lies.” Sims, only a month into her tenure, was looking for a job that supported both students and agencies in service learning. Service learning is unique to FGCU. It is time spent with a nonprofit, not-for-profit, or a governmental agency. FGCU offers more than 300 courses integrated with service learning. To Sims, service learning is more than just a requirement for graduation, which is part of what drew her to FGCU. “Service learning is so engrained in everyone.” Sims said. “I think that’s so very powerful and positive when it’s something you don’t feel like is a requirement.” Not everyone at FGCU feels
this way. For students, finding time between classes, homework, internships and work can be a struggle. Rachel Legiec is a junior, majoring in biology-accelerated. For Legiec, service learning is more of a chore than an experience. “I don’t mind that we have to do them,” Legiec said. “But it’s kind of inconvenient.” Legiec is a student in FGCU’s partnership program with Lake Eerie College of Osteopathic Medicine. This program provides students an advanced opportunity in studying medicine. As someone studying medicine, Legiec feels that there are not enough opportunities to gain pertinent experience through service learning. Legiec has done the majority of her hours at the Gulf Coast Humane Society. “I think it does, depending on your major,” Legiec said when asked if the school had enough resources for students looking for places to earn service learning hours. “But I would say no for students wanting to go into medicine.” FGCU’s service learning program has 350 preapproved community agencies for students to get their hours with. The database that has all these agencies and contact information for them features a search function that allows students to find agencies based on their interests, as well as alphabetically. The categories featured in the search function, which include health, arts, public relations and
EN PHOTO BY JULIA BONAVITA Service learning can be a great place to find what you want to do with your life. But should it be required?
animals, often overlap. This makes it difficult for students to narrow down their search. “For medical school, they would rather see you working as a scribe or something,” Legiec said. “Rather than just volunteering.” Different from volunteering, service learning involves reflection on work done to make a difference in the community. “There’s this component between not only doing, but also reflecting on what you’re doing to become a more informed and engaged citizen,” Sims said. “Volunteering is just kind of something that you do because you want to do. Service learning comes with the reflection piece.” For Sims, the reflection isn’t the best part of service learning. Instead, she feels that having students step outside of the classroom is the most beneficial aspect of having them complete
service learning hours. “I think the biggest thing that helps students is to understand that they are a part of something larger than just going to classes every day,” Sims said. “It reminds them that there is a world outside of just being here at FGCU and how they interact with that world is just part of being human.” Still, Legiec feels that service learning has not helped her as a medical student. Despite this, Sims feels that service learning is helpful for students to get ahead in their professions and their lives, even if students don’t feel the same way. “I think at the end of the day,” Sims said, “anything that you do that you can put on a resume, and you can talk about, and you can share on social media is gonna be positive and it’s gonna elevate you as an individual.”
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November 2019
H
ello again! In my last article, I said my 2019 summer brought me to southeast Asia. After spending a short time in Hong Kong, China, I flew over to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. The city of Chiang Mai is known for its beautiful temples. The day before going to the Wat Chedi Luang temple, I learned the importance of appreciating culture. My guides informed me of a few things: I must have my shoulders and knees covered, I should never speak to a monk unless spoken to, and I should never turn my back on a Buddha statue. It’s a respect thing. By wearing pants at a temple, I acknowledge where I come from and choose to put aside my traditions to admire another. Travel only gets better the further you immerse yourself into a new place, culture and experience. Below is a photo of the Wat Chedi Luang temple. Thailand’s landscape is another breathtaking part of the experience. The landscape at the time was dry. Although the monsoon season was in full swing, the rice patties didn’t see much rain. Rain is crucial to agriculture in Asia. Locals plot fields parallel to mountainsides to ensure fields flood with run-off water. The village I stayed in, Muang Khong, is pictured on the right. At a closer look, you can see the plot shapes.
How to save money before and during your trip “Before my trip to Thailand this past summer, I was looking for any way to save money and lower my costs,” said Roxana Ruiz Rodriguez, the treasurer of FGCU’s GIVE Volunteers group. “One of the biggest things that helped was purchasing items on sale.” Rodriguez said she would track items for months to find cheap prices and asked friends and family if she could borrow things. She recommends laying out what you already have, what you can borrow, what can be bought at a thrift or discount store, and then decided what needs to be purchased. “Finally, for the trip, make sure you bring a set amount of money. I recommend in cash but bring a card just in case. Try to stick to that money,” Rodriguez said. “Looking at exchange rates between countries will help guide you on how much money is needed for what you want to buy.” Traveling is a learning process. You’ll only get better the more you do it. I hope these tips help you save money on your next adventure! Happy travels, Kris
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Off the record I
f you are a Kanye West stan, you might want to consider skipping this column. For those who stayed, I’m sure we can all agree on one thing. Kanye’s new album sucked. How long did we wait for “JESUS IS KING”? After numerous delays, we were treated with a 27-minute gospel album. So how did we get here? The evolution of Mr. West is a very convulated one and pretty sad. My favorite album of his is “The College Dropout,” and remains to this day his finest piece of work. This is a bold statement because it is his first big album, but it has stood the test of time. It contains the right amount of skits, storytelling, beats and bars to hold its ground with the best rap albums of all time. Fast forward to 2007, and Kanye is on top of the world. By this time, he’s dropped “Late Registration” and “Graduation.’ Then his mom died. Following this, he released “808s & Heartbreak” and he looked like he was back on track to continue releasing hits. He was wearing his hater-blocker shades and drinking lots of Hennessy — a lethal combination. Then came the 2009 Grammy Awards. You know what happened next. He went on the stage while Taylor Swift was accepting an award, and interrupted her, saying Beyonce had released one of the best music videos of all time. Classic Kanye. Since then, it’s been a slow fall-off for the Chicago rapper. He released “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy,” which had some definite hits on it.
With Sean Porter
Vol. 4
But then came the fall-off. “Yeezus” and “The Life of Pablo” were released in 2013 and 2016 respectively, and you could tell the sound was different. The drop-off was not subtle at all, and it really felt like Kanye was getting away from his roots. He also became a Trump fan and raised some more controversy. When you add in the whole mess that is the Kardashian family, you just have to wince in pain. Kanye was a young rapper from Chicago trying to make a name for himself and trying to get ahead in the rap game. Then he got too full of himself. He tried to do too much, and this led to his fall-off. Every album since his first one has produced less sales, and it’s easy to see why. His music just sucks now. There was a bit of what looked like a redemption that came when he dropped “The Life of Pablo,” because it had some great songs. “Father Stretch my Hands” and “Ultralight Beam” were the best songs on the album, and even they weren’t as good as his worst stuff from 2004. Then in 2019, the song and music video for “I Love It” was released, and Jesus Christ, what the hell? Now we’re teased for months for an album, and we get this. I miss the old Kanye. Off the record is a column based solely on the writer’s opinion. If you wish to share your favorite new music, send recommendations to executive@ eaglenews.org. Sean will also have a show
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November 2019
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