Oct. 10 Issue

MEET YOUR 2013 HOMECOMING COURT SPECIAL SECTION 2B

Oct. 10, 2013

Volume 82, Issue 8

HOMECOMING

www.FlorAla.net

Student newspaper of the University of North Alabama

ROTC

Homecoming 2013 Thursday, Oct. 10

An Uncertain Future ”I

Homecoming Concert, featuring Dillon Hodges, firekid and Secret Sisters 6 p.m. — Norton Auditorium

N THE PAST RECRUTING HAS BEEN A HUGE PRIORITY. NOW WE WILL ADJUST RECRUITING AND FOCUS ON COUNSELING THE CADETS ON A ONE-ON-ONE BASIS FOR A PLAN TO MOVE FORWARD.

Friday, Oct. 11 Freddie Wood Geographic Research Center ribbon-cutting and Keynote Address with Ken Foote 9:30 a.m. — Wesleyan Hall Coffee Talk with Rick Hall 3 p.m. — Mane Room, Entertainment Industry Center Pep Rally 9 p.m. — Athletic Field by Flowers Hall Alumni and Student Jam Session 9 p.m. (post pep rally) — Mane Room, Entertainment Industry Center

LT. COL. MICHAEL SNYDER

photo by ALLI OWNBY I Chief Photographer

Student Justin Copen participates in a field exercise during ROTC’s three-day Fall Field Training Exercise during Oct. 4-6. The university learned Wednesday, Oct. 2 of the closing of the program by 2015.

Saturday, Oct. 12 University, ROTC leaders react to program shut down

Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony 9 a.m. — GUC Performance Center University Student Academic Commons Walk-through 10 to 10:45 a.m. — Academic Commons Building Homecoming Parade 11 a.m. — Downtown Florence Lion Walk 4 p.m. — Royal Avenue to Braly Stadium Pre-Game Show with Dave Anderson 5:30 p.m. — Braly Stadium Football Game: UNA vs.

University of West Georgia 6 p.m. — Braly Stadium “Old Skool” Homecoming Bash 10 p.m. — Mane Room, Entertainment Industry Center

INSIDE

this week’s paper

BLYTHE STEELMAN

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he future of UNA’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program is uncertain, after university officials learned on Wednesday, Oct. 2 that the program will shut down by May 2015, said UNA Communications Director Terry Pace.

“The Department of Defense has told us that the United States Army Cadet Command (USACC) is closing 13 of 273 ROTC programs nationwide,” Pace said. “Communication we received from the Department of the Army indicates that this action is not a reflection on either the quality of the program or the caliber of cadets UNA ROTC has produced. They are describing this move as an effort to restructure and realign their programs using fewer resources.”

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The news came early on Wednesday afternoon, and Pace said university officials were shocked. However, an article from Inside Higher Ed claimed the reductions were ordered last month before the government shutdown.

“My perception of the situation is that no one at UNA knew about this until yesterday (Wednesday, Oct. 2),” he said.

The ROTC program has been part of UNA for 65 years, said university President William Cale in an email statement.

“We were shocked to learn of this decision, which was made without consultation and came without warning,” he said.

“ROTC has been a proud part of the tradition of UNA for 65 years, and has produced many fine officers, including general officers. Our understanding, very limited at this point, is that the Army conducted a national

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review to assess how to best meet its current and future manpower needs. We do intend to seek advice through our elected federal officials and determine what our best course of action might be.”

For now, the cadets will continue training under their current regimen, said LTC Michael Snyder.

“In the past, recruiting has been a huge priority,” Snyder said. “Now we will adjust recruiting and focus on counseling the cadets on a one-on-one basis for a plan to move forward.”

The scholarships awarded will follow each cadet as they move forward, he said.

“After 2015, the scholarships will follow them,” Snyder said.

“It’s an individual decision.”

Developing a commissioning plan and academic plan will be a focus for the remainder of the program, Snyder said.

“We’ll work to maintain routine and consistent counseling and advising sessions,” he said.

“We will address and facilitate the opportunities for cadets to commission as members of the Army.”

The absence of the program will change the dynamic of the university, said sophomore Cadet Graem Cook.

“I absolutely believe (UNA) will suffer without the program,” he said.

The cadets are not only part of the university, but they also aid with programs in the community, such as the local fire department, said Cadet Alyssa Primeau.

“It’s huge in the community,” she said. “(The absence of this program) is going to affect the entire community, not just UNA.” Eliminating the program

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Please recycle your paper.

2A NEWS

Oct. 10, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

HIRING

FUNDRAISING

Thinkin’ Pink PACE

Faculty alumnus appointed new director of communications SIERRA KENNEDY

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UNA English instructor Terry Pace was appointed UNA Director of Communications and Marketing Sept. 23. Pace served as the Interim Director of Communications and Marketing from March through September.

Pace said he has many goals that he would like to accomplish in his position.

“Focusing on the new innovative cutting edge programs at UNA and the research being done by faculty and students, we now have an opportunity to bring the world to UNA and UNA to the world on so many different levels,” Pace said. “I want to celebrate UNA as a cutting edge institution that values research and thinking outside the box.”

Pace said he looks forwad to continuing work in the Office of University Communications and Marketing.

“It’s more of a holistic office now — we have a web communications manager, a videographer, graphic designers, layout specialists and a staff photographer all working together in one office,” Pace said. “Everybody is so gifted and creative so we play off of each other’s strengths and complement each other’s talents so well.”

Having grown up in the Shoals and receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s at UNA, Pace said he is glad that he is able to continue serving UNA. “I am so honored and thrilled to be here because UNA has always been home to me and has always been a huge part of me,” Pace said.

In 2007, Pace served as the Interim Director of University Relations for seven months. At the time, the position was public relations based but over the years has transformed into communications and marketing, said Pace.

“As Director of Communications and Marketing, my job includes public affairs, public relations, publicizing events

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photo BY ROGER WANG I Staff Photographer

Emily Manush paints Miles Colley’s face during Zeta Tau Alpha’s Pink Party, held in Florence during First Fridays on Oct. 5.

Pink Party was the last in a series of events that make up ZTA’s Pink Week, a fundraiser for Breast Cancer Awareness.

Sorority raises more than $10,000 for philanthropy PACE HOLDBROOKS

6M_[ -LQ\WZ VM_[(NTWZITI VM\ While purple and gold are the dominant colors found on campus, October brings a new color into the mix each year: pink, the color of breast cancer awareness month. The color also serves as a marker for a number of events put on during the month by Zeta Tau Alpha, including Pink Week, a series of fundraising events that climaxes with the annual Pink Party, held on Oct. 5 during First Fridays in downtown Florence.

The sorority raised more than $10,000 for their philanthropy, said Lauren Copeland, chapter president of ZTA. “The purpose of Pink Party and Pink Week is to promote breast cancer education and awareness,” said Kristie Barnes, who planned Pink Party. “To engage a larger portion of the Greek community, the fraternities participate in a week-long competition to raise the most money, decorate their house in the most pink and win a yogurt-eating contest. Pink Party is held in a public place because its purpose is to promote breast cancer education and awareness, so the chances of communicating that cause are greatest in a public venue with heavy foot traffic.”

This year’s event was held on Mobile Street, at the center of the First Fridays attractions.

“I think Pink Party is a very good thing, because it raises awareness about breast cancer,” said Samuel Sherril, a freshman in attendance at Pink Party.

“My grandmother died from breast cancer so I think it’s important for (people)

to be aware. This disease has affected not just me, but several other people in their lives.”

Alex Kelly, ZTA’s philanthropy chair, agrees that the event is helpful because the disease it is fighting is one that affects everyone.

“One in eight women will be diagnosed,” Kelly said. “Here at UNA most of our sisters are affected by it — some have lost moms or aunts.”

ZTA raised approximately $15,000

cancer that, through early detection, can be treated,” Copeland said. “So even though we’re students and it seems like we’re fighting something far down the road, we’re fighting for our sisters, best friends, moms and grandmothers.”

Through holding Pink Party and other fundraising events in a public places, the members of ZTA hope they are able to stress the importance of early detection and regular checks to the public. Additionally, the ZTA National organization has a tool called “Take Charge. Think pink.” to help women keep their breast health in check, Copeland said.

HERE AT UNA, MOST OF OUR SISTERS ARE “It’s an online tool we will be using AFFECTED BY (BREAST CANCER) — SOME HAVE LOST to sign women up for monthly reminders,” Copeland said. “With each reminder MOMS OR AUNTS. comes instructions as to how to best conduct a self-exam. It’s been a wonderful LEX ELLY tool as it helps women keep their health in check from month to month.” toward breast cancer education and ZTA will host another large public awareness through Pink Party in 2012, event later this month, and another one in Barnes said. the spring, Barnes said.

“Throughout Pink Week, we accept “Saturday, Oct. 19, Zeta Tau Aldonations, most of which come from fra- pha will hold its annual Pink Out Game ternity members that are participating in where we encourage everyone to wear the competition,” Barnes said. “At Pink pink to UNA´s home football game,” she Party, we also take donations for face said. “There will also be a pink balloon painting, bottled water and ‘In Memory release on the field to recognize those Of’ or ‘In Honor Of’ ribbons. Through- that have and are fighting breast cancer. out the month of October, sisters collect During the spring semester, we will have pink lids from Yoplait yogurt and give our annual Big Man on Campus, which is local businesses a pink ribbon decal for a male pageant. The money raised from every $10 donation they give.” the cost of tickets to attend goes toward The chapter desires that students breast cancer education and awareness.” would care because of the statistics Kelly Editor’s Note: Editor-in-Chief Corcited, that one in eight women will battle rine Beckinger is a member of Zeta Tau breast cancer, Copeland said.

Alpha sorority and did not participate in “There are many forms of breast the reporting or editing of this story.

”

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Oct. 10,2013 â&#x20AC;˘ The Flor-Ala

ROTC

CULTURE

Students learn teamwork at training day RSO forum covers racial stereotyping ANNA GRACE USERY

smelling to check for dangerous situations. They also try to communicate without talking.â&#x20AC;?

After land navigation, cadets engage in After Action Review, where they discuss their mission. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They discuss what they can improve on, so that any mistakes that were made can be fixed,â&#x20AC;? Kirsopp said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They also discuss the things that were done correctly.â&#x20AC;?

7VTQVM -LQ\WZ WVTQVM(NTWZITI VM\ The UNA National Association for the Advancement of Colored People kickstarted the year with its first big event: the Color Barrier Forum.

Many issues within the black community were discussed, such as stereotyping, different shades of color and how the media skews the appearance of black people.

The black community deals with these issues every day, said president of the UNA NAACP Destiny Battles. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The purpose of this forum was to make people understand why issues such as stereotyping are a problem and how it affects people,â&#x20AC;? Battles said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re hurting our own (black) people by saying these things.â&#x20AC;?

This is not only a local issue but one that is widespread, she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This issue of light versus darkskinned people is so prevalent in the media,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We as a black community need to realize this is a problem, understand the issue and work together towards killing the issue.â&#x20AC;?

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photo by ALLI OWNBY I Chief Photographer

Cadets eat MREs (meal, ready to eat) during a lunch break at the ROTC Fall Field Training Exercise at Camp Westmoreland on Oct. 5. The purpose of the training day is to develop leadership in future Army officers, said Cadet Frank Kirsopp.

JASMINE FLEMING

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In spite of the programâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future being in jeopardy, the Reserve Officersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Training Corps held its Fall Field Training Exercise on Oct. 4-6 at Camp Westmoreland in Florence as normal.

The Field Training Exercise is held every semester, said Cadet Frank Kirsopp, a UNA senior. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The purpose of ROTC training is to

develop leadership,â&#x20AC;? Kirsopp said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cadets are training to be officers after they leave College. Field Training Exercise helps them to do that.â&#x20AC;?

The cadets practice a lot of different concepts on these training days, such as night and day land navigation, where they find objective points using coordinates, protractors and compasses, Kirsopp said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They usually work in three phases: planning, movement and objective,â&#x20AC;? Kirsopp said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cadets gauge their surroundings by stopping, looking, listening and

4A NEWS

Oct. 10, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

NEWS 5A

Oct. 10,2013 • The Flor-Ala

CRIME

Keller Hall break-in shocks campus, faculty members KAITLIN TEW

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The UNA Police Department is investigating several office break-ins that occurred in Keller Hall on Sept. 14.

The suspect took textbooks totaling in value of approximately $2,420, UNA Police Chief Bob Pastula said.

An officer was dispatched to Keller Hall on Sept. 14 to meet with a professor who was missing textbooks. The professor stated that when he reached his office that morning, his door was ajar. It was soon discovered that other offices had been opened and more textbooks were missing. One professor said that she had locked her office before leaving. An administrative assistant discovered that keys were missing from her desk on Sept.

16, according to the incident report.

There was no sign of forced entry, Pastula said. He also said that although nothing is for sure, it is thought the culprit used keys to get into the offices.

Other faculty members that have offices in Keller are concerned.

“I think it’s a violation of people’s per-

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”

ITʼS DISHEARTENING. THERE ARE SOME

PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING TO WORK AND EARN A LIVING FOR THEMSELVES AND THERE THERE ARE SOME WHO WANT TO STEAL IT FROM OTHER FOLKS.

JEROME GAFFORD Jerome Gafford, an assistant professor of management and marketing, said that it is a shame someone would result to this.

“It’s disheartening,” said Gafford.

“There are some people who are willing to work and earn a living for themselves the sense of the importance of our country that’s not always present on college campuses.”

The university is planning to look at their options for the student program, said Vice President for Academic Affairs John Thornell.

“Rest assured, we’re all very concerned,” he said. “Right now we have to look at what our options are and move forward from there.” photo by ALLI OWNBY I Chief Photographer

does take away from the university’s environment, said Vagn Hansen, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, which houses the ROTC program and Military Science department.

“It takes away an important component of our college atmosphere,” he said. “(The program) contributes a presence of

sonal privacy,” said Robert Armstrong, a management and marketing professor.

“It’s an affront when you think that your private office space can be opened up by somebody else and they go through your materials. It really does impact your view of your own personal privacy of what you’re doing as an educator and as a person working in a work environment.”

ROTC students participate in their three-day training event Oct. 4-6. The cadets were informed on Oct. 3 of the shutdown of the ROTC program.

and then there are some who want to steal it from other folks.”

The culprit’s actions affect more than one person, Gafford said.

“Whoever the person is, I just hope they understand that it’s not just one person that they’re impacting here,” said Gafford. “There are actions that can impact everybody on campus. There are better options they can pursue than trying to steal from our university community.”

Some UNA students, like Joe Winters, are surprised at the amount of books stolen.

“To me it is wrong (for) so much money to come up missing,” Winters, a sophomore, said. “Especially whenever you’ve got to put money into the university, but for books to be stolen, especially $2,000 worth, that’s quite a bit.”

Mai Curott-Nguyen, a freshman, said she has a hard time believing the event occurred.

“It’s so surprising to me,” CurottNguyen said. “I guess it’s kind of naïve, but all the people that I know just seem so trustworthy.”

Curott-Nguyen also said she thinks of

UNA as a safe area.

“I definitely feel like there’s a better community here,” she said. “I’m a freshman. I don’t know that many people, but the people I know seem (to be) really good people. I don’t see people walking around who I would spot as people who would go and steal stuff, especially since around here we’re pretty well taken care

AT A GLANCE: 2012 ON-CAMPUS CRIMES • 11 ON-CAMPUS BURGLARIES • 4 DRUG POSSESSION ARRESTS • 4 LIQUOR LAW VIOLATION ARRESTS

• 1 • 0

MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT WEAPON POSSESSION ARRESTS

ALL INFORMATION COLLECTED 2012 CLERY REPORT.

FROM THE

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6A NEWS

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on campus and preparing marketing materials for departments and programs, among other things,” Pace said.

Pace has years of experience in the communications field, writing for the TimesDaily for more than 25 years.

His newspaper and wire-service articles earned top awards from The New York Times, Associated Press, the Alabama Association, the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and Best Music Writing 2000.

Since 2006, Pace has taught freshmen composition and sophomore literature as an adjunct instructor at UNA. He also teaches continuing-studies classes on movies and movie history at UNA. “I want to stay in the classroom and teach at least one English course a semester and also a film history course at East Campus for adults,” Pace said. “It’s important to me to stay connected to the faculty, students, and the community.”

Hannah Gilbertson, a sophomore, said she enjoyed Pace’s English class and hopes he will continue teaching.

“He was hands down the best professor I have had at UNA,” Gilbertson said.

“He genuinely cares for his students even after they are done with his class.”

SGA President Laura Giles is happy that Pace was promoted as Director of Communications and Marketing and feels he will do a great job in this position.

“Mr. Pace is a man of good character and positive attitude, and I have a feeling that he will excel in this position he is now holding for the Director of Marketing and Communications for UNA,” Giles said.

Oct. 10, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

EDUCATION

Study abroad fair held to recruit students

photo by CHELSEA PARRISH I Student Photographer

Staff from the Office of International Affairs and faculty leaders of future study abroad trips meet with students in the GUC Atrium at the Study Abroad Fair on Oct 1. The deadline for trip registration for faculty-led trips is Nov. 1.

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Students were given the opportunity to see what study abroad programs may appeal to them during the Study Abroad Fair on Oct. 1. The event was held in the GUC Atrium and allowed faculty members to advertise the study abroad trips

they are leading so students will be aware of their options before the approaching registration deadlines pass, said Craig Christy, director for the center of global engagement.

“The concept of the study abroad fair is to pull (the different choices) all together so that students have a physical overview of all of the options,” Christy said.

The Office of International Affairs sponsored the fair, in hopes that students would see these options and find one that interested them, Christy said.

“Employers consistently say that study abroad is second only to internships in terms of things that they look for on a

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VIEWPOINTS 7A

Oct. 10,2013 • The Flor-Ala

University losing tradition, not just program STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA

THE

CORINNE BECKINGER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF BLYTHE STEELMAN MANAGING EDITOR PACE HOLDBROOKS NEWS EDITOR KALI DANIEL LIFE EDITOR JAMES DUBUISSON SPORTS EDITOR ANNA GRACE USERY ONLINE EDITOR LAURA IVIE BUSINESS MANAGER KEVEN RIVERA-ORTIZ GRAPHIC DESIGNER LELA AARON-VICENTE CIRCULATION MANAGER WILEY BELEW WALTER HARTLEY KAYLA STINNETT ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES ALLI OWNBY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER SARAH HOLLIDAY DALLAS MOORE ROGER WANG STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS REBECCA WALKER ADVISER

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BLYTHE STEELMAN

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For the past three and half years, I’ve been a part of this university. I’ve gone to class, made friends, changed my major and spent countless hours in The Flor-Ala’s office.

I’ll never forget the first time I walked around campus and saw people – other students – walking around in military uniforms. These students are part of a 65-year program at UNA: Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, better known as ROTC. I’ll be honest and say I didn’t understand why anyone would want to pursue that path in college. Regardless, I’ve always admired them for their dedication and service. But even though I’ve had numerous classes with these students, I haven’t

made an effort to get to know any of them.

Last Saturday, I found myself traipsing around in the woods at Camp Westmoreland, with the chief photographer and a volunteer writer close behind.

We were following Cadet Frank Kirsopp, a senior, while he walked us through a portion of the ROTC program’s Fall FTX, a three-day field training event that prepares the cadets for a summer leadership and development course.

I was not dressed for the occasion, to say the least. My skirt and expensive, strappy sandals were out of place amongst the uniforms, boots and wooded terrain. I was hot, sticky and the tree branches weren’t kind to my hair or skin.

But I’ve never found myself in a more humbling or eye-opening situation. I spent three hours watching roughly 20 students run through drills and scenarios that prepare them for their future endeavors. During the last objective, my photographer, reporter and I were inserted into the scenario, acting as embedded reporters in a

foreign country during a hostage situation. It was a learning experience for everyone involved, including myself.

University officials confirmed last week that the ROTC program at UNA will be shut down by May 2015. It’s one of 13 programs across the country facing the same fate. I was shocked, but on many levels I was also indifferent to the situation. I didn’t know any of the 70 students in the program personally. I wasn’t really sure what the program even does.

I now have a much deeper appreciation for this program and what it does for the students involved. These are real students, just like anyone else on campus. They go to class and study for tests. They have other extracurricular activities to do on campus. But they also spend four years honing their leadership skills and developing them through ROTC. They spend countless hours training and working to achieve their goals.

More than training and development, though, what I saw is that this group of students is a family. I sat amongst them while

they ate lunch and watched how they interact with one another.

They joke and tease, but their relationships run much deeper than friendship.

Now, for many of them, the next two years will bring significant changes to that family dynamic. Some of them may transfer to a university with another ROTC program and others will chart different courses of action.

Regardless, the program shutdown is affecting them all.

Think about that next time you pass one of them on campus. I wholeheartedly believe the university is losing an important part of our history, a program that develops leaders and gives students a family away from home.

I urge you to take the time to stop and think about the future of the program and the students involved. Voice your thoughts and make them known to our state’s representation. This is not a decision made by the university, but lobby on the university’s behalf. And, if nothing else, next time you see an ROTC student, stop them and thank them for what they’re doing.

Congratulations to our Writer and Photographer of the Week!

Jasmine Fleming and Dallas Moore

Interested in working with Student Media?

Come to our Open House on Wednesday, Oct. 16 from 10 to 2 p.m.

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8A NEWS

Oct. 10, 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ The Flor-Ala :)+- KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM )

photo by ALLI OWNBY I Chief Photographer

Ricky Rodriguez waits in a prone stance during the training exercise on Saturday, Oct. 5.

<:)1616/ KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) â&#x20AC;&#x153;The freshmen and sophomores, or NS1â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and NS2â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, act as privates in the missions,â&#x20AC;? Kirsopp said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The NS3â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s act as squad and team leaders. The NS4â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s are the senior officers of the battalion.â&#x20AC;?

He said it is important for the juniors to get practice leading the missions so they will be prepared for the Leadership Development Course. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The training day helps to prepare cadets for the Leadership Development and Assessment Course,â&#x20AC;? Kirsopp said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That course is taken after your third year in ROTC. Whether or not you go into active duty or reserve after ROTC is determined by this course, along with your GPA and physical training test results.â&#x20AC;?

Kirsopp said he enjoys ROTC because of what it has taught him. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I got an ROTC scholarship right out of high school, so Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been in ROTC since freshman year,â&#x20AC;? Kirsopp said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve really learned how to juggle time. ROTC has let me have fun and also made sure

that I have the right grades.â&#x20AC;?

Cadet Alyssa Primeau, a UNA sophomore, said she finds the field training exercise days very helpful. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not only do we learn things, but we get to experience them in a way that you could never get from any classroom experience,â&#x20AC;? Primeau said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And having it over this weekend kind of extends the experience where you can do things time after time to really perfect them.

The focus of the training scenarios revolve around building teamwork and experience, she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love how each time and each situation is different, but you still have some basis of knowledge that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to useâ&#x20AC;? Primeau said.

Cadet Deon Hill, a UNA sophomore, enjoys training days because he believes they are genuinely training him for the future. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are going to have to apply this training at some point,â&#x20AC;? Hill said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The STX Lane is probably the closest thing we do to a legitimate operation. We run around, find points and fire in actual missions.â&#x20AC;?

The event began started with the officers assigning the audience members seats in a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Uâ&#x20AC;? shaped circle.

Next, the officers handed every audience member a piece of paper to answer the following questions: What is your shade? What shade do you date?

Why? Skin color should not matter, said Ryan Henderson. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Personally I believe the darker you are the closer you are to your roots, but in the end color doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter â&#x20AC;&#x201D; it should matter what you do with your life,â&#x20AC;? Henderson said.

Rachel Gandy, an audience participant, acknowledged the issue of skin color and said it all boils down to accepting

;<=,A KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) resume that make students stand above the crowd,â&#x20AC;? Christy said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve grown up in an area thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pretty homogenous like Lauderdale County, and all of the sudden you find yourself in a different culture with people from all over the world, it tweaks your thinking. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot of character traits that one associates with the braveness to get out of your bubble.â&#x20AC;?

Students interested in studying abroad have several options, including facultylead short trips and semester and yearlong options through the Magellan Study Abroad Program. The deadline to register for a short term faculty-lead study abroad trip is Nov. 1 and the deadline for Magellan applications is Oct. 15, Christy said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have the opportunity through our

yourself. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You have to love yourself. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all about accepting yourself and finding your own self-confidence,â&#x20AC;? she said.

Many stereotypes were addressed by forum goers that had a personal story. A few pointed out were: dark skinned guys are better athletes, all light-skinned girls are pretty, dark-skinned guys are the villains in the movies and light-skinned women cannot cook. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination,â&#x20AC;? reads the organizations website.

Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s note: To read more from this story, please visit www.florala.net

partnership to send students to other places to study for one or two semesters,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It costs about the same as enrolling in a semester here at UNA, though you do have to pay for air-fair. Although, UNA sets aside $6,000 a year, out of which they create 75 scholarships to help defray that cost.â&#x20AC;?

This school year, students can register for trips to Costa Rica, Peru and China and other places, as well as options provided by Magellan, all for class credit, Christy said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was beneficial to get to experience a different culture,â&#x20AC;? said Abril Agnew, a senior, of her time studying about eastern medicine while in China. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The program was an internationally based program so I was able to interact with people from all over the world with the same interest as mine.â&#x20AC;?

Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s note: To read more of this story, please visit www.florala.net

HOMECOMING

SECTION B

Oct. 10, 2013• The Flor-Ala

FOOTBALL

Lions face West Georgia for Homecoming JAMES DUBUISSON ;XWZ\[ -LQ\WZ [XWZ\[(NTWZITI VM\

The Lions (2-2) defeated the Shorter Hawks in a 41-0 blowout on Oct. 5 and are preparing for their homecoming game against the University of West Georgia on Oct. 12.

“I thought we played a pretty good game overall and I am very pleased with the execution of the offense and defense,” said head coach Bobby Wallace.

He said the players would not have a problem improving before the UWG game.

“There is always room for improvement,” he said. “That is the good thing about film, which is we can point (the problems) out. When you are looking at the film, you don’t necessarily know the score so you are just looking at the play. And we will be able to point out some things that we can improve on.”

Wallace said he realizes the importance of the game to those who will be attending.

“It is important because to

some people, alumni, because this is the only game they come back for in year so we want to make a good impression,” he said. “As far as our situation with the conference, playoffs and things like that, it is not any different than any other game.”

Wallace said the Wolves offense is a lot like UNA’s.

“West Georgia’s offense looks like ours from a schematic standpoint,” he said. “They like to run zone reads and the quarterback will run. They will throw off of play action passes. “ The defense of UWG (0-5) is different than that of the Lions, though UNA has seen similar defenses before.

“Defensively, they are a 3-35, which is a lot different then ours, he said. “Then at the same time, we have seen it before. It is very similar to that of Delta State’s defense.”

The Lions gained 204 yards and 21 points against the Statesmen’s defense on Sep. 21, but Wallace said the experience would help UNA. “Anytime you go against a similar scheme of defense, it helps you and you will be better the next time just from the repetition standpoint,” he said.

The most important objec- contributed to this story. tive to the Lions success will be taking care of the ball, Wallace said.

“It is always that way in football — the most important thing is not committing turnovers,” he said.

This game is important for conference play, Wallace said.

“It is a very important Gulf South Conference game, all of them are and this is a team that beat us last year and we have to prepare hard for them and be ready to play,” he said.

UNA lost to UWG 38-23 last year in Carrolton, Ga. “We’re playing a team that defeated us last year at their place, and we feel like we owe them a little something,” said defensive coordinator Chris Willis. “We’re glad we have them at home.”

The Lions hold a 19-11 alltime record against the Wolves.

UWG brings a 4-1 record to Florence and are 1-0 in conference play.

“It was a tough game last year, and it’ll be a tough game file photo by MICHAEL REDDING I Senior Staff Photographer again this year,” Wallace said. “I just hope the outcome is differ- Lions running back Lamonte Thompson (24) tries to evade a tackle by Shorter University’s Zach Mann (39) during the 2012 ent.”

Student writer Matt Suleski homecoming game. The Lions face West Georgia this year.

ENTERTAINMENT

Recent graduate to open for The Secret Sisters ANNA GRACE USERY 7VTQVM -LQ\WZ WVTQVM(NTWZITI VM\

The UNA Alumni Association is hosting The Secret Sisters and firekid featuring Dillon Hodges for its annual alumni concert Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. at Norton Auditorium.

Director of Alumni Relations Carol Lyles said when she tried to book The Secret Sisters, she realized Dillon Hodges was a perfect fit for the concert.

IN THIS SECTION

“Last year we had a complete sell out with the Civil Wars and they have that same flavor,” Lyles said. “He has a soft, sweet sound with melodies that blend right in with that concert.”

Hodges said he is humbled to be returning to UNA to play so early in his career.

“It’s exciting and it didn’t take long for me to decide I wanted to come back,” he said.

“There’s many wonderful alumni who could’ve been asked.”

Hodges is too talented not to rise to stardom said Ashley White, a UNA student.

“I like the idea of him playing a formal concert here to

maybe kick off his new style,” White said. “This is a good crowd to premiere that to.”

Hodges is currently transforming his style of music to a totally new format and will be debuting at the alumni concert, he said.

“The sound developed very quickly,” Hodges said. “We both shared a vision of combining a sort of urban sound with a rural sound - a sound of the past with a sound of the future, I guess.

We started putting down some tracks. It sort of snowballed and I realized that I need to be putting my time into this.”

UNA student Seth Harbison

said he has not heard the new tunes yet, but he heard it was a big change from his current style.

“I think it’s good for an artist to evolve and change it up,” Harbison said. “I don’t know what to expect exactly but I don’t think I’ll be disappointed, mainly because I trust he’ll be good at whatever it is.”

Transferring from the folk sound in his last album, “Rumspringa,” to a brand new sound, Hodges said the audience should expect to be surprised.

“What people should imagine is me doing what I’ve always done with stronger songs and

Shoeless campaign changing the world

Clothesline Project Preview

ʻPaid to pay?ʼ

See page 3B

See page 3B

See page 5B

club beats,” he said. “(Stronger) as a combination of many things like working with songwriters that are more in the pop world.

It’s forced me to change the way I’ve thought about songwriting.

It’s forced me to grow. It’s been a lot of give and take but (it) always comes out fresh and totally different.”

Lyles said the Alumni Association is a fundraising event and will benefit an amount they have pledged for the new science and technology building.

“We have a massive pledge out there, so we’ll be doing concerts for the next several years,” she said.

Hope Rayburn Profile See page 6B

2B HOMECOMING

Oct. 10, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

Meet Your

photos by ALLI OWNBY and DALLAS MOORE

Maurice Mull will

be escorting Katie Mauldin and is a 19-year-old human resource management/marketing major from Tanner. He is an SGA senator, adviser to Freshman Forum, Resident Adviser, member of the Honors Student Organization — who nominated him — and a brother of Alpha Tau Omega. After graduation, he hopes to become a traveling community organizer.

“There is something about the community at UNA,” he said. “We may all be in different organizations, but we are all united under the pride we have for our university. Being at UNA is like being at home.”

Katie Mauldin

Court

is a 22-year-old nursing major from Crane Hill. In addition to having served on the leadership team at The Well, she serves as the treasurer of the Student Nurses Association, who nominated her for the court, and is an alumnae of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. After graduation, she hopes to work as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

“UNA has been a time to learn and grow not just academically, but also as a person,” she said. “I have met some of my very best friends here and have many amazing memories that I will carry with me the rest of my life.”

Rachel Gandy is a 21-year-old human resource management major from Tuskegee. In addition to being a member of the Presidential Mentors Academy, she is an SGA senator, a board member of the University Student Conduct Board and a member of the Black Student Alliance, who nominated her. She hopes to eventually work as a Human Resource Generalist.

Gandy said UNA is awesome because “it is a school where you can text your teacher, be involved in different organizations, have friends from various countries, speak to random people and attend a football game where you are sitting at the 50-yard line.”

Alonzo Dukes will be escorting Gandy.

Dukes is a 22-year-old business marketing major from Huntsville. He serves as a chair of UPC’s Live Acts committee and is a liaison for the Black Student Alliance, who nominated him. Dukes is also a brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Upon graduation, he hopes to pursue a career in the entertainment industry for a major television network or recording label.

“Help build the pride and be the change you wish to see at your school, which will in turn affect the world,” Dukes said.

LIFE 3B

Oct. 10,2013 â&#x20AC;˘ The Flor-Ala

VOLUNTEER

Barefoot Soles4Souls changing world Ęťone pair at a timeĘź KALI DANIEL

4QNM -LQ\WZ TQNM(NTWZITI VM\

Glass. Metal. Piercing your feet and making them bleed. In the world today, more than 1.5 billion people are without shoes.

Last year, 6,000 people walked barefoot for a day to raise awareness about worldwide poverty in a campaign known as Barefoot for Them. Hosted by Soles4Souls, the event will be held again this year on Thursday, Oct. 10.

The campaign parallels the TOMS One Day Without Shoes, yet differs in matters of registra-

tion, which takes less than 30 seconds to complete. Afterward the applicant is sent a photo ID and short story about the specific person they are walking barefoot for.

Bethany Oliver, coordinator of leadership and volunteerism at UNA, participated in the event previously and said she plans to do it again this year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the same concept as TOMS,â&#x20AC;? Oliver said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But it gives you a face and name which is more meaningful and understanding. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a cool way to educate and raise awareness.â&#x20AC;?

Oliver will be flying to Haiti this December, where she will

work with Soles4Souls handing out shoes and clothes to those in need. She said she may be able to meet the girl she is sponsoring. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hope I get to meet her,â&#x20AC;?

Oliver said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was assigned a 17-year-old girl named Yolna who lives in Siloe, Haiti, in a village where Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be. That particular village is always on the list.

The last time they were there was in June.â&#x20AC;?

Yolna was one of 10,000 individuals who migrated after the earthquakes that occurred in 2010, Oliver said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We go through the villages and most of their shoes are in-

adequate or none,â&#x20AC;? Oliver said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We give them shoes, size them for shoes and even wash their feet. When you go barefoot for a day you get to see what itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like when so many people in the world are forced.â&#x20AC;?

The benefits do not stop there. Soles4Souls will make even greater donations after partnering with KindRunner when participants tweet and use Instagram. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Use social action to make an even bigger difference,â&#x20AC;? the blog reads. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For every photo uploaded with the #barefoot4them hashtag, KindRunner.com will donate one dollar to the cause.

It costs us approximately one dollar to ship a pair of shoes to someone in need. So, essentially, your barefoot photo will be placing a pair of shoes on someone around the world.â&#x20AC;?

Any way people can take part in the event is appreciated, Oliver said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a cool concept because thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so much disease from having no or improper shoes,â&#x20AC;?

Oliver said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The more you can get out and help, I just think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fabulous.â&#x20AC;?

To learn more about Soles4Souls and to register for Barefoot for Them, visit soles4souls. org.

EVENTS

WomenĘźs Center, ResLife to spread violence awareness ;\]LMV\ ?ZQ\MZ RNTMUQVO (]VI ML]

oto ph File

In support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Center has partnered with Residence Life to bring the Clothesline Project and Take Back the Night to UNA. Both national campaigns will take place at Memorial Amphitheater to encourage the entire campus to get involved.

The Clothesline Project, scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 16 from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., is all about spreading awareness for domestic violence, said Emily Kelley, coordinator of Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Studies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is a program whereby for the entire day, students will come by and decorate T-shirts with anti-domestic violence messages,â&#x20AC;? Kelley said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have clotheslines strung up

around (the amphitheater), and other causes they support,â&#x20AC;? Kel- will begin at 6 p.m. on Oct. 17, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll hang the T-shirts so that ley said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People often come to is a program often associated everyone can see them.â&#x20AC;? exorcise any demons that they with the Clothesline Project, The individuals designing might personally have.â&#x20AC;?

Kelley said. the T-shirts are often associated â&#x20AC;&#x153;Take Back the Night is with domestic violence in differalso a way to raise awareness of ent ways, she said. domestic violence, to rememâ&#x20AC;&#x153;We have T-shirts ber survivors of domestic made by survivors of violence and to remember domestic violence, those who have perished and sometimes as a result of domestic made by people violence,â&#x20AC;? she said. who were children â&#x20AC;&#x153;We look at the night and lived through as the darkness and situations of dothe darkness as ignomestic violence rance. Taking back between their the night is shedding parents,â&#x20AC;? Kelley light on the darksaid. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some are ness.â&#x20AC;? individuals who There will be a are there just to suplarger variety of musiport the cause.â&#x20AC;? cal entertainment at Take by Designed T-shirts Back the Night this year, C Se a do not necessarily have to which is a change from years nio stin i r r h Staff relate to domestic violence, past, Kelley said.

Photographer C she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to have Madâ&#x20AC;&#x153;We also encourage people eleine Frankford,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We to write messages about any Take Back the Night, which are also going to have the Bear

ov ing ton

JASMINE FLEMING

and the Bride, and a group called the Blue Navigators.â&#x20AC;?

Take Back the Night will also host many guest speakers, Kelley said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will be having speakers from Rape Response, Safe Place and Student Counseling Services,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Carl Gebhardt from our history department will be doing our concluding message for us. I hope to have a peer mentor here from Huntsville as well.â&#x20AC;?

The Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Center has partnered with another on-campus organization for the first time this year, Kelley said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We really like the idea of partnering with other departments on campus, such as Residence Life,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The whole idea of bridging together with other departments is a great idea because it shows greater cooperation between the departments.â&#x20AC;?

4B LIFE

Oct. 10, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

ENTERTAINMENT

People judge celebrities due to human nature, news MARI WILLIAMS

;\INN ?ZQ\MZ U_QTTQIU[ (]VI ML]

In a country gorged with celebrity frenzy, a considerable amount of personal, and often times futile, gossip is vigorously shoved down Americans’ throats. It is gossip that, whether by choice or human nature, people often cannot help but judge.

One example of America’s celebrity hysteria occurred only a few weeks ago as Miley Cyrus’ Video Music Award performance made headlines. On the night of her controversial performance, Cyrus garnered more than 36,000 Twitter followers, according to nextbigsound.com.

Students judge prominent people because they are constantly in the media, said May Takeuchi, assistant professor of sociology and family studies.

“Only because we pay more attention to them, then both positive and negative news tends to be revealed to the whole entire public,” she said.

A more psychological role, such as our country’s economic state, may play a role in this growing American trend, Takeuchi said.

“We may be looking for somewhere to dump over feelings of frustration,” Takeuchi said. “When this person who is supposed to symbolize our society does commit some transgression, then of course we can use them as a target of our

frustrations.”

When Congressman Anthony Weiner was caught in a sexting scandal he was unable to increase his popularity among voters. Weiner gained only 5 percent of the votes in the New York City mayoral race.

We look down on political figures for their transgressions because we hold them to a higher standard, Takeuchi said.

“Those political figures are expected to symbolize our society,” Takeuchi said.

“When they don’t meet our expectations then they’ll get attacked.”

Americans judge political figures too harshly, student Justice Gilbert said.

“Especially since we live in the South, we’re in the ‘Bible Belt,’ and people see adultery as a really horrible thing,” Gilbert said. “We were raised to think that way.”

Freshman Darby Garrison said he has a different outlook on the matter.

“We look at (prominent figures) differently because we don’t know the full details,” Garrison said. “There might be a deeper conflict going on inside of that person and we might not accept it because that’s not how we live life.”

We look at notable figures differently after they share personal information because we’re not used to it, Garrison said.

“We’ve been so accustomed to them being a certain way, and then when we find out they’re another way it changes our whole perspective of that one per-

photo illustration by MARIE KARERA I Student Photographer

Students respond to media because they are symbols of America, said sociology professor May Takeuchi. Psychologically speaking, students may vent frustration by projecting onto the celebrities, Takeuchi said.

son,” Garrison said.

When discussing prominent figures the question of why people care so much about their lives often comes up, Garrison said.

“They occupy higher positions,” Takeuchi said. “We want them to be symbols, symbols of America, symbols of our society.”

Radio and television have a large impact on our persistent interest in the lives of prominent figures, Gilbert said.

“We’re a big pop culture, media country so they [celebrities] have a big influence,” Gilbert said. “The majority of children grow up in front of (media) so those people are a part of their lives, whether they like it or not.”

SPORTS 5B

Oct. 10,2013 • The Flor-Ala

NATIONAL

‘Pay to play’ reports surface, sparks debate MATT SULESKI

;\]LMV\ ?ZQ\MZ UU[]TM[SQ(]VI ML]

file photo by DALLAS MOORE I Staff Photographer

Lions players line up for a kickoff while a Delta State University player looks on in their Sept. 21 matchup. People have been debating whether or not student athletes should be compensated for the sports they play.

Five former and current Southeastern Conference football players were accused of receiving illegal benefits and being ‘paid to play’ while competing for their respective universities on Sept. 11.

Though player-compensation is a good idea, the process of doing it would be the problem, said head men’s basketball coach Bobby Champagne.

“Because of the money certain programs and players bring to the university, maybe they should be compensated,” Champagne said. “The question is how do you do it, and who all gets paid?”

That question is the problem for head softball coach Ashley Cozart, she said.

“I think it would just create problem on top of problem,” Cozart said. “It would cause many universities financial pressures and would water down many sports that are highly competitive, because some teams could pay athletes more than others.”

The biggest problem student athletes have is with the purity and fairness of student athletes getting paid, said golfer Matt Stephens and cross-country runner Roger Good.

“When some athletes are paid and other athletes are not, it takes away from the purity of the game,” Stephens said. “It’s about the name on the front of the jersey that allows for the name on the back of

;MM +758-6;)<176 XIOM *

6B SPORTS Rayburn leads volleyball team

Oct. 10, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

the jersey to be possible.”

Paying student athletes could change the dynamic of the department, said Good, a senior.

“I’m content with what I get,” Good said. “Students in the athletic department are like a family, and if one student or one sport gets paid and another doesn’t, it would pollute the environment.”

”

I SPEND MY WHOLE DAY HITTING THE BOOKS, GOING TO FOOTBALL MEETINGS AND PRACTICE. SO, YEAH, A FEW EXTRA BUCKS WOULDNʼT HURT.

KEITH JONES While some athletes are content with their scholarship, others, like student Keith Jones, think compensation would not hurt.

“I spend my whole day hitting the books, going to football meetings and practice. So, yeah, a few extra bucks a month wouldn’t hurt,” said junior offensive tackle Keith Jones.

Any rule changes on compensation would not have a major impact on Division II athletics, said assistant athletic director Todd Vardaman. “(Student athletes being paid) wouldn’t probably change the culture at UNA, but it probably would at your BCS (Bowl Championship Series) schools, because the rate-of-pay would certainly go up,” said Vardaman. “It would make governing student-athletes much more difficult.”

WHAT

ARE STUDENT-ATHLETES ALLOWED TO RECEIVE?

I. Meals and lodging directly tied to competition and practice.

II. Transportation (i.e., expenses to and from practice and competition, cost of transportation from home to training/practice site at the beginning of the season and from training/practice site to home at the end of the season).

III. Apparel, equipment and supplies related to participation on the team.

IV. Coaching and instruction, use of facilities and entry fees.

V. Health/medical insurance, medical treatment and physical therapy.

VI. Other reasonable expenses (e.g.,

laundry money).* *Page 19 of the NCAA Eligibility Centerʼs 2013-2014 Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete

PROFILE

KEANU KIRKPATRICK

;\]LMV\ ?ZQ\MZ SSQZSXI\ZQKS(]VI ML]

The unbreakable game face of senior setter Hope Rayburn is often a point of jokes for her teammates and coach on the UNA volleyball team, head volleyball coach Stephanie Radecki said.

Rayburn is the sole senior on the team and is one of four players that were on the roster last season.

“She’s a hard worker, and has stepped up as a huge leader,” Radecki said.

Rayburn is from Springville and graduated from Springville High School in 2010.

She won four straight area titles and three straight county titles at Springville.

In her senior year of high school, she was named first team All-State and made it to the Elite 8.

She is studying secondary education with the goal of becoming a math teacher.

Rayburn, who has tried other majors like physical therapy, said her inspiration to become a teacher stems from her mother, who has been a teacher her whole life.

Rayburn’s mother, who was a counselor at her school, was a teacher until Rayburn’s seventh grade year when she focused her career on administration.

As a math teacher Rayburn hopes to teach at the high school level. Her goal is to make the learning experience for her students fun and make the material relatable to them.

Aside from volleyball, Rayburn also spends time camping and enjoying outdoor sports, including hiking, kayaking and skiing, she said.

“When I was in high school, we used to go skiing for spring break,” Rayburn said. “While some were going to the beach, we were skiing.”

Rayburn is a Christian and joined Highland Baptist Church her freshman year. She also goes to The Well, which is a college Bible study and worship on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. at Highland.

Rayburn tries to have a social life outside of volleyball, but depending on the steam schedule, it makes it hard for Rayburn to get involved in other campus activities, like being away on weekends during football, she said.

Rayburn, who is in her fourth year as a starter for the Lions, started playing sports growing up in Springville.

“I played basketball and softball in

high school, but I started volleyball and basketball in junior high,” Rayburn said.

Once she started club volleyball she stuck with it, Rayburn said.

She would be interested in the sand volleyball league in Huntsville after graduation, she said.

She has changed from her freshman year, Rayburn said.

She came in as someone who was quiet and shy and had a lot to take in as a freshman, she said.

She wants incoming freshman to know she is here for them.

An inspiration for her is a former UNA setter Alli Jacobs, who was an All-American player she looked up to, she said.

She would like to be remembered by other players in the same way, Rayburn said.

“I want to be remembered as a hard worker — a good leader that people can look up to even if they don’t know me,” Rayburn said.

Rayburn is one of the nicest players she has coached, Radecki said.

Rayburn is also a member of the UNA track team. She runs in the 200-meter dash, the 4-by-1-relay team and jumps in the long and triple jump.

Rayburn and the UNA volleyball team are 4-10 (2-4 GSC record) for the season and will travel to play Shorter University on Oct. 11 in their next matchup.

The Lions will turn around and play at Lee University on Oct. 12 in Cleveland, Tenn.

Got Issues?

We can help!

555 Oakview Circle (In the white house behind Kilby School)

photo by CHRISTINA COVINGTON I Staff Photographer

+758-6;)<176 KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM *

STUDENT COUNSELING SERV VICES All services for actively enrolled UNA Students are covered by payment of the Student Wellness Fee: x Assessment/Intake Evaluations x Personalized treatment planning x Individualized Counseling/Support x Referral as needed Regular Off ffice Hours ff rs s: Monday—Friday 8:00am-4:30pm (Later appointments by request) For appointments s call: 256-765-5215

Building New Beginnings

HOMECOMING 7B

Oct. 10,2013 • The Flor-Ala

Meet Your Court

photos by ALLI OWNBY and DALLAS MOORE

Avy Stansbury is a 22-year-old accounting major from Danville. She serves as captain of LaGrange Society, where she has been a member for three years, and is also a Navigator, a member of the Accounting Scholars program and a sister of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, who nominated her. After graduation, she hopes to go to graduate school in order to become a Certified Public Accountant.

“I have been given the opportunity to study at an exceptional university while being involved in various organizations on campus,” she said. “UNA not only has enabled me to pursue an education, but to also cultivate my leadership skills and make lasting friendships.”

Nathan Martin will be escorting Stansbury and is a nursing major from Tuscumbia. He is a 2012 National Championship qualifier for the university’s

fishing team, a brother of Phi Gamma Delta and was nominated by Zeta Tau Alpha. When he graduates, he hopes to study anesthesiology.

“Life at UNA is made easy and enjoyable because of the great teachers and advisers available to lead the way and keep you heading in a positive direction,” he said.

Kaitlin Chappell is a 21-year-old broadcast journalism major from Cullman. She serves as Commander of LaGrange Society, is a member of the Honors Program, Order of Omega, Phi Kappa Phi, a sister of Phi Mu and a member of National Broadcasting Society, which nominated her. She aspires to be an anchor on Good Morning America and to travel the world.

“UNA is definitely one-of-a-kind,” she said. “I love it, and I really never want to leave. You’ll have to drag me out of here in May.”

Matthew Jones will escort Chappell and is a 21-year-old marketing major from Rogersville.

He is the 2013 head SOAR counselor, a LaGrange Society member, an SGA senator, Vice President of the National Society of Leadership and Success, Sub-Director of Dance Marathon, Vice President of Delta Mu Delta Business Society, member of Order of Omega Greek Honor Society and a brother of Alpha Tau Omega, who nominated him. He hopes to earn a Master’s degree to work in orientation or administration at a university in the eastern United States.

“I think that a student’s life at UNA is interesting,” he said. “There are so many opportunities to find your niche and excel at it. If a student is interested at all about achieving leadership or growing as a person, UNA has that — they just have to look and find it.”

Alexandra McCarley is a 20-year-old psychology major from Haleyville. She serves as the Social Chairman for Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, has worked

as coordinator and instructor for Step Sing, Alpha Gamma Delta’s representative at The Leadership Conference, is a member of the Psychology Club and was nominated by Sigma Chi fraternity, where she is a 2013 sweetheart. She plans to pursue a Master’s degree to become a Child Psychologist after graduation.

“The best decision I have ever made was to attend school at UNA,” she said.

“I cannot imagine life at a university with any other student body, organizations, professors and staff than that of the University of North Alabama.”

Tate Hipps will escort McCarley and is a 20-year-old film and digital media productions major from Homewood. Tate serves in a number of photography and videography roles on campus for organizations like SGA, The Well, the Baptist Campus Ministry and was nominated by Phi Mu sorority.

“As my 80’s self in another life would say, ‘Life at UNA for me is way keen!’” he said. “Which means one of the most greatest experiences of my entire life and I wouldn’t trade it for whatever it is you might trade it for.”

8B EXTRA

Tweets of the week

Oct. 10, 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ The Flor-Ala DISCLAIMER: The tweets below are public tweets found on Twitter by searching hashtags and keywords involving UNA, Florence, Shoals and other university-related topics. Want to see yours on here? Be sure to hashtag UNA and Shoals in your tweets.