THE MARLIN CHRONICLE THURSDAY 10.20.16 || MARLINCHRONICLE.VWC.EDU ||
VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
Silence of the bees: when the buzzing stops Britani Alyse | Marlin Chronicle One of Virginia Wesleyan’s bees lands outside its hive. The bees are featured in a course at the college, which also has a student-run bee club. BY MIRANDA FEIN mlfein@vwc.edu
On Sept. 30, seven species of yellow-faced bees were added to the United States’s endangered species list. Not all bees are endangered. The yellow-faced bees added to the list are native to Hawaii, but this addition is a big deal for bees across the U.S. This is the first time that U.S. bees have been classified as endangered, which has caught the attention of many across the country. Social media has been buzzing with concern about protecting all bees in hopes of preventing more species from becoming endangered. Facebook users can like and join Facebook groups concerned with the well-being of bees. Companies like Häagen-Daz participate in the bee support by encouraging customers to send them selfies while planting a
flower to win a year’s supply of ice cream. Virginia Wesleyan College has been working with bees long before their addition to the endangered species list. The college offers a one-credit course called Bees and Beekeeping taught by Dr. Daniel Margolies. The course gives historical perspectives on beekeeping and hands-on experiences with hives on campus. For students who have already taken the course, there is a Beekeeping Club that meets on Fridays from noon to 1 p.m. Senior Collette Vauthier, president of the Beekeeping Club, has been beekeeping throughout her time at Virginia Wesleyan College. “You can’t just take the class once and forget about the bees. The bees are too powerful,”
Barrett breaks volleyball record
BY MICKELLA RAST mjrast@vwc.edu
Young and old alike have heralded Halloween across the nation, seconded only in enthusiasm by chain stores. Skeletons peek around doorways, jack-o-lanterns greet passersby and bats join their feathered brethren in the rafters. However, for every pro there is a con. Candy causes stomachaches, carved-out pumpkins are a fire risk and costumes are… cultural appropriation? The complaints pop up every year but lately the movement against politically incorrect costumes has gained momentum. Cultural appropriation is generally defined as one culture taking aspects from another and using them in a derogatory manner. During Halloween, this line becomes particularly easy to cross as masses compete for the funniest, most popular and most unique costumes. Recent offenders include Mexican mariachis, Native American princesses and blackface renditions of raunchy hip-hop stars. This year in particular features the introduction of a Caitlyn Jenner transgender outfit and the sexy burka. A perusal of the “Popular Costumes” category of the Party City website reveals an Adult Tribal Temptation Native American Costume, a Mystic Vixen Gypsy and a Sexy Day of the Dead Doll. College campuses are taking measures against such costumes. Ohio University started the “We’re a Culture, not a Costume” poster campaign in 2011, which continued through 2013. The University of Washington emailed students a six-minute video on the subject. Virginia Wesleyan College hosted a dialogue titled
“Halloween Costumes, Free Speech, Safe Zones, and Yale,” hosted by Dr. Craig Wansink. Despite this, incidents still pop up every year. James Ramsey, president of the University of Louisville, issued an apology after he and staff dressed as a Mexican mariachi band. Two fraternities at the University of Illinois are in trouble for pictures posted on social media depicting culturally insensitive costumes during a party. Even Virginia Wesleyan is not exempt from mistakes: last year one resident refused to take down a Confederate flag in their room and another dressed as a Ku Klux Klan (KKK) member. It may be interesting to note that the student in the latter incident was African American. When events like these appear, the college’s response and behavior come under close scrutiny. The President’s Council on Inclusive Community (PCIC) works to create an inclusive community, its goal, as stated on the website, being to “foster a community at Virginia Wesleyan College where everyone feels welcomed and valued regardless of race, religion, color.” Despite this, the council has not yet met to discuss cultural appropriation, a term used to describe the adoption or use of elements of one culture in another, on campus. Members such as Dean of Freshman and Director of the Jane P. Batten Student Center Jason Seward and Director of Community Service Diane Hotaling deferred requests for comments to Vice President of Student Affairs Keith Moore.
SEE COSTUMES Pg. 9
For more about costumes, see Opinions page 5
Health concern arises in midst of mold discovery in residence halls
Sports page 8
Breanna Patron | Courtesy Air vents in Smithdeal Hall bear mold growth.
SEE BEES Pg. 2
Cultural costumes cause controversy
Unwanted visitor grows on campus
Halloween happenings Weekender page 10 Clinton or Trump debate Opinions page 6 Homecoming comes back Weekender page 9
Remnants of Hurricane Matthew strike campus Community page 4
BY ASHLEY KLINE aakline@vwc.edu
The discovery of what could be black mold has incited safety concerns among students as well as parents. Vice President for Student Affairs Keith Moore said the college has yet to determine whether this mold does indeed pose any risk to student health. They first have to determine the nature of the mold as true black mold opposed to mold that is black.The difference
between the two is that black mold has close links to harmful mycotoxins. This is not the case with mold that is black. Engineers have given the mold an initial look and may be returning to campus to reassess the situation. The mold has currently not moved beyond two residence halls, one of which is Smithdeal, and most of it is found primarily around air vents and windows.
SEE MOLD Pg. 2
Students in German class do lingo with Duolingo BY MIRANDA FEIN mlfein@vwc.edu
Word is out about an electronic language-learning resource that is convenient, mobile and best of all, free. DuoLingo offers lessons online and through mobile applications for anyone interested in learning a new language. The program offers 15 languages with guided courses for learners who are studying on their own or pairing lessons with a class. Dr. Susan Wansink, a German professor at Virginia Wesleyan College, incorporates this free resource into her curriculum in place of requiring students to purchase an audio learning component to accompany the course textbook. PC Magazine rates DuoLingo as excellent, though just behind
Rosetta Stone, which can run from $179 to $229. Jill Duffy of PC Magazine, addressing pros and cons of DuoLingo, lists the only cons as, “no live e-tutoring or spoken interaction with other students.” The price of audio learning runs high for those who are required to purchase the programs. According to the National Association of College Stores, “Students spent an average of $672 on a combination of technology, supplies and required course materials for their classes for fall 2015.” Many college students rely on financial aid to pay for their textbooks or must pay out of pocket. Freshman T’Laya Elliott pays for her textbooks out of pocket. Elliott is currently enrolled in
SEE DUOLINGO Pg. 2
Read more about foreign language enrichment opportunities on campus. See News, page 2.
2 Thursday October 20, 2016 The Marlin Chronicle marlinchronicle.vwc.edu
NEWS
Hispanic heritage celebrated
BEES CONTINUED FROM FRONT
BY CHRISTOPHER BATTLE cdbattle@vwc.edu
In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson began the observation of Hispanic Heritage Week as a way to honor and show respect to American citizens of Hispanic and Latino descent. President Ronald Reagan extended this to a month by law on Aug. 17, 1988. During the span of Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, many Hispanic and Latin countries, such as Mexico, Chile, Honduras and Costa Rica, celebrate their independence. This month also includes Columbus Day on Oct. 12, which is celebrated in relation to Spain. The Marlin Chronicle spoke with Liz Brisson, the president of the Spanish Language and Culture Club, to discuss what the importance of this month is and how it pertains to VWC, as well as events happening to celebrate Hispanic and Latino culture around VWC. Q: What events are taking place during Hispanic Heritage Month? A: “Well, there have been movies (Spanish & with subtitles) every Friday afternoon through December the 2nd. They celebrate various facets of the Hispanic culture through various time settings and storylines. Also, the Spanish Language and Culture Club (SLACC) is taking the Lighthouse’s bus trip to D.C. this Friday. We plan to visit the indigenous museum and eat an ethnic lunch. Also, we plan to have a paint night for Dia de los Muertos, a Mexican holiday, around the end of October.” Q: Has the club been able to build membership over the past year? A:“Yes, we have seen a lot of interest on campus. We are always welcoming to more members, even if they do not speak Spanish or have Hispanic descent.” Q: What is the importance of the club and Hispanic Heritage Month? A: “The following is our mission statement and I believe it best encapsulates what SLACC is all about: We strive to create an environment where the richness of numerous Hispanic cultures is accurately portrayed and celebrated. By hosting events, sponsoring panels and discussions, and Britani Alyse| Marlin Chronicle creating a space where all can feel welcome, we hope to promote understanding and encourage acceptance of the Dr. Margolies selects a bee to show the class. Hispanic people and culture. Whether someone is a major/ Vauthier said. minor in Hispanic Studies, of Hispanic heritage or simply Powerful, indeed. According to Jessica Tucker of One enjoys learning more about the culture, we welcome all in Green Planet, an environmental awareness organization, our campus and community with open arms! “Bees are responsible for pollinating about one-sixth of Furthermore, I believe that Hispanic Heritage Month the flowering plant species worldwide and approximately allows members of the Hispanic community to showcase 400 different agricultural types of plant.” their pride and educate about their culture. It provides a As important as their role in the ecosystem is, their space for the rest of the world to observe and enjoy their plight went unnoticed by many outside active environrich heritage.” mentalist circles. Q: Do you think the school does a good job with show“We have had a huge disassociation with our food. It’s casing diversity, specifically towards the Latino/Hispanic so easy to go to the grocery store and not have to think community? Why or why not? about where our food comes from... If people get more to A: “Since VWC is a small college, the number of Hispanthe root of things, they’ll be a little bit more understandic students is disproportionately smaller than those of other ing of how crucial bees are,” Vauthier said. races. This only means that awareness has to be raised even If bees become extinct, many foods that are readily more. VWC has been very open to sponsoring events and available now would soon go with them. activities that celebrate and support Hispanics on campus. The Lighthouse has been of particular help in finding grant money, coordinating events and providing space to enrich and grow the Hispanic population on campus.” Q: Do you think having events that celebrate Hispanic CONTINUED FROM FRONT Heritage Month is beneficial? Why or why not? A: “Hispanic Heritage Month is of utmost importance. It is a time for not only Hispanics, but their allies of all races, to gather and enrich themselves in the history and tradition of their culture. Events are a vital part of raising that awareness. If the people are not educated, ignorance of the Hispanic community will prevail.”
DUOLINGO
MOLD CONTINUED FROM FRONT According to Moore, members of the Residence Life and Physical Plant staff are working diligently to address the mold. Robert Levinsky, head of the maintenance staff, is a leader in efforts to eliminate signs of mold and ensure student’s safety. EPA requirements are being followed in all mold-related cases. Bleach solutions, primer and paint treat the spread of the mold. Moore attributed the cause of the mold to the quantity of rain Hampton Roads received this season. “Being here for 17 years, we haven’t had a wetter fall,” Moore said. This theory is supported by the fact that other local institutions, including Norfolk State University, have also experienced problems with mold. On the bright side, Moore said he did not foresee this being an ongoing problem and believes the switch from air conditioning to heat in residence halls will make a large difference because it will make for a dryer environment. All signs of mold should be reported and students should ensure that their windows are not ajar, Moore said. An Oct. 14 email from Assistant Director of Residence Life Ashley Jones said workers would be doing “continued maintenance regarding the mold issues our buildings have been addressing.”
Britani Alyse| Marlin Chronicle A close up of the bee hive.
“We need to understand that we won’t get our flowering fruits and vegetables, which is the majority of the foods that we eat, without bees,” Vauthier said. Bees are an essential part of the plant reproduction process. One Green Planet created a list of foods that would no longer be available if bees became extinct. The list includes broccoli, asparagus, cucumbers, cantaloupe, pumpkins, blueberries, watermelon, almonds, apples, cranberries and cherries. “A bee’s life span is about 60 days during the major harvest where they are constantly flying out, collecting pollen and nectar, coming back, making that into honey, so they work a lot in the short days they have,” Vauthier said. Though bees have proven themselves to be very resilient creatures, they are no match for threats such as maltreatment from mass marketing, introduction of non-native animals and plants, habitat destruction and natural disasters. There are plenty of options for those who would like to make a difference in bee protection but aren’t equipped to take on the task of beekeeping. Vauthier said that even normal environmental protection can make a difference for bees. This includes recycling, always putting trash in a proper receptacle and picking up litter. People can also build insect hotels on the edge of fences or property lines. Simply piling stacks of twigs is an easy way to give insects places to stay. “[Insects] will be more inclined to go to the stack of twigs than to your own house. You’ve kept them away from your home, but also given them a place,” Vauthier said. Another simple measure people can take is buying food locally whenever possible. Knowing where food comes from and how it is made is even better. Beekeepers that use a more natural approach, free of chemicals and pesticides, help the bee population while providing the community with home-grown goods. When the supplies are available, Virginia Wesleyan College’s Beekeeping Club will sell beeswax candles made by the class, club members and, of course, the bees. Gardening is another option for students on campus who are looking to support the bees. “Plant flowers; have a garden. If you know someone that has a garden, then help them with their garden,” Vauthier said. Virginia Wesleyan College’s Community Youth Garden Club meets every Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. to facilitate lessons in gardening, including planting and harvesting.
is the most popular language being learned around the world on DuoLingo, according to their website’s activity reports, French and Spanish hold the next spots in line. French is DuoLingo’s second-most popular language learned throughout the world, and Spanish is the most popular language learned in the U.S. Liz Brisson, a sophomore at VWC, is working toward a degree in Spanish with certification in K-12 learning. She has taken eight Spanish classes, six before college and two at VWC. In high school, the only audio learning Brisson used came with the textbooks students were provided. Since Brisson tested out of introductory Spanish classes when she entered college, her language learning is more discussion-based and does not require audio components. “DuoLingo could be very beneficial here because there are only two Spanish professors, and you aren’t able to have conversations with them 24/7,” Brisson said. “You aren’t going to survive if you don’t hear the language.” Brisson is also president of the Spanish Language and Culture Club.The Britani Alyse| Marlin Chronicle club gets together for planned events as well as meetings and is open to any Wansink’s German 111 course has had the opportunity to take advantage student who has an interest in Hispanic culture. The goal of the club is to proof DuoLingo. mote learning and celebrate the culture. Students in this German course are expected to complete 90 minutes of DuoLingo offers lesson plans for practice per week on DuoLingo using either a computer or the app. Elliot casual learners that involve only five has used the program on both mediums, but prefers the app. minutes of study time a day. “It’s easier on the app,” Elliott said. “It speaks to me and lets me hear “Some students may not take any myself saying the words.” classes but are eager to learn,” Brisson Elliott spends 15 minutes a day on DuoLingo and will soon take the said. program’s placement test to advance her further in the lessons. She said This free program allows students an DuoLingo has aligned well with her class’s curriculum. alternative option for exploring their “Giving me a book and telling me to learn the language is hard. I want to interest in languages without paying hear the language and how it should sound,” Elliot said. for an extra class outside their path to Among the language instruction DuoLingo offers are French and Spanish, two other foreign language courses offered at VWC. Although English graduation.
3
COMMUNITY The
MARLIN CHRONICLE Editor-in-Chief
Thursday October 20, 2016 The Marlin Chronicle marlinchronicle.vwc.edu
Clowning around
Courtney Herrick clherrick@vwc.edu News Editors
Val Miller| Marlin Chronicle
Ashley Kline aakline@vwc.edu
Sarah Antozzi scantozzi@vwc.edu Community Editors Laurissa Senecal ljsenecal@vwc.edu Jasmine Driggs jtdriggs@vwc.edu Opinion Editor Michael Willson mnwillson@vwc.edu The Weekender Rebecca Lazzeri ralazzeri@vwc.edu Justin Smith jrsmith2@vwc.edu Sports Editor Hayley Heath hrheath@vwc.edu Corey King ckking1@vwc.edu Photo Editors Anthony Dellamura aadellamura@vwc.edu Illustrations Editor Britani Daley badaley@vwc.edu Valerie Miller vgmiller@vwc.edu Online/ Social Media Editor Victoria Laughlin vnlaughlin@vwc.edu Brandon Gilchrist bjgilchrist@vwc.edu Copy Editor Laurissa Senecal ljsenecal@vwc.edu Advertising Representative Courtney Herrick clherrick@vwc.edu Advisor
Dr. Lisa Lyon Payne lpayne@vwc.edu
BY KATIE BROOKS kcbrooks@vwc.edu
The emergence of a creepy “clown cult” across the East coast has people worrying about more than just what costume they will wear this Halloween. Since early August, creepy clowns have taken over much of every news outlet and social media venue. Although some sightings are simply hoaxes, others have resulted in arrests and even death. The fear caused by creepy clowns on the loose is very real. Children have reported being chased and attacked by clowns all across the United States. Clowns have been arrested for disorderly conduct or for wearing masks covering their face, which is outlawed in some states and localities. The most recent creepy clown phenomenon started early August, when Gags the Green Bay Clown was spotted wandering around Green Bay, Wisconsin carrying black balloons. Photos taken of the clown went viral and his own Facebook page was created. It was revealed quickly that Gags is simply advertisement for a new short film, “Gags,” produced by Adam Krause and Script 4 Sale Productions. Many other theories have surfaced pinning the recent clown phenomenon to new movie releases. Kristina Scott, a sophomore communication major is currently taking a Public Relations course, and she sees the value in this stunt. “I think that’s a great PR move. People will want to go see the movie because they’re already afraid of [the clowns] in the real world,” Scott said. Although Gags proved harmless and merely purposed for advertisement, the trend it started has been anything but. Now, the clown sightings are hitting closer to home. Colleges including James Madison University and Lynchburg College have been tortured with clown sighting rumors, stirring up campus groups. “Please do not engage” were the instructions Campus Safety and Security sent to students via email.
Students at JMU took a different approach in finding the rumored clown. “Students… took to ‘hunting down the clown’ with baseball bats and lacrosse sticks one night,” JMU senior Liza Miller described. It turned out the clown was a complete hoax; an idea started through social media postings. JMU sent an email statement to their students following the incident. “Most of the email was on how to properly use social media and how it was a little out of hand for the made up clown incident,” Miller explained. Local Hampton Roads public schools have also felt the impact of social media clown sightings as well as threats. According to WTKR News 3, both Hampton Police Department and Newport News Police Department tightened security at certain Hampton Public Schools in response to threats made via social media. Choosing to act on any clown threats could have legal ramifications. According to Virginia Law, “it shall be unlawful for any person over 16 years of age to… wear any mask… whereby a substantial portion of the face is hidden or covered.” Hampton police expanded on this in an interview with WTKR newschannel 3, sharing this class-6 felony can result in up to five years in prison and a $2,500 fine. The New York Times reported that, as of Sept. 29, 12 arrests have been made in multiple states. The most local occurred in Henrico, Virginia in which two teenagers were arrested for chasing children while wearing clown masks. The teenagers are currently facing charges. So far, no clown threat or clown sighting has directly impacted Virginia Wesleyan College’s campus. Amanda Albert, a sophomore peer advisor, did hear rumors from her freshmen about a possible clown costume floating around campus. “All of my freshmen were like, ‘heck no,” Albert said. Even though no clown has been sighted on campus, students are still preparing themselves for the possibility. Hannah Weber, a sophomore, has taken extra precautions. “I follow a twitter account, Report Clowns @reportsclowns, that tells me where the clowns are around the United States,” Weber said. Report Clowns posted about a clown sighting near Davinci Park in Virginia Beach, Virginia on Oct. 5. No photograph was shared with the tweet. Students differ in how they believe they would react. Ryan Fitzgibbon doesn’t believe he’d stick around long. “I’d turn around and hightail it out of there,” Fitzgibbon said. Scott agrees. “I’d probably try and avoid it,” she said. Weber believes she would use self-defense. “If it was behind me chasing me and I was in my car, I’d rear end it,” Weber said. Regardless of the purpose behind or validity of the clown chaos, the effects of this recent phenomenon are very real. With Halloween drawing near, though, there’s no sign that the clown activity will be slowing down anytime soon.
Blithe Spirit: backstage pass BY MORGAN BOYD mnboyd@vwc.edu
The Marlin Chronicle is the official student newspaper of Virginia Wesleyan College. Staff meetings are held every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in Batten 217. Signed submissions are welcome, but subject to the discretion of the editor. Letters are not edited for content, but may be edited for length. The views and opinions expressed in this newspaper may not necessarily reflect the views of the entire staff of The Marlin Chronicle or Virginia Wesleyan College. The Marlin Chronicle Virginia Wesleyan College 1584 Wesleyan Drive Norfolk, VA 23502 757.455.3311
“As a former collegiate student newspaper editor, professional journalist and long-time advisor for the Society of Collegiate Journalists, I understand the role and value of student media at a liberal arts college. Virginia Wesleyan College proudly supports the editorial independence and press freedom of student-edited publications. We believe that student editors have the authority to make all content decisions and consequently, assume full responsibility for decisions they make.” --Scott D. Miller, Ph.D President
Lights! Camera! Action! VWC’s production of Noel Coward’s “Blithe Spirit” took to the stage on Oct. 5. Dr. Travis Malone, professor of theatre, directed a seasoned cast and crew he selected from over 25 auditioners to produce the play. “All Wesleyan auditions are the same. We hold open auditions, where students can come and audition for the show,” Malone said. After watching all auditions, Malone called back 10 actors for a second round of auditions. “We have a very talented student body and it is amazing to see all of them come out and audition,” Malone said. The auditioning process is simple but filled with waiting. “You come in and usually you’ll see the stage manager and the director and they’ll give you a line to read and then you wait and hope they call you back for more reads,” senior Adrian Benn said. After set building, many hours of rehearsing lines and costume planning, the show is ready. During rehearsals, Malone directs the actors and makes sure the flow of the rehearsal goes as smoothly as possible by reminding the actors of their lines and their cues. The rest of the show is under the
Trey Delpo | Courtesy Charles’s dead wife returns as a ghost because of the seance.
Trey Delpo| Courtesy Madame Arcarti performs a seance to see what will happen. control of the stage manager who meets with the crew four days before the dress rehearsal. The crew is usually made up of students from Malone’s tech theatre class. They enjoy the experience. Over the course of the four days before the dress rehearsal, the crew learns their cues so they know when to come in and change the scene and certain props to set up for the actors. Crew members help with stage setup, sound booth, costume change and props. Thirty minutes before the show, the stage manager will come in to start on the preparations. The crew usually arrives an hour prior to the show’s start. “I usually will sit down 10 out of those 30 minutes to gather myself and look over my notes at the booth, so that I know what I’m supposed to be addressing with the crew that night,” stage manager Emily Vial said. When the crew comes in, they have to make sure to sign in before they pre-set. For “Blithe Spirit,” props included a lighter, flower pots and food and drink. Meanwhile, the actors do their own prep. “On production night, we do the usual stretches and then we practice our accents. Dr. Malone has a book of words and phrases and will shout them out to us to make sure we have this down, which is the most vital part of our preparation and getting us into character,” Benn said.
4 The Marlin Chronicle | marlinchronicle.vwc.edu
CAMPUS countdown October 21st Airband
Time: 9 p.m.- 11 p.m. Location: Batten Convocation Center Rock on! Airband, an annual student lip-sync competition featuring music and choreographed dance routines, will take place Friday, October 21 from 9-11 p.m. in the Batten Convocation Center. Open only to VWC students, faculty/ staff and alumni. For more information, call Kate Griffin.
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Jasmine Burrell
Business, Accounting focus Washington, D.C.
BY JASMINE DRIGGS
Activities: CEO of Marlin Business Association Member of Phenomenal Woman Member of Black Student Union
jtdriggs@vwc.edu
Q: “If you had to name 3 ways in which you have grown as a person and/or student since your freshman year what would they be?” A: “I am more confident in myself. I am more outspoken. I am more understanding of others.”
Senior Jasmine Burrell | Courtesy
Q: “What is your most memorable experience as a student at Virginia Wesleyan College?” A: “Starting Phenomenal Woman and having our first Women of Distinction Award Ceremony. “
October 24th The Thirteen
Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: Hofheimer Theatre
Q: “What would be your best piece of advice to the freshman class so that they can grow as people?” A: “Do a lot of stuff outside of your comfort zone.”
An all-star professional choral ensemble, under the direction of Matthew Robertson, known for inspired and powerful performances in repertoire ranging from the Renaissance to the Romantic. Call 757.455.2101 for reservations
October 27th Just the Facts: Truth and Media Coverage Time: 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Location: Blocker Auditorium Bill Adair will speak about the role of journalists in US elections, paying special attention to how journalists respond to distortions of facts or misinformation in election campaigns.
October 28th
Freshman
Jasmine Burrell | Courtesy
For Men Only
Britani Alyse | Marlin Chronicle
Time: 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Location: Back of Rose Lawn For Men Only, an intensive workshop of singing for male voices grades 9-12, will take place Friday, October 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Hofheimer Theater/Fine Arts. Led by Bryson Mortensen, Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choirs. Reservations are a must.
CRIME BLOTTER
Courtesy|Thinkstock
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A tree, broken in half by hurricane Matthew, lies by the walkway from village 3 to Blocker.
Students threw out hundreds of dollar’s worth of food after a three-day power outage caused by Hurricane Matthew. 6:30 p.m. |Vandalism High winds, beginning on Saturday, Oct. 8, announced the arrival of Hurricane MatVillage I thew, rocking streetlights and bowing down Graffiti tree limbs. A particularly strong gust toppled over a large tree, splitting VWC’s main elecOctober 8 tricity pole in half and causing a campuswide power outage. 1:33 a.m. |Vandalism Vice President of Academic affairs Dean O’Rourke called the storm “one of the Village I longest power outages during his time” at Virginia Wesleyan College. Broken door window. Although the Jane P. Batten Student Center has a back-up generator that was October 8 able to power the cafeteria, the majority of 11:11 p.m. |Controlled Substance campus, including all four villages, went without power. Village III Despite the fact that early reports released by Dominion Virginia Power sugNo description. gested the damaged power source would be fixed by Sunday, due to the severity of the damage and the plethora of power October 18 outages across Hampton Roads, power was 1:23 a.m. |Liquor Law Violation not restored to campus until Monday night after 8 p.m. Village II This had disastrous effects on student’s refrigerated food sources. No description. “We had to throw out like six or seven bags of food… it was bad,” junior Luke Wentling said. October 6
m r o st
“The storm certainly caught a lot of people by surprise,” Chaplain Greg West explained. Devastated by the amounts of food students had to throw out, some students have called for a reimbursement from the school. “The school should give us a week’s worth of swipes,” Wentling said. Others expressed discontent with the lack of hot water. “We lost power for like four days and I didn’t shower because there was no hot water,” sophomore Liza Holford said. While O’Rourke expressed sympathy for students facing “significant inconveniences” as a result of the power outage, he is thankful that the most loss from the storm was one day of canceled classes. “All things considered, I feel fortunate, I feel fortunate that the hurricane did not pass directly through Norfolk, I feel fortunate that most of the hazardous weather conditions occurred over the weekend… and ultimately on Monday we lost a day of classes,” O’Rourke said. Early models of the storm by WAVY News 10 predicted the storm would pass directly through Norfolk and be dangerous enough to warrant evacuations across Hampton Roads. O’Rourke explained that if the storm had progressed on this track, VWC students would have all been evacuated. However, the week of the storm, it appeared the storm had
Anthony Dellamura| Marlin Chronicle turned out to sea. “While we clearly underforecasted the rain and wind from the storm. Folks should still realize that there was some warning,” Meteorologist Jeremy Wheeler remarked on the WAVY News 10 blog. Wheeler explained that people did not take the storm and the multiple flood watch alarms seriously. While Hampton Roads endured extensive power outages, areas in North Carolina experienced severe flooding, which caused damage to homes and even deaths. “I think people were babies about it, people in Haiti are dying, we lost some food,” sophomore Hannah Weber said. What made the storm a challenge to prepare for was the constantly changing projections of how it would influence Hampton Roads. To compensate for this, O’Rourke explained that Virginia Wesleyan College’s emergency planning committee put several variations in place. “I think we were proactive in preparing for the worst case, we had a good plan for the better case we actually confronted…Students were greatly inconvenienced but they were not harmed,” O’Rourke explained.
5
OPINIONS
Thursday October 20, 2016 The Marlin Chronicle marlinchronicle.vwc.edu
Wear a costume that’s fun and respectful
BY JULIE AINSLEY jmainsley@vwc.edu
We all know who Katy Perry is, right? The artist is known for her chart-topping hits such as “Roar” and “Firework.” She is also known for intense style choices. Whether it is in her music videos or on the red carpet, she is always wearing something new. But while she wants the recognition of the “Queen of Pop,” her outrageous style choices have instead given her the recognition as “The Queen of Cultural Appropriation.” Cultural appropriation is the adoption or use of elements of one culture by members of another culture. While we see it all around us in the news and with celebrities such as Katy Perry, it is during Halloween that this seems to be the topic on a lot of college students’ and administration’s minds. It has been a topic for years, but I feel that this topic is more relevant than ever. In a society inspired by hate, racism, sexism and any other –ism that shows intoler-
ance, I am scared to see what people’s costumes will look like this year. Cultural appropriation may not seem like a big deal to some. People have been doing it for years. I think that it has been acceptable in the past because our society has normalized it into something that is funny to do. There are still many examples of this Halloween phenomenon in mainstream media. Halloween costumes stores like Party City advertise costumes like this all the time. Movies and TV shows have their characters dress offensively all the time but no one bats an eye. These many examples have overpowered the movement to end cultural appropriation. Halloween has always been celebrated as a day to be something you’re not. You are supposed to dress up as something funny, scary or weird. It is supposed to be fun seeing everybody in their costumes because it shows personality. It portrays your humor and what you believe in. However, through cultural appropriation, the celebration has taken it too far. The fun is created at another group’s expense. By dressing up as a different ethnic group or race, you are calling that culture funny, scary or weird. By doing this, some people are using this holiday as an excuse to be racist. This only adds to the ingrained discrimination that this country has. Instead of cultural appropriation, celebrate cultural appreciation. Celebrate the diversity that everyone brings to our American culture. These cultures make
America so let us show appreciation for what makes our country great and not use their dress and negative stereotypes to be sexy or to get a laugh. Before you buy your costume this year, think about it. Does this costume say something negative about you? Does this costume say something negative about another culture? Does this costume enforce any negative stereotypes? Is there someone who you wouldn’t want to see you in this costume? If you answered yes to one or all of these questions, do not buy it. Why waste the money when you can buy a totally funny costume that everyone can enjoy? We as a community need to advocate against this horrible practice of cultural appropriation. Penn State, just a few weeks ago, released a campaign to shame students over instances of cultural appropriation. They all are different but they share the same two messages: “We’re a culture, not a costume” and “This is not who I am, and this is not okay.” I believe that all of the pictures are powerful and it shows that a campus can make a difference. I believe we can make a difference just by looking out for each other and not participating. Let’s not become just another headline. This Halloween, be an advocate against cultural appropriation. Stand up for diversity. Stand up for our Marlins and for the people who can’t stand up for themselves.
Val Miller|Marlin Chronicle
Must-see horror movies for a haunting Halloween BY JONATHAN JOYNER jrjoyner@vwc.edu
Halloween is right around the corner, and for those of you who need some kind of entertainment to satisfy your creepy side, I think I have the answer: scary movies. Scary movies have been in the making almost as long as the film industry has been around and has spawned many sub genres in itself. Ranging from childish and thrilling to gruesome and bloody, whatever type you like, there is a movie for it. For those of you who are not into the blood and gore of slasher films, there are many other options available for you. For
example, “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” a story about Halloween Town’s beloved citizen Jack Skellington, is a less scary horror film. Another example is “The Halloweentown” series, a story about a girl who learns that she and most her family can use magic. A personal favorite from my childhood is “R.L. Stine’s: The Haunting Hour Don’t Think About It,” which is a story about a girl named Cassie who receives a book that releases an evil demon known as the “Evil Thing.” Other honorable mentions include “Monster House,” “Coraline” and “Hocus Pocus.” These movies I would recommend to those who do not enjoy gruesome bloody movies and prefer movies that are more Disney style and are for children. For those of you who enjoy seeing something bloody and frightening, the following list is for you. Movies that will give you chills are many in number. Examples of this include the classic “A Nightmare on Elm Street” series and the “Friday the 13th” series. The “A Nightmare on Elm Street” series is a story about a ghostly se-
rial killer named Freddy Krueger who attacks people in their dreams. “Friday the 13th” is about another ghostly serial killer named Jason Voorhees who is always seen wearing a hockey-mask and is killing people near Camp Crystal Lake. Further examples include Stephen King stories like “It” and “The Shining.” “It” revolves around a group of kids being tortured by a demon disguised as a clown named Pennywise. “The Shining” revolves around the Torrance family and their spiritual encounters at The Overlook Hotel. More modern examples include “The Babadook,” a story about a boy and his mother being haunted by a demon from a book. Other modern examples include “The Conjuring” series and “The Purge” series. “The Conjuring” being about the exploits of Ed and Lorraine Warren and their many adventures as ghost researchers. “The Purge” series being about an alternate world where in the U.S., there is a night every year where all crime, including murder, is allowed. This is meant to be a way to purge all bad thoughts and emotions in
one night to lower the crime rate. A personal favorite of mine is “The Jeepers Creepers” series, which is a story about a demon, known as “The Creeper,” that awakens every 23rd spring and roams on a killing spree for 23 days. Other honorable mentions include “The Saw” series, “The Scream” series, “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” series and “The Blair Witch Project.” This list is not recommended for those who are faint of heart and those who easily get nightmares. These movies I would mainly recommend to those who enjoy a good scare and are not afraid of having nightmares later. Scary movies are supposed to be the fun part of Halloween and are meant to give you and your friends a good scare. For me, horror movies are a classic aspect of the Halloween season. They are the modern way that scary stories are told and can be fun for everyone who is not afraid of them. In my opinion, these movies will continue to be a valued piece of the fall season for years to come.
Stop clowning around before someone gets hurt BY JONATHAN JOYNER jrjoyner@vwc.edu
Ever since this past August, all across the United States and even in Britain, there have been a growing amount of incidents involving scary clowns. These incidents started in Greenville, South Carolina and have been seen by many as just some elaborate prank that people came up with just to be funny. In a way, I believe this theory may have been correct, but I believe this has grown to be something more dangerous. Lately these incidents have been turning into attacks, with some people now getting
Britani Alyse|Marlin Chronicle
stabbed or severely injured in some way. States ranging from California, to Georgia, to Wisconsin and even up north in areas like Maine, Vermont and New York have experienced these attacks. By now more than half of the country has been effected. I believe these incidents may have started as an elaborate prank as some theorists have thought. People were probably just influenced by the recent use of clowns or scary clown masks in frightening TV series like “American Horror Story: Freak Show.” In this show, one of the villains is a deranged clown named Twisty who enjoys torturing his victims before killing them. Another influence may be the “The Purge” series in which every year for one night all crime is allowed in a dystopian United States of America, including murder. It is a purge of all bad emotions in one night. Many of the characters in these movies wear masks to avoid being identified during the purge. The last influence I can think of is the recent comeback of Stephen King’s novel “It”, in which a demon, disguised as the infamous Pennywise the Clown, attempts to murder innocent children through means of luring them in with persuasion tactics. It is also a possibility that this could just be a bad case of people acting like fools, thinking they can get away with scaring people. These pranks could, however, escalate further if the problem is not dealt with. The problem we are having is that the police are not catching all of these clowns and they are constantly escaping with more victims left in their wake. These people seem to be very elusive. Some people have even been chased and stabbed or threatened with kidnapping by these strange characters while walking around at night. People believe they can get away with almost anything and they are getting more and more violent. People have been misusing the clown mask as something frightening for years now, taking advantage of certain people’s fear of clowns. This is where I figured out where the influences for these incidents may have stemmed from. People may be mixing the clown killer aspects of “It” and “American Horror Story: Freak Show” and the senseless attacking aspects of “The Purge” series, and making their own style of crime to throw into this world. I cannot find a legitimate reason for these incidents and cannot find a reason-
able answer for these people’s actions except that they watch too many horror movies and believe they can imitate them. Maybe this is why we do not show gruesome horror movies to children so they will not turn out like this with a twisted sense of humor. Contrary to what these people dressed as clowns think, these attacks are no laughing matter and are striking fear into many citizens across the country, and in some cases other countries as well. This idea may have started as an idiotic prank, but this is going too far. It is as if these people are trying bring the gruesome acts we see on TV to life. They started off in South Carolina just scaring people at night with creepy costumes but now are attacking people and making threats of kidnapping. Examples of attacks have already been seen in Reading, Pennsylvania, where a 16-year-old was fatally stabbed by a man in a clown mask. Another example of an attack was in Colorado Springs when a man allegedly obtained deep head wounds from a person wearing a clown costume. The wound was so severe that he had to get stitches to reattach his ear. Threats of school attacks and kidnappings have been seen in states like Wisconsin, Missouri and Texas as well as many others. This is a prank that has gone too far and needs to stop. The attention given to these “clowns” has even spread to other countries such as Britain. Recently in Britain, a man in a clown outfit threw a sharp stick at a 17-year-old boy’s head. If we are not too careful, this problem could grow to worldwide proportions. On social media, people are now starting rumors about these clowns and, in my opinion, are just giving these pranksters what they want, attention. A startling rumor I heard recently is that these “clowns” are planning a purge right before Halloween as a means to copy “The Purge.” As stated above, I do not believe these rumors but what I do believe is that this problem needs to be handled before it really does go too far. We cannot ignore the problem forever, especially since that is what the media is saying while these attacks keep happening. Telling people to not wear masks and to ignore the clown sightings will solve nothing. This a call to action. People may be at risk.
6 The Marlin Chronicle | marlinchronicle.vwc.edu
Thursday, October 20, 2016
The great mc debate: Trump v. clinton Benjamin Astrum
Let me start this off by saying that Trump is not the perfect candidate. He has flaws just as everyone else does and I do not agree with 100 percent of the things he says and does. With that being said, I do plan on voting for Donald Trump on Nov. 8. One big concern of mine is the military and veteran’s affairs (VA). A lot of the people in my family have served in one or several branches of the United States Military and I am very proud of that. The current healthcare system for veterans is abysmal and many die waiting for access to healthcare, which is not any way to treat those who have dedicated their lives to us. Trump plans to appoint a VA Secretary whose sole purpose will be to serve veterans in the hopes that they will get better service and treatment and he is going to ensure that veterans have the choice to seek care at the VA or at a private service provider of their own choosing. Trump would also like to fully repeal the defense sequester and submit a new budget to rebuild our depleted military. Another issue facing America right now is immigration. Illegal immigration is a big problem in this country and something needs to be done about it. Undocumented immigrants take resources away from American citizens. The current immigration policy costs taxpayers $300 billion a year. I believe that $300 billion can be used elsewhere and we do not need to spend it on people who are illegally here. Trump wants to terminate Obama’s executive amnesties where he had granted amnesty to all of the undocumented immigrants currently in the country. Trump only wants to let in immigrants that will be successful in our economy and help it thrive, something that I believe will be
beneficial to us. If someone clearly cannot be successful in our economy, then why even waste time and resources letting them in, knowing they’ll either leave or live off the government in a few years. Also, allowing all of these undocumented immigrants into the country is a big slap in the face to immigrants who came to this country legally. Trump’s commitment to maintaining our second amendment also hits home for me. The right to bear arms is integral to our society, especially today with so many mentally ill people running through the streets. Almost everyone knows about the tragedy that happened in Orlando at the Pulse Nightclub but what everyone doesn’t know about is the tragedy that was avoided at Playoffz Nightclub. Exactly two weeks after the Pulse shooting, someone tried to shoot up a nightclub in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The shooter did, unfortunately, shoot three victims but before he could shoot any more, another man at the nightclub took out his concealed gun and put a bullet in the shooter. Luckily, the three victims’ injuries were not life threatening. Vote for Trump on Nov. 8 and make America great again!
Bayli Foley
I think Hillary Clinton is by far the best candidate in this election. I don’t believe she should only be voted for as a way to vote against her opponent, but rather because she is the most qualified candidate we have ever had. She devoted her life to providing accessible healthcare and childcare, she is going to fight to overturn Citizens United in order to get rid of the big money influence in politics, she will defend Planned Parenthood women’s health care and she will fight to put an end to for-profit private prisons. Clinton is a workhorse, not a show horse. In 1979, Clinton was appointed as the chair of the Rural Health Advisory Committee in Arkansas. In addition to the radical scholarly articles she had put out at this time, she also began to expand medical facilities to make healthcare more accessible to Arkansas’s poorest people without raising the fees of doctors. Meanwhile, you could find Republican candidate Donald Trump enforcing policies that prevented black people from renting apartments in his buildings. Later on, Clinton joined her husband in the White House as First Lady and began pushing for everyone in the United States to have affordable healthcare. Though this failed, she then pushed to create a program called SCHIP (the State Children’s Health Insurance Program) which has essentially provided healthcare for approximately 8 million children in the U.S. This is a great example of how Clinton never gives up. Instead of
giving up after failing at remaking the entire healthcare system, she came back and created health care reform for kids in need. If we look at Trump during this time, he was in New York City actively advocating for the execution of innocent black boys in the 1989 Central Park Five Case. We can then move ahead to 9/11 where then Senator Clinton of New York could be found on the front lines during the crises and then found fighting to achieve improved benefits for the first responders. Trump on the other hand was fighting as well- fighting to ensure the 9/11 tragedy benefited him and was busy firing people as a reality TV boss. Now we can take a look at what Secretary Clinton has been doing more recently. She successfully worked with President Obama to rebuild the United States’ reputation worldwide. She gets along well with not only Democrats but also Republicans. This can be seen when she became a senator in New York and had to work with both a Republican mayor and governor. This is an important quality to have in a president because without the ability to work with both parties, nothing can ever get done. We need to wake up on Nov. 9 to a president who will help our country thrive and make sure that important issues like racial injustice and climate change are no longer swept under the rug but rather will be at the forefront of every mind throughout our country.
Some recreational learning
BY TAYLOR BOYD tpboyd@vwc.edu
Recently I have been reflecting on all my college experience more often than I did before. I am very happy to be majoring in psychology as I find it fascinating and challenging and it allows me to learn something new. I would never want to change my psychology major for something else, but I have thought that if I were to ever become a double major, I would also major in recreation and leisure studies. A lot of people would look at me and laugh when I say that or put on a simple smirk. But I believe being a recreation and leisure studies major could never be a lame decision. As a recreation and leisure studies major you will be taught how to interact with people in a positive fashion. This alone requires skills in public speaking and communication. Recreation and leisure studies majors are exposed to countless fields in the professional world such as hospitality, medicine, tourism, travel, therapy and rehabilitation. This makes the major broad enough to literally be applied to anything. This is also one of the reasons I chose psychology. I just personally think it would be cool to be able to enter the business of anything travel related. You would have the upper hand in understanding the ins and outs and the pros and cons of different types of travel. If you are a college student, that is one thing we would love to do, even if we worry on how we can actually have a job that mixes both business and travel. Well I feel that this
Val Miller|Marlin Chronicle
major is certainly a good option for that. Business and finances can be taken into consideration when you’re a recreation and leisure studies major, as leisure is something we as a culture love to do. You have the potential of learning how to start your own business in this field as well if you’re interested, as there are many classes on management that you can take while you’re in this major. Are you an animal lover? Because animals certainly are a part of people’s pass times and many different types of animals can be apart of leisure or even recreational therapy. Not to mention that many of the classes you take are both fun and interesting. They cover a variety of topics such as dancing, swimming and sports. So the next time someone gives you a smirk when you tell them you’re interested in being apart of the recreation and leisure studies department, keep moving forward and feel free to school them. This major is worth it.
Val Miller|Marlin Chronicle
Letter to the Editor RE “Westward Expansion” (Sept. 15, 2016): I respectfully disagree with a staff member’s quoted comments that “there’s not a ton of places to live close to campus” and that new housing options are needed for those who “want to live close to campus but either can’t afford to live in the nice places close to campus, or don’t want to die in the other places.” As a 30-year resident of the neighborhood adjacent to the campus and as a board member in the local civic league, I can say that the choices aren’t as stark as these comments suggest. I see an abundance of decent, affordable housing within easy walking distance of campus. Besides the hundreds of homes like mine, there are thousands of well-kept apartments available at competitive rates, with more currently being constructed along Baker Road. My immediate neighbors include a physical therapist, a Navy family with sons in college, a retired social worker, a home-improvement contractor, and a high school science teacher. We’ve worked hard to maintain our community, and the college has probably benefited from our efforts. This is not the first time I’ve encountered comments like these. The college has begun once again to “partner” with us in various projects that are underway, but there can be no genuine partnership when one partner continually denigrates the other. Instead, in this season of “standing together,” VWC students, faculty and staff could do worse for themselves and the college than to move in alongside us (yes, I mean literally!) and stand with us as we confront racism, classism, and general bigotry. Be assured that we in Lake Edward, Wesleyan Forest, Weblin Place, and other affordable neighborhoods surrounding the campus are not dying in large numbers. We’re your neighbors, we think we have a pretty good deal on our housing, and we’re very much alive. Carol Johnson Department of English
7
SPORTS
Thursday October 20, 2016 The Marlin Chronicle marlinchronicle.vwc.edu
the
Golf day a success for sports teams DUGOUT Marlins Softball, Baseball, and Men’s Lacrosse host golf tournament
Coombs continues to run ramped on the ODAC BY COREY KING
Hayley Heath |Marlin Chronicle Players from Virginia Wesleyan College and other supporters gather at the Honey Bee fundraiser hosted by baseball, softball and mens’s lacrosse. BY HENRY TASKER hltasker@vwc.edu
On Oct. 7, the Virginia Wesleyan Baseball, Softball and Men’s Lacrosse teams came together to play host to 176 golfers at Honey Bee Golf Course in Virginia Beach to raise money for their respective programs. The event was an overwhelming success with coaches, alumni, parents, school faculty and staff and current students turning out to play a round. The golf was played in shotgun format, which meant that each set of four golfers started at the same time at a different hole. There were tee-offs at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. with food served between the end of the morning round and the beginning of the afternoon. Virginia Wesleyan College President Scott Miller said, “We’re delighted that the weather turned out so great. We have around 170 golfers, and it’s a great way to get alumni back and involved.” With Hurricane Matthew’s path up in the air, many were unsure about whether or not the tournament would even happen. The inbound storm did not hit until Saturday, however, so with the temperature 75 degrees, the sun shining and only one or two clouds, the golf day went off without a hitch. Softball Head Coach Brandon Miller said, “We’re very fortunate to be able
to partner with lacrosse and baseball team’s head coach said, “It was a for this tournament. We each had our wonderful day. The merger was a great own separate events, and after some idea. The gathering of families from all of discussion, decided to come together and the teams really has been great.” have one big party.” As an extra fundraiser, a group of players gathered on the sixth hole, charging players $5 to be able to hit a ball out of a cup for an extra stroke. The winners of the tournament were Tyler and David Floyd, Dan Griggs and Cole Herrington, who golfed at Virginia Wesleyan College from 2001 until 2005. The team shot 54, which is a massive 16 strokes under par. “It’s a reason to get back, connect and hang out. It makes it even better that I get to donate to a good cause,” alumnus Keith Petters said. It wasn’t just players and coaches who participated, even the VWC staff came out to support the programs. Mike Rigby, who works in maintenance and groundskeeping at the college said, “It was great, I shot a 63. I have a lot of support for all the programs and I’ve played in the lacrosse outing with JP Stewart for years.” Alumni were by far the majority in participation on the day. Nick Pappas, from the class of 2014 said, “It is a great group here. We played hard and we played well. It’s a good community here.” Hayley Heath |Marlin Chronicle The coaches of the teams were also in Sophomore Tyler Floyd prepares to tee attendance. Chris Francis, the baseball off.
Women’s soccer wins homecoming game BY COREY KING ckking1@vwc.edu
Hurricane Matthew couldn’t stop Virginia Wesleyan College’s women’s soccer team from getting the victory over the Maroons of Roanoke College. Homecoming weekend usually draws a good-sized crowd. Many alumni of Virginia Wesleyan College are athletes so you can always expect to see a good number of fans during these games. The women’s game was originally slated to be at 5 p.m. but with Hurricane Matthew barreling up the east coast, the athletic department decided to move it to 11 a.m. Saturday. When the game started, the weather was poor. The cold, overcast day negatively affected the players on the field. Goalie Taylor Chapman had a great game for the Marlins. She had some big shoes to fill, replacing last year’s goalie Megan Gerhart. Chapman had four saves for the Marlins in the shutout victory. The lone goal for the Marlins came very early in the first half. At about 19 minutes into the game, the Marlins took the lead and never let it up. Senior Annie Hartman sent a corner kick into the box where senior Catherine Galway got the first touch, and then sent it into the back
Sports Information| Courtesy Senior Amanda Baxter celebrates a goal with teammates. of the net. “I love watching my friends play and just like any other person, I like watching my friends win,” senior Briana Clarkson said. “I come to a lot of these games and enjoy every second of them because the way these girls play is exciting and now
that I’m beginning to understand the sport better, it makes it that much better,” Clarkson said. Roanoke was never able to bounce back from that blow coming from Galway at just under the 19 minute mark. They had a few chances throughout the game, but nev-
er could quite get the ball into the back of the net. A Former Marlin soccer player, Mike Delaney, stood out in the rain watching not only the women’s game, but also his former team play after them. “I love watching these girls grind it out. With the weather like this, you had to know today was going to be a battle. We ended up striking first and sometimes that’s all you need,” Delaney said. Delaney may have gotten wet, but at least he went home happy. “I’m really glad both these teams pulled it out today. I know a lot of these athletes and I really enjoy watching them succeed,” Delaney said. Women’s soccer will be in competition again on Oct. 11 against Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia for an ODAC matchup. The VWC athletics page on Twitter, @VWCathletics, will release updates.
Marissa Coombs is entering her junior year, and most people think that she would have settled down a bit from her impressive stats the past two years. That just doesn’t seem like it is going to be the case for the long distance runner from New Jersey. Coombs came in as a two sport athlete, playing soccer and cross country. She made the decision to stick to just track, and it seems to have been the best move. She has set numerous records in here three years at schools as well as racking in many accolades. In fall season alone Coombs has already started the year like she was shot out of a cannon. Coombs has been named the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) runner of the week twice already, as well as placing in the top three in two events. In the Don Cathcart Invitational at Salisbury University, Coombs placed first out of 260 runners at the event. Then without missing a beat, Coombs got right back into that spot in the Gettysburg Invitational. Coombs once again placed first for collegiate athletes. Coombs ran a career best 22:43.0 in the 6k run. She beat her previous career best, which was set at the National Collegiate Athletic Association regional last year, by 40 seconds. Coombs will be back in action again for the Marlins on Oct. 29 in Lexington, Virginia. This meet will be for the fall cross country ODAC tournament.
Sports Information| Courtesy Junior Marissa Coombs leads the group in the 6k race.
Get to know YOUR community. @marlinchronicle or @marlinsports
8 The Marlin Chronicle | marlinchronicle.vwc.edu
AT A GLANCE Field Hockey
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Senior night ends in defeat
Oct. 22 at Bridgewater Oct. 27 at St. Mary’s Oct. 29 Shenandoah
Men’s Soccer Oct. 22 at Guilford Oct. 26 Randolph-Macon Oct. 29 Shenandoah
Women’s Soccer Oct. 22 at Washington and Lee Oct. 26 Sweet Briar Oct. 29 Shenandoah
Women’s Volleyball OCT 22 AT HOLLINS OCT 22 VS. GREENSBORO @ ROANOKE, VA
Cross-Country OCT 29 VS. ODAC CHAMPIONSHIPS @ LEXINGTON, VA. NOV 12 VS. NCAA SOUTH/ SOUTHEAST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS @ MOUNT BERRY, GA. NOV 19 VS. NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS @ LOUISVILLE, KY.
Score Board Field Hockey
Oct. 04 at Wesley L, 4-2 Oct. 08 Roanoke W, 2-1 Oct. 12 at Randolph-Macon W, 3-2
Anthony Dellamura|Marlin Chronicle BY COREY KING ckking1@vwc.edu
The Knights tied the game late 19-19, and once they tied the game they never looked back. The Knights went on a streak of five unanswered points which gave them a 24-19 lead. The Marlins got a point back, but immediately following, the Knights ended the set with a final score of 25-20. This loss for the Marlins put them at 13-13 on the season. The Marlins will be back in action again at Hollins University on Oct. 22. Marlins Kills: Dare Wright (8) Tiffany Barrett (8) Doneisha Hall (8) Assists: Meghan Wood (21) Emilee Pierson (14) Knights Kills: Penny Gwynn (16) Hannah Allred (14) Assists: Valerie Baety (22) Alexandria Felkins (18)
On Oct. 18, the Marlins volleyball team took the court against the Knights of Southern Virginia for their senior night, but the night did not go as the Marlins would have hoped. The Marlins headed into the contest against the Knights with a record of 13-12 and 4-4 in conference play. The Marlins went back and forth with the Knights the whole first set. The Marlins took the lead late 22-21, but ended up allowing the Knights to go on a four point streak to close out the Marlins in the first set. The second set was a head scratcher for the Marlins for sure. The Marlins jumped out to a quick lead and it looked as though they would not give it up. The score was 20-12 when the tides turned for the Marlins. The Knights went on a huge run and re-gained ground on the Marlins.The Marlins scored for the first time again when the score was 20-19, making it 21-19. After that the Marlins scored three unanswered and were stopped once again at 24. The Knights then went on a run of there own and tied the game 2424. The Marlins and Knights trade points to make it 25-25, but after that the Knights score two consecutive points to take match two. In match three it was more of the same. The Marlins and Knights went back and forth the whole game. The Marlins biggest lead of that set was two points. Anthony Dellamura |Marlin Chronicle Senior Maddy McMurry gets introduced with her team.
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All-time-kills record broken in volleyball Senior Tiffany Barrett breaks VWC all-time- kills record in volleyball
Oct. 15 at East. Mennonite W, 3-2 Oct. 16 vs. Transylvania @ Harrisonburg, VA W, 3-1
Men’s Soccer Oct. 05 N.C. Wesleyan W, 3-2 Oct. 08 Bridgewater W, 3-0 Oct. 10 at Ferrum W, 2-0 Oct. 12 at Hampden-Sydney W, 2-1 Oct. 15 Roanoke T, 0-0
Anthony Dellamura |Marlin Chronicle Senior Tiffany Barrett jumps up for a spike against Southern Virginia.
Women’s Soccer Oct. 04 at Catholic L, 3-0 Oct. 08 Roanoke W, 1-0 Oct. 11 at Randolph-Macon T, 1-1 Oct. 15 Guilford W, 2-0
Women’s Volleyball Oct. 06 Averett W, 3-2 Oct. 08 Roanoke W, 3-0 Oct. 08 St. Josephs (Brkln) W, 3-0 Oct. 14 East. Mennonite W, 3-0 Oct. 15 Bridgewater (Va.) W, 3-0 Oct. 18 Southern Virginia,
Anthony Dellamura |Marlin Chronicle Senior Tiffany Barrett serves the ball. BY PATRICK SUTTLE pjsuttle@vwc.edu
The Marlins’ volleyball team’s go-to player, senior Tiffany Barrett, broke the VWC all-time-kills record on Sept. 24 at Berry College in Mt. Berry, Georgia. Tiffany has played the outside hitter position for the VWC Marlins for four years. The former record of 1,245 kills was set by our current assistant volleyball coach, Kala Herman, in 2012. Barrett was very surprised that she broke Herman’s record. “I did not know that I broke Coach Herman’s record until coach Hoover told me that night after the game,” Barrett said. Teammate Maddy McMurry and Barrett have played on the VWC volleyball team together for all four years. “Tiffany has been a leader by her posi-
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tive personality and is our points leader. She has always been a positive influence and encourages other players to work hard,” McMurry said. Barrett said she loves the VWC community and the friendly atmosphere of a small private school. In addition to playing volleyball, she enjoys spending time with friends in the dorm, likes to sing and is a math major. “I love the aggression and competitive aspects in practice and in games,” Barrett said. Her love of the game gained recognition from her coaches. “Tiffany has been a starter since her freshman year and became our go to hitter in her sophomore year. She had a phenomenal season last year and received an Honorable Mention All-American in 2015,” Hoover said. “Tiffany loves the game of volleyball, more than many people. She puts her heart and soul in practice and all games. Tiffany is very quiet, very thoughtful of
all of her teammates and is very good about keeping the team spirited,” Herman said After hearing about Barrett breaking her own record, Herman was excited. “I was overjoyed for her. Last year she was about 100 kills away from breaking the record and I knew she was going to work hard to accomplish this goal. She is a well-deserving player and I am honored that she took the cup from me. It has been a great honor and pleasure to coach someone who played outside hitter as a freshman and watch her three years later break my record. I am proud of Tiffany and the great impact she has made on our volleyball program,” Herman said. Hoover has watched Barrett become a team mentor because of her talent and abilities. Hoover is impressed with Barrett’s progress over the past four years. Our volleyball program is indebted to Barrett’s records and performance on the floor over the past four years.
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THEWEEKENDER
OCTOBER 20, 2016
PAGE 9
MARLINS COME HOME AGAIN Homecoming makes a triumphant return after 2015 cancellation
BY LUKE CHIASSON lachiasson@vwc.edu
The 2016 Virginia Wesleyan Homecoming Parade took place on Friday, Oct. 7 on the Batten Lawn. The event, run by the Student Government Association (SGA), drew 24 clubs, organizations, faculty members and athletic teams all doing their best to incorporate the jungle theme into their acts and win one of the five $100 prizes. “I am very satisfied with how the parade went. We had a great turnout, both in the parade and with parade goers. I noticed that virtually every member of the college’s administration was in attendance - it’s always nice to see how much support we get from them,” SGA President Nicholas Hipple said. All of the bleachers were packed and the crowd had to resort to standing along the parade route. Some lucky audience members were able to find a seat by the stairs next to the judges’ table. Once the winners were announced, the majority of the crowd stormed over to the outside area of The Batten Center overlooking the parade where facility workers were ready to drop hundreds of balloons. Each balloon had a prize in it ranging from cash to gift cards that students could take home with them. Homecoming was canceled last year because of Hurricane Joaquin, so this parade was the first VWC Homecoming Parade for both sophomores, freshmen and Miller. “I’d also like to express my gratitude to our Offices of Advancement and Alumni Relations for a very successful Homecoming & Family Weekend despite the unanticipated planning challenges caused by the weather. It was a pleasure to take part in this treasured VWC tradition alongside students, parents, alumni, faculty and staff and friends of the College,” Miller said in a recent Nota Bene email. During the parade, each sports team and club had the opportunity to put on a mini-show and compete for a prize. Batten Lawn turned into a jungle for 45 minutes as organizations did their best Tarzan and Jane impressions, different style dances and tossed prizes to the crowd. The Women’s Lacrosse team decided to mix in a couple classic jungle scenes from “The Jungle Book” and “Tarzan” for their skit. “This year we really grew as a team doing this together and we all worked together and thought of ideas instead of just being told what to do and wear and buy. I think it was good to hear everyone’s opinions
FALL PLAY UPSTAGED BY STORM
Janice Marshall- Pittman | Courtesy
Sigma Nu and Alpha Sigma Alpha collaborate for parade competition.
because that’s very important to being successful on the field and off and in every aspect of life,” Women’s Lacrosse Team Captain Megan Schallock said. Although the team members were able to do their performance with cheers from the crowd, they wished some things could have gone differently. “It would have been nice to spend more time on the overall performance of the skit and the quality of it and having an actual float to present to the judges instead of just a sign on the car,” Schallock said. This year, both SGA and the Wesleyan Activities Council (WAC) experienced slow sign-ups for events. However, SGA was able to prevail through this difficulty. “At first, people were slow to sign up to participate in the parade after the general email, so we called an audible. We specifically reached out to each coach, each Greek president, et cetera. That helped increase the enrollment in the parade and ultimately made the parade what I would definitely call a success,” Hipple
COSTUMES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Trey Delpo| Courtesy
Abby Horgan (Elvira) and Collette Vauthier (Madame Aracti).
Two “Blithe Spirit” performances canceled because of hurricane’s effects BY CYNTHIA GRIFFIN clgriffin@vwc.edu BY REBECCA LAZZERI ralazzeri@vwc.edu
The Saturday night and Sunday afternoon showings of “Blithe Spirit” were canceled because of Hurricane Matthew, but earlier shows were praised by the audience. Senior Collette Vauthier played Madame Arcati, one of the six cast members in the play. Vauthier said it was disappointing to cancel the last two shows, and that the cast was pleased with the first few performances beginning with Wednesday’s matinee. “We were ready to go into our second performance and they said no- that we couldn’t do it at like 6:45 and our call was at 6. So we already had been 45 minutes into getting ready, so it was disappointing to cancel. Sunday we just kind of knew it would be canceled since the power went out,” Vauthier said. Campus lost power shortly after the Saturday night showing would have occurred, but events were canceled much earlier due to flooding and harsh conditions. “I still had people ready to come onto campus on Saturday night into the storm which would have been totally crazy. It’s good that they canceled it when they did and we couldn’t have said how bad it was going to get,” Vauthier said.
said. The five prizes were awarded for Best Skit, Best use of Theme, Best Float and Best Overall. Men’s basketball took home Best Skit with its rendition of Tarzan saving Jane. The African Student Association won Best Overall Use of Theme. Alpha Sigma Alpha and Sigma Nu drove away with Best Float. The Dance Team brought the Most VWC Spirit. The Elite Marlin Steppers awed the crowd with a performance earning Best Overall. The judges for the event were Dr. Craig Wansink, professor of religious studies and the Joan P. and Macon F. Brock, Jr. and director of the center for the study of religious freedom, Josh Ford, village IV coordinator, and Elaine Aird, accounts payable coordinator in the business office. The Homecoming Court was as follows: Freshmen Kylea McCarel and Adam Grass, Sophomores Nicole Johnson and AJ Ramirez, Juniors Michelle Yates and Armon Ardila, and Seniors Amber Gaines and Tyler Turner.
Sophomore Anthony Terry, saw “Blithe Spirit” for the first time on Friday night. He had never heard of the play prior to going to see it. His roommate, Grant Bennet played the main character, Charles Condomine. “I read lines with him a few times with him, so I had a little bit of background on the play. It was a lot better than I thought it was going to be,” Terry said. Bennet had never been in a play at Virginia Wesleyan before, but he took the Tech Theatre course at the school in the past. He admitted that he was a little nervous about having the lead in the first play that he ever acted in at Virginia Wesleyan College “It was stressful, this was only the fifth play I have ever acted in and I didn’t want to let anybody down because they were all counting on me just as much as I was counting on them,” Bennet said. Even though he was nervous leading up to the play, in the end he felt very proud of his performance as well as the casts’ performance as a whole. With all of the parents, students, and faculty that came out to see the show there is no doubt that “Blithe Spirit” was nothing but a success.
Moore pointed to the Virginia Wesleyan Creed which says, “We value and respect diversity in all facets of our multicultural society.” The Student Government Association (SGA) is restricted as well, despite being the link between the students and the staff on campus. Nich Hipple, president of the SGA, said that according to its own rules, the organization was “unable to pursue any actions that could address cultural appropriation without having been told that it is an issue.” He encouraged students who note any instances of cultural appropriation to contact him or other senators. However, with so few instances of cultural appropriation on campus, the question becomes whether Virginia Wesleyan needs programs or informational sessions on this topic at all. “If we don’t inform [students], we’re not doing justice as a liberal school,” said sophomore Shyail Owens, who emphasized that some people may be uneducated about cultural appropriation or lack access to information on minority issues. Sophomore Nel Hart took a different stance. “There’s no absolute need for it,” Hart said. “I haven’t seen anything like [blackface or yellowface].” She went on to say that it was a very “fluid” topic. Some say the movement opposing cultural appropriation has spun out of control. What once applied to a very specific activity—such as dressing up for Halloween—has now spread to encompass everyday happenings. Under the banner of cultural appropriation, the following are now banned: yoga classes, culinary recipes not native to your school’s country and words such as “pledge,” “Greek” and “rush.” It may sound like a joke, but students at the University of Ottawa, Oberlin College and the University of California Merced aren’t laughing. Students here don’t want that kind of mania spreading to Virginia Wesleyan. “Unbelievable” and “unnecessary” were the two most common responses to such stories. “If it’s not hurting anyone, go for it,” said Marco Paola DaSilva, a senior. He admitted that the movement had good roots, but thought attacking everyday activities was too far. “When you’re taking down [stuff like] yoga classes, it’s just ridiculous.”
THEWEEKENDER
PAGE 10
OCTOBER 20 2016
ART BET WEEN THE LINES Virginia Beach’s Museum of Contemporary Art features an exhibit honoring an art magazine
BY JUSTIN SMITH jrsmith2@vwc.edu
The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) is currently featuring the 10th anniversary of the art magazine, Hi-Fructose. The exhibition, titled “Turn the Page: The First 10 Years of Hi-Fructose,” highlights 51 artists who were featured in the publication from the past decade. The exhibition displays a variety of artistic media. Visitors can find art in photographs, paintings, sculptures and ceramics. “As you move through, you will see Hi-Fructose’s ever widening outlook and narrowed intent,” an information pamphlet from the museum reads. A common theme portrayed in many of the art displays is the relationship between human society and the natural world. One of Josh Keyes’ pieces, called “Scorch I,” depicts a shark swimming above a road with its dorsal fin covered in a blazing fire. The plaque next to the painting states that Keyes’ work reminds people of what the world might become if humanity does not take care of it. The painting portrays a post-humanity world where animals remain, but the effects from humans still exist. Like Keyes’ “Scorch I,” the painting titled “Ratspiderbat” by Fulvio Di Piazza continues this theme. “Di Piazza worries about the consequences of humanity’s action upon nature. He believes that we should explore natural energy solutions instead of the destructive pursuit of fossil fuels,” an information plaque at the museum reads. Beth Cavener’s “Trapped” is also on display at MOCA. The piece is made out of stoneware, paint, 18 karat gold, wood and rope. Following the common theme of the exhibit, Cavener uses animals as symbols of purity and innocence. When they are given human qualities, they express the darker aspects of human souls, according to the plaque. Junior Ashlei Gates visited MOCA during a class trip for one of her journalism courses. “I feel that the exhibit as a whole was
YOU DON ’ T WANT TO MISS THIS ... Poetry Night at the Daily Grind @ Town Center 168 Central Park Ave., Virginia Beach, VA 23462 10.25.16 | 6 P.M. - 8 P.M. R. Kelly @ Chrysler Hall 215 St. Pauls Blvd., Norfolk, VA 23510 10.28.16 | 8 P.M. Justin Smith| Marlin Chronicle “Trapped” by Beth Cavener on display at the MOCA. very well put together. The exhibit was very pleasing to the younger generations by how modern it was,” Gates said. At the end of the art exhibit at MOCA, visitors are treated with a hands-on experience. Art lovers have the opportunity to interact with displays posted on the walls. They can write down their thoughts to a question and even mix and match famous artworks to create an “artistic equation.” “It’s a good way to get art-goers involved,” Gates said. Gates highly recommends that students visit the museum if they find themselves with little to do. MOCA offers scheduled educational programs that accompanies the Hi-Fructose exhibit. These programs include master classes with some of the featured artists, discussion panels with artists and film screenings. The next upcoming event will be an artist talk featuring Wayne White. The “Turn the Page: The First Ten Years of Hi-Fructose” exhibition will be available until Dec. 31. The MOCA is located on 2200 Parks Ave. in Virginia Beach. For more information about this
exhibition and others, visit the MOCA official website at www.virginiamoca. org. Hi-Fructose magazine was founded in California in 2005 by two artists Daniel and Annie Owens. Within the pages of the magazine, it showcases modern artwork from both emerging and distinguished artists. “Hi-Fructose focuses squarely on the art which transcends genre and trend,” the Hi-Fructose official website says. MOCA is a nonprofit institution that provides diverse artwork that represents the modern times. The museum regularly changes out their exhibits, allowing viewers to witness all sorts of photographs, painting, sculptures and other visual media. “By balancing its four primary activities—gallery exhibitions, studio art classes, educational outreach programs and outdoor art shows—MOCA seeks to involve a diverse regional public in the rich and active language of contemporary visual art,” according to the MOCA official website.
ENTER IF YOU
Anthem Wicked 10K @ Virginia Beach Convention Center 1000 19th St., Virginia Beach, VA 23451 10.29.16 | 8 A.M Old Point National Bank Monster Mile @ Virginia Beach Convention Center 1000 19th St., Virginia Beach, VA 23451 10.29.16 | 10:15 A.M. Halloween “The Chrysler Way” @ Chrysler Museum of Art 1 Memorial Place Norfolk, VA 23510 10.31.16 | 10 A.M. - 8 P.M. Hampton Roads VegFest @ Festival Center 708 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach, VA 23451 11.06.16 | 12 P.M. - 5 P.M. The Barber of Seville @ Harrison Opera House 160 W Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk, VA 23510 11.11.16 | 8 P.M.
DARE...
Students can quench their thirst for fright at venues offering Halloween attractions
BY BECCA LAZZERI ralazzeri@vwc.edu
While some college students prefer to celebrate fall indoors sipping on pumpkin spice lattes and watching scary movies, others prefer the thrills of experiencing their deepest fears up close and personal. Hampton Roads offers a variety of fearinspiring attractions for Halloween enthusiasts. Best known for haunted houses and terrifying hayrides are Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens and the Halloween Festival at Hunt Club Farm. Junior Troy Mickens recounted his own experience at Howl-O-Scream. He said a lot of the attractions really capitalize on common fears, doing so without making any physical contact with guests. “There was one [maze] that went over all of the basic fears like water, heights, clowns and all of that stuff. For people who are used to it and like being scared, it’s still pretty scary,” Mickens said. Outside of character, some HowlO-Scream employees are eager to let customers know they are not really mean and scary. “Some of the people in costume are actually really nice. This one guy that was dressed up as a butcher and after he scared a group of people, they asked for a picture, and he took one with them,” Mickens said. However, not all guests are lucky enough to see the ‘nice side’ of the scary actors. Junior Julie Ainsley explained that a lot of times, the more afraid visitors are, the more likely they are to be targeted. “They’re easily avoidable and if you keep a straight face they won’t pick on you as much,” Ainsley said. Ainsley said that one friend was so noticeably terrified by chainsaws on her visit to Howl-O-Scream, that she was chased around practically all night by an actor carrying a loud chainsaw. While this sounds like unwanted
torture, hundreds of people still flock to Howl-O-Scream to experience this kind of fear. “People like to experience things that are out of the ordinary for them because it produces adrenaline,” Ainsley said. Robert Sutton ’16 explained that the appeal largely had to do with being out of control. “I like the adrenaline rush of not being in control. When you put yourself in a situation where someone else is in control you can really observe life and get the experience of life instead of trying to make the experience of life,” Sutton said. Sutton explained that Howl-O-Scream has become an annual tradition, and he intends to continue to go. “I’ve gone [to Howl-O-Scream] the past few years. I’m always interested to see the new things they do and I also like going to ride the rides and the way the atmosphere changes at night when everyone starts screaming,” Sutton said. While Hunt Club Farm’s Halloween Festival is smaller, it offers a wide range of activities, including different places to escape a variety of scary characters chasing you with a chainsaw. Randi Vogel, owner of Hunt Club farm is an alumna of VWC. “Our most-feared attraction, the Haunted Hayride, takes visitors on a bumpy ride through the deep, dark woods of Haunted Hunt Club Farm. The Field of Screams, celebrated as the festival’s most up close and personal event, is a dark and winding corn maze that puts thrill seekers and Nightmares on the same narrow, dimly lit path of peril. In The Village of the Dead, visitors must escape the wrath of the Wicked Sandman on foot,” Vogel said. Vogel also noted that there are plenty
of other attractions for those visitors who don’t necessarily want to get up close and personal with one of the 75 live actors who are there to scare but enjoy the seasonal fun. “For guests less inclined to the “Haunted House” experience, we offer late-night carnival rides until 10:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Guests can also visit our Market, open from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. to purchase pumpkins, gourds, locally made
gifts and homemade candy and caramel apples,” Vogel said. Junior Lauren Bryant explained that the Halloween Festival is perfect for college students who are too old to trick-or-treat and want an attraction more thrilling than a pumpkin carving party. “It’s fun because they have a little maze and then a haunted forest. It’s not as commercial as other haunted houses,” Bryant said.
Britani Alyse| Marlin Chronicle