The Kent Stater - November 27, 2017 by The Kent Stater

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THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2017

HAYNES’ FIVE-YEAR FOOTBALL RUN COMES TO END Page 8

Habitat for Humanity builds new home for local family

The Burr Magazine exclusive: Nick Holley’s recovery

Alumna works on Obama initiative in Washington

2 The Kent Stater

Monday, November 27, 2017

NEWS

Going green:

Tips on shrinking your carbon footprint Alex Kamczyc Features Correspondent People on this planet use a ton of energy every year, so much that scientists are saying it’s the reason for our current global warming. College students are no exception. The average college student produces 640 pounds of solid waste each year, including 500 disposable cups and 320 pounds of paper, according to a Boston University study. “I think it’s more important than ever for students to care about it because the consequences will impact them and their life,” said Joe Clark, an associate professor and faculty adviser to the Kent State Environmental Society. “The earth can’t just give and give and give. There are limits and with nine billion people (on the planet), the Earth is starting to reach those limits.” A carbon footprint is a measure of how much emissions like greenhouse gases are emitted by an individual, group or product. The higher your carbon footprint, the more you’re damaging the climate. Here are five ways you can reduce your carbon footprint:

CHECK WHAT YOU’RE PLUGGING IN

Be careful about the amount of energy you use. If you live in a dorm room, be mindful about plug loads, or how many electronics are plugged into the wall. Minimizing these plugs can help cut down the amount of energy you consume during the day, even if they’re not in use.

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“Most of our electronics these days have what’s called a phantom load or vampire load, which means that even when it’s turned off, it’s still drawing power,” said Melanie Knowles, the sustainability manager for Kent State. If you want to decrease your energy load, remember to unplug devices you’re not using every day, and use power strips to let your electrical outlets breathe.

TAKE A WALK

Consider alternatives for getting to campus. “I’ve worked at Kent State for eight years now, I have yet to buy a parking pass,” Clark said. “I either walk to work or I ride my bike to work, and that was a conscious choice that I’ve made.” Ride a bike, walk to class, carpool or ride the PARTA bus system instead of driving your car to class every day. Kent State offers solutions such as Zipcar, and the carpooling service Gohio Commute aimed at connecting students together to ride together to class.

EAT LESS MEAT

Reducing how much food and other products you consume weekly is also important to living sustainably. Things like what food you eat can really affect the environment because the livestock industry, which involves raising cows and chickens, creates as much greenhouse gas emissions as all of the cars, trucks and other vehicles combined. It also directly affects the environment because those in the industry have to create new grazing pastures to meet

the demand of their products. “We’re not saying that everyone has to become a vegan or vegetarian,” Knowles said. “Even by having a meatless Monday and reducing the amount of meat consumption can help because meat production has a big environmental and energy impact.”

RECYCLE

One of easiest ways a student can reduce their carbon footprint is by recycling. “Recycling really does have an impact,” Knowles said. “Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to power a laptop for five hours.” Kent State’s sustainability office has taken the initiative to put recycle bins in almost, if not all, of the buildings on campus with information on what you can and can’t recycle. It’s all single stream too, which means you don’t have to worry about separating the products into groups before recycling them — items like water bottles, cardboard boxes and paper.

BE MORE AWARE

The final thing you can do to reduce your carbon footprint is just be aware. “It’s a misconception to think of the environment as something that is separate from us,” Knowles said. “Every resource that we use comes from the environment, and every waste product that we produce goes back into that environment.”

Contact Alex Kamczyc at akamczyc@kent.edu.

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Kent State's Habitat for Humanity restores home for hopeful local family Emily McMahan Student Life Reporter Breathe in. Most are fortunate enough to do so without fear. For some, taking a deep breath in their homes could lead to death or damaging diseases such as tuberculosis. This semester, the Kent State chapter of Habitat for Humanity, an organization that restores homes for people in the community who need it most, is working diligently to help eliminate these risks. The group is helping rebuild a new home for those who live in unsafe conditions. “It’s a rehabilitation,” said Aimee Wildrick, the president of the group and a junior early childhood education major. “It’s about taking everything out that’s unusable or no longer safe and getting ready to rebuild.” Denise Ramey and her daughter, Taylor, had been living in a trailer park community in Atwater, a roughly 20-mile drive from Kent, when they received an eviction notice. They were given 30 days to leave. “Everyone is one paycheck away from being homeless,” Ramey said. The group is now in the process of building a new home for the two. “It’s really good to make a direct impact in the community where I’m living right now,” said Monica Higgins, the secretary for the Kent State chapter of Habitat for Humanity and a sophomore general business major. “Being able to learn while giving back is something I really like.” Taylor is a senior in high school this year, and she said she is looking forward to having her graduation party in her own home, with a yard large enough for family and friends. Wildrick said there are several red flags for the group as they tear down the old and get ready for the new. The house was old and contained several risks to address: paint with lead, asbestos and several other dangerous elements. Both Denise and Taylor said they are looking forward to cooking meals, watching TV and relaxing in the comfort of a home they are able to call their own. The women have been staying with Denise’s sister while the rehabilitation is taking place and have been sharing a bed. “This is my fourth year without a house,” Taylor said. “It’s just really exciting.” Contact Emily McMahan at emcmaha1@kent.edu.

Aimee Wildrick, the president of Habitat for Humanity's Kent State chapter, crouches while applying a second coat of paint to a wall in the basement of a home in Kent on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. Carter Adams / The Kent Stater

Rachel Caraffi, a freshman psychology major, adjusts a work light in the basement of a local Habitat for Humanity home on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. Caraffi was one of several Kent State students who worked to repaint the basement of the home, which is expected to be completed in January. Carter Adams / The Kent Stater

Volunteers stand and talk about lunch while waiting for paint to dry in the basement of a Habitat for Humanity home in Kent, Ohio Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. Carter Adams / The Kent Stater

4 The Kent Stater

Monday, November 27, 2017

The following story is from the new issue of The Burr Magazine, on stands across campus Tuesday.

ON HOLD Facing his third straight season-ending injury, quarterback Nick Holley looks toward the future

STORY BY JACK KOPANSKI PHOTOS BY KASSI JACKSON

hile joking he “likes it dark,” Nick Holley draws back curtains, letting in light that reveals a small but cozy apartment. A white motorcycle leans against a wall in his kitchen, and an intact Nintendo 64 waits for a heated match of “Super Smash Bros.,” a childhood game at which he says he can’t be beat. Setting down a stuffed burrito, he takes a seat to put a brace on his left knee, snapping it into place with ease.

Quarterback for Kent State’s football team and a fifth-year senior, Holley’s current season will end on the sideline the same way it has the last two seasons, recovering from an injury. It was a broken back that ended his 2015 season just three games in. He managed to play in all but the final game last season due to a torn ACL in his right knee. This season, like 2015, three games in, Holley was taken off the field with a left knee injury, later diagnosed as yet another ACL tear and several months off the field. “I’ve been through a lot throughout my life,” he says. “I felt like … all my goals and dreams were right there in front of me, then it was snatched away.” The original plan for Holley was to declare for the NFL Draft after this season. Having already fulfilled credits for a bachelor's degree in business, he was assigned a new major, Pan-African studies, to maintain eligibility. Now, though, he says his future is up in the air, while making it clear getting his MBA isn’t something he considered. “I could petition for a sixth year, or I could test the waters professionally,” he says. “The only plan that I have right now is that I feel like I have a lot more football left to be played.” ACL tears are becoming increasingly common occurrences in athletics. Part of what makes the injury so devastating is not only the amount of time recovery typically takes, but the injury can happen without any contact. One can go through daily life without an ACL, but the reason it’s so debilitating to athletes is because the ligament is crucial to the cutting motion of the knee. “If you’re going to continue to play a sport, you’re going to have to have your knee fixed,” says Steve Pritchard, an athletic trainer at Southwest General Health Center in Strongsville. “You’re going to have to have it reconstructed. You can get back to very close to where you were before, but your knee is never the same.” A common feeling athletes can go through when enduring season-ending injuries like this is an experience known as identity confusion, in which the athlete questions their purpose when a sport is taken out of the picture. According to a 2009 study in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 33 percent of athletes with injury histories could be classified as depressed. Another common side effect is the self-esteem hit that athletes can go through after an injury. Sports allow participants to feel a sense of independence, and if the injury is severe enough, there will be a period of time where the athlete will need to rely on others to take care of them. Part of the way Holley tried to combat these feelings was by limiting the time he spent thinking about the negatives. “Part of me says, ‘Why me, why me?’ Another part of me looks at it as just another obstacle,” he says. “When I tore this, I gave myself three days; I said, ‘You can feel bad for yourself for three days.’” Following Holley’s high school career at Toledo Whitmer, he had multiple college football offers to choose from. Recruited as an athlete, allowing him to be assigned

Monday, November 27, 2017

to any position, he saw offers from Navy, Harvard, Michigan and Kent State. After having his offer from Michigan withdrawn, and with the high standards that come with an Ivy League school like Harvard, Holley narrowed it to Navy and Kent. While Kent State’s performance during his stay has been less than ideal, Holley said he still feels he made the right decision. “I don't regret not going to Navy, mainly because it's too strict and that was never for me,” he says. “Kent gave me my opportunity so I stuck out with it. I've tried to make the best of it; obviously it's been a rocky road, but like I said, they gave me my opportunity.” During his sophomore season, Holley was a starter, mainly at running back, before breaking his back and ending his season. Through the first three games of the following season in 2016, Holley was a utility player, seeing time at both running back and receiver, before getting the news he’d been waiting for. “The fourth game, after we got a couple guys injured, they say, ‘You want to play quarterback?’ And I just said, ‘Yup.’” The transition was just as exciting as it was nerve-wracking for Holley. “I was jittery and, shoot, even at practice I was nervous as shit,” he says. “When it came to my excitement, I just felt like I was finally getting my opportunity. Before then it was always: ‘You're too short,’ ‘You're not a throwing quarterback.’ Whatever the excuse was, I heard it all. By that time they finally asked me, I just felt relieved, excited, nervous.” With the extra attention the quarterback often receives on a team, Holley says that didn’t affect his on-campus student life. “I got a little more attention than usual, but I don't know if it changed my social life,” he says. “I think I was noticed more as like, ‘Hey, you're the QB. No. 4 Holley,’ stuff like that.” Holley dealt with a different type of attention last season when his twin brother Nate Holley became wrapped in a legal battle. The trial ended with a jury finding Nate not guilty in February of kidnapping and felonious assault, although he pleaded guilty to criminal mischief in April. Nate was suspended from the football team. During all this, Nick found solace on the field. “We kinda were taught that when you go on that field, everything else gets pushed aside,” he says. “Obviously, (Nate) was always in my mind, but it just made me push that much harder because I wasn’t just playing for myself or just playing for the team, but I was playing in his honor.” Nick said one of his most memorable moments on the field was getting the opportunity to play alongside his brother. “When we first got here, I sat down with him and I told him, ‘I'm glad you're here. I'm glad you're with me. I'm glad we went through this together,’” Nick said. The absence of Nate, one of the country’s leading tacklers in 2016, affected more than just the team dynamic. “For me, it was very weird,” Nick says. “I went from standing up and watching every play to, when I wasn’t in the game, I sat on the bench, minded my own business and when I went in, I went in.”

Nick said, despite the tumultuous past several months, his brother looks faster, stronger and better than he’s ever seen him, and is staying ready for his shot as a professional athlete. “He looks like a freakin’ machine,” Nick says. “His diet is so crazy, and he is so determined. His A-plan, B-plan and C-plan are all NFL, NFL, NFL.” Regardless of how long it takes or what avenue he goes, Nick knows he wants football to be part of his life. Coming from a MAC school like Kent State, athletes looking to play professionally don’t always receive the recognition athletes from bigger name conferences and schools might. Nick sees the gritty stereotype of playing for a MAC school as an advantage for him. This attitude of hard

KentWired.com 5

work and determination has fueled his desire to get back on the field after this injury. “I do some sort of rehab every day,” he says. “My main sessions are three days a week, but I rehab every day and try to workout to get myself ready to come back every day.” Although his road has been littered with setbacks up to this point, Nick’s focus has never shifted. “The way I look at it is it’s gotta be the hard route,” he says. “I’ve never gotten anything easy. It is demoralizing, but you just gotta go back to work and work that much harder for it. It’s a story to be written is how I look at it. This is me writing my book.” Contact Jack Kopanski at jkopansk@kent.edu.

For more on Nick Holley, pick up a copy of The Burr Magazine’s Fall 2017 edition, on stands Tuesday, Nov. 28. Also in the issue: a special report on Hurricane Irma aftermath in the Florida Keys, a debunking of stereotypes surrounding student beauty pageant participants, a closer look at K.I.N.K. and much more! Visit theburr.com and follow on social media, @TheBurrMagazine.

6 The Kent Stater

Monday, November 27, 2017

Kent State junior center Adonis De La Rosa receives a foul as he drives to the basket against Ohio Christian Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. Austin Mariasy / The Kent Stater

Men’s basketball losing streak continues at Savannah Invitational Cameron Hoover Sports Reporter The Kent State men’s basketball team got off to a hot start this season, winning its first three games by an average of 26.3 points and encouraging hope for another successful season off the back of last year’s NCAA Tournament run. After a home loss to Southeastern Louisiana on Nov. 21 ended the Flashes’ perfect season, the team’s woes continued with two more losses to Valparaiso Friday and Loyola University Chicago Saturday in the Savannah Invitational in Savannah, Georgia. The Flashes (3-3) began the weekend with a 77-67 loss to the Valparaiso Crusaders (6-0) of the Missouri Valley Conference.

Coach Rob Senderoff said the final score didn’t tell the whole story. "Tough loss," Senderoff told Kent State Athletics. “The score says we lost by 10, but it was a one-possession game with a minute to go. They made some big plays when it came down to crunch time. Hopefully we can get better from this experience. It's tough to lose when you compete as hard as we did today, but you move on and play again tomorrow." The Flashes trailed by as many as 14 points in the second half and drew within one point with 30 seconds to go. The Crusaders pulled away with a clutch threepointer from junior guard Joe Burton and four free throws before adding on with a layup at the buzzer. Junior guard Jaylin Walker continued his

streak of leading the team in scoring with 15 points and three assists. Sophomore guard Mitch Peterson had his best game of the season with 10 points and eight rebounds, including three three-pointers. Junior center Adonis De La Rosa pitched in with 10 points on 3-for-3 shooting. Kent State took to the court again Saturday with a 75-60 loss to Loyola Chicago (7-0). The Flashes trailed by one at halftime thanks to eight first half points from Walker and four team steals. The game quickly got out of hand after halftime though, as the Ramblers shot 60 percent from the field compared to the Flashes' 34.6 percent en route to a 14-point advantage in the second half. Kent State had trouble containing Loyola Chicago’s Donte Ingram and Marques

Townes, especially in the second half. The guards combined for 22 points and eight rebounds in the period on 8-for-12 shooting, including 4-for-6 from three-point range. Ingram and freshman center Cameron Krutwig each pulled down 11 rebounds for the Ramblers, leading the team to a 40 to 30 advantage on the glass. Walker and junior forward Akiean Frederick led the Flashes with 13 points each. De La Rosa scored 10 points, grabbed four rebounds and turned the ball over five times before fouling out in 20 minutes. The Flashes will look to right the ship when they return to the court at 7 p.m. Wednesday for another road contest at Norfolk State. Contact Cameron Hoover at choove14@kent.edu.

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Kent State women's basketball splits final two games in Play4Kay Showcase Scott Lendak Sports Reporter After the Kent State women’s basketball team fell to No. 14 Stanford in its first game of this weekend's Play4Kay Showcase in Las Vegas, they knew it was vital to win at least one of the next two games. “Going into the tournament, we knew we were playing against really good teams,” coach Todd Starkey said at the end of the tournament. “The goal was to make sure we found a way to get at least one win out of it.” Gonzaga (Friday, Nov. 24) In the Flashes' second game of the tournament, they were tasked with trying to defeat Gonzaga, the No. 7 team in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 Poll. The Flashes didn’t help themselves out early, as they turned the ball over eight times in the first quarter, leading to 18 points scored by Gonzaga. “Our margin for error this season is really small,” Starkey said. “We can’t make the kind of mistakes that we’re making and expect to be in games against Stanford and Gonzaga, which are two of the best teams on the West Coast. We’ve got to put 40 minutes together if we’re going to compete in these kind of games.” The Flashes fell behind, 32-15, in the first quarter and couldn’t come back. They led for just 19 seconds in the game. In Kent State’s three losses, opponents have scored an average of 23 points off turnovers, including 36 against Gonzaga. Down by 10 in the third quarter, the Flashes attempted a comeback, but at the end of the third quarter sophomore guard Ali Poole shot a three-pointer that bounced away off the rim with 29 seconds left in the quarter. “When you’re trying to battle back, you need a little bit of luck,” Starkey said. “I think it’s a different ball game if that shot goes down.” Graduate student forward McKenna Stephens led the Flashes with 18 points and five rebounds. Senior forward Jordan Korinek had 14 points. “I’m proud of the fact we fought,” Starkey said. “We didn’t give in.” The Bulldogs defeated the Flashes, 77-57. Memphis (Saturday, Nov. 25) Defense was the story for the Flashes in a 70-55 game against Memphis to clinch its first win in the Play4Kay Showcase. The Flashes were tied 50-50 going into the fourth quarter. Led by a defensive frontcourt consisting of junior center Merissa BarberSmith and Korinek, the Flashes held the Tigers to just two of 15 shooting in the final quarter.

Kent State junior guard Alexa Golden shoots a layup during a game against Florida Gulf Coast in Akron Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. Matt Lienemann / The Kent Stater

“We went with more size with Merissa (Barber-Smith) and Jordan (Korinek) in together,” Starkey said. “I thought they did a great job of talking on ball screen defense, and then we limited them to one shot. Overall, our defensive effort as a team was really, really good.” Kent State outscored Memphis, 20-5, in the fourth quarter. The Tigers had an 11-point lead in the third quarter before the Flashes closed out the game on a 40-14 run. “I thought we had a great second half

defensively,” Starkey said. “Even when we got down by 11 in the third quarter, we just kept chipping away. We got some great efforts off the bench with Merissa and Kasey (Toles). Merissa did a great job of contesting a lot of shots and keeping them off the offensive glass.” The Flashes shot 21 free throws in the second half after shooting just three in the first half. Korinek led the Flashes in scoring with 25 points. Senior guard Naddiyah Cross finished

with a double-double, tallying 13 points and 10 rebounds. She also added five assists. “This was a great team effort and a great win over a good Memphis program,” Starkey said. "The biggest thing we wanted from the team today was to be relentless from start to finish, to not have any mental or physical letdowns. We told the team that the mentally and physically toughest from start to finish that is going to win the ball game, and I think we proved that.”

Contact Scott Lendak at slendak@kent.edu.

8 The Kent Stater

Monday, November 27, 2017

COVER

PAUL HAYNES LET GO AS KENT STATE FOOTBALL COACH Henry Palattella and Scott Lendak Sports Editor and Sports Reporter When Paul Haynes was hired as the Kent State football coach in 2012, he said it was a dream job to return to his alma mater. After five seasons of serving as the Flashes’ head coach, the Haynes era is over, as the university announced Wednesday that Haynes' contract would not be renewed. Haynes — Kent State's head coach from 2012-2017 — was let go less than 24 hours after the team's 24-14 loss to rival Akron. “Making a coaching change is never easy,” Director of Athletics Joel Nielsen said in a statment. “As an alum, Paul gave his all for this university and to Golden Flashes football and moved the program forward in many ways. We thank Paul and his family for their service and commitment to Kent State student-athletes.” Kent State finished with a 2-10 record this season. Haynes amassed a record of 14-45 during his time at the helm for the Flashes, including a 9-30 record in conference play. The Flashes' two wins this season have come against FCS opponent Howard and

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Kent State coach Paul Haynes rings the victory bell after a 17-14 win against Miami (OH) Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017. Kayla McMillen / The Kent Stater

Miami (OH) on Homecoming. Haynes attended Kent State from 19871991 and walked on to the football team, where he finished his career as a three-year letterman with 440 career tackles. After that, Haynes went on to put together a lengthy coaching career prior to his time with the Flashes. Haynes previously served as the defense coordinator at Ohio State and Arkansas, and he also had stops at Michigan State, Louisville, Northern Iowa, Ferris State and Bowling Green. Haynes also served one year in the National Football League as a defensive control coach for the Jaguars. The Flashes have had just two winning seasons in the past 30 years. After the Flashes' loss to the Zips, Haynes referenced the troubled past of the Kent State football program. “It’s a program that’s been down for a long time,” Haynes said. “It’s going to take some time to get back to being a good program. We have to continue to do things the right way. We are talking about 80 years of bad football, not two. It just takes time to keep plugging away and keep going.”

Haynes’ best year came in 2013 when the Flashes finished 4-8 (3-5 MAC). The season prior, the Flashes finished one of their best seasons in recent memory, going 11-3 and earning a berth in the GoDaddy.com Bowl. Injuries became a recurring theme during Haynes' time in Kent, with the Flashes losing five quarterbacks to season-ending injuries over the past two years alone. Whoever takes over the head coaching job for the Flashes will have to fill the holes left by the 15 members of the graduating class but will also have the opportunity to work with some young talent. Sophomore running back Justin Rankin will highlight the team next season. He led the team in rushing yards (490) and was second on the team in receiving yards (311). He also accounted for five out of the Flashes’ 18 total touchdowns. The university announced that a national search for a new head coach will begin immediately. Contact Henry Palattella at hpalatte@kent.edu. Contact Scott Lendak at slendak@kent.edu.

Kent State coach Paul Haynes overlooks the Flashes as they take the field Tuesday. Jon Sepchinski / The Kent Stater

On the Cover: Coach Paul Haynes. Clint Datchuk / The Kent Stater

It’s going to take some time to get back to being a good program. We have to continue to do things the right way.” – Paul Haynes Former KSU football coach

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8 The Kent Stater

Monday, November 27, 2017

COVER

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Kent State coach Paul Haynes rings the victory bell after a 17-14 win against Miami (OH) Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017. Kayla McMillen / The Kent Stater

Kent State coach Paul Haynes overlooks the Flashes as they take the field Tuesday. Jon Sepchinski / The Kent Stater

On the Cover: Coach Paul Haynes. Clint Datchuk / The Kent Stater

It’s going to take some time to get back to being a good program. We have to continue to do things the right way.” – Paul Haynes Former KSU football coach

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10 The Kent Stater

Monday, November 27, 2017

KSU alumna works on Obama initiative alongside Jill Biden

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I knew I wanted to work for an organization that was trying to make the world a better place.”

Kent State alumna Brenna Parker (left) poses with Jill Biden. Photo courtesy of Brenna Parker

Lauren Garczynski College of Communication and Information Reporter Kent State alumna Brenna Parker, ‘17, recently started working at an Obama White House initiative and was named to the U.S. National Commission Youth Working Group to UNESCO. Parker is the digital coordinator for the College Promise Campaign, an initiative under the nonprofit Civic Nation. The campaign works to build momentum for free community college and is chaired by Jill Biden, a community college professor and former second lady of the United States. The campaign launched in former President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address in 2015, which called for two years of free community college. Graduating from the School of Journalism and Mass Communications in May with a degree in public relations, Parker was brought into the campaign right after her time at Kent State. During her senior year, Parker served as the vice president of professional relations for the Kent State chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America. In this role, she demonstrated her initiative to help students by connecting them with guest speakers who could provide a perspective of what the professional world is like. “Brenna has a very strong work ethic,” said Latisha Ellison, the current president of

PRSSA. “She’s so passionate about students being able to get an education, especially for those who cannot afford it.” As a consequence of her own experience of receiving a college education, accessibility to higher education continues to be an issue that is important to her. “Going to college was the greatest investment I made in myself,” Parker said. “Higher education completely changed my perspective about the world and my place in it. I credit so much of who I am today to the education that I received at Kent State.” She interned in Washington, D.C., the summer before her senior year and credits her time in D.C. to helping her find her career path. “I think, like a lot of students, I was struggling to figure out what I wanted to do after I graduated,” Parker said. “I knew I wanted to work for an organization that was trying to make the world a better place.” Civic Nation runs many of the initiatives that launched under the Obama administration, which include: former Vice President Joe Biden’s It’s On Us campaign, first lady Michelle Obama’s Better Make Room campaign and The United State of Women. As digital coordinator, Parker runs all digital efforts for the campaign like their websites, social media accounts and digital content. She also works as their art director and produced their 2016-2017 annual report. “Free community college is an issue that

– Brenna Parker Kent State alumna people on both sides of the isle can come together on,” Parker said. “The fact of the matter is a high school education is not enough to succeed in this country anymore. Students will need some sort of higher education to make it in the middle class.” This year, California, Hawaii, Rhode Island, New York and Nevada all passed statewide free community college legislation for students. The College Promise Campaign has identified more than 200 local College Promise programs across the country. “My family was significantly impacted by the Great Recession,” Parker said. “I knew since I was a little kid that I had to pay for my college education on my own. I worked as an RA (resident assistant) to cover room and board, and I got super involved on campus because I needed to get the most out of my college education.” According to the Association of Community College Trustees, one in three community college students experiences hunger, 50 percent lack secure housing and 14 percent are homeless. The College Promise Campaign says the U.S. used to lead in the number of college-educated adults, but today the U.S. is 12th. “One hundred years ago this country came together and recognized the need to make high school free, universal and accessible,” Parker said. “We can do it again with community college.” Parker was recently named to the U.S. National Commission Youth Working Group

to UNESCO, a collection of 12 leaders under age 26 who have set out to advance social progress and sustainable development. The group works for social change in the U.S. and abroad on issues from peacebuilding to sustaining development. The group runs a series of different global initiatives including Our Climate Voices, a storytelling platform that gives a first person narrative to climate change and its impact on young people. Parker said her professors in the public relations program helped her think critically about the world. “I loved that Brenna thought beyond Northeast Ohio,” said Michele Ewing, an associate professor of public relations and the adviser to PRSSA. “She used her internships to Skype in professionals in D.C. and was able to bring these career paths to students.” Parker said students should find an issue that is important to them and identify ways they can get involved and help. “Young people truly drive social change in this country,” Parker said. “Every major social movement from women’s rights to the anti-war movement has had young people driving change. I am looking forward to working on new projects that are bringing young people to the table to solve our greatest problems.”

Contact Lauren Garczynski at lgarczyn@kent.edu.

Monday, November 27, 2017

KentWired.com 11

Review

Tear-jerker 'Wonder' tells moving story with genuine emotion “ ‘Wonder’ is basically designed to induce several ugly cries in the span of its almost two-hour run time.”

– Benjamin VanHoose Benjamin VanHoose Entertainment Reviewer Hopefully you found some Black Friday deals on tissues because you’ll need a few boxes during this movie. After adapting his own young adult novel for his 2012 directorial debut “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” Stephen Chbosky delves into the middle-grade library for “Wonder.” Based on Raquel J. Palacio’s book of the same name, the film follows Auggie Pullman, a fifth grader with facial differences attending school for the first time. Bouncing between the perspectives of different friends and family members, “Wonder” unfolds a story of true compassion and respect in the tight-knit relationships surrounded by a society quick to judge Auggie based on his appearance. As the unconditionally loving mother, Julia Roberts shines, never going overboard during sentimental scenes. With subtle mannerisms, she so effortlessly brings to every role — often in the form of facial twitches signaling an impending cry or a well-timed glaring — the Oscar winner dares even the most stone-hearted audience members not to shed a tear. “Wonder” is basically designed to induce several ugly cries in the span of its near two-hour run time. Besides themes of bullying and fitting in, the script briefly touches upon other issues, including alcoholism, divorce and death. And if those categories don’t feature a trigger for you, pet-lovers beware because the family dog does not leave the film unscathed. Rarely, however, do any of these poignant moments seem forced or Photo courtesy of Lionsgate

cynical. Each tear is earned thanks to Chbosky’s writing and direction. Scenes don’t overstay their welcome, and every character gets proper development so the audience connects across the board. The entire cast commits to what could easily have been a pandering children’s story of trite morals and cheap emotional appeals. Owen Wilson delivers a touching supporting performance as the father, and Izabela Vidovic impressively balances a tricky role as the sister desperate for her parents’ attention. In the lead, Jacob Tremblay stands out the most. Even under a layer of prosthetic makeup, the 11-year-old proves the impressive acting chops he introduced the world to in 2015’s “Room” — a performance robbed of an Oscar nomination — were no fluke. Although “Wonder” doesn’t abandon all kids’ movie tropes (I’m looking at you, Standing Ovation at Opening Night of a Play), Chbosky finds a way to make each scene ring true, and he really covers ground that all ages can relate to. And with a story built on a powerful message of acceptance and forgiveness, lessons the world always needs to be reminded of, it’s easy to forgive most of the movie’s flaws and enjoy it for its admirable intentions. Crying during “Wonder” is practically inevitable. If you’re too proud to tote a travel pack of Kleenex, grab a few extra napkins with your popcorn at concessions. You’ll thank me later, between sobs. Grade: A-

Contact Benjamin VanHoose at bvanhoos@kent.edu.

12 The Kent Stater

Monday, November 27, 2017

OPINION

Did you know we’re at war in Yemen?

JOSEPH McGRELLIS’ VIEW

Drew Taylor Are you aware the United States is currently fighting a war in Yemen? I’m going to guess the majority of readers do not. To be completely honest, neither did I until recently. But, once again, America is supporting a war in the Middle East. The war in question is one Yemen has been fighting since 2015, a civil war between multiple political factions in their country. Saudi Arabia has been intervening since the start, trying to influence the war. Due to the fact the U.S. has historically chosen to be an ally of the Saudis, the government has shown support for this. This is not a new development either, as we have shown to be backing the Saudis every bit of the way for more than two years now. The government has continued to allow the sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia. As a matter of fact, the U.S. agreed in May to an arms deal that is supposedly worth nearly $110 billion. That’s right, billion, with a “B.” The Senate also prevented an attempt to block the deal with bipartisan support. The federal government has also continued the policy of targeting enemies by using drone strikes. This policy is another thing that is not new, as the U.S. has been using them in Yemen since at least 2002. Congress even admits there is no authorization to help Saudi Arabia in this situation. The House of Representatives passed a resolution stating no legislation has authorized assistance to the Saudis by the American military. It also admits the U.S. has been refueling their warplanes and sharing information. Of course, nowhere in the resolution does it call for an end to the American support, though. The important thing to remember about this is there is a human cost to this, too. There have been civilian casualties left and right. The drone strikes the U.S. continues to support have killed multiple civilians, including children. These extrajudicial killings are bad enough, but also killing children and

viewing it as collateral damage? It is criminal, disgusting and just pure evil. Plus, the result is basically no better for the Yemeni people who are surviving this war. The humanitarian crisis that has resulted from the civil war in Yemen is heartbreaking. There is a struggle to find clean water. Electricity is scarce in many cities. Much of the population of Yemen has had to leave their homes. There is also a cholera outbreak that has killed thousands. So what is the U.S. supposed to do in this situation? It’s very simple. Quit helping Saudi Arabia commit what are basically war crimes in Yemen. The Saudis want to influence what the outcome of their civil war will be, but that can only happen if the American government continues to help them. Hopefully the next time you see a picture of a victim of this war, you realize it’s not just something happening on the other side of the world. It’s something quite real that your own government is involved in. Drew Taylor is a columnist. Contact him at dtaylo78@kent.edu.

‘‘

Quit helping Saudi Arabia commit what are basically war crimes in Yemen.” – Drew Taylor

SUBMISSIONS: The Stater hopes to encourage lively debate about the issues of the day on the Opinion Page. Opinions on this page are the authors’ and not necessarily endorsed by the Stater or its editors. Readers are encouraged to participate through letters to the editor (email them to lmisera@kent.edu) and guest columns. Submissions become property of the Stater and are subject to editing without notice.

Monday, November 27, 2017

A letter to feminists Madison Newingham

In light of watching an episode of “The West Wing,” where a few women scolded another woman on the show for being a “stiletto” or “lipstick” feminist, I want to take this space to reorient our movement. I have to be honest and blunt: There is absolutely no spectrum of feminism. Feminism can only be the pursuit for unequivocal justice, no matter the extent to which you fight for it. Regarding what I witnessed in the “The West Wing,” and really with many young millennial women, there was a group of women ganging up on one woman because she, instead of using her voice to advocate for societal problems like the liberty to wear whatever without judgement, was advocating on the economic front. She cited her desire for equal pay and the diminishing of sexual assault and harassment in the workplace. If you call yourself a feminist, you must not judge another woman for her beliefs, for what she wears and where she spends her energy fighting for

women’s rights. That is not feminism, and it is tainting and killing the movement for everyone else. Feminism is supporting a woman’s freedom to make her own choices because those are the choices she wants to pursue, rather than making those choices on the basis of feeling a societal pressure to behave a certain way. So, stop attacking women who want to stay at home or have a traditional family. After all, what is it to you what they want? Likewise, it is important to support women on the other end — in the workplace, women in managerial and executive leadership and women running for office. It is important to actively change policy so men are held accountable for sexual assault and harassment. That said, this doesn’t mean you have to support a candidate with which you don’t agree. In reference to the Democratic primary, you are no less a feminist for supporting Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton. Moreover, the hypocrisy of feminists slut-shaming other women or criticizing others’ appearances is blatant. You don’t have to like what someone wears, but you certainly don’t need to make them feel bad for having a different taste. If you

contribute nothing else to feminism, stop judging the makeup women wear, the business or casual clothes they wear and the style of their hair. Support women. Stop caring about the insignificant things. Also, don’t push men away from feminism. It will never succeed by expelling anyone from our movement. This is a movement for all of us and is more economically favorable for families. We should not be making people afraid of us or feeling that this is not a movement for them. Many of my male friends are suddenly terrified of being accused for sexual assault. While we must hold these actions accountable when they occur, we also have to assure men not everything crude is sexual assault, and we have a part to play by relaying what is acceptable given the context of our relationships. If you are a man unsure of what you can say to women, just ask. Given the climate we are experiencing, I will gladly answer your questions. Do not judge other women fighting for the same cause because they are different than you. The feminist movement, after all, needs to be an inclusive one. Madison Newingham is a columnist. Contact her at mnewing2@kent.edu.

Moving on, letting go is key to growing up Mica Pflug There comes a time in every young person’s life when things start to move fast, and you begin to outgrow the things you are used to. You outgrow your car seat when you are little, your favorite pair of shoes throughout your adolescence and your most comfy pair of pants all throughout your lifetime. You will outgrow other areas of your life as well, including aspects that will begin to prove unnecessary to hold onto. These aspects, such as jobs, friends and homes, are things that you’ll inevitably grow out of, but the growth taking place is not always a loss. Most times, the hole just leaves room for improvement. Not everything you lose is a loss. At times, going through periods of change

in your life, whether big or small, can be a hurdle to get over. However, when life throws these obstacles your way, it is up to you to choose how to respond to them. If you’re ready to quit your job and you don’t have a good reason to stay, go ahead and quit. There is no sense in working for minimum wage doing something you hate. You can pick yourself up, start over and learn to hate another minimum wage job. Or, better yet, if you get fired from your favorite job, it is not the end of the world. Again, pick yourself up and move forward. You’ll be OK. As they say, if you aren’t losing friends, you aren’t growing up. Friends are going to walk in and out of your life, and if you constantly have the same set of them, you might be doing something wrong. It’s important to understand when a person no longer serves your growth and happiness. If you have toxic people in your life, it’s OK to cut them out of it. If a toxic friend walks out of your life, it is OK to

let them go. It might not be easy or fun, but you’ll feel a thousand times lighter once it’s over with. It can be difficult to let go of the things around you that are no longer serving you. What’s even more difficult is judging what in your life provides you with support and the opportunity to grow upward. If something present in your life is not doing just that, you have every right to give it up. If you believe it’ll better serve you by being away from the person you are trying to become, then let it go. You have every right to choose the option that seems like it will best serve you. You have the choice to build your life the way you want to. Support and love the people and blessings around you. But as soon as something ceases to provide you support or provides you with the same toxicity you aim to avoid, no matter who that person is or what that position is, this is your sign that it is OK to let it go. Mica Pflug is a columnist. Contact her at mpflug2@kent.edu.

KentWired.com 13

NUMBERS TO KNOW:

U.S. troops killed in plane crashes in 2017 Fox News reported a 38 percent increase in deaths from plane crashes in the military between 2016-2017.

Million dollars

Congress spent $17 million on settling sexual harassment disputes since 1997, according to Politico.

Cheers&Jeers Cheers to ... having only two weeks of classes remaining — and finals week.

Jeers to ... finding the motivation to finish the last two weeks of classes.

14 The Kent Stater

Monday, November 27, 2017

CLASSIFIEDS Kent’s favorite place for Hair, Nails & Waxing! Evelyn Dickerson Hair Design 330-678-0262

All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” State and local laws forbid discrimination based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate that is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. If you feel you have been wrongfully denied housing or discriminated against, call the FHAA at 330253-2450 for more information. University Town Homes Now Pre-leasing for 2018/19 5-bed / 2.5 baths Rents start at $440 / month ALL utilities included Call 390-990-4019 Whitehall EAST Town Homes Now Pre-leasing for 2018/19 5-bed/3 full baths Rents start at $450 / month ALL utilities included Call 330-990-4019

Leasing for fall 2018 REMODELED 2,3,4,&5 bedrooms with 2-3 full baths. High quality and close to KSU. Starting $385/mo. 330-5527032

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1, 2, 4 & 5 bedroom units for Fall 2018. Now doing tours & taking applications. Visit KentStateRentals.com or call 330-968-2727 No application fee’s! All modern/ remodeled apartments & townhomes. Female home owner has room to rent in Kent. 15 minute walk to campus. $350/month includes utilities and wifi. 330-221-4317 Kent 2 and 3 bedroom apartments. Air, appliances, carpet, heat and water paid. No pets or Section 8. $660 and $810. Short term available. 330-677-5577 Attention midterm students2 bedrooms for rent. Newly Remodeled, 2.5 baths, washer, dryer and dishwasher included. Please text 330-685-9622 or 330-770-2197 for more details. Nice 6 bedroom house available Fall 2018. Excellent location. One year lease. Please Call 330-6712384. Nice 2 bedroom house, excellent location near campus. 1 year lease beginning fall semester 2018. Please Call 330-671-2384 1 Bedroom Apartment, Great location, near campus. Please call Ray 330-671-2384

Leasing for fall 2018 Spacious 3,4,&5 bedrooms with 2-3 full baths. Great condition, A/C, washer/dryer, dishwasher, Individual Lease Available for deck, garage. 330-808-4045 $425 a month! A great house in a much desired area right across from the university. Not to menHouses for spring semester tion, the amazing group of ladies and 2018-2019 school year. looking for a roommate. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 & 9 bedrooms. 330-547-1212 Please email hward15@kent.edu for more information. Kent Apartments The places to stay on your way to AVAILABLE JANUARY success 3 bedroom apt, free utils, $825/ Studios, efficiencies, 1 bedrooms, month NO PETS 330-673-8271 2 bedrooms and 3 bedrooms Check us out at our website www. kentapartments.com Call us @ 1-888-999-1596 Pinewood Apts. Studio and 1 BR Off Street Parking Single Story Park Like Setting Call Today 330-673-2403

HOW TO ADVERTISE For information about placing a Display ad please call our offices at 330-672-2586 or visit us at 205 Franklin Hall, Kent State University. Our office hours are from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Classified ads can be placed by fax at (330) 672-4880, over the phone at (330) 672-2586 or by e-mail at ads@ksustudentmedia.com. If you fax or e-mail an ad, please be sure to include run dates, payment info and a way for us to contact you.

DOT GAME

Monday, November 27, 2017

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KentWired.com 15

PREVENT

SEXUAL HARASSMENT & SEXUAL VIOLENCE

Fair Housing for College Students Discussion on fair housing practices and land lord tenant laws November 30th at Portage County Regional Planning Commission at 7 PM, 124 N. Prospect, Ravenna. Parking behind the building, light refreshments will be provided.

Presented by PCRPC through sponsorship by the Ohio Development Services Agency with support from the New Horizons Fair Housing Assistance Program

FACILITATOR-LED PREVENTION WORKSHOPS:

Faculty and Staff (Earn 1 hour Beyond Compliance!) Mon Dec 4, 2017 from 9:30-10:30am Heer Hall Rm107

Visit KENT.EDU/SSS to register TITLE IX

@KentWired