Monday, February 11, 2019
kentuckykernel www.kykernel.com
Ke
rn
el
In
Lo
ve
Monday, February 11, 2019
www.kykernel.com 2 | kentucky kernel
Monday, February 11, 2019
kentuckykernel
LOOKING BACK, MOVING FORWARD
CONTACT Editor-in-chief
UK HAS BEATEN FLORIDA TEAMS THRICE BY 11 POINTS
As UK’s men’s and women’s basketball teams both defeated Florida by 11 points on the weekend of Feb. 2, they mirrored UK’s football team win in the fall, which ended a 31-year loss streak against the Gators with an 11-point win. On Feb. 2, the men’s basketball team won 65-54 in Rupp Arena. The Kernel reported that the game was “a back-and-forth contest,” with Florida taking an early lead in the game. The women’s team win came after its loss to South Carolina. The team beat Florida 62-51. “We practiced as hard Friday afternoon as we did on day number one,” head coach Matthew Mitchell said of the team’s work. The football team’s win was 27-16. The team’s 2018 season as a whole was historic in many ways. The Wildcats won a bowl game and finished the season with 10 wins.
UK STUDENT CHARGED WITH RECKLESS HOMICIDE IN 4-YEAR-OLD’S DEATH
An 18-year-old UK student accused of driving under the influence during a crash that killed a 4-year-old-boy after a Kentucky football game was charged with reckless homicide last week, according to an indictment cited by the Lexington Herald-Leader. Jacob Heil was initially only charged with DUI in September 2018 after he was identified as the driver of the silver passenger car that struck and killed 4-year-old Marco Shemwell, who was waiting to cross Cooper Drive with his family during a UK football game. Heil pleaded not guilty to that DUI charge in September. In this indictment, the grand jury included a misdemeanor DUI count along with reckless homicide, according to a Feb. 6 report in the Herald-Leader. Court documents show that Heil told police that he drank two beers at 9:30 a.m. at a tailgate before the game the day of the crash. Heil was arrested at the scene of the accident with red, blood-shot, watery eyes and was charged with DUI. He was later released eight hours after his arrest.
Bailey Vandiver editor@kykernel.com
Managing editor
McKenna Horsley
News editor Rick Childress news@kykernel.com Asst. news editors
Jacob Eads Sydney Momeyer
Sports editor Erika Bonner sports@kykernel.com Asst. sports editor
Chase Campbell
Opinions editor Sarah Ladd opinions@kykernel.com Asst. opinions editor Hannah Woosley MICHAEL CLUBB I STAFF Kentucky’s mascot reads a Kentucky Kernel newspaper during South Carolina’s introductions. UK men’s basketball team defeated University of South Carolina 76-48 at Rupp Arena on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019, in Lexington, Kentucky.
Heil took a portable breath test at the scene, but his attorney Christopher Spedding said that test is not admissible in court. UK suspended Heil in September as well as the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, he had pledged.
MLK CENTER SPONSORS BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENTS
UK’s Martin Luther King Center is sponsoring several February events in honor of Black History Month. The MLK Center is an on-campus organization that “seeks to empower students from all communities to improve their college experience by increasing access to academic, civic leadership, and cultural exchange opportunities,” according to its website. The first of the events happened on Feb. 5 as the MLK Center marked the beginning of the Chinese New Year with a celebration, according to UKNow. The center is also sponsoring recent MasterChef winner Gerron Hurt’s visit to campus on Feb. 11. The Louisville native will give a cooking demonstration at 3 p.m. and a lecture at 5:30 p.m. in the Gatton Student Center Grand Ballroom. Other events on the schedule include: • Growth Talk, sponsored by Growth Point
Ministries and the Black Voices Gospel Choir, 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12* • Kenneth Tyler, professor and department chair in the Department of Educational, School and Counseling Psychology, will give an address at Lunch and Learn. Wednesday, Feb. 13, 12 p.m.* • The Buddhist holiday parinirvana of the Buddha Shakyamuni refers to the celebration of the nirvana-after-death 2,600 years ago of a Nepal-Indian prince who became the historical Buddha. UK’s observance is Friday, Feb. 15* • Growth Talk: Ladies Edition, sponsored by Growth Point Ministries and Black Voices Gospel Choir. Tuesday, Feb. 19, 7:30 p.m.* • Still We Rise Banquet. Thursday, Feb. 21, 6 p.m. in the Gatton Student Center Grand Ballroom • Explore Your Heritage Workshop. Monday, Feb. 25, 5:30 p.m. in Room 108-A of William T. Young Library • Carter G. Woodson Lunch Lecture, co-sponsored by the Center for Equality and Social Justice. Wednesday, Feb. 27, noon* • Soup and Substance, co-sponsored by Underground Perspective, Student Activities Board and Student Government. Thursday, Feb. 28, 5:30 p.m. in White Hall Classroom Building Room 110 *Events are at the MLK Center
Lifestyle editor Akhira Umar lifestyle@kykernel.com Asst. lifestyle editor
Emily Baehner
Art director
Arden Barnes
Photo editor
Jordan Prather
Assist. photo editor
Michael Clubb
Social media editor Makenna Theissen kernelsocial@kykernel.com KENTUCKY KERNEL OFFICES 340 McVey Hall University of Kentucky Lexington, KY 40506 P: 859.2571915 www.kykernel.com
ON THE COVER PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MATT WHATTAM | STAFF
PHOTOS BY: ARDEN BARNES | STAFF JORDAN PRATHER | STAFF CONNOR WOODS | STAFF ISAAC JANSSEN | STAFF
spring 2019 | 3
Monday, February 11, 2019
news
UK supported evolution before it was cool
By Natalie Parks news@kykernel.com
Retired UK professor Joseph Jones wants UK to remember its connection to a century-old American debate on the beginnings of all life on earth. Jones recently created a plaque commemorating the university’s involvement in the evolution trials of the 1920s. The plaque, which was put up in Miller Hall in January, describes UK’s connections to resisting laws against teaching evolution in both Kentucky and Tennessee. A UK alum was even a prominent member in the famous Scopes Monkey Trial. The idea for the plaque rose out of a talk Jones gave to a group called the Cricket Club. Each month, a member of the club gives a talk about a topic of their choosing. Jones’ talk covered early confrontations between evolution and the law. But it wasn’t until Jones took some curious friends to the Creation Museum that he began to wonder what kind of legacy those confrontations had left. “It was the Creation Museum that got me started,” Jones said. “I thought, people make fun of Kentucky because we have these two Fundamentalist gazillion dollar theme parks, but Kentucky was the state that defeated the very legislation that would have allowed that to be taught.” The Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter are two attractions in Kentucky that advocate for seven-day creationism and Biblical literalism. They represent the insistent divide between Americans about evolution; Pew Research Center says that “34 percent of Americans reject evolution entirely.” The initial conflicts about evolution that the plaque reminds us of were just at the be-
4 | kentucky kernel
ginning of a century of debate on the topic. The debate began in the state legislature, where Rep. George W. Ellis proposed the first bill to ban the teaching of evolution in any public institution. The “Monkey Bill,” as it was known, was defeated by a vote of 42-41. Frank McVey, UK’s president at the time, spoke against the bill. William Jennings Bryan spoke in favor of it. At the time, Bryan was one of the most famous figures in America: He was a presidential nominee, Secretary of State under Wilson and a Congressional representative. Bryan traveled extensively throughout Kentucky speaking against Darwinian teachings in the early 1900s, as did religious leaders. So Kentucky was the initial battleground for the debate over evolution, but its most famous
ABOVE: LOUIS NOLLAU | EXPLORE UK ARCHIVE Students participate in an “Evolution” parade flloat celebrating May Day in 1926. RIGHT: DICK WARE John T. Scopes, a UK Almuni, was paramount in the 1925 “monkey trial.”
fight was in Tennessee. In 1925, the state passed a law banning the teaching of evolution. The ACLU responded by offering to represent any teacher who broke that law. Businessmen in Dayton, Tennessee, arranged for the trial to happen there and John T. Scopes, a local teacher, became the scapegoat for the case. “The Chamber of Commerce of Dayton did it as a kind of publicity stunt and let me tell you, it
paid off big time,” Jones said. The ensuing trial attracted national attention, with newspapers and radio giving daily updates. Bryan was the prosecuting attorney, using his gift of elocution to great effect. All of the attention caused the Monkey Trial to be remembered as the major culture clash and turning point of the
evolution debate, even though it happened three years after Kentucky’s Monkey Bill. UK is connected to the case in several ways. Scopes was a 1924 UK graduate and was taught by UK professor Arthur Miller, an early adopter of Darwinism who served as a witness for the defense in the Scopes trial. Both are named on the plaque. “I think we should be proud of the fact that (Kentucky’s anti-evolution bills) didn’t pass and that the man who allowed himself to be tried, a phony trial, was a graduate of the university,” Jones said. Scopes was convicted and fined for teaching evolution. UK students, who had largely missed the public fervor that led up the Monkey Bill in Kentucky because of the first World War and its aftermath, took an interest in the fate of their classmate John Scopes, Jones said. Students even created a satirical float in the end-of-school parade depicting seniors evolving from freshmen. “That’s what universities are about,” Jones said. “Intellectual discourse and the promotion of accurate beliefs.” The idea that a small land grant university was an early adopter of Darwinian teachings and that its students and professors had a role in these pivotal events is special, and something Jones hopes the plaque helps people remember. “I think we should have a memorial to people who are intellectual leaders on a university where that’s an important matter,” Jones said. “We have monuments to all sorts of things— why buildings were named, and that sort of stuff— this seems to be in the big picture, a good deal more important than who won the most ping-pong tournaments.”
Monday, February 11, 2019
Name: Collin O’Donnell Age: 21 School year: Junior Hometown: Frankfort, Illinois Major: Biosystems Engineering His idea of an ideal partner: Someone not shy/ super quiet. Outgoing, passionate, involved in extra activities
For the first time in Kernel history (that we know of), Kernel staffers are playing matchmaker. We opened applications to all UK students who wanted to shoot their shot at love. Each applicant filled out a questionnaire; some of their answers are featured in their profiles here. Out of 32 applications (22 women, 10 men), our social media manager Makenna Theissen chose and matched four participants. On Feb. 5, 2019, each couple had their blind date at Puccini’s, courtesy of the Kernel. Before walking into the restaurant, each participant knew only the first name of his or her date. While they may not have found love, the participants did have an experience that, many of them said, is rare in today’s social media-crazed society: a true blind date.
Name: Lexi Stewart Age: 18 School year: Freshman Hometown: Bowling Green, Kentucky Major: Community and Leadership Development Her idea of an ideal partner: Good sense of humor, loyalty, family and friends should be important to them; have aspirations about their life
Name: Lauren Zahrn Age: 20 School year: Junior Hometown: Champaign, Illinois Major: Psychology and Spanish Her idea of an ideal partner: Funny, compassionate, caring, thoughtful, kind, Godly, RESPECTFUL!!
Name: Josh Douthit Age: 20 School year: Sophomore Hometown: Houston, Texas Major: Communications His idea of an ideal partner: Someone that is easygoing/understanding
spring 2019 | 5
Monday, February 11, 2019
ARDEN BARNES I STAFF Lauren Zahrn applies a final layer of lip gloss in her room in the Kappa Kappa Gamma house before her blind date on Feb. 5, 2019, in Lexington, Kentucky.
CONNOR WOODS I STAFF Collin O’Donnell slips on his shoes as he says, “I really don’t know what to expect,” before his blind date on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2018=9, in Lexington, Kentucky.
LAUREN & COLLIN Why did you apply?
Lauren: ...I was like ‘Oh that might be fun.’ And I just haven’t really been in the dating scene lately and so I kind of just filled out the application, not really thinking anything of it. Maybe it will happen, maybe it won’t. Collin: I signed up for it just as like a shot in the dark... I said screw it, I’ll give it a shot, I doubt I’ll get picked, we’ll see what happens, and then sure enough I got picked.
Before the date began...
Lauren: I got here a little early, I had to pee but I didn’t want to go in here because I didn’t know if I was allowed to come in here yet, so I went next door to the smoke shop, and I went in there and I was like, “Okay, I have to pee, I don’t need to buy anything, but I just need to use your bathroom because I’m going on a blind date and I’m freaking out.” She was like, “Oh go ahead, I’ve been in your shoes before.” So I went back to the bathroom and came out and she gave me a pep talk, about, I was going to do great, I seem like a nice young lady, and I was on my way back to my car, and then I jammed out for a little bit. Collin: The date was supposed to be at the Puccini’s in the Hamburg area at 6 p.m. Collin and his assigned Kernel photographer arrived at the Puccini’s in Chevy Chase at 5:52 p.m. They made it to the correct Puccini’s not too much later. “I just mapped the closest one and I was like, OK that’s got to be it, why would they do anything other than the closest one?” he said. He said the mishap didn’t make him nervous; he was “just kind of rolling with it.” “It gives me an intro,” he said. 6 | kentucky kernel
CONNOR WOODS I STAFF Collin O’Donnell and Lauren Zahrn talk over dinner during their blind date on Feb. 5, 2019, at Puccini’s in Lexington, Kentucky.
Monday, February 11, 2019
What did your friends think when you told them you were going on a blind date?
Lauren: When I told my friends, they were like ‘You have to do it,’ even when I second-guessed the situation. I was like, ‘Should I really be doing this?’ but they hyped me up, they thought it would be cool. Collin: I told my roommates, and my roommates were just like ‘What?’ and I’m like ‘Dude, I’m just going to roll with it, have fun,’ and he was like ‘alright get your free meal, we’re going to go to the restaurant and follow you and watch you.’
Have you a bad first date in the past?
Lauren: I went to go get ice cream with this guy. The whole time he just talked about himself, so that wasn’t very fun. The only question he asked me about myself was ‘What’s your craziest partying story?’ Which I just thought was ridiculous because what does that really tell about me? At the end of it he serenaded me on our car ride home, and that was really weird. Collin: ...The restaurant I picked, she said, ‘Oh I hope you’re not taking me here.’ And then I had to skirt out of that restaurant and pretend to go to a gas station and pretend to fill up my car and then find another restaurant that was nearby.
ARDEN BARNES I STAFF Lauren Zahrn and Collin O’Donnell begin to eat their meal during their blind date on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019, at Puccini’s in Lexington, Kentucky. Zahrn ordered a twice baked pizza and O’Donnell ordered a calzone.
What did you order?
Lauren: Cheesy garlic bread, twice baked pizza “Even just doing this was definitely out of my comfort zone, and then for the pizza, I usually just get like margherita pizza, but I tried the twice baked, which was really good, and I ended up having a great time, both with my food and my date.” Collin: Build-your-own calzone, tiramisu
[ ] RATING
Lauren: 8 Collin: 8 or 9
CONNOR WOODS I STAFF Collin O’Donnell and Lauren Zahrn part ways following their blind date on Feb. 5, 2019, at Puccini’s in Lexington, Kentucky.
spring 2019 | 7
Monday, February 11, 2019
LEXI & JOSH Why did you apply?
Lexi: Well, originally, it was actually a friend who signed me up, and then she told me about it and I was like okay, yeah, I can go through with this, no worries. I feel like it could either go really well or just be a really funny story to tell at some point. Josh: I was actually in the ticket exchange GroupMe, trying to get tickets to the Kansas game, and someone put in the application, and I’m like ‘oh, why not?’ JORDAN PRATHER I STAFF Lexi Stewart applies eyeshadow at Ingles Hall before her blind date on Feb. 5, 2019, in Lexington, Kentucky.
What do you think of Valentine’s Day?
Lexi: Well for the last couple of years I’ve been very anti-Valentine’s Day. Currently this year I’m extremely anti-Valentine’s Day just because all of my friends are in happy relationships and are super annoying about it this time of year. I think this morning (the morning of the blind date) my roommate reminded me three times that Valentine’s Day is nine days away. Josh: It’s just another holiday to me… it’s not something I go out of my way to celebrate.
ISAAC JANSSEN I STAFF Josh Douthit gets ready at Newtown Crossing Apartments for his blind date on Feb. 5, 2019, in Lexington, Kentucky.
What did you order?
Lexi: Breadsticks, Caesar salad, fettuccine alfredo Josh: Bruschetta, chicken parmesan sandwich JORDAN PRATHER I STAFF Josh Douthit arrives and puts on his nametag as Lexi Stewart waits to meet him for their blind date on Feb. 5, 2019, at Puccini’s in Lexington, Kentucky.
8 | kentucky kernel
Monday, February 11, 2019
What do you think of today’s dating culture and dating in college?
Lexi: I think that dating culture nowadays is, not to be cringey, but it’s definitely hit or miss... I feel like you can meet people with a lot of the newfound ways we have now, like Tinder or just like meeting people at parties and all of that, but I feel like a lot of times that can also go very, very poorly, and I think that back in the day, when you pretty much met everybody in person, that you kinda knew what you were getting into from the get-go. Josh: I mean, ideally I would like to meet someone in person, but I know it’s 2019; that’s not always the case... I wouldn’t really say those (dating) apps started the problem or anything. I would say the problem just stems from college experiences and people’s expectations in their undergrad years, and Tinder and Bumble sort of took advantage of the situation, to their benefit, ‘cause I believe that like freshman year, sophomore year, most people aren’t really wanting to be tied down by relationships. And then as they get older, ISAAC JANSSEN I STAFF they start to transition to something serious.
How did the date go?
Lexi: It was interesting. It wasn’t super awkward. I mean, there were times when it got quiet, but for most of the time it was just pretty consistent conversation. Josh: I thought it went pretty well. I thought it would be a lot weirder than it was.
[ ]
Josh Douthit talks across the table to his date, Lexi Stewart, during their blind date on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019, at Puccini’s in Lexington, Kentucky.
RATING Lauren: 7 Collin: 7
ISAAC JANSSEN I STAFF Josh Douthit wears a nametag that each participant was given before their blind date on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019, at Puccini’s in Lexington, Kentucky. JORDAN PRATHER I STAFF Josh Douthit and Lexi Stewart eat their meal during their blind date on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019, at Puccini’s in Lexington, Kentucky. Douthit ordered a chicken parmesan sandwich and Stewart ordered the fettuccine alfredo.
spring 2019 | 9
Monday, February 11, 2019
Are you glad you participated?
Lauren: I am glad. Collin: Yeah, absolutely. I would do it again. Lexi: Yeah, it was fun. I’ve never been on like a blind, blind date before, so it was interesting. Josh: Yeah. I mean, it’s always been something I wanted to do, ‘cause you can’t definitely do a true blind date anymore if you’re on social media apps because there’s pictures of people.
What did you think of Puccini’s as a first date location? Lexi: I think it’s a really good first date location. It’s nice, but it’s not like overbearing or anything. There’s space, but you kind of feel like you have some privacy. The food was really good. Collin: I thought it was very nice Italian restaurant, nice background music. I would take someone here for a first date.
Thank You, Puccini’s!
Puccini’s Smiling Teeth 3090 Helmsdale Place Lexington, KY 40509 ••• Weekdays: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sunday: Noon to 9 p.m. 10 | kentucky kernel
Monday, February 11, 2019
Dating apps at UK a cure for student loneliness By Hailey Peters lifestyle@kykernel.com
Valentine’s Day is a rather polarizing holiday— if you have someone special in your life, it’s a great day to celebrate that; if you don’t, it can feel like a day filled with flowers and chocolate just to remind you that you are lonely. For the college demographic, free-to-use apps like Tinder, Grindr and Bumble dominate the online dating presence. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, single students across campus can turn to these apps to cure their feelings of loneliness on the day that they are reminded most of it. According to Mike Wigger, developer of the Tinder app, Tinder is “more than a dating app. It’s a cultural movement.” At college, that proves to be extremely true. Maddy Williams, a freshman double majoring in political science and sociology, has researched dating apps’ roles in college students’ lives. Her main focus has been on the most commonly used app, Tinder. “My original thought was that once people become part of the Tinder community, their perception of the app changes,” Williams said. “As I’ve interviewed people who have used the app, I found out that their perceptions really didn’t change that much.” Tinder has gotten a bad reputation for being used as a means solely to find casual hookups, and no real, long-lasting relationships can come from using the app. However, several students at UK have found their partners or have genuinely found someone interesting to them on Tinder or similar apps. “Honestly, I’ve met a few decent guys on Bumble,” said junior bi-
ology major Adan Deeb. “Tinder, in my mind, is OK, but Bumble is legit. You want to find someone? I recommend Bumble.” Sophomore marketing major Kristen Wells found her steady boyfriend on Tinder.
KAITLYN GUMM I STAFF
“I don’t think I was intentionally looking for him when I joined Tinder,” Wells said. “It was more of a way to meet new people. But here we are, going strong for a decent amount of time.” Wells speaks for many people at UK who flock to Tinder as a means for curing loneliness, and not just in the romantic category. It is very common for people to join the app for the sole purpose of meeting new people at a place that they don’t know anyone.
“My argument now is that Tinder isn’t solely a dating application,” Williams said. “Rather, it’s a very complex social networking app. You definitely can hook up with someone, but I found that most of the time people that go on there do so as a joke or because they’re really lonely. I don’t see as many relationship-building conversations as I think were intended when the app was made, although there definitely are some that I have seen through my research.” Dating applications like Tinder, Grindr and Bumble largely outweigh the popularity of more “serious” dating sites such as Match, eHarmony and PlentyOfFish at the college level, but no app has a sudden surge in usage around Valentine’s Day. In fact, the time of year when the apps are most used falls right at the start of each new school year. “There’s really no spike in new users or usage in general at any time of year except for mid-August,” Williams said. “Which makes sense, I mean we are all thrown into this whole new world and we don’t know anybody here. Why wouldn’t we take advantage of the technology we have to meet new people? It’s so easy nowadays.” Being alone on Valentine’s Day isn’t automatically cause for panic or rush to find someone to love, but there is hope for singles who put in time and effort to find someone through online dating apps. “Match, eHarmony, things like that— people go to those sites when they want to get married in the next few years,” Williams said. “But the beauty of Tinder and apps like it is that you get out what you put into it, and finding someone through those apps is definitely possible if you do it right.”
lifestyle
UK professor publishes book 20 years in the making By Emily Baehner lifestyle@kykernel.com
UK professor Gurney Norman is publishing a new book, called Allegiance, a title that he said references a “sense of responsibility to Kentucky and its working-class people.” Allegiance, in the process of being printed and bound, has been in the works for much longer. Norman has been working on the book in intervals for nearly 20 years, drawing inspiration from ordinary events of everyday life. “The idea behind it evolved as I have written it piece by piece over the years,” he said. Allegiance will be available in bookstores and at public signings. Norman said the book is about the workings of human consciousness. “Imagine you could remove the top of your skull and observe your mind and its contents, especially memory and imagination,” he said. “It’s called ‘imaginative writing’ for a reason.” Norman published his first novel, Divine Right’s Trip, in 1971. In the time since, he has published several more works of fiction, nonfiction work regarding Appalachia, and written and presented three onehour documentary films for Kentucky Educational Television about Kentucky history, landscape and culture. Three of his short
stories, all part of his book Kinfolks, have been turned into films. Norman’s work with creative writing doesn’t end with his own publications; he teaches in the Department of English. At 81 years old, Norman is the oldest professor in his college.
Norman
Norman’s history with the UK began in 1955 when he arrived as a student. He graduated in 1959 with a degree in journalism and English. During that time, he was involved as a reporter for the Kernel and the editor of the 1959 Kentuckian yearbook. While at UK, Norman was a student in the creative writing program, pioneered by A.B. Guthrie Jr., a novelist and screenwriter who would later win a Pulitzer prize. In spring of 1960, he applied for a Wallace Stegner Fellowship in Creative Writing at Stanford University, following in the footsteps of fellow writers and UK students Wendell Berry and James Baker Hall. “I set forth driving to California on two-lane roads and 10 days later arrived in
See BOOK on page 15
spring 2019 | 11
Monday, February 11, 2019
opinions
Minors should be allowed to vote in local elections HANNAH WOOSLEY Assistant Opinions Editor
For the first time, Kentucky could be the state to lead the way in voting rights for minors. In 2018, Democratic Senator Reggie Thomas of Lexington proposed a bill that would finally grant suffrage to 16- and 17-year-olds in Kentucky to vote in school board and local elections. Often, when someone turns 16, they’re looked at as “maturing,” and are therefore given more responsibilities, even some in the eyes of the law. A person can begin the driving process and could apply to become an emancipated minor, which are just two large steps of responsibility given to someone at 16. Students are even becoming more politically active at younger ages,
garnering facts and statistics about things happening in the political world around them, like the high school students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Many also helped protest the pension reform bill in Kentucky, beginning steps to understanding the way laws work and its effects. Joshua Douglas, a UK law professor specializing in election law, said that voting, or not voting, is “habit-forming.” According to the State Board of Elections Voter Turnout Report in Kentucky for the 2016 general election, 224,659 people were registered to vote but only 139,390 actually voted– only 62 percent. When a 16-year-old is taught at a young age the importance of voting and that voting is a way to make their voice heard, and they begin voting, that habit can stick. We could finally have better country-wide partic-
ipation in voting, which would allow for a more accurate representation of who people in the U.S. want to be elected rather than just a portion of the country. Voting in local elections for two years before turning 18, when you’re allowed to vote in general elections, is a way to form this habit and understand how to get informed before voting.
If we treat 16-year-olds like they’re children, like they don’t or can’t understand what’s happening in the world around them, they won’t. It’s important for adults to teach their children the importance of engaging in politics and voting, and how it can, and does, change the way things work. Amending the state’s constitution to allow 16and 17-year-olds the right to vote is something Kentucky needs to do, and all other states should follow its lead.
Must-haves for Your Valentine’s Day Playlist AUTUMN MILLER Columnist
I’ve never been the type to sit around on Valentine’s Day and mope about how I’m single on a day meant for lovers. I take this day to appreciate the people in my life and celebrate the relationships that I do have. One of the things I do to celebrate is have the perfect playlist for the occasion, which should be filled with feel-good tracks that put you in a lovey mood. The first two songs are for the girl gangs celebrating Galentine’s Day instead of Valentine’s. If there’s one song that screams “better off without you”, it’s for sure Ariana Grande’s “thank u, next.” This catchy almost breakup song broke records by being the most played song on Spotify in a single day. One flaw I know I have is always giving someone a second chance (or maybe
a third and fourth too). Ariana preaches about all of the good things her exes did for her and what she learned from the experiences she had with them. If you’ve been through a breakup recently and are looking for a way to recover, play “thank u, next” on full blast. You can be on your way to recovery and on your way to the next adventure or person that life has in store for you. The best way to kick the Valentine’s Day blues when you’re single is to spend it with your friends. Foster The People’s “I Love My Friends” is the perfect track to play in the car with your friends this holiday. Put the energy you’re wanting to put into a romantic relationship into something you already have. You can always spread the love without having a significant other. This upbeat track can put you in a better mood if you’re feeling lonely. I do have a song for those of you in relationships, but not exactly your traditional slow-dance-in the-kitchen
type of love song. LANY has more recently been known for emotional breakup songs. The song “like you lots” is featured on their EP kinda. This song would be the perfect way to let someone know how you feel on Valentine’s Day. The retro beat and fast pace sound are unlike most love songs. You’re able to dance, clap and sing along while still feeling the love portrayed through Paul Joseph Klein’s voice. It makes me want to have a crush on someone just because of the cute lyrics. When you’re with your significant other this holiday, make sure to let them know where your heart is. If you’re spending this Valentine’s Day alone, with friends or with a special someone, make sure you’re filled with love. The day isn’t just for those who have dates, but it’s a day to show the people you love how much you care about them. At least now you have a few good songs to get you through the day.
138 East Reynolds Rd. Suite 101 | 859.273.2020 Business Hours: Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Closed Sunday We accept most major insurances, including Eyemed, VSP, Davis, Spectera, and all Medicaids
12 | kentucky kernel
Monday, February 11, 2019
sports
NATALIE PARKS I STAFF Team captain Enzo Wallart leads the players in a chant before they take the court on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, in Lexington, Kentucky.
From the world to the Big Blue Nation’s tennis courts By Hailey Peters sports@kykernel.com
every hour. every day. kykernel.com
For many students at UK, moving a few cities or states away from home becomes one of the biggest adjustments of their lives. Making college a true “home away from home” takes a lot of effort, resilience and time. For the Kentucky’s men’s and women’s tennis teams, this challenge is especially true. The majority of tennis players at UK are international students— hailing from 10 different countries across four different continents, the tennis players bring extreme diversity and variation to their teams’ rosters.
Although combining a bunch of young adults from polar opposite corners of the world together could be seen as risky to the unity necessary for a team to succeed, members of the UK tennis believe that their international outreach has had the complete opposite effect. “I think we were all nervous to come to Kentucky and play with people that may not even speak the same language as you,” said Cesar Bourgois, a junior from Paris, France. “But we all brought our unique selves and it worked in our favor.” Bourgois’s teammate, Ryo Matsumura, comes from Fukui, Japan, and is the second highest-ranked
recruit in the history of UK men’s tennis. “[Matsumura] is incredible,” said head coach Cedric Kauffmann, who himself is from Montsoult, France. “I’m glad he’s with us. He brings the perfect edge for our team. The fact that he’s from Japan did not stop our communication at all. Rather, I think it makes him more eager to learn and cooperate with his team.” The women’s tennis team shares the views about increased camaraderie within their lineup. The women agree that knowing they would have friends already set in place for them by the time
See COURTS on page 16 spring 2019 | 13
Monday, February 11, 2019
14 | kentucky kernel
classifieds For Rent
4 Bedroom
1-9 Bedroom
4 Bedroom Houses leasing for August. Walk to campus. New construction All electric . Parking. W/D. Call 843‑338‑4753 or 859‑539‑5502 for a showing.
7 Bedroom House. Available August 1st. Walk to UK. 1309 Nicholasville Road. Great house and ideal location. Front porch, Parking, W/D. Please inquire at 859‑539‑5502 or 843‑338‑4753. Luxury Apartments across from Gatton School of Business. 1 and 2 bedrooms available. Leases start in August. Don’t wait Call Now! 859‑621‑3128 Please visit our website KaufmannProperties.com to view all the properties we have available for June, July and August 2019.
Subscribe on kykernel.com
5 Bedroom Houses for rent. August 1st. Walk to UK campus. Located on Waller, University, and State. Prices reduced. Low utilities All electric. W/D, Parking. Newer units. Good selections. Please call 843‑338‑4753 or 859‑539‑5502 for a showing.
RECYCLE the ky kernel
Attention
Walk to UK! WM properties Pre‑Leasing 1‑6 Bd houses for Fall 2019 www.waynemichaelproperties.com
1 Bedroom
For Rent
Center Court Condo, 1BR, Faces Ave of Champions, Granite, All Appliances, Garage Parking, Over $6K in Pre‑Paid Credit, $178,000, Daniel Delaney, Rector Hayden, (859) 983‑9597 https://www.lbar.com/search/proper‑ ty/1819269
August 1. Newer 2, 3, 4 and 5 BR, 2 car garage homes near campus. From 499.00 per person per month including utilities. James McKee Builder / Broker 859‑221‑7082 (call or text). Lexingtonhomeconsultants.com
BOOK
in 1979 and joined the English department. Now he plays a part in prepping a new generation of writers in an autobiography class in which he asks students to write five pages per week over 12 weeks, producing a 60-page manuscript. “My approach to teaching is communal in that I want the students to work with each other and learn by doing,” Norman said. The publication of Allegiance marks the continued
Palo Alto,” he recalled. The best part, he said, was the quality of his fellow students and associates. After his years at Stanford, followed by some years of military service, Norman returned to his hometown, Hazard, Kentucky, to work for two years at The Hazard Herald in 1963. He returned to UK
Great properties for rent, walk to cam‑ pus. W/D included. (859) 619‑3232. kmartin.lex@gmail.com www.myuk4rent.com
5 Bedroom
BAHAMAS SPRING BREAK: $189 ‑ 5 days. All prices include: Round‑trip luxury party cruise. Accommoda‑ tions on the island at your choice of 10 resorts. Appalachia Travel, 1‑800‑867‑5018. www.BahamaSun.com
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11
The Kernel email edition blasts off weekly.
Monday, February 11, 2019
success of Norman, who has been honored at the Fifteenth Annual Emory and Henry College Literary Festival, by the Eastern Kentucky Leadership Conference, received Helen M. Lewis Community Service Award and served as the 2009-2010 Poet Laureate for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. His advice for eager young writers is to do the work. “Write more, talk about it less. And have an adventurous life,” Norman said.
every hour. every day. kykernel.com
spring 2019 | 15
Monday, February 11, 2019
sports UK senior star prepping to be ‘Coach Morris’ By Jake Maynard sports@kykernel.com
Kentucky women’s basketball has had talented and popular stars in its history, but after these players’ time wearing blue and white, where do they go? For Maci Morris, her career may transition from the court to the coaching box. Morris was recently invited to the WBCA’s prestigious, So You Wanna Be A Coach? program. This program, as women’s basketball head coach Matthew Mitchell said, is “quite an honor” to be invited to. Only 60 people nationwide receive invitations, and Morris was one of 36 Division I and three SEC players to be included. This year’s So You Wanna Be A Coach? program will take place from April 3-5 in Tampa Bay, Florida, and speakers provided by WeCoach will teach the selected athletes during this three-day workshop. The program has been running for 16 years, making it the longest-running education program in WBCA. WBCA executive director Danielle Donehew describes it as “the entry point for women’s basketball players who want to coach.” Donehew cited the WBCA’s partnership with WeCoach as one of the reasons the program has had the success that it has had. “Because of their participation in it, more than 400 former college women’s basketball players
COURTS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13
they arrived in Kentucky helped ease their nerves for the move. “I think, for us, it’s nice to have a team that is very international,” said Justina
16 | kentucky kernel
CHASE PHILLIPS I STAFF Senior Maci Morris talks to her teammates during the game against Rhode Island on Thursday, December 6, 2018, in Lexington, Ky.
are currently working as coaches or in some role in our sport,” Donahew said. Both Morris’s coaches and teammates believe that she has what it takes to have a successful career in coaching. “I’ve been calling her Coach Morris for four years,” Mitchell said. “She’ll often stop me at practice, and she’ll start telling us what we need to do.” “She would be a good coach. I’d probably be her assistant coach,” joked Taylor Murray, Morris’ teammate of four years. Morris explained that her motivations for coaching came from outside of herself. “My teams inspired me as well as my family and other people in my life and Coach (Lin) Dunn,”
Mikulskyte, a senior from Siauliai, Lithuania. “We make friends from everywhere around the world, so it’s nice to have those connections, even in the future when we are done with college.” Part of the mission statement of UK is to have a global impact and interna-
Morris said. “That connection should be very inspiring, obviously being with a Hall of Fame coach.” Dunn, as Morris said, is a Hall of Fame coach who has the title of Special Assistant to the Head Coach with the Kentucky program. Dunn has over four decades of coaching experience at both the college and professional level, where she won a championship with the Indiana Fever in 2012. Dunn serves as one of Morris’s role models when it comes to coaching. “She has her dad and people like Coach Dunn and Coach Mitchell, so she’ll be ready to coach,” Murray said. Morris has coaching in her blood. Her father, Lewis Morris,
tional perspective, and that mission is reflected in the values of each of its tennis players. “The diversity is great, because we also get the opportunity to learn about different cultures,” said Lesedi Jacobs, a junior from Windhoek, Namibia. “It’s so nice learning
ADDISON COFFEY Kentucky head coach Matthew Mitchell coaches guard Maci Morris during the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Feb. 23, 2017, at Memorial Coliseum in Lexington, KY.
is the boys head basketball coach at Middlesboro High School and coached at Morris’ hometown Bell County High School from 2007 to 2017. Before she moves to coaching, Morris will have a chance to continue her legacy with the ranked Wildcats. Morris leads the Wildcats’ in
from others how they do things... that experience, for us, we come to college to learn, and the fact that we can actually learn from our teammates is very nice.” Players on both teams are excited to continue their seasons with their international teammates and look
scoring, averaging 17 points a game. She ranks ninth in Kentucky women’s basketball alltime scoring list, second in three-pointers made, second in free throw percentage and first in three-point percentage. “I think she has a very bright future as a coach... Coach Morris will do fine,” Mitchell said.
forward to the days after college when they can go visit each other in the countries that they never would have had an excuse to visit otherwise. The respect and friendship that has grown out of the teams only helps increase the dynamic of teamwork and support for
each other in matches. Women’s coach Carlos Drada, who is a native of Cali, Colombia, thinks the women on the team function extremely well being so diverse. “They have a lot of respect for each other, being from different parts of the world,” Drada said.