FORECAST
WEDNESDAY 3.25.15
RAIN | HI 72º, LO 57º
est. 1892 | independent since 1971 | www.kykernel.com
Campus construction leads to state investigation By Morgan Eads meads@kykernel.com
A state agency launched an investigation Tuesday into whether a trench dug in the middle of campus endangered employees who were
working in it. Kentucky Occupational Health and Safety official David Dickerson said the agency would be unable to comment during the investigation, which could last at least six weeks.
The investigation began after Kentucky Kernel reporters called the agency to ask about the safety of the trench. The trench, which is next to the Grehan Journalism Building, was originally dug
Monday. At more than 7 feet deep and about 8 feet across, the trench did not adhere to regulations listed in both national and state Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. According to an OSHA
fact sheet, an average of two construction workers die in trench collapses each month. Collapses are fatal in many cases — one cubic yard of soil can weigh as much as a car. Kernel editors saw work-
ers in the trench Monday. On Tuesday morning, the trench was worked on to better meet OSHA standards. After seeing a photoSee TRENCH on page 2
Shining light on sustainability
PHOTO BY JONATHAN KRUEGER | STAFF
Workers install the last of 90 solar panels on the roof of the Ralph G. Anderson Building on Tuesday morning after five nonconsecutive days of work.
Student-led initiatives lead to new solar panels in Engineering complex By Anne Halliwell ahalliwell@kykernel.com
Workers installed the last of 90 new solar panels on the roof of the Ralph G. Anderson Building Tuesday morning. Britney Thompson, a UK energy engineer, said the project started with two separate student pushes. The UK Student Sustainability Council used a large portion of their annual budget to fund the solar panels in conjunction with the Physical Plant Division, four-year sustainability councilmember Jerrod Penn said. The second push came from a study done by a UK solar power class that ana-
lyzed the viability and possible benefits of the solar installation. “The building was actually the ideal location for the solar to go up,” Thompson said. The engineering building’s roof is sloped and angled to catch the most sun rays. “Basically, there’s been a lot of momentum toward renewable energy ... in every council,” Penn, a doctorate student in agricultural economics, said. “The opportunity came and I was like, ‘This is it.’” The entire operation, which took place over five days between March 16 and Tuesday morning, installed 90 individual panels that
WKU crushes UK baseball Cats suffer 12-3 loss to Hilltoppers for second straight defeat UK baseball suffered an in-state loss at the hands of Western Kentucky on Tuesday, falling to the Hilltoppers 12-3 in Bowling Green, Ky. The Cats got on the board in the first inning with runs batted in by sophomore second baseman JaVon Shelby and junior designated hitter Dorian Hairston. Junior left fielder Ka’ai Tom also crossed the plate in the in-
ning to give UK a 3-0 lead. But WKU quickly answered in the second inning with four runs off of three hits. Sophomore second baseman Leiff Clarkson drove in an RBI and senior first baseman Ryan Church hit a three-run home run off of UK starter Zach Logue. The Hilltoppers were able to chase Logue after adding another run in the See BASEBALL on page 2
make up a 30-kilowatt system. The SCC and PPD each paid about half of the $91,000 needed to finish the project, Thompson said. “Thirty kilowatts ... is the maximum amount of power we can be producing with these panels,” Thompson said. “That amount will drop ... on cloudy days, and they also won’t power anything at night, of course.” In a given year, Thompson said the solar panels will provide about 1.5 percent of the Engineering Building’s power need. The panels should pay for themselves in about 23 years, a jump up from a few years ago, when less technological-
ly advanced panels would have needed more like 50 years to cost-justify themselves, Thompson said. The SSC receives a $3.50 student fee that amounts to around $150,000 yearly, Penn said, so contributing half of the cost of the solar panels made a significant dent in the year’s budget. Penn said buildings such as the Dave Marksbury Building off of Rose Street, which has solar panels on its roof, set a precedent for campus sustainability. Solar panels, he said, are more feasible than other methods, such as wind turbines. “That’s the next way to move,” Penn said. “There’s available rooftop space ...
(solar panels) are the lowhanging fruit.” Penn said the group also looks for partnerships with student and campus organizations for large projects regularly. “We want to use the environmental stewardship fee to leverage campus change ... to have it at the forefront physically and mentally or have it be part of the coursework,” Penn said. “It’s important to us to have that here.” Thompson said that Dean John Walz of the College of Engineering and other professors are already considering how the solar panels could contribute to the school’s curriculum. “All of the data will be
available (from the Anderson and Marksbury buildings),” Thompson said. “So any student — any person in the community, actually — can look at (it).” Although she said the renewable energy initiative was an exciting one, Thompson also called attention to other ways of conserving energy. “We’re putting this renewable energy on campus and it’s a great thing ... but we could save 10 percent (of the energy) in any of these buildings with small behavioral changes ... like turning off lights,” Thompson said. “It’s going to take both sides of it. Conservation is your first step before you do any of this installation.”
Ex-convict to speak on post-prison life By Marc Thomas news@kykernel.com
UK students attending a speaking engagement on campus probably assume that the person talking to them has a clean criminal record. Ryan Rivard is a different story. Rivard, an ex-convict, is one of the guest speakers scheduled to participate in “Barred For Life: A Conversation about Mass Incarceration” on Wednesday evening inside Presentation U, located in the basement of the W. T. Young Library. The event, hosted by the Social Enterprise and Innovation/Certified Nonprofit Professional program, aims to
highlight the difficulties convicts face when they leave prison. R a c h a e keting and Public Relations Director for Transformative Learning in Undergraduate Education, said the event would highlight a non-profit organization’s work rehabilitating inmates in the Lexington area and across Kentucky. “Barred For Life” will feature two graduate students from the Department of Sociology and the non-profit organization Mission Behind Bars and Beyond, as well as former offender Rivard, Deel said. “It kind of accomplishes a number of things — not
only highlighting the nonprofit but engaging our campus in a conversation that is … l timelyDand controversial,” e e l , Deel said. Mission Behind Bars and Beyond focuses on rehabilitating people released from Kentucky correctional facilities before, during and after their stay, according to the organization’s website. Todd Stoltzfus, the director of CNP, hopes the event will make the audience aware of the difficulties former offenders face after incarceration. “We want to raise the issues that are behind the large prison population that we have (within the U.S.),” he
said. “And the difficulties ... when people get out of prison, how hard it is to … transition t h toe civilian M life and a get the training they need, especially when they have something on their record that makes it hard for them to get the job.” Deel said that students are probably unaware of the effect that the transition process has on the community. “The narrative is always more complicated than what they’ve probably been exposed to through the media, so having a variety of perspectives talk about this topic is really fruitful for underg ra d u a te s tu d e n ts
FROM BRONX TO BLUEGRASS UK senior guard Jennifer O’Neill overcomes hardships on road to collegiate success SEE PAGE 6
First issue free. Subsequent issues 25¢. NEWSROOM
ADVERTISING
859 257 1915
859 257 2872
2 | Kentucky Kernel | 3.25.15
FROM THE FRONT PAGE
TRENCH
Go Green. Recycle this Kernel.
Safety Violations
Continued from page 1 graph of the work site that was taken Monday, nationally-known accident investigation consultant Timothy Kobernat spotted several safety violations. “If we had come across this (worksite) when I was at OSHA, it would be in the thousands of dollars of fines,” said Kobernat, who worked with OSHA for 32 years. According to OSHA regulations, a ladder for employees to exit a trench must extend 3 feet above the edge of the trench. Ladders used Monday fell short of the edge of the trench by at least 1 foot. Additionally, if there are no supports, the mouth of a trench this size should be about 16 feet across, to ensure a slope with a reduced risk of collapse. The photograph taken Monday showed a trench opening that fell far short of that measurement, said Kobernat, who was an area director during his time at OSHA. The soil removed from the hole, known as spoil, was also piled too close to the trench, Kobernat said. University officials said they could not comment on
BASEBALL Continued from page 1 third inning when junior third baseman Danny Hudzina hit an RBI-single. Logue allowed five runs on seven hits in his first loss of the season. The Hilltoppers were then able to break the contest open as they collected six com-
Soil placement
Ladder height
Slope width
the investigation in time to meet deadline Tuesday. With construction projects continuing across campus, there is a heightened awareness of potential dangers for construction workers. A death last year on a privately-run campus construction project has also contributed to the attention
being paid to safety for employees. On Tuesday morning, workers dug a wider opening to the trench and replaced the ladder used Monday with one that extended above the trench by several feet. Dirt from the pile adjacent to the trench was also shifted further away from the trench.
bined runs in the fifth and sixth inning, effectively putting the game out of reach. Shelby, Tom and freshman Evan White all had two hits in the game for UK. Junior centerfielder Kyle Barrett had a hit in the first inning to extend his streak to seven games. WKU right-hander Sam Higgs was awarded the win after the sophomore didn’t
allow a hit in 2.1 innings of work out of the bullpen. UK moves to 15-9 on the season with the loss and are now on a two-game slide. The Cats will be back in action on Wednesday when they take on Morehead State at home. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. at Cliff Hagan Stadium. STAFF REPORT
www.kykernel.com kernel. we do it daily.
3.25.15 | Independent since 1971 | 3
4 | Kentucky Kernel | 3.25.15
OPINIONS
Greek community must stand up against racism CHEYENE MILLER Assistant News Editor
During the string of high-profile cases of police brutality that swept the national media in recent months, commentators often said that more police should speak out against the officers who committed such horrific acts against the people they are meant to protect and serve. Though I’m certainly not a nationally-recognized commentator, I was one of
the people who took this stance. So in the interest of consistency, members of the Greek community need to speak out in wake of the recent string of high-profile controversies involving fraternities. As a member of a fraternity myself, I will say that the racist actions of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter at the University of Oklahoma were disgusting and give credit to the stereotype that fraternity members are all privileged, arrogant white boys. They also give the impression that all fraternities are inherently racist, which is an unfair conclusion based on
the actions of individuals, rather than the entire fraternal system. Other major issues that persist in fraternities — such as sexual assault and hazing — are the same issues that persist in any institution where a large number of males are coordinated under a sort of mob mentality. Hazing and sexual assault are still very prevalent in the military, for example. Some in the media, such as Arianna Huffington, have called for fraternities to be abolished completely. Even actor and comedian Will Ferrell, who famously played a frat boy
in the comedy film “Old School,” seems to be on board with this idea. Admittedly, it’s not easy finding a solution to the issues associated with fraternities. Some practical ideas include more internal monitoring by the national organizations, to prevent practices like hazing and secrecy. But throwing out the baby with the bath water is almost never a bright solution to a problem. Yes, the problems associated with fraternities are very serious and should be taken seriously, but fraternities and Greek organizations in general are inarguably responsible for a lot
of good in the world. Just earlier this month, members of UK’s Greek community performed in the annual Greek Sing dance competition, which raised an estimated $180,000 for the Make-AWish Foundation. Even after graduation, Greek-affiliated alum are statistically more likely to become involved in civic organizations and donate more to charities than nonGreek members. And it’s hard to argue with the success that fraternities produce. All but three U.S. presidents since 1825 were fraternity members, as are 85 percent of
Fortune 500 executives. Also, Greek members tend to have higher incomes after graduation, even when factoring in their parents’ backgrounds. Ultimately, diminishing an entire institution based on the actions of a few bad apples is not the right answer. What the members of the SAE chapter in Oklahoma did was deplorable and they should be held accountable, but they do not represent the broader picture of fraternity culture. Cheyene Miller is the assistant news editor of the Kentucky Kernel. Email opinions@ kykernel.com
Life’s next chapter merely pages away MARJORIE KIRK Assistant Opinions Editor
It is once again that time in the semester when I worry if I will ever graduate college as I register for next semester’s courses. As I scroll through the catalog, I pause every now and then for a brief “that sounds interesting” moment, but I’m brought back down to Earth when I re-
member that underwater basket-weaving has nothing to do with an actual career (unless you want to be an underwater basket-weaver). As daunting as it is to be reminded that the rest of your life is approaching quickly, these are the times when we can imagine how great it will be once we get out and start those journeys. To think, by the end of our college careers we will have spent about two decades becoming indoctrinated into a routine of alternating classes and homework extending from early
morning until late into the night. What awaits us? If it is a nine-to-five, then what on Earth am I going to do with all of that free time? Just kidding, I’ll watch Netflix. For people who actually have lives, just imagine how much time you’ll have to do activities! When we no longer spend all of our time on school, part-time jobs/internships, extracurricular activities and sleep, I feel like I will finally understand why the 20s are suppose to be the best years of our lives.
One part of college I will miss is the opportunity for extended breaks that we might not have once we begin pursuing careers. When else can I take off six months to study in Peru or Turkey or Iceland? I have no actual intention of going anywhere with “Ice” in the name — no thank you — but just the freedom of knowing that taking time to figure out my life will not set me back or seem out of the norm keeps me motivated to keep trudging along through all the muck.
Despite endless nights that I spent working because my group bailed and I’m doing the entire project, or I forgot to learn a chapter of Biology before an exam the next morning, I am excited for what these times of reflection near the closing of another semester signify. One day there will be no more exams and reading will go back to being for fun. No more sleepless nights, no more tears, no more anxiety attacks and disastrous caffeine reactions to a quadruple-shot of
espresso. What awaits us is a new adventure. Something school will have tried to prepare us for, but probably hasn’t. We will learn on our own, we will find our own way and we’ll be proud because it was our path. The one that we started while we were sitting at a computer watching a cursor blink as it scrolled over one class to another — each a different path to the future. Marjorie Kirk is the assistant opinions editor of the Kentucky Kernel. Email opinions@
What to know before kernel. we do it daily. stepping on State Street By Victoria Groebner opinions@kykernel.com
March Madness is coming to a peak with the upcoming Sweet 16 and Elite Eight basketball games this Thursday through Sunday, as well as the Final Four and NCAA Men’s Championship the following weekend. The annual post-game stints on State Street are a UK tradition, where couches and t-shirts have been burned and crowds have gathered for hours in past years. Students and Lexington Police had tips to offer for students who plan to enter the fray in 2015. 1. Wear appropriate shoes: Lexington Police Public Information Officer Sherelle Roberts advised students to keep their feet safe amid the abundance of broken glass on State Street. “A lot of young ladies wear open-toed shoes and flip flops ... and get some really nasty cuts,” Roberts said. “If we could just get everyone to wear (proper) shoes, that would cut down on a lot of emergency room visits.”
2. Heads up: Make sure to watch out for flying objects that could potentially hurt you or someone else. Last year’s celebrations involved burning t-shirts and beverage containters, and then throwing them into the air. 3. Take photos and video: Most of the cops and firemen are willing to take pictures with people in the crowd, but remember their first priority is safety and crowd control. Taking photos and videos is fun, but keep in mind that the Internet is forever. 4. Buddy system: Undecided freshman Michelle Spaits, who has never experienced State Street, worried about there being “too many people there.” Getting lost in the crowd is a definite possibility. Try not to get separated from your friends in all the chaos, and keep your cell phone on. 5. Spelling counts: “I remember everyone making a mad sprint towards State (Street) to celebrate and there were numerous C-A-T-S chants up and down the street,” accounting sophomore James Childress
said. Be prepared to show your spirit. 6. Don’t anger the cops: The police are there to keep us safe and maintain order. “Have fun, but do it in a safe way,” Childress said. “There are always police on State Street and you don't want to get caught doing something stupid.” Don’t be the one who hurts a fellow student by burning things or throwing bottles. 7. Make sure to be respectful of the authorities and stay responsible: “Expect the unexpected,” Childress said. “You don't know what is going to happen and that is part of the fun in going to State. People will go from tearing down a stop sign one minute to burning a couch the next. You never really know what is going to happen.” You might have heard crazy stories or are worried about the crowds and cops, but make it down to State Street one of these weekends — it is an experience that you will not want to miss out on. Victoria Groebner is an integrated strategic communications sophomore. Email opinions@ kykernel.com
3.25.15 | Independent since 1971 | 5
CLASSIFIEDS
For Rent 5 Bedroom 1-9 Bedroom 6 Bedroom 5 BR houses. Large nice homes with private yards/decks, close to campus off Virginia/Broadway area. Ample parking. Excellent service. Starting at $329/person. Leasing@KampusProperties.com. Call/Text (859)333-1388.
2, 3 and 4 BR/1.5-2.5 BA townhomes, preleasing for August 2015. Village at Richmond Woods. Hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, W/D, 2-car garage, patio. Pets allowed. Contact (859) 288-5601 or mprentals@netbusiness.com. 2-15 BR homes. Excellent service, variety of nice homes, locations all around campus, starting at $329/person. Leasing@KampusProperties.com. Call/Text (859) 333-1388. 3-5 BR houses for rent. $875-$1,600 per month. Call Tyrell at (859) 585-0047 or email tyrell@lexingtonrentalhomes.net. 5-6 BR/3 BA. 3,450 sq ft, parking. Right off Rose Street. Available August. $1,750/month. Call (859) 948-5000. For lease. 1 & 2 BR apartments, close to campus. Available in August. Call (859) 233-1760. Great properties for rent, walk to campus. W/D included. (859) 619-3232. www.myuk4rent.com.
Walk to Campus Houses 1- 6 Bedroom. Wayne Michael is now pre-leasing 1-6BR houses for the Fall 2015 semester. www.waynemichaelproperties.com. (859) 513-1206.
WALK TO CAMPUS! 3-6 BR houses. Porches, parking, W/D, DW. Very nice! Waller, State, University area. Choose early for best selection. Lease begins 8/1/2015. (859)539-5502.
2 Bedroom
1 BR/1 BA, Open Concept, 411 E. Maxwell. Available Now. $595 plus utilitiess. HW floors, new kitchen, updated bath, new lighting. (859) 552-3793, AllyCarterPVH@ gmail.com. 2 BR Townhouse with W/D. Near UK and Fayette Mall. Call (859) 338-4071. 2 BR/1BA, 211 Waller. Includes all utilities, Wi-Fi, and W/D. $990/mo. August. Call or text (859) 619-5454.
3 Bedroom
3 BR/1 BA renovated home, 322 American Ave. Refinished HW floors, new kitchen, new bath, new electric, new plumbing. $1,295 plus utilities. August 1. (859) 552-3793, AllyCarterPVH@gmail.com. 3 BR/2 BA. W/D. Campus Downs, walk to campus. $1,000/month plus utilities. Available August 1. (859) 619-1818 or (859) 559-1330. 3 BR/2.5 BA townhouse. Available July/August. Open floor plan. Large bedrooms. Walk to campus. W/D, dishwasher. Parking included. $1,050/month. Call (859) 533-2581. 3BR/2BA Campus View Condo. Walk to Campus. Private parking. W/D, dishwasher, balcony, all appliances furnished. Available August. $950/month. Call or text (859) 553-6307. August rental. 3 BR/1 BA. Very clean, great quality. Best landlord. Dennis (859) 983-0726. www.sillsbrothers.com.
4 Bedroom
219(Back) University Avenue, 4 BR/2 BA, new hardwood, W/D included, vaulted ceilings. $1,450 plus electric and water. August. (859) 619-5454. 4 BR houses. Large nice homes with private yards/decks, close to campus. Ample parking. W/D included. Excellent service. $349-$379/person. Leasing@KampusProperties.com. Call/Text (859) 333-1388. 4 BR/2 BA renovated home, 422 Gibson Ave. August 1. Hardwood, full basement, pool table, yard, garage. $1,595 plus utilitiess. (859) 552-3793, AllyCarterPVH@gmail.com. 4 BR/2.5 BA. Large townhouses close to campus. All electric. Hardwood. W/D, dishwasher. Security system. Pets allowed. Garage units available. (859) 288-5601. $399 per student. Preleasing for fall: 4 BR houses off Euclid. Includes W/D. Contact Integra Properties at (859) 428-8271 or www.integraky.com.
LLM is seeking full and part-time care attendants to work one-on-one with participants in residential and community setting. Starting pay: $10/hour. Weekend, afternoon and summer hours available. Apply online at www.lordslegacyministries.org or call (859) 245-2233.
August rental. 6 BR/2 BA. Very clean. Great quality. Best landlord. Dennis (859) 983-0726. www.sillsbrothers.com.
Attention
Lexington Rock Gem Jewelry Show, March 28-29 2015. Clarion Hotel, 1950 Newtown Pike, Lexington, KY. Near Exit 115 I-75/I-64. Sat 10-6, Sun 11-5. www.bggamc.homestead.com.
For Rent
myUKapt.com
Newer 2-5BR homes. Only a few left. Near UK. Pet friendly. From $349/person. www.lexingtonhomeconsultants.com Contact James McKee at (859) 221-7082 or jwmckeebroker@msn.com.
Help Wanted
AAA on-site interviews March 31 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 3008 Atkinson Avenue, Hamburg
AAA is looking for a few friendly voices who can make a positive difference by helping our valued members with their emergency road service needs. AAA is currently accepting online applications for full time/part time/seasonal positions based in its inbound Member Service Call Center in Hamburg. Excellent listening and verbal communication skills, computer and typing skills, the desire to help people, a flexible schedule and ability to work weekends required. All schedules are set and include a minimum of one weekend shift. Must enjoy and perform well in high-volume, fast-paced environment! Base hourly rate + incentive pay plans with a variety of benefits available for PT and FT including paid time off and 401k options. Triple-pay for holiday hours worked! Apply online today: http://ohiovalley.aaa.com/About/Careers before these sought after positions are gone! EOE. Childcare center seeks experienced teacher Mon-Fri, 20-30 hours/week. Flexible hours. Visit creativekidslexington.com or call (859) 223-8741. Developer Design and some backend experience. Opportunity for long term work. Send your expertise and contact info to brian@bpoe.me. Hardworking go-getters to the front of the pack. Excellent pay and benefits for those fitting the bill. Must have a clean driving record. Preference given to those with mowing and/or landscaping experience. We work in all kinds of weather to get the job accomplished so work ethic is critical. If you’re ready to join an award-winning team, call (859) 226-0992 and leave a message to set up an immediate interview. IDLE HOUR COUNTRY CLUB Staffing Year-round and Seasonal Positions: A.M./P.M., weekends, holidays required. Servers, bussers, bartenders, lifeguards, golf course and kitchen. Competitive wages, meals, uniforms and great atmosphere. Apply in person Wednesday-Sunday. Immediate interviews, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. No phone calls, please. 1815 Richmond Rd. Lexington, KY 40502. Kids R Kids-Beaumont, looking or active, friendly camp counselors to help lead summer camps. FT and PT positions avaiable. Must have previous experience working with children. Please apply in person, 3271 Beaumont Centre Cirle. Lexington, 40513. Anna Dennis, (859) 224-3210.
Looking for a fun, energetic person for PT nights and weekend work doing gymnastics classes and birthday parties. No experience necessary, will train. Call Kalli Turner at (859) 255-5231. Palmer’s Fresh Grill looking for PT employees- hosts and servers. Nights and weekends. Flexible schedules. Apply in person, 161 Lexington Green. PPM is now hiring Lifeguards, Pool Managers and Swim instructors. PPM is hiring for country clubs, water parks and Home owner associations in Lexington, Richmond, Winchester, Danville, Frankfort, Shelbyville, and Louisville areas. Pay ranges from $8.50-$15/hour. Email Brad at Brad40965@aol.com for application. Researchers at the University of Kentucky are conducting studies concerning the effects of alcohol and are looking for male & female social drinkers 21-35 years of age. Volunteers paid to participate. Call (859) 257-5794. Researchers at the University of Kentucky are looking for individuals 21–34 years of age who have received a DUI in the last 5 years to participate in a study looking at behavioral and mental performance. Participants are compensated for their time and participation is completely confidential. For more information, call (859) 257-5794. Restaurant Near Campus Hiring PT Servers. SABIO | locally-owned, casual, fine dining restaurant serving Chef prepared dishes. Flexible schedules. Apply in person. 380 S Mill. Summer Jobs – Turn Crew Labor Learn basic home repair skills that will help you throughout life. Local real-estate company seeks crew to help turn vacant apartments/rental homes. Duties include basic plumbing, drywall repair, electrical plates, etc. Full-time in May, $9-10/hour based on skills. Reliable transportation, clean background and drug test required. Contact Sharon@AndersonCommunities.com. Sutton’s Italian Restaurant now hiring servers for days, nights and weekends and hosts for nights and weekends. Apply in person, 110 N. Locust Hill Rd. Travinia Italian Kitchen is hiring all positions. Apply in person between 9-12 and 2-5, Mon-Sat. Located at 3401 Nicholasville Rd. next to Chipotle.
Real Estate For Sale
3 BR condo. 1081 S. Broadway #104. Excellent condition. Walk to campus. $92,500. Call Ron at (859) 814-7049.
Roommates Wanted
August. Female looking for same. Great quality. Quiet. Non-partier. Call landlord Dennis at (859) 983-0726. www.sillsbrothers.com.
Call 859.257.2871 to place an ad | Ads can be found at kykernel.com DEADLINE - 12 p.m. the day before publication The Kentucky Kernel is not responsible for information given to fraudulent parties. We encourage you not to participate in anything for which you have to pay an up-front fee or give out credit card or other personal information, and to report the company to us immediately.
HOROSCOPE To get the advantage, check the day's rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries ( March 21-April 19) — Today is a 7 — You become even more practical. Inspire others to participate and the job gets done with more fun, ease and velocity. Focus on the message. Appeal to the heart. Listen for what others want and address that. Taurus ( April 20-May 20) — Today is a 9 — Keep a job on budget and on time. Provide a pleasant surprise and get rewarded. Your efforts are in demand. Get coaching from an expert. Don't get sidetracked. Gemini ( May 21-June 20) — Today is a 9 — Imagine your future. Ask deep questions. Insight comes after periods of calm. You gain stability. Keep your objective in mind. Strengthen foundations and build from there. Friends can help. Cancer ( June 21-July 22) — Today is a 6 — The pressure eases. Take time to recharge. Hold on to what you have. Postpone financial discussion. Peaceful introspection soothes, like harmony and hot tea. A group dream can become reality. Leo ( July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 7 — Many hands make light work. Take differing tastes into account. Unexpected benefits arise in a collaborative effort. Apply some elbow grease to a practical task. Take care of a bit of business in private. Virgo ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 7 — Good professional news reveals new options. Your family is there for you. Review priorities to ensure that you don't waste time unnecessarily. Hugs are more important than chores, especially with the person who spurred you on. Appreciate someone.
Libra ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is an 8 — Your journey could deviate in unexpected directions. Stick to basic explorations. Explain the need for frugality to a loved one. The more you work, the more you earn. Scorpio ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 7 — Follow through with paperwork and administrative tasks. Build strong foundations. Keep your partner's interests at heart. Reconsider a change at home. An older person has practical advice Sagittarius ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is an 8 — Reconnect with an old friend. Change direction to expand your territory. Do background research if purchasing, to buy solid quality. Don't get deceived by false claims. Sell stuff you're no longer using. Capricorn ( Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 9 — Revelations at work provide new options. Replenish supplies. Plug a financial leak, and don't spend on frills. You're gaining points. A wise partner knows what to do. Let people know what's possible now. Aquarius ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 7 — An unexpected development could lead to extra fun. Your project takes an interesting twist. Stop and consider. Figure out the next steps before taking them. Buy only necessary supplies. Push to finish work and go play early. Pisces ( Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 6 — Be careful not to lose things now. Put your back into a domestic project. Accept a challenge. Upgrade for efficiency, and save money and time. Eclectic ideas provide innovative solutions. Draw up solid plans.
Sponsor the horoscope 859.257.2872
MCT
SUDOKU
Sponsor SUDOKU 859.257.2872
6 | Kentucky Kernel | 3.25.15
From Bronx struggles to Bluegrass success UK senior guard Jennifer O’Neill worked through growing up in the projects of New York in pursuit of her dream as a WNBA player By Kevin Erpenbeck kerpenbeck@kykernel.com
Every day after school, 10-year-old Jennifer O’Neill raced to her home in the Mitchel Houses in Bronx, N.Y., eager to play a pick-up game of hoops with her brother, cousins and friends. She traded in her backpack, grabbed a ball from her room and ran to the nearest blacktop court to meet up with the guys. O’Neill didn’t care that her hands had turned a solid black after a couple dribbles of the basketball; the parks of the Bronx were rarely kept clean, causing the residue of the courts to cling to the ball. She was doing what she loved and what she knew she always wanted to do. “I want to play in the WNBA,” O’Neill said to her mom. “Okay,” her mom said, as if responding to a little kid saying they wanted to be a superhero when they grow up. But it wasn’t a pipe dream to O’Neill, even at a young age. She made it her goal to become a premiere basketball player, not just someone who plays basketball. No matter how many times she was cut from a team in elementary school, or the difficulties of growing up in a three-kid, singleparent household in the projects of New York, O’Neill was determined to make her dream a reality.
That dream took commitment, though. In eighth grade, O’Neill was accepted to St. Thomas Aquinas, a prestigious Catholic high school in the Bronx. But at the last minute, O’Neill decided she wanted to attend St. Michael’s Academy, a now-defunct allgirls private school in Manhattan that was known for its basketball prowess. Her mother, Maritza Robles, had already paid the near $1,000 St. Thomas tuition fee and denied O’Neill’s initial request to switch schools. But as O’Neill kept pushing for it, Robles saw the determination in her daughter to pursue her dream; the same determination that 10-year old O’Neill displayed years ago. “If you’re going to do this, you’re doing it all the way; no half-assing it,” her mother reminded her before approving the transfer. O’Neill was going all the way. That’s when O’Neill met Jerry Powell, a world-renowned basketball mentor in New York. Powell runs a training program called Basketball Results, which helps young ath-
“
O’Neill spent most of her high school years with Powell, working out with him every day after school. O’Neill admitted not truly knowing what hard work felt like until she was with Powell. “I was just a freshman in high school and he kept pushing me to get to that next level,” O’Neill said. “It felt like my lungs were about to burst and I had blood in my throat. I didn’t really understand why he was doing that to me, to a young kid. But I did later.” Powell wanted O’Neill to become the player that she wanted to be. He wanted the best for his “daughter.” “I love her, and I knew from Day 1 she could be great,” Powell said. “I thank God every day that I had the opportunity to help her.” That next level was getting O’Neill to be a McDonald’s All-American, which she was named in 2010. College offers started flowing in to O’Neill after that, including schools like Syracuse, Rutgers, Georgia and UK.
My struggles were bad, but the good part about it was that I had my family there. That made my accomplishments that much better.”
letes develop into better basketball players, according to the program’s website. Powell saw raw talent in O’Neill, and wanted to help her achieve the “next-level basketball” she was capable of. But the trainer didn’t think that could be accomplished if O’Neill had to travel back-and-forth from school and home. So he asked Robles for O’Neill to make different living arrangements: staying with him on Long Island. What followed was a basketball mentor becoming a father-figure to a girl who desperately needed one. “I’m like her dad to her,” Powell said. “I never meant for it to be like that, but that’s the relationship we have. She’s my daughter.”
JENNIFER O’NEILL, SENIOR GUARD When it was time for her to decide where she would go, O’Neill had narrowed her choices down to Georgia, coached by Hall of Famer Andy Landers, and UK, helmed by Matthew Mitchell. Both Landers and UK assistant coach Matt Insell, who was recruiting for Mitchell at the time, came to a lot of O’Neill’s AAU basketball games to watch her play. But during one of those games, O’Neill remembered looking toward the first row of seats and noticing that Landers had left and only UK had stayed. That told the guard all she needed to know. “It showed me that Kentucky really wanted me and that they believed in me,” O’Neill
said. “I knew that’s where I wanted to go.” Mitchell made it his goal to bring the Bronx native to the Bluegrass because, like Powell before, he saw the potential in her and knew she had the desire to be something great. “We wanted to build this program into something special, and she’s a special player” Mitchell said. “We were on fire to make it happen and make it work.” And it worked to perfection as O’Neill became the first McDonald’s All-American to play at UK. During her five years with the program, the 5-foot-6 guard helped UK make five straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including two consecutive Elite Eight finishes, a first for the school. O’Neill also broke UK’s single-game scoring record when she racked up 43 points against Baylor her junior season. O’Neill’s accomplishments as a player have etched her name into UK’s history, but it’s what she has done as a worker that Mitchell says defines her. O’Neill was asked to become the team leader during her final season at UK and help develop the younger players around her. Freshmen like Jaycee Coe and Alexis Jennings have attributed a lot of their progress during their first year to O’Neill’s teachings. O’Neill said she wanted her teammates to know that she was there for them; that she could show them how to be a hard worker. “I wanted to build a relationship with them,” O’Neill said. “The seniors during my freshman year showed me how to be a leader and a role model, and they taught me how to be a better teammate.” O’Neill’s collegiate career came to an end when the Cats lost to Dayton in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday. But O’Neill refuses to quit on the dream she envisioned when she played hoops in the Bronx. The dream of playing in the WNBA is no longer her own hard work. It’s the collec-
tive work (and struggles) of those around her during her journey. O’Neill wants to show them that their help was not taken in vain. But most of all, she wants to use her potential WNBA fame as a means to help those who may need it in the future, just like her “family” helped her. “I would make a difference in people’s lives, because people did that for me,” O’Neill said. “My mom saw I was ambitious about my dream and believed in me. Jerry didn’t know me and didn’t have to take me in, but he did and took a chance. Kentucky really wanted to have me. “My struggles were bad, but the good part about it was that I had my family there. That made my accomplishments that much better, because it was me and my family’s accomplishments.” The first thing O’Neill would do for a future protégé: show them what it means to be a hard worker and to be committed to a dream. “Never let someone tell you that you can’t do it. I had a lot of people tell me ‘You’re too small’ or ‘Look where you come from. People like you don’t make it,’” O’Neill said. “There’s a point where you feel like you’re born to lose, but when you put all that work in, you’re actually built to win.”