2 TABLE OF CONTENTS
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AUGUST 2015
AUGUST 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3
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NOT ONLY HAVE I FOUND FRIENDS FOR LIFE, BUT I’VE ALSO FOUND A FAMILY AND A HOME AWAY FROM HOME. WHAT’S THE RUSH?, P11
LETTER
FISHING FOR THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT
FROM THE EDITOR
THE ANNUAL GRISWOLD CAMPING TRIP ‘BEAR’ NECESSITIES . . . . 5
PAPER OR PLASTIC? BENEFITS AND DRAWBACKS OF POPULAR PAYMENT METHODS. . . 6
GET THE GAINS YOU WANT, BRO
THE CHOICE IS YOURS The average person makes approximately 35,000 voluntary and involuntary choices a day, or so the Internet says he or she does. Whew. No wonder that eight hour slumber is never enough. Decision-making is tiresome when so many choices are available. “Choices” are the meat and bones of this issue, and our contributors are eager to give you the scoop about the choices they’ve made regarding movies, music, workouts, food, money and general life choices. As for me, I made a career choice a month ago to join the Listerhill team as editor for SET Magazine, and it couldn’t have been a better one. So, greetings from the new face of SET! My name is Anna Grace Usery, and I’m a UNA graduate who’s a mediocre ukulele player, amateur Julia Child wannabe and future Hunter S. Thompson, minus the narcotics. Choices are the lifeblood of young adulthood, and, from personal experience, the many ahead aren’t easy to make. SET is here to lay it all out and make the process a little less excruciating. Should you hit up the movie theater or the local drive-in? What should you take camping and fishing this summer? Should you go Greek? And for you graduates, should you go to work or thrust yourself back into academia? (I know. I’m there, too.) No worries. Use SET as a guide for these important topics. Disclaimer: eeny, meeny, miny, moe isn’t as effective as it was when you were six-years-old. School and work are overwhelming, but reading isn’t. Find out from our contributors what is better on your wallet and stomach: fast food or that Aldi life? You’ll also learn how to get a caloriecharged workout from home if your gym
KEEP YOUR BODY THIN BUT YOUR WALLET FAT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
FULFILLING CONNECTIONS THE BEAUTY OF THE NONPROFIT WORLD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
WHAT’S THE RUSH? GREEK OR NAH?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
HEY, MAN. THAT’S MY SONG SOME COVER SONGS ARE GREAT; SOME, SIMPLY DISGRACEFUL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
FAST FOOD FEEDING FRENZY THE EFFECTS OF A FOUR-DAY, $20 FAST FOOD BINGE. . . . . . 16-17 membership expired five months ago. As for me, I’m a writer and a reader, but more importantly I’m a listener. I’m glad to have been given the opportunity to be the new editor. As the new editor, I want to hear from you, the reader. What are you passionate about? What are we not covering you’d like to read about? Give me a shout at editor@getsetmag. com and we’ll talk about it. Interested in contributing? I’m interested in having you. SET Magazine is a publication of Listerhill Credit Union and it’s put together by young people for young people to read. We are always searching for writers and photographers to contribute to what I believe is an amazing magazine. But, I’m slightly partial. If you’ve thumbed through the magazine this far, do yourself a favor and keep flipping those texting thumbs. You’d be making a great choice.
BY ANNA GRACE USERY, EDITOR
SET is a publication by and for local young people dedicated to lifestyle, finance, technology and community. It is published by Listerhill Credit Union as
part of its ongoing mission to promote the credit union philosophy of cooperation and financial literacy. It is a platform for 15-20 somethings in the community and it is free.
GROCERY SHOPPING SPREE ON THE CHEAP HOW $20 KEPT ME FULL FOR TWO DAYS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-17
DRIVE-INS AND SIT-DOWNS DEALS FOR CATCHING ON-SCREEN THRILLS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
CALENDAR WHAT’S GOING ON HERE? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-21
THE GREAT DIVIDE THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF THE SINGIN’ RIVER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
SPOTLIGHT SET READERS IN ACTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-27
YOU DID IT! NOW WHAT? WHAT TO DO AFTER THE CAP IS THROWN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
FREESTYLE THE OFFICIAL GREEK GLOSSARY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
CONNECT WITH SET MAILING ADDRESS:
P.O. Box 566 Sheffield, AL 35660
Please take one copy and share it. Listerhill Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative whose purpose is to improve the quality of life for the membership by providing cost effective services to meet their financial needs while maintaining financial soundness and promoting the credit union philosophy.
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PHYSICAL ADDRESS:
4790 East Second Street Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
4 CONTRIBUTORS
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AUGUST 2015
SET CONTRIBUTORS ALLIE SOCKWELL
Lawrenceburg, TN
SARAH ANN KEETER CAMERON GRAYBILL Opelika, AL
CALEB BILLINGS Sheffield, AL
Florence, AL
ANDY THIGPEN Florence, AL
MATT WILSON Florence, AL
JASMINE FLEMING Sulligent, AL
SARAH EMERSON ALEXANDRIA CHRISMAN Hamilton, AL
Florence, AL
JARED MCCOY
Hazel Green, AL
SUSAN ROWE Florence, AL
WESLEY HOPKINS Florence, AL
WILL COREY
Florence, AL
ALEXANDRIA TERRELL Rogersville, AL
COURTNEY TULLY Rogersville, AL
AUGUST 2015
TECH/GEAR 5
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Anglers spend more than $1 billion a year on bait.
Most brands of lipstick contain fish scales.
FISHIN’ FOR THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT THE ANNUAL GRISWOLD CAMPING TRIP ‘BEAR’ NECESSITIES August is a time to finish up your summertime bucket list. Two classic activities that scream SUMMER! are fishing and camping. Picture it now: lying on the ground surrounded by a crackling campfire and bellyful of s’mores. Whether you’re a beginner or an avid outdoor whisperer, below are a few items you don’t want to forget in your camping bags.
BUG REPELLENT:
I hate to break it to you, but there’s no way you can enjoy the great outdoors with mosquitos buzzing in your ear and biting your flesh. Be sure to pack a bug repellent that has deet to help keep you mosquito and tick free. That way, the only pests you’ll be dealing with are your relatives.
FISHING POLE: This is painfully obvious, but without it, your trip could be ruined. Give respect to your fishing pole. After all, it’s what allows you to catch your vittles. Savor the flavor, caveman. TENT/NET COVERED HAMMOCK: At some point, you’ll
need to get a little shuteye. Make sure you have a comfy and safe place to rest. A tent will allow protection from overly curious critters while giving you a little privacy. A net-covered hammock can also allow safety while still giving you that sleeping-under-thestars experience.
A BLADE: Whether you’re gutting ONCE I FIND A FISH I REALLY LIKE, I’M HOOKED.
a fish, cutting your line, slashing through leaves, or whittling away at a piece of wood, it’s good to have
a pocketknife on hand. You never know when you’ll need it. Who knows? You might get the chance to join the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.
FLASHLIGHT OR HANGING LANTERN: The sun will go down
eventually, and when it does, that once beautiful, friendly lake will begin to appear swampy and scary in the dark. It’s always best to have a flashlight or lantern to be able to see roaming critters. And don’t forget to stop at the corner Dollar General (because they’re on literally every corner) for some extra batteries.
BAIT:
Whether you prefer natural bait, like worms, or opt to bring your own artificial bait/lures, be sure to have plenty on hand for your fishing trips. One of my favorite brands is Slider, which can be found online or at outdoor stores like Bass Pro Shops. Lures may be artificial, but whoever turned down imitation crab meat? Exactly. Keep these tips on your line and enjoy reeling in those fat cats. Here’s to catching lots of fish and soaking up the last bits of sweet summertime. Cheers!
STORY BY ALLIE SOCKWELL
6 MONEY
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Modern-day credit was not created until 1950.
AUGUST 2015
$1.1 trillion: the amount of cash in circulation today.
PAPER OR PLASTIC? BENEFITS AND DRAWBACKS OF POPULAR PAYMENT METHODS One aspect of life that makes the world go ‘round is money. Most people spend money every day of their lives, but what is the most popular form of currency that people use? Some argue it’s easier to whip out the credit card and ‘pay’ later, and some say it’s better to run by the ATM to snag some cash. Both forms of payment have their benefits and downfalls, but everyone has his or her favorite way to pay. Cash is tangible. It’s very easy to keep track of just how much you have at all times, and when you run out, you simply run out. Also, when you purchase something using cash, you don’t accrue interest like you do when you use a credit card. You are, in essence, saving money by using cash. One of the hardest parts about using cash is keeping up with how and where it is spent. In order to do that, it requires the skills of diligence and organization. Receipts have to be kept up with or an entry logged every time cash is spent. UNA student Courtney Michaels said using cash makes buying much simpler for her. “I deal with cash because it is much easier for me to budget what I have, and having the money in my hand makes it easier for me to be aware of where it
I GOT MORE PLASTIC THAN BARBIE! goes,” she said. Credit and debit cards seem to be the easiest and most convenient method of payment. All the money you have (or don’t have) is in one card that makes check outs quicker and takes up less space in wallets and purses. Debit cards are typically linked to a checking or savings account and can easily be accounted for through Web or mobile banking. Credit cards offer many benefits to users. Most credit cards have a “cash back” program that offers a percentage of the money spent using a credit card back to the user. This is a major incentive for
individuals when considering payment forms. Recent UNA graduate Savannah McKinney said she prefers to use her credit card to all other forms of payment. In fact, she only had $2.53 in cash on her at the time. “The card that I use offers benefits to me that cash does not,” she said. “Also, if cash is stolen, there is a small likelihood that I will get that money recovered. And with my card, I have a better chance.” Unfortunately, credit cards accrue interest at different increments, depending on the credit card company. And unless the user is responsible with
his or her spending, it is very easy to rack up large amounts of money and begin swimming in debt. While money spends (almost) the same with either cash or a card, it’s important to understand the benefits of each and determine the best way to keep track of your money.
STORY BY SARAH ANN KEETER
AUGUST 2015
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THE RECORD FOR HUMAN JAW STRENGTH IS 975 POUNDS OF PRESSURE FOR 2 SECONDS.
By age 50, you will have walked about 75K miles!
HEALTH 7
Gustav Zander created the first gym in the 1800s.
KEEP YOUR BODY THIN BUT YOUR WALLET FAT People claim the hardest part of working out at the gym is simply getting up off the couch and driving there, so working out at home would solve the problem, right? Not so fast, champ. Before you spend your money and break out the Insanity program, you may not realize home workouts aren’t suited for the goals you’re trying to achieve. There are different advantages to home and gym workouts, and knowing these points will set you on the fast track to gains, or errr, losses, and glory. Even though home workouts get a bad rep for not being “serious enough” due to the lack of equipment, you’d be surprised. Twentieth century bodybuilder Bobby Pandour had an incredible physique for his time and used limited equipment. He used very light weights and was said to carry his brother up flights of stairs for workouts. Yes, really. No excuses, now. That being said, staying persistent with a fairly simple calisthenics workout program (body weight exercises such as pushups, dips, pull-ups, and ab routines) can not only build an impressive and aesthetic physique, it can also be incredibly cheap or even free if you don’t feel like spending a dime. And if you don’t feel like buying the equipment to assist you with these routines, you can use chairs, tables, or even build your own stations with DIY projects. If you feel like delving into a body weight program, I recommend looking up the “Buff Dudes Bodyweight Routine.” If your goals are weight loss or a more toned and aesthetic look with low costs, home workouts are the way to go. Now, let’s leave the safety of our
PHOTO BY COURTNEY TULLY
GET THE GAINS YOU WANT, BRO homes and venture out to a terrifying place: the gym. You walk in and try to start your workout, but you’re being sized up by people who look like they could bench press a truck. That dude - strung out on pre-workout has been staring you down for the past forty-five minutes, and you have to pay the ever-dreaded (dun-dunDUNNNNN) membership fees. OK, that’s a bit extreme. But the point is, gyms can be intimidating and expensive. However, they set you up with all the equipment you need in one place. If your goals are about gaining size and strength, lifting at the gym is definitely your best option. If you’re a beginner, the “5x5 StrongLifts” program is a simple but fantastic place to start. However, if you don’t think you’d use the majority of what a gym provides, do not sign up. Why pay $40 per month for a treadmill? If you sign up, be persistent with a program that gets you in there three, four, or even five times a week to make sure you’re getting the most for your time and money. The home or gym workout debate will probably never end, but what’s ultimately the best option? Here’s the answer: There is none. I choose the gym because it suits my goals. But at the end of the day, it all comes down to what your goals are. You’re not a pansy if you stick with home workouts, and you’re not a meathead if you go to the gym. As long as you’re giving 110 percent to achieve your goals, you will reach them. That’s all that matters.
STORY BY CAMERON GRAYBILL
WHAT HE DOESN’T WANT YOU TO KNOW IS THE WEIGHTS ARE PLASTIC.
8 HERO/NONPROFIT
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HERO/NONPROFIT 9
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The U.S. boasts 1,521,052 tax-exempt, nonprofit orgs.
The largest nonprofit org. in the U.S. is United Way.
FULFILLING CONNECTIONS THE BEAUTY OF THE NONPROFIT WORLD Taylor Hester, director of the Children’s Museum of the Shoals, wears many hats in her position. She’s a teacher and an organizer, as well as many other roles in and around the museum as she often finds herself changing those hats within the same day. She chose to dedicate her life to nonprofit work for its many fulfilling benefits, rather than enter the corporate workforce. “It’s never boring, and that is what I really love about nonprofit work,” Hester said. “There is always something to learn or something that has me interested. I’m a people person, too, so that helps.” The Red Bay native has a bright, energetic smile. As we are sitting and talking in the science portion of the museum there are children scurrying and loud, boisterous noises all around. Hester seems unfazed and calm. She is focused on our conversation, but I get the sense that she has a hundred other things going on in her head at the same time. Somehow she keeps everything on schedule and running smoothly. Hester said her degree in social work from the University of North Alabama laid the foundation for her interest in the job as director. She heard about the opening for the director position at the museum shortly after graduating in December 2014. “I knew little about the museum, but I began to look into the position as an opportunity,” she said. “The position is exactly what I want to do. It’s still education, it’s still working with children, and I get to use all my social work skills that I’ve picked up over the past few years.” But why did Hester choose the nonprofit route upon graduation? The need for social workers is
DIRECTOR TAYLOR HESTER’S PERSONALITY GIVES THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF THE SHOALS A VIBRANT ATMOSPHERE. evident in the corporate world, too, right? “I’ve worked in a corporate world and it isn’t as fulfilling,” she said. “I am a people person and I like to be connected with who I am working with and working for. I guess I just don’t really like the chain of command the way it is set up in the corporate world.” Hester said she enjoys how the museum operates. “Working here is great because we are tight-knit,” she said. “There is direct contact and feedback
both with the directors, employees and visitors to the museum. I really like that about working here.” Hester said working for and with people like the board of directors for the museum is an incentive that keeps her motivated. “The directors involved with the museum are great because they give me the feedback and guidance that I’m looking for,” Hester said. “And through their help I have picked up other skills as well such as the public relations, marketing, and finance skills that are needed in this job. Hester presented herself like the type of person who could succeed anywhere. Her people-person personality shines through during even a brief conversation but also in her enthusiastic plans for the museum. Because seeing the children and families come through the museum, smiling and having fun, is the biggest fulfillment of her job, she said. “I also want to keep the museum moving forward and help it continue to grow and become a bigger part of the community,” she said. Hester said she hopes to target the whole Shoals community as well as the surrounding region. “I want the museum to be a place that teachers and students as well as other members of the community want to come and check out,” she said. “I want it to be educational and interesting, but I want people to enjoy it and be entertained, too.”
STORY BY MATT WILSON
AUGUST 2015
FEATURE 11
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There are over 9 million Greek members nationally.
Wanda Sykes was an AKA at Hampton University.
ONLY SISTERS OF ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA KNOW THE TRUE MEANING OF THE PINKY FINGER.
Greek organizations offer several personal benefits, including the ability to make lifelong connections, said Julie Fletcher, assistant director of student engagement for Greek affairs at the University of North Alabama. “I have friends across the country whom I’ve met at different conferences, and I’ve met people in the workplace who I have a connection with because of our memberships,” she said. “Being able to build a network of people outside of my own school has certainly helped me.” The process for joining a Greek organization depends on the chapter’s council, which varies at each institution. There are currently
three Greek councils at UNA: College Panhellenic Council, the Interfraternity Council and the National Panhellenic Conference.
SORORITY LIFE:
CPC is made of four UNA sororities and has a more structured recruitment style, Fletcher said. After signing up for recruitment, ladies attend events where they can interact with members of the four sororities: Zeta Tau Alpha, Phi Mu, Alpha Delta Pi and Alpha Gamma Delta. Fletcher said after recruitment events, the sisters and potential sisters go through a mutual selection process
– aka, if a student picks a sorority and that sorority bids on the student, the recruit gets to join. *However, students might still have opportunities to join CPC chapters after formal recruitment. “If a student does not receive a bid through that recruitment process and there are open spots in the chapter, an open bid could possibly be given or an invitation could be given after the formal recruitment process,” she said. “However, if the chapter meets the total that the university sets for them, then they have no available spots left for membership.” Although the structured process for joining a chapter might seem daunting, it keeps organization in tact when more than 200 women apply for CPC recruitment yearly, said Hailey Holke, CPC president. Holke said going Greek changed her life, especially on campus. “I know more people, which makes
walking through the GUC or Commons much more fun,” she said. “I always have someone I can count on in my sorority, regardless of what is going on in my life at the time. Not only have I found friends for life, but I’ve also found a family and a home away from home.”
FRATERNITY LIFE:
UNA’s Interfraternity Council is composed of seven fraternities: Alpha Tau Omega, Delta Chi, Kappa Sigma, Phi Gamma Delta, Phi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Sigma Chi. IFC has a more laid-back recruitment process, Fletcher said. “Someone could meet a chapter at SOAR and be extended an invitation to join their chapter, and they could join right then and there,” she said. “A lot of times, the guys will go bowling, or they’ll have a barbecue and host an alumni night to invite alumni to the chapter’s house for recruitment.”
12 FEATURE
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Refer to the Official Greek Glossary on page 30!
AUGUST 2015
Almost all U.S. presidents have been in a fraternity.
SISTERS OF ZETA, ALPHA GAM, PHI MU AND AD PI AT UNA. Cullen Akin, IFC president at UNA, said he decided to join Sigma Chi fraternity because many members of his family were involved in Greek life at UNA. In fact, his father was a founding member of the Phi Gamma Delta, aka FIJI, chapter. “From the moment I walked through the doors of Sigma Chi, it instantly felt like a second home to me,” he said. “I knew this was where I would make the best four years of my college experience happen.” Interested in joining the brotherhood? Akin said they look for students with a passion to grow as a person in the fraternity. “We want students who are eager to learn, take on leadership roles and who are able to have fun,” he said. “Greek life is not just four years at UNA. It’s for life.”
NPHC
If students want a culturallyfounded Greek experience, there
are six organizations in NPHC, a traditionally African-American Greek council: Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Phi Beta Sigma, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta and Zeta Phi Beta. NPHC’s membership process, called intake, begins each fall semester with convocation, a program that introduces current and potential NPHC members, Fletcher said. Convocation summarizes which organizations will allow new members each year, and it will be held Sept. 3 in the GUC Performance Center. NPHC President Jamal Robertson, who is also vice president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., said he chose his fraternity because he was impressed by his brothers’ service. “Greek life has a huge impact on the way I spend my extracurricular time,” he said. “It seems like as soon as I leave campus I step foot into a full-time job. We’re always doing something – either volunteering in the community, practicing step or
DELTA CHI POSES AFTER DOMINATING A GAME OF BASKETBALL. hosting events on campus.” Interested students can register for recruitment online at www.una.edu/ greeklife and pay the registration fee, $75.
STILL GREEK
Though most UNA Greek organizations fall within these three councils, some do not. These groups are usually tailored to a specific cause, belief or skill. Vice President and Fraternity Education Officer of Phi Mu
Alpha Sinfonia, a music fraternity, Todd Erickson said he chose this noncouncil fraternity because he wants music to be a part of his life. “Not many people know this, but we are the third largest fraternity in the country,” he said. “You don't have to be a music major or minor to join. You also don't have to be a good singer. It’s open to all men in college who are at least 18-years-old and who have a love of music.”
AUGUST 2015
FEATURE 13
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Graduation rate is higher for Greeks than non-Greeks.
Greeks volunteer 850,000 hours each year.
Erickson said the fraternity has yearly community service events, like Mills Music Missions, where the brothers sing in nursing homes and hospitals. Their purpose is to spread awareness of the importance of music. There are several other music and academic Greek chapters one can explore. With such a variety of options, you can certainly explore the best fits for you.
DEDICATION AND RESPONSIBILITY
With so many options, it might be hard to choose just one Greek organization to show interest in. Regardless, Fletcher said it’s important to keep a good perspective on education. “You’re a student first,” she said. “Chapters are looking for members with high scholastic goals and expectations for themselves.” It’s also important to realize the dedication needed to join a Greek organization. “It’s not something you join to be a name on a roster,” Fletcher said. “Members are attending meetings and attending events and participating on campus with their organizations. It is something you have to commit to and prioritize.”
PHI MU ALPHA SINGS TO NURSING HOME RESIDENTS.
IT’S ALL GREEK TO ME
Even with all of its benefits, Greek life isn’t for everyone. Luckily, there are plenty other organizations to get involved with on UNA’s campus including career, volunteer, cultural, religious and talent-based groups. UNA Junior Casey Wright is no stranger to the registered student organizations, RSOs, on campus. She is a member of Hispanic Culture and Honors Student Organizations and the Student Alliance for Equality. “It can be a bit difficult to divide
my time between those three groups, my classes and studying, but it gets done,” she said. Wright said she considered joining a Greek organization her freshman year as a way to make friends, but she did not want to deal with membership fees. In the end, she was able to meet new people in her RSOs and enjoyed getting involved that way. “I didn't leave my room much to begin, and it was lonely and depressing,” she said. “These groups have really helped me branch out and make new friends.”
One of her favorite events with her RSOs is Lotería, or Hispanic bingo, with HCO. The event has prizes, dancing and food. And even if you’re not in HCO, you still have the opportunity to yell, “BINGO!” at Lotería as HCO welcomes everyone. UNA also has a host of volunteer RSO’s focused on community service and national outreach. Circle K, one such organization, helps with projects both locally and nationally. Dalia Rendon, a junior and member said she really enjoys the community impact she is able to have with Circle K. “When we raise money for March of Dimes, for example, we are reaching out to more than just the Shoals,” she said. “I feel as if I'm really making a difference here.” To get involved with or learn more about Greek organizations or campus RSO’s, students should attend The Big Deal, a campus-wide organization and community fair held August 20 at the Amphitheater in the middle of UNA’s campus. There, you can chat with members and see if a certain organizations is right for you. The key? Don’t get overwhelmed. You’ll find your fit.
SISTERS OF ALPHA DELTA PI BREAK OUT OF JAIL DURING STEP SING.
14 MUSIC
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MUSIC 15
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The Beatles’ “Yesterday” is the most covered song ever.
Lana Del Rey majored in metaphysics at Fordham.
HEY, MAN. THAT’S MY SONG SOME COVER SONGS ARE GREAT; SOME, SIMPLY DISGRACEFUL Music as an art form is both gifted and cursed with a concept not really present in any other medium: the cover. Sometimes artists want to pay homage to their heroes. Sometimes we’re glad they did so, but not always.
not an obvious pick for Lana. However, the song’s use in David Lynch’s film of the same name highlights the perverse corruption that lies beneath the American ideal, which is exactly what she aims for on a regular basis. The music’s downtempo arrangement gives it a somber tone strangely absent from a song where the singer claims to “see blue velvet in my tears.”
BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL
“Bohemian Rhapsody” – The Flaming Lips, originally by Queen I know this is something like rock ‘n’ roll blasphemy, but I actually prefer this cover. First off, points for having the guts to cover what plenty of folks would call the greatest rock song of all time. Next, the song itself is practically a prophecy foretelling the Flaming Lips. Structurally, the song is equal parts beautiful melody, nonsense lyrics, cult fandom and over-the-top instrumentation that would require a symphonic scale of a band to perform live. Those elements pretty squarely describe the majority of the Flaming Lips’ catalog. “Hurt” – Johnny Cash, originally by Nine Inch Nails Here’s a cover so well done, its own writer, Trent Reznor, claims it doesn’t belong to him anymore. In its original context on NIN’s concept album, “The Downward
Spiral,” the remorseful ballad about addiction and regret serves to note the fictional protagonist’s death. While Reznor certainly understands these themes firsthand, Johnny Cash hammered it home when he covered it within a year of his death. His frail voice singing “everyone I know goes away in the end” may be one of the most heartbreaking lyrics ever recorded.
JUST AS GOOD “Blue Velvet” – Lana Del Ray, originally by Bobby Vinton This cover is great - not because of Lana’s performance - but because of the context she gives the song. The original is a bouncy, sappy, somewhat cheesy crooner tune, so it’s
“When the Levee Breaks” – A Perfect Circle, originally by Led Zeppelin The magic of this song is how much A Perfect Circle does not sound like Led Zeppelin and shows no desire to. This one gets a special mention on the list for being a step removed. Zeppelin’s version, like many of their songs, is a reworking of a traditional blues tune. This is still apparent in Jimmy Page’s open-tuned, slide guitar licks. I’m not even sure if there is a guitar anywhere in APC’s track.
PLEASE STOP NOW “Blank Space” – I Prevail, originally by Taylor Swift There are so many things wrong with this, it’s hard to pick a place to start. You have to feel bad for a band that has only gotten radio play from playing a cover. It happened a few years ago
when Framing Hanley covered Lil’ Wayne’s “Lollipop.” In the same way, I predict I Prevail will not be a band just four years from now. This song is either a testament to how lame post-hardcore has become as a genre or else how it’s being pillaged by morons trying to make a buck after having enough views on YouTube.
“Song 2” – Plain White T’s, originally by Blur There’s plenty of problems with the “Punk Goes...” cover compilation series, mainly that there has never been a real punk band on one of these albums, but I digress. Plain White T’s take on this classic satire of grunge as a genre is like a friend you have to explain a joke to. Combine the lack of effort put into it and Tom Higgenston’s bad impression of Damon Albarn’s Cockney accent, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.
STORY BY JARED MCCOY
16 FOOD
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In 2001, Pizza Hut made a $1 million delivery to space.
AUGUST 2015
Burger King is called Hungry Jack’s in Australia.
FAST FOOD FEEDING FRENZY
“ROBBLE, ROBBLE.”
THE
Despite the increasing criticism of fast food, the industry remains one of the largest in the world. Once every few months, a new buzz is born accusing a fast food chain of selling products that aren’t “real” food, or claiming that their food is riddled with an unhealthy, illegal amount of additives. However, McDonalds sells approximately 65 million hamburgers per second and KFC sells more than 400 pieces of chicken per minute, according to Yahoo Finance. Why are fast food chains so successful in the face of such ample criticism? Fast food is… fast. Humans are busy creatures and many simply don’t have time to cook for themselves. I took the challenge to see how far $20 would go only choosing fast food as my primary meal option. On $20 I could eat fast food for about 13 days, if my selections were from value menus. But spending
GROCERY SHOPPING SPREE ON THE HOW $20 KEPT ME FULL FOR TWO DAYS Let’s face it - $20 just isn’t much. But after bills and extenuating expenses, sometimes it’s all that’s left. My challenge was simple: spend $20 at the grocery store.
There were few parameters; I could basically buy what I wanted to! But I decided to see how long $20 could last me. After a little strategizing and a lot of self-control, I found that a mere $20 can be used to purchase two entire days’ worth of groceries. I even strayed from the typical Ramen noodles every young adult knows so well. I stepped into Foodland, feeling unsure where to even start. I didn’t think such a small amount of money would even put a dent in my cart. First, I snatched a sale paper and studied it in order to find the best deals. I also checked the reduced section to get foods I knew I would eat before their expiration date. When I got to the checkout line, I was shocked at how much food I had in my cart. And my total was only $21.56!
SHOPPING LIST:
MY MEALS:
MILK, HALF-GALLON.... $2.09 6 EGGS........................$1.29 WHEAT BREAD.............$1.29 2 RED DELICIOUS APPLES......................$0.61 ALFREDO NOODLES......$0.99 RAGU ALFREDO SAUCE...$1.68 1 PKG CHICKEN TENDERLOINS.............$4.06 BORDEN CHEESE......... $2.00 MIXED LETTUCE BAG....$1.00 2 CUCUMBERS.............$1.00 PROGRESSO CHICKEN POT PIE SOUP..............$1.68 6 LEMONS...................$1.00 LAND-O-FROST TURKEY SANDWICH MEAT........$0.99
I decided to stay away from prepackaged snacks and frozen meals because they are typically more expensive and less healthy. I also decided to stick with water
(Note: All items are store brand unless otherwise stated)
Breakfast, Day One: Two scrambled eggs, apple slices and buttered toast with a glass of milk Lunch, Day One: Progresso soup, salad with lettuce, cucumber, cheese, egg and fresh lemonade Dinner, Day One: Grilled chicken with Alfredo pasta, garlic toast, and lemon/cucumber water Breakfast, Day Two: French toast, apple slices and a glass of milk Lunch, Day Two: Turkey and lettuce sandwich, a slice of cheese, and lemon water Dinner, Day Two: Grilled chicken salad with lettuce, cucumber, cheese, egg and fresh lemonade
AUGUST 2015
FOOD 17
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A healthy diet for a family of four costs over $150/week.
Subway created a mobile restaurant that moved up and down the World Trade Center to feed 9/11 aid workers.
Products placed at eye-level are more enticing.
EFFECTS OF A FOUR-DAY, $20 FAST FOOD BINGE 13 days eating nothing but fast food seemed like a challenge that I wasn’t up to, so for four days, I would eat nothing but fast food. Thursday night, I got off work at 10 p.m. and bought my first meal of the day from Taco Bell. I used the drive-thru and ordered the featured item: a box that included a burrito supreme, a hard-shell taco, and a new item, the bacon club chalupa. All in all, $5. I ate the chalupa and put the taco and burrito in my friend’s refrigerator to be eaten later. I never ate them. Despite the obviously precooked, frozen chicken and the fact that this Taco Bell ran out of lettuce, the chalupa wasn’t bad! However, the one chalupa was 470 calories. If I had eaten the entire box of food, which is considered a meal at Taco Bell, I would have consumed 783 calories. The next day, I had to try the chicken nuggets at Burger King
that, somehow, can be sold at $1.49 for a profit. Those are some cheap chickens. Using the drive-thru, I ordered the chicken nuggets and value size onion rings, spending a total of $3.02. The water was free. I only ate two of the dry, underseasoned “chicken” nuggets. They were terrible, but the onion rings were just fine and filled me up. The 10-piece nuggets contained 470 calories, and the value size onion rings contained 150. Saturday, I was craving pizza. Although it isn’t the most typical, I
consider Little Caesar’s a fast food restaurant. There’s a drive-thru, and customers usually don’t have to wait on their food to be cooked. The pizza cost $5 and fed me and my three roommates. We each had two slices, containing 280 calories. As Sunday crept in and a new week began, $5.43 was left of my original $20 budget. I drove to the controversial KFC for the “$5 fillup box” that held three chicken tenders, mashed potatoes, a biscuit and a chocolate-chip cookie. I dipped two of the tenders in honey
*FOR THE FISCALLY IMPAIRED, A REASONABLE WAY OF SAVING MONEY ON FAST FOOD IS BY COMPLETING THE SURVEY ON THE BACK OF A BURGER KING RECEIPT. BY COMPLETING THE SURVEY, THE CUSTOMER IS GIVEN A CODE THAT ALLOWS THEM TO GET A FREE HAMBURGER AFTER PURCHASING A DRINK AND AN ORDER OF FRIES.
mustard and ate them, leaving the dry biscuit, plain potatoes and the hard cookie in the box. Because I don’t eat a lot, my calorie intake over the weekend did not reach an alarming level, but it’s easy to see that someone who eats multiple entire fast food “meals” a day would be a consumer of an excessive number of calories, based on a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet. By Monday, I could feel my body begging for nutrients. After eating nothing but fast food, I felt tired and lethargic. Honestly, the best phrase I can use to describe the way I felt is “under the weather.” While fast food can be a reasonable option for a meal, burgers and fries should never be relied on for one’s primary source of sustenance.
STORY BY WESLEY HOPKINS
CHEAP and freshen it up with lemons and cucumbers. It speeds up my metabolism and keeps me hydrated in the summer heat. I chose to eat the most calories for breakfast - in order to burn them off during the day - and I picked apples because they are packed with natural caffeine and aid as a pick-me-up on sleepy mornings. All of the meals I prepared kept me feeling full, but not stuffed, and gave me all the energy I needed to survive for two days on $20 worth of food. I don’t think I will ever be ready to audition for Survivor, but I did finish out the two days with a sense of accomplishment and a strong desire for pizza.
STORY BY ALEXANDRIA TERRELL
YOUNG JT STYLIN’ HIS INFAMOUS ‘RAMEN CUT’.
18 MOVIES
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AUGUST 2015
AUGUST 2015
MOVIES 19
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The King Drive-In first opened in 1949.
There are around 40,000 movie screens in the U.S.
DRIVE-INS AND SIT-DOWNS
THE GLORIOUS RUSTIC ENTRANCE TO THE KING DRIVE-IN.
DEALS FOR CATCHING ON-SCREEN THRILLS The 21st century has presented a wide range of challenges for traditional movie theaters. High ticket prices, streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, and elaborate home theaters have greatly increased the temptation to stay inside instead of going out for a movie. Even with these alternatives, it’s nearly impossible to recreate the experience of seeing a great movie
in a theater. Thankfully, the north Alabama and southern Tennessee areas have several different theaters with a variety of bargains worth indulging in. Drive-in movie theaters belong to the bygone era, sadly, with only 338 left in the U.S. The fact there are so few makes it even more important we support the ones we have left. Russellville’s King Drive-In not
only provides an amazing retro experience, but does so at a very affordable price. Movie screenings are on the weekends and start at 8:15 p.m. Tickets are on the cheap – $6 for anyone 13-years-old and over – and include two feature films screened back-to-back. This is a key draw for me, with the affordability of the tickets and food as a primary reason why I prefer the drive-in more so than a normal movie theater. In the past you listened to the movie through speakers placed next to your car, but now you can pick up the movie’s soundtrack through your car radio. Seeing a movie outside, in your car, is such a distinctly different experience from a normal theater. Put it on your bucket list. Yet another independent theater
worth mentioning is the Shadybrook Cinema 12 in Columbia, Tennessee. It has a wide range of deals worth taking advantage of, with hardto-beat ticket prices – matinees costing $6.50 and evening shows for $8.50. There are even “early bird matinee” tickets for $6 (first showing of the day) and “night owl tickets” for $7.25 (after 8:30 p.m.) If that isn’t enough, there are $5 tickets available between 4 p.m. and 5:55 p.m. during the week, and free refills on popcorn and drinks on Mondays. One of the largest theater chains in the country, Carmike, operates a 12-screen theater in Florence and a 10-screen in Cullman. The upside to chain theaters is they’re usually equipped with the latest in everything – from comfortable stadium seating to the latest in film screening technology. One drawback to chain theaters over independents is you’re going to be paying more – $8.75 for matinee and $10.50 for evening. For anyone wanting to save money, I’d recommend taking advantage of its “super bargain matinee” with tickets only $5.75 from 4-5:30 p.m. If you want even more of a bargain, go on Tuesdays when you can get popcorn and a drink for only $2 each. Whether you prefer the drivein or an indoor theater, you should never take the communal experience of seeing a movie on a big screen for granted. It’s very easy to get distracted watching a movie at home, but going into a darkened theater allows you to focus and fully immerse yourself in what’s going on. And, unless you’re incredibly wealthy, you’re probably never going to have a theater-sized movie screen in your home. With James Bond and Star Wars returning this holiday season, there’s no better time to rekindle your love of the movie theater.
STORY BY CALEB BILLINGS
20 CALENDAR
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EVENTS
AUGUST 2015
AUGUST 1 - AUGUST 31 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
ALABAMA SHAKES @ VERIZON WIRELESS AMPHITHEATER // AUGUST 21, ATLANTA, GA
AUG 1
CHICAGO FT. EARTH WIND AND FIRE @ Ascend Amphitheater, Nashville, TN, 7:30pm BLUE MAN GROUP @ Charles Theater, Nashville, TN
AUG 2
ANDY GRAMMER WITH AMERICAN AUTHORS @ Iron City, Birmingham, AL, 7:30pm NIKKI MINAJ WITH MEEK MILL @ Aaron’s Amphitheater, Atlanta, GA, 7 pm
AUG 3
BILLIARDS @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ Odette, Florence, AL, 8pm
AUG 4
TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm
AUG 5
5 SECONDS OF SUMMER @ Aaron’s Amphitheater, Atlanta, GA, 7:30pm POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm WAFFLE HOUSE WEDNESDAY @ 1104 Nashville Hwy, Columbia, TN, 10pm
AUG 6
MY MORNING JACKET WITH MOON TAXI @ Ascend Amphitheater, Nashville, TN TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm KARAOKE @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 8pm
AUG 7
FLORENCE FIRST FRIDAYS @ Florence Downtown COLBIE CAILLAT @ Atlanta Botanical Gardens, 8pm MY MORNING JACKET @ Fabulous Fox Theater, Atlanta, GA, 8pm COUNTING CROWS @ Ascend Amphitheater, Nashville, TN, 7pm SUNSET 5K @ Hellen Keller Hospital, Sheffield, AL, 8pm FANTASTIC FOUR @ YOUR LOCAL THEATER MATERMINDS @ YOUR LOCAL THEATER RICKI AND THE FLASH @ YOUR LOCAL THEATER SHAUN THE SHEEP @ YOUR LOCAL THEATER
AUG 9
CHRISTINA PERRI @ Iron City, Birmingham, AL, 8pm SMASHING PUMPKINS AND MARILYN MANSON @ Ascend Amphitheater, Nashville, TN, 7pm
AUG 10
MY MORNING JACKET @ BJCC, Birmingham, AL, 8pm BILLIARDS @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ Odette, Florence, AL, 8pm
AUG 11
TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm
IF YOU HAVE ANY EVENTS YOU WOULD LIKE LISTED, EMAIL CALENDAR@GETSETMAG.COM
AUG 12
INCUBUS WITH DEFTONES @ Aaron’s Amphitheater, Atlanta, GA, 6:15pm POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm WAFFLE HOUSE WEDNESDAY @ 1104 Nashville Hwy, Columbia, TN, 10pm
AUG 13
TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm KARAOKE @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 8pm
AUG 14
TIM MCGRAW WITH BILLY CURRINGTON @ Oak Mountain Amphitheater, Birmingham, AL, 7pm
AUGUST 2015
NEEDTOBREATHE @ Ascend Amphitheater, Nashville, TN, 7:30pm WATERMELON FESTIVAL @ Russellville, AL THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E @ YOUR LOCAL THEATER STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON @ YOUR LOCAL THEATER UNDERDOGS @ YOUR LOCAL THEATER
AUG 15
J COLE AND BIG SEAN WITH YG @ Aaron’s Amphitheater, Atlanta, GA, 6:30pm TIM MCGRAW @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 7pm MEGHAN TRAINOR @ Ryman Theater, Nashville, TN WATERMELON FESTIVAL @ Russellville, AL TAKE A STAND 5K @ Big Spring Park, Tuscumbia, AL, 6pm
AUG 16
CALENDAR 21
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MEGHAN TRAINOR @ Tabernacle, Atlanta, GA, 7pm JIM GAFFIGAN @ Chastain Park Amphitheater, 8pm
AUG 17
BILLIARDS @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ Odette, Florence, AL, 8pm
TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm KARAOKE @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 8pm
AUG 24
AUG 18
AUG 21
AUG 25
DEF LEPPARD @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 7pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm
AUG 19
CLASSES START @ UNA MEET THE GREEKS @ UNA, 6pm POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm WAFFLE HOUSE WEDNESDAY @ 1104 Nashville Hwy, Columbia, TN, 10pm
AUG 20
THE BIG DEAL @ UNA Amphitheater, 6pm LIVE ON THE GREEN (LORD HURON, SHAKEY GRAVES AND MORE) @ Public Square Park
LION NIGHT @ Downtown Florence, 5:30pm LUKE BRYAN @ Phillips Arena, Atlanta, GA ALABAMA SHAKES @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Atlanta, GA, 7pm KILLEN FOUNDER”S DAY @ Killen, AL SINISTER 2 @ YOUR LOCAL THEATER AMERICAN ULTRA @ YOUR LOCAL THEATER HITMAN: AGENT 47 @ YOUR LOCAL THEATER GRANDMA @ YOUR LOCAL THEATER SHE’S FUNNY THAT WAY @ YOUR LOCAL THEATER
AUG 22
LUKE BRYAN @ Phillips Arena, Atlanta, GA KILLEN FOUNDER’S DAY @ Killen, AL KILL FOUNDER’S DAY 5K @ Killen, AL, 7am
BILLIARDS @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ Odette, Florence, AL, 8pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm
AUG 26
POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm WAFFLE HOUSE WEDNESDAY @ 1104 Nashville Hwy, Columbia, TN, 10pm
AUG 27
LIVE ON THE GREEN (COLD WAR KIDS, J RODDY WALSTON & THE BUSINESS AND MORE) @ Public Square Park TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm KARAOKE @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 8pm
IF YOU HAVE ANY EVENTS YOU WOULD LIKE LISTED, EMAIL CALENDAR@GETSETMAG.COM
AUG 28
OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW @ Ascend Amphitheater, Nashville, TN, 7:30pm REGRESSION @ YOUR LOCAL THEATER WE ARE YOUR FRIENDS @ YOUR LOCAL THEATER WAR ROOM @ YOUR LOCAL THEATER
AUG 29
ABIGAIL’S PLAN 5K @ Rotary Park, Lawrenceburg, TN
AUG 30
MOTLEY CRUE @ Phillips Arena, Atlanta, GA
AUG 31
BILLIARDS @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ Odette, Florence, AL, 8pm
22 SPECIAL FEATURE
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Hernando DeSoto camped on Shoal Creek in 1540.
AUGUST 2015
The Tenn. River was first discovered 8,000 years ago.
PHOTO BY WILL COREY
THE GREAT DIVIDE
THE NORTH MAY HAVE WON, BUT THE SOUTH WILL RISE AGAIN.
THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF THE SINGIN’ RIVER While Muscle Shoals and the musical history therein have been in the spotlight in recent years, most people outside the Shoals area remain unaware of the divide running right through the Quad Cities: the Tennessee River. The Singing River — or, rather, the Sangin’ River — represents the cultural, social, and geographical divide that locals have woven into the fabric of consciousness and out-of-towners often find difficult to comprehend. Florence commands the north side of the river, while Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia share uncertain borders to the south. For Jonathan Oliphant, a local motorcycle enthusiast from Fairhope, Alabama, the difference is purely geographical.
“It’s actually quite simple but not,” he muses. “On the north side of the river there is a land mass, and on the opposite side there is yet another land mass. So that in itself is a pretty stark contrast.” Oliphant said he once audited a geography class in “the castle building,” presumably at the University of North Alabama. “If I am understanding my geography correctly… ‘north’ by definition means ‘higher elevation,’ which would explain why Northerners are literally looking down on us Southerners and why I keep getting all these nosebleeds,” Oliphant said. Oliphant’s hypothesis of the northsouth divide may hold water for other locals who often feel that Florence — given its northern and, therefore, higher status — sees itself as the City on the Hill. “One of my history professors called Florence the ‘Acropolis on the Hill’,” Cortney Oliver, a Muscle Shoals immigrant, now Florence resident, said. Perhaps the biggest divide is the sheer distance across the river. “These two land masses are bridged together by a structure called a ‘bridge’,” Oliphant said. “To get from one land mass to the other is a bit like the Oregon Trail: it’s exhausting and
someone is going to get dysentery before you arrive.” Oliver echoed Oliphant’s sentiment. “It’s like crossing into another country,” Oliver said. “Got to save up big. Get you a nice hotel. Don’t stay at the Hillcrest, because there’s floozies and narcotics. I don’t care if it’s $59 a night. It’s bad news bears.” For a trip from Florence to Tuscumbia, Oliver suggested planning for 48 hours. “Make sure you’ve saved up enough to survive,” she said. “Make yourself a ‘mater sandwich. Possibly pack some heat. Oh, and don’t forget your passport.” Oliphant, being a foreigner, seemed to treat the situation with more nonchalance. “I mean, on a good day you can make it there and back by nightfall,” he said. “But you’d have to leave pretty early. Packing a lunch is silly: there are plenty of great restaurants across the river. “You should pack sunscreen, always,” he warned. For Oliphant, the hardest problem is the ‘money situation. “The biggest problem that comes with traveling to the other side of the river is the currency,” he said. “There isn’t an agreed upon form of trade, so the bartering can get a bit tricky.” The idea of combining the Quad Cities
— all four cities forming, much like Voltron, into one area called The Shoals — has been discussed in the past. For Oliver, a southie River Rat, the idea brings only chaos and destruction. “People would riot in the streets,” she said, with eyes dark and solemn. “It’d never happen. It would go up in flames. IT’D BE THE NEXT GEORGIA! SHE’S BURNING!” Oliphant sees the chaos as a sort of an opportunity. “We unite the lands as The Shoals, but instead of getting rid of the individuality that the cities possess, they become a ‘Game-of-Thrones-esque’ house. Every house can have their own sigil and battle eternally for supremacy. “Winner gets exclusivity to Bunyan’s barbecue,” he stated. At press time, Oliphant was working on his sigil: a maroon Washburn hollowbody on a field of green. Until there’s peace in the land, the river that runneth through the Shoals will evermore be the divide of humankind.
STORY BY ANDY THIGPEN
AUGUST 2015
SPECIAL FEATURE 23
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Kahri Member Since 2013 Abby Member Since 2013
Drew Member Since 2013
Rebecca Member Since 2013
24 SPOTLIGHT
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SAY CHEESE!
SET READERS IN ACTION
AUGUST 2015
PHOTOS BY ALEXANDRIA CHRISMAN, WILL COREY, SUSAN ROWE AND COURTNEY TULLY
CONQUERING LIFE FLORENCE, JUNE 26-28, PHOTOS BY SUSAN ROWE
DANIELLE TUCKER ADDRESSES CONQUERING LIFE CROWD
TERA WAGES, BETHANY GREEN, JESSICA MANGUM, SARAH GILLIS AND ASHLEY ANDERSON
BETHANY GREEN
ASHLEY BAKER HASELTON
AUGUST 2015
SPOTLIGHT 25
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HAYSTAX FLOBAMA MUSIC HALL, JULY 22, PHOTO BY WILL COREY
HAYSTAX
THE FRENCH QUARTER W.C. HANDY MUSIC FESTIVAL, JULY 25, PHOTO BY COURTNEY TULLY
BRIAN AND AMELIA BUTLER
ALEX LIMON AND JESSICA MANN
HALEY SARGENT AND HALEY GILBERT
26 SPOTLIGHT
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AUGUST 2015
CICADA SCREAMERS THE END., JULY 26, PHOTOS BY ALEXANDRIA CHRISMAN
STRANGE WAVES
CICADA SCREAMERS
THE OLD SOULS
QUINT LANGSTAFF, REID WARE AND FRIENDS RIVERTOWN COFFEE CO., JULY 21, PHOTO BY ALEXANDRIA CHRISMAN
CICADA SCREAMERS
W.C. HANDY MUSIC FESTIVAL OLD RAILROAD BRIDGE, JULY 26, PHOTO BY WILL COREY
QUINT LANGSTAFF
KENT DUCHAINE
AUGUST 2015
SPOTLIGHT 27
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SLOSS MUSIC FESTIVAL BIRMINGHAM, JULY 18-19, PHOTO BY WILL COREY
PRIMUS
CAGE THE ELEPHANT
MODEST MOUSE
ST. PAUL AND THE BROKEN BONES
FIRST AID KIT
YOUNG THE GIANT
28 SPECIAL FEATURE
SET isn’t just a magazine looking for people to share their 2 cents. It is entirely comprised of content provided by the 15 - 29 year olds of our community. No one else writes the articles, no one else takes the pictures and no one else decides what runs. That’s why we need you. Attend our next editorial meeting, drop us a line or send us an idea for your story. We want your photography, art and music. Get on SET’s team.
getsetmag.com/contribute
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AUGUST 2015
AUGUST 2015
SPECIAL FEATURE 29
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Graduates will still be paying off student loans at age 40.
Average starting salary for 2014 undergrads: $45,478.
YOU DID IT! NOW WHAT? WHAT TO DO AFTER THE CAP IS THROWN Congratulations! You did it! You worked hard for four (or maybe five) long years and now you get to walk across that stage, grab your diploma in front of your friends, family, and professors, and tell the world that you are officially a college graduate! Now what? For many, that means putting off the inevitable and joining the workforce, hopefully in the field of their major. For others, like myself, that means enrolling in a graduate program or professional school to continue our education. For many students, the choice between these two paths can become difficult and confusing. Is attending graduate school worth the massive loans and time it takes to attend these days? Or would we be better off getting a 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. job where we can make actual money in a field we spent our entire undergraduate careers preparing for?
OFF TO WORK I GO
For some, going to work after graduation was the obvious choice, as it was for Maddie Noe, a recent UAB nursing school grad. “After four years of university level classes, I felt burned out and was tired of classes and labs. I was ready to get into the workforce, and use the skills I had worked hard to acquire,” she said. Noe isn’t the only one excited to begin working after graduation. For many, the burn-out effect is the predominate factor in joining today’s
SUCCESS IS A CHOICE. career market, as it was for Jordan Graham, who graduated from the University of North Alabama and began working in the field of human resources. “I needed a break after being a full time student and being so involved with extracurricular activities on campus,” Graham said. “Finding a job after graduation was definitely the right choice for me.” Others are joining the workforce after graduation simply because they are satisfied with their degree and are happy to be finally making money and using free time doing the things they love, rather than studying and sitting in a classroom. While the pros of starting a career are prevalent, there are some cons with this choice as well. Among them, adjusting into adulthood is hard for many and some struggle with landing
a job and paying off loans once their grace period is up.
(STILL) HITTING THE BOOKS
“I decided to pursue my master’s immediately after completing my bachelor’s because I found a program that fit”, said Siobhan Gehrs, a UNA grad who completed her masters program at Auburn. “I believe graduate school helped me understand what fields I wasn’t interested in and what I’m truly passionate about. People may look at graduate school as an excuse for some to put off the workforce, but for me, it helped me understand my options more and grow as a person.” Prominent among reasons to attend graduate school are the opportunities to advance career goals and earn a higher salary, said Melissa Medlin, director of Career Planning and
Development at UNA. “Here in the state of Alabama, one gets an automatic raise with the earning of a graduate degree (about $5,000-$6,000, often more with a professional school degree) and more promotion opportunities available to them with a graduate degree,” she said. The benefits of attending graduate school are endless, however the pressures to pay back the loans taken out to attend are constantly present in the mind of the student. The average combined undergraduate/graduate school debt upon graduation was $57,600, with one in 10 students paying back over $150,000 to federal or private lenders. On top of this, many students struggle with the sometimes daunting coursework required in their program and the pressures put on them to succeed, forcing them to give up a majority of their time to focusing on school. This can take a major toll on a student emotionally, physically, and mentally, and even affect their outside relationships. For these reasons alone, students going into graduate school should plan ways to relieve stress or otherwise loose their sanity. The choice between continuing our education or beginning a career is often a crossroads in many of our lives, myself included. So how do we decide what to do? The answer is different for everyone, so some soul searching is necessary for anyone who finds themselves in this position. Talk to professionals in the area you’re interested in, get an internship, or even do some extensive research on programs or careers you could see yourself in. In the end, just remember that the choice you make is solely for yourself, so its OK if it’s a selfish one. All that matters is you’re happy with your career. And if you can do that, it will always be a successful one.
STORY BY SARAH EMERSON
30 FREESTYLE
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FREESTYLE
THE OFFICIAL GREEK GLOSSARY
AUGUST 2015
STORY BY SAMUEL SATTERFIELD
ACTIVE
a collegiate member of the organization
ALUM
a member who has graduated
BADGE
a small pin given only to active members as a symbol of their membership
BID
an invitation to join a Greek organization
BIG
an older member of an organization that aids new members and serves as a mentor
CHAPTER
an individual organization on a campus that is typically part of a larger national organization
CHAPTER MEETING (CHAPTER)
a weekly meeting to discuss the business of the organization
DATE PARTY
a party where the members of the organization bring a date, typically themed
DUES
the cost associated with a Greek organization
FORMAL
a formal social event where members of the organization bring a date
FORMAL CHAPTER
a chapter in which the organization performs their ritual; a closed event to people who aren’t members
GAMMA CHI
a member of a sorority who assists potential new members through the recruitment process
HEADQUARTERS
(sometimes referred to as Nationals) each individual organization is a part of a bigger network of the same organization on campuses across the nation (sometimes international) These are the professionals in charge of multiple chapters.
INITIATION
a ceremony that a new member goes through to enter into full membership
LEGACY
defined differently by each chapter but, in essence, it means someone you’re related to was in the organization before you
MIXER
a social event where two organizations get together to hang out and mingle
PLEDGE
a new member in a Greek Organization
QUOTA
a cap that the University places on NPC that limits the size of their membership
RITUAL
a ceremony done to help to reaffirm the principals of the Greek Organization (sometimes called the “chapter secrets”)
AUGUST 2015
FREESTYLE 31
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Nick Walton
Miracle Osborne
Member since 2015
Member since 2013
Visit Our Stop by The Hill
to relax, recharge, or (of course) take care of your financial
needs. The Hill is a full service, student-run Listerhill Credit Union location in The Commons at UNA dedicated to helping students reach their full financial potential.