Oct. 30 Issue

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Cash for autograph PAGE 3B Oct. 30, 2014

Volume 83, Issue 11

www.FlorAla.net

Student newspaper of the University of North Alabama

ADMINISTRATION

FOOTBALL

Board to announce president Nov. 3 ASHLEY REMKUS

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#UNcaged photo courtesy of Mason Matthews

Junior defensive back Floyd Jones returns an interception in the third quarter against the University of West Georgia Oct. 25. The Lions won 31-28.

Lions remain undefeated in GSC DUSTIN POLLARD

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Saturday night brought another epic finish and a nailbiting win for the Lions football team.

With 2:04 left on the clock and down 28-24, junior quarterback Luke Wingo engineered a seven-play, 80yard game-winning drive to give the Lions a 31-28 victory over the University of West Georgia.

The final play was a nineyard touchdown pass from Wingo to junior wide receiver Delvon Carpenter.

INSIDE

this week’s paper

“I know West Georgia is probably thinking ‘what in the world just happened?’” said head coach Bobby Wallace. “It was just an unbelievable great effort when you needed it.”

Wingo said he was calm going onto the field for the last drive.

“It was one of those drives that you dream of having your entire life,” Wingo said. “We practice the two-minute drill every week, and we know what to do. The guys on the outside made some great plays, and the linemen blocked terrifically.

This is just an awesome feeling.”

A 33-yard pass from Wingo to junior Korey Jones on third

NEWS . . . . . . . . 2A PHOTO ESSAY . . . 4A VIEWPOINTS . . . . 7A

down set up the Lion’s final play.

“That last drive we were trying to just make plays and when the ball comes to you, make the catch and get out of bounds,” Carpenter said.

“Wingo always fights to the end, and I’m glad to be one of his receivers.”

The Wolves took a 28-24 lead with 6:25 left when quarterback Emmanuel Taylor ran a fouryard touchdown. UNA fumbled on the next possession, but the defense forced West Georgia to punt setting up the final drive.

“The whole key to winning the game was the poise and confidence that our players

SPORTS . . . . . . . 1B LIFE . . . . . . . . 5B EXTRA . . . . . . . . 8B

showed after we got behind there at the end with no timeouts,” Wallace said.

“There was the great catch

by Korey Jones and then Carpenter. Players make those plays, and they did a great job doing it. They deserve all the credit for the win.”

West Georgia scored on the game’s opening possession to give the Wolves a 7-0 lead. It was the first time all season UNA trailed in the first half.

In a tight game featuring nine lead changes, the Lions won their third game of the season by three points or less.

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Trustees are expected to name the next university president Nov. 3 during a called board session.

Three candidates each spent two days on campus interacting with students, faculty, staff and the community during the past few weeks.

“The board faces a very tough decision Nov. 3,” said trustee and Presidential Search Committee Chairman Joel Anderson. “We were lucky to have such a qualified pool of candidates. I have confidence in all three that were brought to campus.”

Officials look to fill the position left vacant when William Cale announced his retirement effective July 1 via email to faculty and staff in March.

Cale remains at UNA in a consulting president emeritus role through Dec. 31.

Former Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost John Thornell serves as interim president until his successor is named.

Cale and Thornell both retain the full presidential salary and benefits package.

Both are paid $20,909 per month, according to the university spending website.

Cale is expected to make $125,454 in his current six-month role.

Anderson said Thornell continues to lead the university in a positive direction.

“We don’t have anything to worry about because we have John Thornell leading the way,” Anderson said. “He will continue moving forward with current projects and implementing new ones as he sees fit.”

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HALLOWEEN ALTERNATIVES .....5B

Please recycle your paper.

2A NEWS

Oct. 30, 2014 • The Flor-Ala

FACILITIES

Music students, administrators call for building renovation NATALIE BEE

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Students said creative juices are not what flow through the Music Building.

Dirty floors, walls and ceilings, and outdated equipment flood the building’s classrooms.

“Unfortunately a lot of buildings are in the same shape as this one because they’ve been basically ignored,” said Music Department Chair David McCullough. “Now we have several facilities that are almost at the brink of serious problems.”

McCullough said in the six years he has been at UNA, the only updating the university has done to the building is repainting the band room and the practice room area, replacing the building’s roof, and replacing the ceiling in the choral room after it fell in.

“It was only done when we had an emergency situation where the leak in the roof became so pronounced that water literally poured into the choral room,” McCullough said.

McCullough said the faculty agrees with student complaints and are probably louder with their own grievances about the building’s quality.

The building’s current condition is impacting the faculty and staff negatively, he said. “If you’re a faculty member or a student, day after day you just live in grime, dirt and dust. That affects you.”

Assistant Vice President for Facilities Administration and Planning Michael Gautney said the university has heard these concerns loud and clear.

“One thing we are doing is cleaning the exterior of the art building, Music Building and Norton Auditorium,” Gautney said. “This will be beneficial to the Music Department in the accreditation process as well.”

The building’s lack of space makes it hard for students and faculty to work effectively, said seniors Evan Curtis and Katie Thacker.

“It would be nice to get a new

building,” Thacker said. “The practice rooms are too small and really hot. They look like prison cells.”

Thacker said because the rooms are so small, she is “sure it’s a fire hazard.”

Curtis said he thinks the space issues elicit a new building.

“The department has clearly outgrown the building we’re in now,” he said. “When it was built, it was probably meant to have 150 people at maximum capacity. But now the band is the largest student organization on campus with 230 people in it.”

”T

HE PRACTICE ROOMS ARE TOO SMALL AND REALLY HOT. THEY LOOK LIKE PRISON CELLS.

KATIE THACKER

A dark spot stains the wall of a Music Building classroom. Students and faculty said they wish a more spacious, up-to-date building could be constructed because the current building stifles creativity.

SENIOR He said students do not have enough rooms for practicing their music.

“We have faculty members who have offices in the practice rooms because we don’t have enough offices in the building,” he said. “That’s not the fault of the students or the faculty.”

While there are financial issues due to the state giving the university less money, there are other reasons for the building’s shortcomings, McCullough said.

“It’s not entirely a financial issue because one of the service organizations offered to pay to buy all the material for repainting the choral room and were turned down,” said McCullough. “It’s a policy issue.”

He said because the maintenance department is understaffed and could not schedule the work, the university had to turn down the student service The ceiling of the outdoor Music Building hallway is covered with brown and black substances. Senior Katie Thacker said, “The outside hallways are not ideal. organization.

We get eaten alive by mosquitoes.”

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photos by DEANNA KAMPMEYER I Staff Photographer

A floor tile in the Choral Room in the Music Building is cracked. Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Carmen Burkhalter said improving the quality of the building is a top priority.

A corner in a Music Building classroom is damaged and missing paint.

Department Chair David McCullough said students and faculty are negatively affected by the dirt, dust and grime that fills the building.

NEWS 3A

Oct. 30, 2014 • The Flor-Ala

EMPLOYMENT

Male, female servers face sexual harassment regularly JOSH HOLLAND

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For people who make $2.13 per hour plus tips, customer service is likely their No. 1 priority.

Servers say they depend on patrons to pay their checks, but customers often expect them to deal with unwanted sexual harassment.

A survey of 668 current tipped wage employees from 39 states reported 78 percent of workers said they were sexually harassed by customers, according to the Restaurant Opportunities Centers United Forward Together.

“You have to put up with it for the tip,” said senior Amber Bockus.

“Management doesn’t normally need to get involved. I usually handle it myself.”

Bockus, who has worked as a server in various local restaurants since high school, said lewd comments, marriage proposals and inappropriate gestures have been part of her employment.

“They will say things like how much can I pay you to go back to the hotel with me?” she said.

States like Alabama where the minimum wage for servers falls well below the minimum wage for other employees reported higher levels of sexual harassment, according to the ROC study.

The researchers reported the overall restaurant work environment is at least partially shaped by the sub-minimum wage system itself.

Sexual harassment of employees is a situation employers must proactively deal with, said Josh Waddell, manager at Buffalo Wild Wings.

“We do pretty well,” Waddell said.

“We’ve never really had a problem with that.”

He said situations, when they do arise, are handled on a case-by-case basis.

“Depending on the situation, if law enforcement needed to be involved we would certainly do that,” he said. “But, if it was just a comment or something, we would ask the customer to leave.”

He also said sexual harassment is more common toward female servers.

Fifty percent of women and 47 percent of men reported experiencing ‘scary’ or ‘unwanted’ sexual behavior, and 30 percent of women and 22 percent of men reported they were touched inappropriately at work on a regular basis, according to the study.

Junior Jensen Joiner said he has faced sexual harassment on the job.

Sixty percent of women and transgender workers reported sexual harassment was an uncomfortable aspect of work life, while 46 percent of men agreed, according to the ROC study.

Joiner, who has worked as a server more than a year, said alcohol typically induces more sexual harassment.

“I have a birthmark that looks like a hickey,” Joiner said. “This woman who comes in (the restaurant) all the time said she could give me another one.”

He said he deals with different situations in different ways.

“If they are older I laugh it off,” he said.

Editor’s note: To read the rest of this story, visit www.florala.net.

photo by DEANNA KAMPMEYER I Staff Photographer

Andrew Kerstiens, a junior marketing major, serves food to his customers at Buffalo Wild Wings. Some students said they believe sexual harassment is part of working with the public in restaurants.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN RESTAURANTS Reported experiencing ‘scary’ or ‘unwanted’ sexual behavior

46%

Reported sexual harassment was an uncomfortable aspect of work life

22%

46%

50%

Reported being touched inappropriately was common in their restaurants

60%

Information courtesy of Restaurant Opportunities Centers United Forward Together.

Red denotes female reports, blue denotes male reports.

30%

4A IMAGES

Oct. 30, 2014 • The Flor-Ala

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES ▶

Imaginary Friends Sometimes you have those days where you just need somebody to talk to. It is displeasing when the only ones around are yourself and your apparently imaginary “friends.”

KATLYN SHANNON

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I have been through many things in my life that most people will never face in their own — and I hope they never have to.

Through many discussions, therapy sessions and a wealth of self-reflection, I have come to realize those situations are not who I am.

I wanted to exemplify this idea in a way that would question the “normal” and make people really think about the message.

I aim to raise questions about certain aspects of society today by sending a message of positivity, while also subtly telling a piece of my story, my recovery and of my present state — a message that urges one to “filter out the bad stuff.”

UNA students Sarah Schiavone and Jacob Dawson volunteered as

Pick Your Poison Everyone has a vice, a weakness or a poison. Finding out how to filter the good from the bad and the useful from the wasteful is the ultimate goal. ▶

▶

Childhood Dreams We all think when we are young things will turn out okay. The entire dream was a nightmare, a realization that we may not ever actually become something to be proud of.

models for this project, as well as other important individuals.

Thus far I have taken “Buying Love with Broken Hearts” of Sarah, which speaks of the effects of consumerism in society and how you cannot buy love.

It also hints at the possible effects of a lack of any other form of affection.

“Pick Your Poison” of Jacob is about dealing with the woes of life — school, work, responsibilities and a social life. Everyone deals with it differently, and it does not always have to be substance abuse.

Not published here, “Road Rage” is about being on the road in a band or on a business trip and being gone more often than not, and the idea that you do not have to take that stress and baggage home with you.

Those situations and scenarios do not make you who you are; they do not mold your actions, your decisions, or your free will. It is okay to feel, but it is better to filter.

NEWS 5A

Oct. 30, 2014 • The Flor-Ala

BUSINESS

Idea Auction provides students entrepreneurial opportunities KRISTEN GOODE

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For those who like “Shark Tank,” and “American Idol,” a similar contest gives students and community members a chance to pitch their ideas to a panel of local business leaders.

The Idea Auction will be held Nov. 18 and is sponsored by the Shoals Chamber of Commerce.

The person(s) with the winning pitch will receive $5,000 cash.

“It can be high-tech, low-tech or no-tech,” said Mary Marshall VanSant, vice president of Investor Relations and Public Policy at the Shoals Chamber of Commerce. “This is equal playing ground.”

The preliminary round of threeminute pitches will take place at 4:30 p.m., with a final round of pitches and a keynote speaker scheduled for 6 p.m.

Winners will be announced at 7 p.m. with networking to follow.

Each entrant will make a three-minute pitch to a panel of judges. While an entry can have more than one person behind it, it is suggested that only one person give the pitch, and no PowerPoints are allowed.

VanSant said a member of the planning committee said, “We put a man on the moon before we put wheels on a suitcase.”

While promoting the audition, “We have all taken that idea and ran with it,” she said.

Anyone who wants guidance planning for his or her three-minute pitch can attend a free training session Nov. 10 from 8:30-10:30 p.m.

VanSant said the training is open for everybody, and there is no registration process for the training.

According to the rules, a person making a pitch should tell the audience what the idea is and how they plan to market the idea.

Senior Mike McGee said the Auction will provide valuable networking opportunities for students.

Meeting local business leaders could help land them a job someday, McGee said.

“Any opportunity provided is bound to open doors for people, especially if they are upperclassmen,” said freshman Jasmine Joiner. “Students can create relationships by catching the attention of those business leaders.”

VanSant received 10 applications during the week of Oct. 20, bringing the total number of entries in the audition to 20, she said.

VanSant said, “If that [the number of entries] continues at that rate, it’s going to be huge.”

Based on the success seen thus far with the number of entries and the types of ideas received, VanSant

To enter an idea, students should email said she believes the Idea Audition will take place annually. This is good news VanSant at mvansant@shoalschamber. for students who want to enter, but do com with their name, address, email, not have an idea ready to present just yet. phone number , business name and “They came and talked to us about website if established. A 1,000-word it in my management class,” said senior pitch should also be included.

Editor’s note: For more information Sinclair Marks. “I think it’s a great idea; on what to include in the pitch, the rules I don’t know if I’m going to enter yet.”

Marks said she wanted to enter, but and updates on the Nov. 18 audition, visit www.shoalsideaaudition.com. did not have an idea ready.

There will also be a keynote speaker at the Nov. 18 event. Joe Fields is a professional entrepreneur. His business startups include Polypac, which has a presence in the Shoals, Cutting Edge Wheels, Inc. and Shiloh Sewing. He is a former President of Speedo, former Vice President of Adidas and For more information or to former CEO of Fieldturf. reserve an audition spot, contact

Shoals Idea Audition 7 p.m. Nov. 18

Mary Marshall VanSant at 256-764-4661 or mvansant@shoalschamber.com

6A NEWS

Oct. 30, 2014 • The Flor-Ala

STUDENT LIFE

Students request late-night on-campus venues OLIVIA HARTUNG

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Many students say they stay up late studying and getting their homework done, but they have trouble finding a quiet place with Internet access.

They say the library closing at 1 a.m., and computer labs closing even earlier make it difficult to complete those tasks.

The top reasons for on campus facilities closing at night are cleaning, security issues and the cost of keeping the buildings staffed, said Vice President for Student Affairs David Shields.

“I stay up really late, especially when it comes to finishing papers,” said freshman Maddie Palmer. “I write at least three essays every week so staying up trying to study and research, I need the Internet connection. I would be in the library later than 1 a.m. if it was open.”

Shields said if the students live in residence halls, they can use the lobbies to study.

He said the university has looked at keeping food services open later at night but if only a few students are eating there at that time, then there is no point of having the food service open.

The best way students can share their issues or a problem is to request SGA address them, he said.

Senior Jacob Johnson said the library should be open 24/7 since students have to work.

“They don’t have an option but to do

their homework at late hours,” Johnson said. “It would be great if the library was open all day Saturday and Sunday.”

Many students who stay up complain about being hungry because the campus food services close early.

Towers Cafeteria closes at 7 p.m., GUC food service closes at 4 p.m., The Commons closes at 10 p.m., and WOW closes at 11 p.m.

provide police officers there.”

In the case of an emergency, authorities would have difficulty locating students if they were in the upper levels of The Commons, for example, Shields said.

Sophomore Savanna Terry said she wishes there were more places for study

groups to collaborate at night.

“I feel like there should be a place that isn’t run by people because that is probably part of the issue — the people that run it have to go to bed,” Terry said.

“There should be a place that students maintain to be able to study.”

”

IF YOU ONLY HAVE A FEW PEOPLE IN THE BUILDING, IT DOESNʼT JUSTIFY THE COST OF KEEPING IT OPEN.

DAVID SHIELDS VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS

“I wish Sodexo was open later because you have to work around their schedule,” said freshman Renae Mosley.

“I will start studying, and I will have to stop to eat realizing it’s almost 7 p.m.”

Officials also say security concerns force the university to close locations early.

“If you only have a few people in the building, it doesn’t justify the cost of keeping it open,” Shields said. “You have to staff the building, and we also

photo by ASHLEY REMKUS I News Editor

Students Jordan Graham, Mesha Kelley and Katie Hartman study late at night in the basement of the library. Senior Jacob Johnson said the library should be open 24/7 to allow students with hectic work schedules to study.

Thinking of Medical School?

Now Accepting Students If caring for others is your desirre, then the new n ew o osteopathic ste eopathic medical school in Au Auburrn, Alabama, cou uld d be the place for you u.

Please visit

www.vcom.edu for call 334-844-1928 for more information on the VCOM-Auburn campus.

For a copy of our Outcomes Reports, please see www.vcom.edu/outcomes. ©2014 Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. All rights reser ved.

VIEWPOINTS 7A

Oct. 30, 2014 • The Flor-Ala

Campus takes steps to address discrimination EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ANNA GRACE USERY MANAGING EDITOR KALI DANIEL NEWS EDITOR ASHLEY REMKUS LIFE EDITOR MARI WILLIAMS SPORTS EDITOR DUSTIN POLLARD ONLINE EDITOR JASMINE FLEMING BUSINESS MANAGER UNDREA RANDOLPH II GRAPHIC DESIGNERS JOHN BAVIS SHILO CUPPLES JORDAN FERRELL CIRCULATION MANAGER LORI BLANKENSOPP ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE KAYLA STINNETT CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER DALLAS MOORE STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS PEYTON BYRD DEANNA KAMPMEYER KATLYN SHANNON

TAMMY JACQUES

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UNA students, staff, administrators and faculty are entitled to a working and educational environment free of discriminatory harassment.

Both the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the State of Alabama regard sexual harassment as a form of sex/ gender discrimination and, therefore, as an unlawful discriminatory practice. This

Letters must not exceed 400 words.

Letters must be accompanied by the writerʼs name, mailing address, phone number and email.

The Flor-Ala prefers to publish your letters exactly as written, but reserves the right to reject slanderous or libelous material.

The publication of any letter is left to the discretion of the Editorial Board.

Priority is given to letters critical of The Flor-Ala, or written in direct response to an editorial, a column, or a news story.

When the editors deem it necessary for ease of understanding or to clarify facts, an Editorʼs Note may accompany a letter.

Address correspondence to The Flor-Ala. UNA Box 5300 Florence, AL 35632.

Email: florala@una.edu.

Phone: 256-765-4364

Prevention Advisory Board was created to assess what UNA was doing to address sex and gender discrimination on campus, and develop new ways of educating our campus community on this important topic.

• UNA hosted Mandatory Reporter training for employees in August. UNA employees who receive notice of sex/gender discrimination or sexual violence are required to report to the Title IX coordinator.

• Three UNA faculty members from the Title IX Education and Prevention Advisory Board have led the way to conduct a Student Campus Climate Survey.

• A proposal has been submitted through Shared Governance to implement Title IX language into faculty syllabi to help inform students

of resources and reporting.

• A partnership has been developed with the First Year Experience program to potentially integrate an online educational tool to facilitate discussion on bystander intervention.

• A Title IX website is being developed to clearly outline policies, procedures, resources and reporting options for students, staff, faculty and visiting community members.

So what are the immediate next steps?

• Develop student, staff and faculty focus groups to discuss the best ways/methods to facilitate bystander prevention.

• Select an online training tool to utilize for faculty, staff and students.

Editor’s Note: To read the rest of this article, visit www. florala.net.

Editor advice: make college worthwhile

Letters Policy The deadline for submitting letters is 10 a.m. Monday, the week of publication.

includes sexual violence, sexual harassment, domestic and intimate partner violence, stalking, gender-based discrimination, discrimination against pregnant and parenting students, and gender-based bullying and hazing.

So what has UNA done to respond thus far to address sex and gender discrimination?

• A Title IX coordinator was selected to oversee compliance.

• During SOAR 2014, a presentation and video were provided to freshman students to explain consent, the sexual misconduct policy and the ramifications of what can happen if found responsible for sexual misconduct.

Information was also shared about the resources available should someone be a survivor or know someone who is a survivor of this behavior.

• A Title IX Education and

MARI WILLIAMS 4QNM -LQ\WZ TQNM(NTWZITI VM\

I often find myself able to relate to freshmen. Yes, I said it. I can relate to freshmen.

Freshmen are the ones who have just begun the rambunctious yet exhilarating roller coaster ride formally known as college. Freshmen are naïve to the hasty twists and ceaseless turns of higher education.

Maybe I relate so closely to them because being a military

brat has put me in this same position more times than my word limit will allow me to recount.

Most students have been there, standing in front of the lion cage, a Res Life lanyard dangling from their neck, JanSport backpack strapped firmly to their shoulders and staring in awe as they watch Leo roar for the first time. I see moments like this and feel a pull to give freshmen advice I wish had been given to myself when I first arrived on campus.

My first semester overflowed with free T-shirts, fair-weathered friends and a terrifying amount of pizza.

Though my life is filled with much of the same, from observation I can attest to having learned one simple lesson. Happiness begins outside your comfort zone.

Although I made some lasting friendships my freshman year, a few were clearly fleeting from the start.

I had one friend in particular who was from out-of-state and would rather spend her time cooped in her room than meeting new people. She failed to understand strangers would not beat down her door and beg to be her new best friend.

By the end of the semester, my fair-weathered friend was angry. She took out her aggression through Twitter, describing how much she hated the campus and all of those who happened to inhabit it.

By April she declared she would not return the coming fall. By May she had dropped out of college and returned home with zero free T-shirts, pizza, friends or lasting memories. She wasted a year

of her life and thousands of dollars throwing the world’s biggest pity party, sponsored by Netflix and angry tweets.

This story is not to say spending time alone is not an essential part of keeping one’s sanity — as an accredited loner, I can assure that it is. But organizations work tirelessly to put on events for students to interact, and meet each other and students should meet them halfway by stepping out of their comfort zone and attending these events.

The crucial point of this story is: College is what you make it. The responsibility of making this experience amazing rests solely on student’s capable shoulders.

Although other’s sticks and stones can break your bones and their words may surely hurt you, it is worth the risk.

Congratulations to our Writer and JOIN OUR WEEKLY WRITERS MEETINGS SUNDAYS AT 4 P.M. Photographer of the Week!

IN THE STUDENT PUBLICATIONS OFFICE Ashley Gabaldon BEHIND WILLINGHAM HALL and 643 N. WOOD AVE. Katlyn Shannon

INTERESTED IN WRITING? Copyright © 2013 The Flor-Ala All rights reserved.

First copy free.

Additional copies $1 each.

8A NEWS

Oct. 30, 2014 • The Flor-Ala

SGA in Review • Senate - Passed legislation requiring all new members of Freshman Forum and UPC to take an oath of office beginning fall 2015. Senators were already required to take the oath. photo courtesy of Mason Matthews

• Senate - Announced it will bring a resolution to the ” IT WAS ONE OF THOSE DRIVES YOU DREAM floor Oct. 30 urging OF HAVING YOUR ENTIRE LIFE. WE PRACTICE THE TWO-MINUTE DRILL EVERY WEEK, AND WE KNOW university officials WHAT TO DO. to add genderLUKE WINGO neutral bathrooms to QUARTERBACK campus. The group also encouraged students to provide *=14,16/ KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) feedback.

Junior Quarterback Luke Wingo completes a pass to junior running back Diamond Simmons against The University of West Georgia Oct. 26 at Braly Stadium. The Lions pulled off a last-minute win to defeat the Wolves 31-29.

?16 KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) It was the second game-winning drive Wingo conducted this season. He marched the Lions down the field for the 54-yard field goal by place kicker Taylor Pontius to beat Valdosta State 31-29 Sept. 27.

Wallace said Wingo played his worst game in two years but is proud of the way he battled for the win.

“Luke did not play his best game tonight,” Wallace said. “But it is amazing how a winner, when it’s a night that’s not his best night, finds a way to get it done at the end to win the game.”

;-):+0 KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) The candidates all displayed qualities of a successful president from a student perspective, said search committee student representative Laura Giles.

“I feel very confident they will always keep students at the center of their decisions,” Giles said. “We only brought candidates we thought would serve campus best.”

The committee initially announced it had received 46 applications for the position in September.

Anderson said the committee narrowed the pool to 19 before selecting nine candidates to interview at Huntsville International Airport.

“From there, we saw potential in four highly qualified candidates,” he said.

Robin Capehart dropped from the search before his scheduled campus visit.

Trustee Steve Smith said he was pleased with the level of experience each visiting candidate displayed.

“They all have the potential to continue the growth UNA has seen,” Smith said. “I am confident any of the candidates will do an excellent job.”

Candidate Kenneth Kitts is the current provost and vice chancellor for

The Lions finished with 478 total yards compared to the Wolves 471. Wingo ended the game with 316 yards passing, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Junior running back Lamonte Thompson had 132 total yards and a touchdown, including a season-high six catches. Freshman wide receiver Dre Hall hauled in five catches for 95 yards and a touchdown.

Junior safety Floyd Jones manned the field for the defense, finishing with seven tackles, an interception and a forced fumble.

No. 3 UNA (7-0, 4-0) plays at No. 20 Delta State (6-1, 4-1) Nov. 1 at 6 p.m. in Cleveland, Mississippi.

Academic Affairs at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke; Randall Hanna is the current chancellor for the Florida College System; Sandra Jordan is the current chancellor for the University of South Carolina Aiken.

The board will meet at 1 p.m. Nov. 3 in GUC Room 208.

Interim Communications Director Bryan Rachal said the meeting agenda includes a call for executive session, which requires a quorum, a motion by a trustee and a majority vote of the board to enter.

According to Alabama Law, formal or informal votes may not be taken during such time, and a person’s qualifications for a position may not be discussed.

However, discussing a person’s good name and character is grounds for executive session, according to the Alabama Open Meetings Act. Editor’s note: To view photos and learn more about the candidates, visit www.florala.net. Their responses to questions about campus safety, student interaction and university funding are included.

Follow @UNA_FlorAla on Twitter for live updates throughout the board meeting Nov. 3.

The students volunteered to do the work themselves, but the university had to decline because it would violate its insurance policy, he said.

Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Carmen Burkhalter met with the music department this past September to discuss long term and short term plans for the building, she said.

“There are some very active plans for major changes in the structure, including a complete renovation of this building as well as construction of adjoining buildings,” McCullough said.

Junior Sean Fritts said he wants to see the building modernized.

“I think the biggest things in need of upgrades are the restrooms and the technology,” Fritts said.

Although the renovation of the building is a long-term plan, short-term plans such as painting rooms, replacing flooring and bringing second-world standards to the restrooms are on the agenda, McCullough said.

He said he and Burkhalter are working to see relief there immediately.

“I want to ensure everyone that we’re well aware of it and we’re moving as quickly as we can,” he said.

• Senate - Removed a portion of its Code of Laws requiring all spending bills be posted 48 hours prior to a vote for student review.

• UPC - Evaluated its October Movie Night to seek ways of improving future events.

SPORTS S B No Score Zone ECTION

Oct. 30, 2014• The Flor-Ala

SOCCER

photo by KAITLIN DOUGLASS I Student Photographer

Sophomore Alyssa Bova looks to kick the ball upfield against Shorter University Sept. 24. The Lions won 4-1. Bova started her UNA career as a forward but made the switch to defense last year. UNA has only allowed seven goals all season and has eight shutouts.

Lions defense shuts down competition DUSTIN POLLARD

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Most of the attention on the soccer team has been geared toward junior forward Chloe Richards, the D-II leader in goals (25), but the defense has been on lockdown mode all season.

The Lions have eight shutouts this season, which is more than goals allowed.

The success of the defense has helped the Lions to a (10-2-1, 7-2) start and the No. 5 ranking in the first NCAA D-II South Region Poll released Oct. 22.

“We defend from the forwards all the way back, so it’s a true team effort,” said coach Chris Walker.

UNA ranks first in the Gulf South Conference with the least goals allowed with seven and goals allowed per game with 0.54.

The defense shutout four

IN THIS SECTION

straight opponents and helped the Lions win five straight games.

Defensive depth has been one of the keys this season, Walker said.

“I tell them ‘if you’re getting tired, tell me because we have other people that can come in and do just as good of a job,’” Walker said. “The level of play never drops and it’s worked out. Whether they’re seniors or freshmen, they all work together.”

Senior defender Ellis Hillman said the high potent offense of the Lions has helped ease the pressure off the defense.

“Chloe and Beatriz (Fernandes) do a good job of holding the ball up front,” she said. “Last year as soon as the ball went up front we’d lose it straight away. So we’d be running up and down the field for 90 minutes and that’s not fun. Now this time they can keep the ball and give us enough

time to recover.”

When the other team does get possession the Lions do well by shutting down their shots.

UNA has outshot its opponents 227 to 129 and have only been outshot in a game three times this season.

”

WE DEFEND FROM THE FORWARDS ALL THE WAY BACK, SO ITʼS A TRUE TEAM EFFORT.

CHRIS WALKER HEAD COACH Hillman said the team has confidence in the goalkeepers for when the other team does get by them.

“My sophomore year we had two very questionable goalkeepers, and it put so much more pressure on the defense,” she said. “You’d be scared

because if they did get through, you knew they were going to score. Both Rachel (Beninati) and Madeline (Fancher), and even Shelby (Thornton) who is pushing to start have played really well.”

Beninati has only allowed three goals this season in 10 games. She was named GSC Defender of the Week Oct. 21 for shutting out Christian Brothers University.

Hillman was recruited to UNA as a forward, not a defender, but says being a forward previously has helped her in her current position.

“One of my coaches once said ‘the best defenders were forwards, and the best goalkeepers were forwards,’” she said. “You kind of know what’s going on in their mind, and you can almost read it.”

Another former forward turned defender is sophomore Alyssa Bova who Walker said does not get enough credit for

her great play.

“I’ve never played defense until last year and at first I was like, ‘I don’t know about this,’” Bova said. “But I’ve actually come to like it a lot. It’s different because forwards get a lot of praise and defenders don’t but getting a shutout is really your shining moment.”

If the offense is ever struggling to score, Bova said the defense has the ability to step up in the situation.

Walker said Bova is not only one of the most overlooked players on the team but also one of the best players in the GSC. Bova was named GSC Defender of the Week Oct. 28.

“I’d say she’s the best outside backer in the conference,” he said. “She is getting more and more comfortable back there each game and is getting better and better. She can strike the ball as well as Chloe, but you just don’t see it because she’s a defender.”

LIFE

SPORTS Volleyball coach collects 250th career win

Lions looking to clinch GSC

Celebrate around the world

See page 2B

See page 4B

See page 5B

Haunted Henry Hill See page 6B

2BSPORTS

Oct. 30, 2014 • The Flor-Ala

VOLLEYBALL

ACHIEVING A COACHING MILESTONE Lions coach collects 250th career win KADIN POUNDERS

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Volleyball head coach Stephanie Radecki captured her 250th career win Oct. 24 as her Lions team swept the University of West Georgia 3-0.

The win was her 239th as head coach of the Lions.

Radecki is currently in her eleventh

season as UNA head coach and, over the past eleven years, has been named the Gulf South Conference East Division Coach of the Year three times and the American Volleyball Coaches Association regional Coach of the Year twice.

Radecki led the Lions to three GSC championships, six NCAA tournament appearances, and her 2006 team was the NCAA championship runner-up.

As successful as Radecki has been over the course of her career, coaching was not always the plan she said.

“I started coaching when I was really young. All throughout high school and college I coached younger kids, but that was not necessarily my career path or the plan that I had set out for myself,” Radecki said. “It wasn’t until probably my sophomore or junior year of college that that’s when I decided that’s what I wanted to do.”

Freshman setter Abby Winkler said the amount of wins Radecki has is a testament to how much she cares for the program.

“Going into some of the most crucial games of this season I think it’s a great piece of motivation for this team,” she

BCM Aftermath

Mondays @ 8pm

stries

UNA

(WIN NO. 250) REPRESENTS A LOT OF HARD WORK BY A LOT OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE, NOT JUST ME.

STEPHANIE RADECKI VOLLEYBALL COACH Radecki was hired as head coach at Saint Leo University in Florida and then a year later made the tough decision to leave the program. “[Saint Leo] was my first head coaching job and I was really excited about it and I was excited that the administration there gave me the opportunity to take over the program,” Radecki said. “It was a hard decision to leave those girls and the administration there that had trusted me to take over the

Editor’s note: To read the rest of this story, visit www.florala.net.

251-138 record as a head coach Three Gulf South Conference Championships

OR YOU!

A PLACE F

One NCAA South Central Region Championship

Follow us on Twitter: @unabcm

2006 National Championship runner-up

Find us on Facebook: UNA Baptist Campus Ministries

David Sumner Campus Minister david@bcmuna.org

”

program.”

After a phone call from Coach Matt Peck, Radecki’s predecessor, alerting her of his resignation and other encouraging calls, Radecki decided to accept the vacant UNA head coaching position.

“It was always a position that I wanted, but I didn’t expect it to happen so fast,” she said.

The Radecki era at UNA officially began in 2004, following a NCAA D-II National Championship in 2003. The pressure was on the coach from the very start.

“It was a lot of pressure taking over for great coaches and a program that had been so successful,” Radecki said.

“Because I had already been invested in the program – because I was already a part of it and had known a lot of the alumni – there was a lot of pressure to keep that tradition and keep the program nationally competitive.”

Despite that pressure, Radecki’s team shined in her first season with a 24-7 record, a GSC championship, and birth in the NCAA tournament. Since Radecki took over in 2004, her teams have only had two losing seasons and include two 30-win seasons.

With the success she has had over the years, Radecki might have the right to brag on herself, but instead she credits her 250 career wins and much of her success as a head coach to the people around her.

“Those 250 wins had so many different people involved; so many different players and so many different coaches,” Radecki said. “It represents a lot of hard work by a lot of different people, not just me. I love coaching and I love what I do and I love UNA and I just hope that we keep winning right now.”

Stephanie Radecki

s Mini u p m a C t s i t Bap 670 N. Wood Avenue Florence, Alabama

said. “I look forward to many more wins to come for this program.”

Sophomore defensive specialist Sarah Ann Tillery said the 250th win was a great achievement for Radecki.

“Our team was happy to be a part of it,” she said.

Radecki herself was a star volleyball player at Edinboro University in Pennsylvania being named an All-PSAC and All-Atlantic Region player twice. She was named to the Edinboro AllTime Volleyball Team in 2006 and was inducted into the Edinboro Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.

After her playing career, Radecki served as a student assistant coach at Edinboro for one year before coming to UNA as a graduate assistant coach in 1998. Following her first stint at UNA, Radecki took an assistant coaching job at Augustana College in South Dakota in 2000.

Six appearances in the NCAA D-II Tournament Noonday Lunch Wednesday 11am-1pm

Named American Volleyball Coaches Association Regional Coach of the year twice and GSC East Division Coach of the year three times.

SPORTS 3B

Oct. 30, 2014 • The Flor-Ala

NCAA

SCOREBOARD Oct. 24-30 Friday, Oct. 24 VOLLEYBALL UNA vs. WEST GEORGIA 3-0 WIN

Saturday, Oct. 25 VOLLEYBALL UNA @ UAH

3-1 WIN UNA

VS.

FOOTBALL WEST GEORGIA 31-28 WIN

Sunday, Oct. 26 SOCCER

UNA vs. West Alabama

3-0 WIN

Tuesday, Oct. 28 VOLLEYBALL UNA vs. UNION Results @ www.florala.net

GOLF UIS @ SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO Finished first out of eight

Upcoming

Friday, Oct. 31 VOLLEYBALL UNA @ VALDOSTA STATE

$ign here, please.

College athletes pocket autograph funds DUSTIN POLLARD

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University of Georgia star running back Todd Gurley was suspended indefinitely for an investigation involving signing autographs for money Oct. 9.

This type of investigation is not anything new for the NCAA, as former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel was suspended for the first half against Rice University last season for a similar offense.

Many people feel college athletes should be able to make a profit off their own likeness, and even NCAA President Mark Emmert said it is time to revisit the rule prohibiting players from it.

UNA football coach Bobby Wallace said he believes the rule was put in place for a reason.

“I can understand the NCAA’s rule on it because if they didn’t say it was against NCAA rules the boosters could promise a kid during the recruiting process if he comes there he can get him so much money for signing his name,” he said. “It would be a motivation for the kid to go

UNA

VS.

MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE

7 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 1 VOLLEYBALL UNA @ West Florida 4 p.m.

FOOTBALL UNA @ DELTA STATE 6 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 2 SOCCER UNA @ DELTA STATE 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 4 VOLLEYBALL UNA @ WEST ALABAMA 7 p.m.

SOCCER GSC Tournament -Quarterfinals

”

EVERY RULE THATʼS BEEN PASSED BY THE

NCAA HAS BEEN BECAUSE SOMEBODY HAS BEEN ABUSING THE SITUATION.

BOBBY WALLACE HEAD FOOTBALL COACH “In reality once a kid goes to a school and becomes a superstar and none of that was done beforehand, personally I think it’s almost wrong to tell a kid he can’t make money from (signing autographs),” he said. “Every rule that’s been passed by the NCAA has been because somebody has been abusing the situation.”

Wallace said boosters are the main issue regarding players signing autographs for money.

“You would get promised $10,000 freshman year, $20,000 your sophomore year,” he said. “If it was all legitimate, and it was just a kid that became great and someone wanted to give him $10 for an autograph football there shouldn’t be anything wrong with that but that’s not the way it would work.

“There’s just so many things people would do to get a kid to come to their school.”

UNA running back Lamonte Thompson said if the NCAA did allow players to make money off their autographs, the situation would get out of control.

“I would never do it because I know the consequences of what would happen if I did,” he said. “But if you look at it at another angle, we are college students and we don’t have a lot of money. So we have to do with what we have.”

UNA quarterback Luke Wingo said the rule is a good thing for the NCAA. “I think it wouldn’t be fair to the other players that don’t get the recognition,” he said. “I think you shouldn’t make money until you make it into the NFL or CFL.”

CROSS-COUNTRY

Both teams finish strong at fifth event

5 p.m. (CST)

SOCCER

there.”

Wallace said he would not mind players profiting from autographs if it was handled correctly.

DUSTIN POLLARD

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The men’s and women’s crosscountry teams both finished second at the D-II Challenge in Clinton, Mississippi Oct. 25.

The men scored 71 in the 8K, and the women finished with a 71 in the 5K. The scores are calculated by how the top five runners for each team finish the race.

“I’m really proud of our effort on both sides because we finished strong,” said coach Scott Trimble. “This was a prelude to our conference meet, so this was important for us.”

Freshman Justin Watson led the men’s team with a time of 26:40 placing 10th, and fellow freshman Tate Carden finished right behind at 26:41.

“I’ve said all year long how impressed I have been with our freshmen on this team,” Trimble said. “The men’s side ran well and is starting to come together.”

Sophomore Adam Benefield finished 14th (26:58) and junior Clady Oden (27:24) placed 20th to round out the top 20 participants.

“The seniors may not be the fastest on the team but we wouldn’t be where were

at without their leadership,” Trimble said.

Junior Olivia Brady led the women’s team, with a 19:14 time, placing eighth overall. Her time was a personal best.

“I spent the whole race thinking if I could just get by someone one at a time, I’d be fine,” Brady said. “We all finished strong.”

Five UNA runners placed in the top 20 — following Brady were freshmen Cassi Still at 14th (19:37), Sabrina Hudgins at 16th (19:41), Alexandra Pidcock at 17th (19:42) and Laura Bennett at 20th (19:58).

“They’ve been doing incredible all year,” Brady said. “Their performance speaks so well of the freshmen.”

Brady said last weekend was a confidence boost for the whole team.

“The fact we finished second speaks volumes of how well we’re doing right now,” she said.

The women’s side ended with nine personal records, including Brady’s.

“I’ve been doing this for 12 years, and I haven’t seen this many personal records ever,” Trimble said. “It’s a tribute to how hard they have been working.”

The Lions are preparing for the Nov. 8 Gulf South Conference Championships in Birmingham.

“I knew we had a chance to be good but not this early,” Trimble said. “Our coaches are doing a great job of getting our runners ready for each race.”

Season Results Sept. 13 Fleet Feet/Earl Jacoby Memorial Invitational

Sept. 27 Rhodes college Invitational

Oct. 3

Watson Ford Invitational Oct. 18 Falcon Classic

Oct. 27

Division II Challenge

men seven out of 16 women four out of 13 men 10 out of 16 women seven out of 18 men three out of 24 women two out of 22 men 12 out of 16 women seven out of 19 men second out six women second out of 10

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Oct. 30, 2014 • The Flor-Ala

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Junior quarterback Luke Wingo looks down field for an open receiver against the University of West Georgia Oct. 25. The Lions won 31-28. A win this Saturday against Delta State University guarantees at least a share of the conference title.

Lions look to clinch conference DUSTIN POLLARD

Saturday 9am-2pm

Mention this ad and get your $30 application fee waived!

Call us at 256-764-0731 to schedule your viewing today!

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A win for the Lions this weekend against Delta State University will guarantee at least a tie for the Gulf South Conference Championship.

No. 3 UNA (7-0, 4-0) faces its toughest test of the season when the team travels to Cleveland, Mississippi to face a 6-1 Statesmen squad. UNA and Delta State sit at No. 1 and No. 2 in the GSC standings, respectively.

“There’s a lot at stake for them, and there’s a lot at stake for us,” said coach Bobby Wallace. “Bottom line is if we win Saturday we’re ordering our (championship) rings and there’s nothing anybody can do about it.”

The Lions will be looking to repeat as conference champions for the first time since 1994-95.

“That’s our first goal when we start playing is to win the conference championship and we have a chance to reach our goal Saturday,” Wallace said.

UNA has not lost a regular season game since losing to Delta State 37-34, Sept. 21, 2013.

“I don’t think the revenge factor will play much of a role because we already have enough motivation to go out and win the conference,” Wallace said.

Delta State’s lone loss this season was 24-16 against the University of West Georgia Oct. 18.

UNA beat West Georgia 31-28 in a come from behind thriller Oct. 24.

The Lions’ defense will have its hands full as the Statesmen’s offense ranks No. 1 in the GSC in scoring offense (47.3 points per game), total offense (503.4 yards per game) and passing offense (346.7 yards per game).

“They’re very explosive offensively and throw it a lot,” Wallace said.

“They have great receivers and a great quarterback and keep you off balance with the run.”

”

BOTTOM LINE IS IF WE WIN SATURDAY WEʼRE ORDERING OUR (CHAMPIONSHIP) RINGS AND THEREʼS NOTHING ANYBODY CAN DO ABOUT IT.

BOBBY WALLACE HEAD COACH Delta State has the top passing and receiving threat in the GSC with quarterback Tyler Sullivan, who has thrown for 2,281 yards, 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions, and wide receiver Casey Osborne, who has 738 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

UNA will try to slow down the Statesmen attack with the GSC top ranked defense. The Lions are first in scoring defense (15.9 points per game) and total defense (314 yards per game).

“It’s a good match up for us because we got a good secondary,” Wallace said.

“The defensive front will have to put pressure on the quarterback. We won’t stop them, they’re too powerful but hopefully we can slow them down.”

Wallace said tackling in space will be a major factor in the game because Delta State likes to throw short quick passes.

The Lions’ offense boasts the No. 2 ranked scoring offense in the GSC with 38.1 points per game.

The offense is led by quarterback Luke Wingo who has thrown for 1,019 yards and has 11 total touchdowns on the season.

Wingo said he is ready to play another big game after winning one last Saturday. “(Delta State) has an awesome team but if we stay focus we’ll go out there and win the conference Saturday,” he said.

The offense may need to rely on Wingo’s arm a little more than usual this game as the Statesmen’s have the No. 1 ranked rushing defense in the GSC. “They like to stack the box and send a lot of rushers,” Wallace said. “It should give us opportunities in the passing game, so we’ll have to see if we can take advantage of that.”

UNA is the only undefeated team in the state and also in the GSC. The Lions want to keep it that way too.

“It’s exciting to still be undefeated but we have stay focused going into Delta State and do what we do,” said junior receiver Delvon Carpenter.

Kickoff time for UNA and Delta State is 6 p.m. Nov. 1. The game will be available for live streaming on ESPN3.

LIFE 5B

Oct. 30, 2014 • The Flor-Ala

CULTURE

Celebrate

Diversity photo by KALI DANIEL I Managing Editor

Children light sparklers in celebration of Diwali (left). Diwali is a Hindu holiday also known as The Festival of Lights. Student Paramjeet Kaur said the lights are symbolic of the return home of Lord Rama after 14 years of exile. Day of the Dead (right) is a Mexican holiday celebrating the lives of those who have passed away, said Hispanic Culture Organization President Jhoana Patlan.

Students celebrate fall holidays from around the world KALI DANIEL

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Candy, costumes and decorations generally bring the idea of Halloween to many minds.

However, as a cultural melting pot, America is home to many different celebrations around Oct. 31, which have nothing to do with Halloween.

In Mexico, Latin America and even some European countries like Spain, Day of the Dead or All Souls’ Day is the primary celebration for Oct. 31 through Nov. 2.

“Nov. 1 is when everyone goes and takes things for children that have passed away,” said Hispanic Culture Organization President Jhoana Patlan.

“They take them toys and clean up their tombstones. That day is when smaller children go out to different houses like our trick-or-treat but instead of candy, they actually get money.”

Nov. 2 is the day set aside in remembrance of adults, Patlan said. Many take flowers or the deceased’s favorite meal, placing it on his or her grave.

“My grandmother makes a cross of candles and sets a glass of water there,” she said. “Supposedly it’s like giving the dead water and them drinking it. We know it’s evaporating, but it’s symbolic.”

Patlan said despite the remembrance and mourning, the holiday is more about celebration.

“My dad is from a little city close to (Mexico City), and they actually do a little parade,” she said. “They go to visit each house and pay their respects to the people that are lost. It’s more celebration than mourning because people travel and have parties.”

Another holiday occurring around Halloween is the Hindi holiday, Diwali

— also known as The Festival of Lights.

The date ranges from late October to mid-November. The exact date is the 15th day of Kartika on the Hindu calendar.

This year Diwali occurred Oct. 23.

Students and cousins Paramjeet and Gagandeep Kaur experienced Diwali in Florence courtesy of Management and Marketing Professor Santanu Borah. He invited them to a friend’s home for a 20-family celebration Diwali.

“At home we pray to Ganesha and Lakshmi for wealth and prosperity,” Paramjeet said. “Here, there is no praying but the foods are the same.”

The holiday is predominantly religious, and often the community gathers at a temple for prayer, the cousins said.

“We light candles, lanterns and olden pots, and exchange gifts and sweets,” Paramjeet said. “The lights are symbolic of the return home of Lord Rama after 14 years of exile.”

Showering blessings of health is more important than anything else during the holiday, she said.

Day of the Dead and Diwali are not the only holidays celebrated in Florence around Halloween. Many Lutheran community members celebrate Reformation Day Oct. 31.

Lauderdale County Republican Party Executive Committee Member and former UNA student Trey Edwards said he celebrates the historic day Martin Luther nailed his “95 Theses” to a German church in response to several issues he saw with the Catholic Church.

“Reformation Day is sort of like a religious Independence Day for me,” Edwards said. “It is a way of celebrating the beginning of our independence from the old Catholic Church and into a way of life and thought that ultimately became the foundation of much of our American

concepts and freedoms today.”

Edwards recalls being in a class of Professor of History Matthew Schoenbachler, where discussion was based on Reformation and how the event shaped not only individual beliefs, but ultimately the Constitution.

“I am proud to celebrate this rich history,” Edwards said. “Personally, it makes a lot more sense to celebrate a major historical event and religious freedom than to encourage kids to ask strangers for candy. Which, let’s be honest — is kinda creepy.”

Visiting Diwali ANNA GRACE USERY -LQ\WZ QV +PQMN MLQ\WZ(NTWZITI VM\

Friday evening I received a call from Managing Editor Kali Daniel asking if I might want to attend Diwali, a Hindi holiday celebration.

“De-who?” I responded.

Her smooth talk eventually led me to say “yes” but I was completely unaware of what I agreed to.

Diwali is a holiday I had honestly never heard of. My southern upbringing introduced me to many frog-gigging, apple-bobbing and banjo-picking shindigs, but a festival specifically for the enjoyment of lights never came up in conversation.

Light is something each and every one of us takes for granted. Ask those who live in Alaska or Russia — they might tell you how thankful for light they actually are.

The moment I pulled onto the pitchblack road in Indian Springs where the Diwali festival was taking place, only to find a blinding mansion with every electrical outlet beaming multicolored lights, I knew I was in for a good time.

I now know what the holiday was about — peace, happiness and

appreciation. The second the light from the house hit my face, I was in awe of how much I take the presence of it for granted.

One aspect of the festival and Indian culture in general I thoroughly enjoyed was the food. Upon entering the door, I was greeted with an array of appetizers.

“Don’t eat too much. There is plenty in the kitchen,” someone piped up.

Though I asked for the names of the dishes I was eating, the truth was it did not matter. The vibrant colors of each ingredient enticed my taste buds beyond belief. Spoiler: I remained at the buffet bar the rest of the night.

In the backyard, children were running awry with one, two, three, fourteen sparklers in each hand. I took this as an invitation to imitate, and I soon became each kid’s favorite big kid — probably because I knew how to spark a match.

Without a doubt, I felt at home.

Hindus young and old encouraged me to ask questions about their culture, eat, drink and eat some more. It was truly a wholesome gathering of all cultures.

The cultural experience was informational and the Indian hospitality was exquisite — us southerners may need to step it up.

6B LIFE

Oct. 30, 2014• The Flor-Ala

ENTERTAINMENT

Best Horror Films Flor-Ala staff shares favorite scary movies MARI WILLIAMS

3. The Rocky Horror Picture Show

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Most people think Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. Although, there are some who refute this claim, swearing in fact that, Halloween is the most exciting holiday. Halloween means dressing up, carving pumpkins and, of course, staying in and watching horror movies until you feel just scared enough to refuse to sleep without the lights on. In honor of this essential Halloween tradition, The Flor-Ala staff shares some of its favorite horror films.

1. Friday the 13th

”

”

I GET TO SEE MY FAVORITE ACTOR IN DRAG. HAVE YOU EVER SEEN YOUR FAVORITE ACTOR IN DRAG?

AFTER WATCHING IT AS A CHILD, MICHAEL MEYERS STILL GIVES ME THE HEEBIE-JEEBIES.

ANNA GRACE USERY

MARI WILLIAMS

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

LIFE EDITOR

4. Children of the Corn 7. Cabin in the Woods

”

”

THEY HAVE A REALLY INTERESTING STORY LINE. ITʼS REALLY STRAIGHT FORWARD.

ITʼS REALLY JARRING AND HAS POLITICAL MEANING, AS MOST STEPHEN KING WORKS DO.

JASMINE FLEMING

KALI DANIEL

ONLINE EDITOR

MANAGING EDITOR

2. The Descent

”

6. Halloween

5. Wrong Turn

HORROR FILMS ARE NEVER SCARY, BUT THIS ONE ACTUALLY IS.

ASHLEY REMKUS

”

JORDAN FERRELL GRAPHIC DESIGNER

8. The Conjuring

”

IT HAS A CLASSIC HORROR MOVIE PLOT OF TWENTY-SOMETHINGS STUCK IN THE WOODS WITH INBRED CANNIBALS.

NEWS EDITOR

BECAUSE UNICORN.

SHILO CUPPLES GRAPHIC DESIGNER

”

ITʼS BASED ON A TRUE STORY AND

THAT PARANORMAL STUFF IS CREEPY LIKE A PENCIL THIN MUSTACHE.

DUSTIN POLLARD SPORTS EDITOR

ATTRACTION

Mount Hope residents discuss notorious haunted hill MELISSA PARKER

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When driving down County Road 25, it may seem like an ordinary highway.

But, people who have explored its secrets know better.

The small community of Mount Hope, Alabama is home to a stretch of road known as Henry Hill.

It is said when a person parks his or her car on Henry Hill and puts the vehicle in neutral, Henry will try to save the driver by pushing his or her car out of the way. Some even claim to see handprints on their trunks after dousing them with powder.

This dip in the road holds many more legends than one would expect.

Jessica Webster, resident of Trinity, said she has heard many different stories

about Henry Hill.

“What I heard is that a man’s car broke down and he was trying to push his car out of the way, when a car came over the hill and hit and killed him,” she said. “Now if you park your car at the bottom of the hill and put it in neutral, he will push you up the hill. We’ve gone several times — it always works.”

The legend changes, as most do, from person to person.

One popular legend states Henry and his family were traveling when their car broke down in a slight curve on this rural road in Mount Hope, according to ghostsofamerica.com. Henry and his oldest son tried to push the car to the side of the road while the wife steered, but Henry left the emergency brake on.

He heard another car approaching and shoved his son out of the way, taking the impact of the car. He died instantly.

Of course there are people who do not believe it is haunted at all and contribute the movement of the car to gravitational pull.

Mt. Hope resident Heath Martin claims the Hill is nothing more than an illusion.

“I live about 15 minutes or so from Henry Hill,” he said. “It’s an optical illusion. It looks like you’re going up hill, but you’re actually going down hill.

I went there with a group of friends in high school and tested it with a tennis ball. It rolled the same direction as our vehicles.”

Alumnus Casey Tate said although it was many years ago, he still remembers his experience on the hill.

“We parked, put the car in neutral and yes, low and behold, we began to make our way up the hill,” he said. “It was a very weird feeling. We couldn’t explain

what had just happened. If I remember correctly, we actually got out and walked around the car. So don’t ask me how, but Mr. Henry must have pushed us up that hill.”

Directions Take Helton Drive across highway 133. Turn left on Highway 157 and continue to Hatton.

Take a right at the intersection of Highway 157 and Highway 101. Continue on Highway 101 and turn right at Town Creek Church. Turn left on County Road 23 and continue past Mt. Hope School. Turn right onto County Road 448 at Rock Springs Church. Continue around a sharp curve to the left where the road will turn into County Road 25. Just past chicken houses, is the dip in the road. Go past it, turn around, park the car in the dip, and put it in neutral.

LIFE 7B

Oct. 30, 2014 • The Flor-Ala

REVIEW

“Ouija” falls below expectations

ENTERTAINMENT

MEISA prepares for annual talent showcase ANNA BROWN

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JOSH HOLLAND

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It is October, so of course, Hollywood finds it necessary to churn out horror movies to coincide with Halloween.

“Ouija” is one of these films, although it is as bereft of horror as it is quality writing.

Since this film is a PG-13 “horror” movie, I had low expectations going in.

“Ouija” managed to go below them.

The film features jump scares, a barely watchable plot and more horror cliché’s than necessary.

The film starts off with a background of the two main characters Debbie and Laine’s lifelong friendship. When one of them dies after using a Ouija board the other feels obligated to find out what happens. The protagonist uses the board to contact the dead friend. This leads to a series of deaths and paranoia, and the revelation that what lies beyond our world is not to be toyed with.

Supernatural horror films have become increasingly popular over the past few years. What these films lack is substance, and “Ouija” is no exception. Those of us who were raised on character-based horror, like “Texas Chainsaw Massacre”, “Nightmare On Elm Street” and “Friday the 13th” are accustomed to horror fed from the writing rather than horror fed from jump scares and cheap film tricks.

That being said the paranormal franchises mentioned above are far superior to Ouija both in talent and writing.

Editor’s note: To read the rest of this story, visit www.florala.net.

As the prime time singing competition “The Voice” returns, so does UNA’s own singing showcase.

The Music and Entertainment Industry Student Association will host its fifth annual Talent Showcase Nov. 13 in the Mane Room on Pine Street at 7 p.m.

“I’ve always loved the showcase.

But, being in charge of it this year, I’m really excited to see how everything goes over,” said Hayden Behel, president of MEISA. “I’m also excited to see any new or upcoming local musicians and talent that we have in the Shoals area.”

Ten to twelve artists will compete this year. The winner will receive a trophy and free studio recording time.

Second and third place winners will also receive a trophy and a gift from the Entertainment Industry department.

“No one goes home empty-handed,” said Kati Salverson, MEISA vice president. “We’re not trying to only direct it to people in the Shoals area.

We want it to be open to everybody so everyone can have a chance to be a part of it.”

MEISA welcomes the community to participate in the showcase, she said.

“I’ve been to the MEISA Showcase before, and it was really, really good,” said junior Schyler Arnold. “You got to see where the talent was that you didn’t know existed with the person sitting next to you. I will definitely be going this year.”

Some contestants move on to bigger opportunities in the music industry.

“Jordy Searcy was on “The Voice”, Salverson said. “Last year’s third place winner, Justin Richard, has been working

in the country music scene with Brantley Gilbert. 2012 winner Rachel Wammack is writing songs for Sony Nashville and Kristen Dunn, of the band Two or More and 2013 winner, is working on her first solo album.”

Although the judges have yet to be named, three Shoals locals who are active in the music industry will be judging the showcase, Behel said.

“Even if you don’t win, those three people know your name,” Salverson said. “Down the road they may be able to assist you.”

Malone said she lone believes es this is a very exciting ng time for the music industry try in the Shoals.

“II think there is a resurgence rgence of Muscle Shoals als music with all the bands now,” shee said. “This is thee student’s time to shine hine and be the next generation eneration of Muscle Shoals Music.”

”

THIS IS THE STUDENTʼS TIME TO SHINE AND BE THE NEXT GENERATION OF MUSCLE SHOALS MUSIC.

JANNA MALONE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY INSTRUCTOR

The students and faculty of the Entertainment Industry Department ent are excited to see talent the showcasee will bring this year, they said.

Performing in the showcase allows upcoming artists priceless performance experience, said Janna Malone, Entertainment Industry Instructor.

“It gives them an opportunity to showcase their talent and get their music out in front of people to see the response of the crowd,” ,” she said. “A lot of times students ents don’t have that opportunity ity if they’re not playing in a band and have a regular gig.”

P i t Private

“ The Stuudio Whe re Winners Go To Train ain ” Discou Disc unt o offere ed for those students s par articipat patting t in Miss UNA 1118 Brad dshaw Drive Floren nce, e, AL 35630

256-766-32 6-3226 26 Projects101@att.net

8B EXTRA

Oct. 30, 2014 • The Flor-Ala

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