February 26, 2018

Monday, February 26, 2018

The ‘Go-getter’

Journey from a Detroit hospital to Rupp Arena Rick Childress news@kykernel.com

The little-known extra member of Coach John Calipari’s 2017 recruiting class sat staring down the first baseline in the Detroit Tigers stadium last summer, in his bat boy uniform.

“He’s going to college on Monday,” one of the TV announcers

for the game said as the broadcast cameras zoomed in on the bat boy. “He’s going to Kentucky.”

AJ Harris, the 78-pound, 4-foot, 10-inch, soon-to-be member of the basketball team was not coming to be the new starting point guard. He was personally recruited from Detroit by Coach Calipari to be one of their freshman basketball managers and a journalism major at UK.

“He’s had some very crazy things happen, but obviously God has continued to keep him, because he’s still here.”

PHOTOS BY ARDEN BARNES AND JORDAN PRATHER

- Andrea Harris According to AJ, journalism is “the plan B.” He hopes to be a coach, and he already has a good resume. He was his high school’s basketball manager, a Detroit Tigers bat boy for two years, coaches and referees in his intramural league and is getting good experience watching Calipari several times a week.

But he almost didn’t come. AJ’s long medical history, his dietary restrictions and his weaker immune system worried his mother who was apprehensive about letting him move five and half hours away to a place they’d never been before.

See ‘GO-GETTER’ on page 5

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Monday, February 26, 2018

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Monday, February 26, 2018

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UKPD officer returns to Rupp Arena to cheer on the Cats

By Bailey Vandiver news@kykernel.com

Being on the floor of Rupp Arena “never gets old.”

UK Police Officer Michael Culver returned to a familiar spot for the UK versus Alabama basketball game: the sideline.

As a student, Culver cheered on the UK Cheer white squad from 2009 to 2013. He was one of several alumni who returned to cheer on the Cats while this year’s blue, or varsity, squad was in South Korea for the Winter Olympics.

“It was like somebody had hit the rewind button,” Culver said.

He said it was one of the most fun games he has ever gotten to cheer because it brought back so many good memories.

“It was a blast,” he said. “Fun as it always was.”

About a semester before Culver graduated from UK, a friend who worked for Kentucky State Police mentioned the idea of being a police officer to him.

“I kind of just stuck with it,” Culver said.

In February of 2015, UKPD hired him as part of security, and he worked at Eastern State Hospital for several months. That

JESICA LOPEZ-HUSKEY I UKPD Michael Culver cheered on the UK Cheer white squad from 2009 to 2013.

He was one of several alumni who returned to cheer on the Cats at the UK versus Alabama basketball game.

August, he was hired as a police officer.

On the weekend of Feb. 17,

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2018, the blue squad was in South Korea, and the white squad was in Atlanta for its national competi-

tion.

“We warmed up a little bit lonThe cheerleaders are such a big ger than what we normally did part of marketing that everyone back when we were in college,” knew someone had to be there to Culver said. “But you know, we cheer at the UK versus Alabama all meshed really, really well.” game, Culver said. So head coach Culver said he surprised himJomo Thompson and team adviser self with how well he was able to T. Lynn Williamson reached out to fall back into cheering. He said several alumni. he cheered with “The people that a “really good” can get in town or partner.

We warmed up a take off were more UK Cheer won little bit longer than championships in than happy to parwhat we normally ticipate,” Culver 2009, 2010 and said.

2012, while Culdid back when we Culver cheered ver was on the were in college. with the other team. Culver said alumni, “a handhas always MICHAEL CULVER he ful” of which were been proud to be his teammates part of such a hiswhen he was on the toric cheer prosquad. gram.

“That made it su“Just knowing per easy because we kind of know that they’re at the Winter Olymhow each other operate,” he said. pics representing the USA, I know Williamson, who has been the that there’s not a better cheerleadcheer adviser since 1977, told Cul- ing team that can do that,” he said. ver that this was maybe the second Culver said the cheer team, inor third time that alumni had re- cluding alumni going back to the turned to cheer at UK. ‘80s and ‘90s, are a “tight-knit Culver said they kept it basic so family.” they were not stressed out about He said UK Cheer at the Winter some of the “more technical stuff Olympics is “just another footthat some of those younger kids do note” for a great program. these days.” He said this allowed them to enjoy the game more.

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Monday, February 26, 2018

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Pecans don’t just go in pie, ice cream BELLE KENDRICK Kernel columnist

Everyone’s favorite pie add-in contains health benefits that can change your lifestyle. When your sweet tooth begins to bother you, instead of going straight for the ice cream or pie, begin a routine of reaching for what’s inside: pecans.

While pecans have the highest fat content of any nut, it’s the kind of fat that you want.

Pecans are loaded with monounsaturated fats that in time help to lower your cholesterol. Containing oleic acid, pecans are said to improve your immune system and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Indulging nuts boost your metabolism and in turn may help you lose weight. Although pecans may not be the absolute reason of your weight loss, it’s one method of giving in to your sweet tooth instead of going toward sweets.

Although pecans are rich in antioxidants, they also include the overlooked nutrient known as minerals.

These minerals are essential to your bodily health and will benefit your metabolism and development.

Madilyn Hope, fanatic of pecan pie and ice cream, was overjoyed when she heard about the real health benefits of pecans.

“I had no idea pecans were actually good for you,” Hope said. “I don’t feel as bad for eating pecan i ce cream and pie anymore because I know the benefits pecans hold.”

Just like Madilyn, I was not fully aware of all the benefits that pecans hold, but it is nice to know that there’s a way I can get a taste of some of my favorite sweets while also being healthy.

Even though ice cream and pie aren’t the best boost of health, pecans will help your overall health if you eat them correctly. Doused in ice cream, pecans won’t be the healthiest option for you to consume, but there are other ways pecans can help your health.

Pecans are a sweet nut that contain many perks while also being a rich and sweet flavor for your taste buds. Full of antioxidants and health benefits, pecans can be the new craving you desire instead of going after unhealthy sweets.

Kernel blog writer

Ballerinas have a specific style that has inspired everyday fashion for decades. Lately, though, there has been a very apparent spike in ballet-inspired outfits.

As a former ballerina, I can attest to many of the clothing articles being mainly comfort driven, but luckily enough, these pieces happen to be very flattering as well. This trend is definitely worth trying out this spring, as many of the pieces offer light and airy comfort with a chic twist.

The first piece to try out is

4 | kentucky kernel

the leotard. These are great because they function as cute, form-fitting tops, and you don’t have to worry about tucking them in constantly or making sure they are staying put. There are many different styles of leotards that are short sleeved, long sleeved, tank tops, etc.

The next style is wrap-up tops. These are the shirts that you have to tie around and secure yourself. The great thing about these is you can adjust them to your own comfort and they tend to be very flattering.

There are also wrap up style dresses and skirts that use the same concept. These pieces are very size inclusive, comfortable and cute.

Another more obvious trend is ballet flats. Simple black shoes are usually what most

The ‘Go-getter’: Journey from a Detroit hospital to Rupp Arena

AJ

has no single disease his mother Andrea Harris said when

trying to describe his symptoms. He

On Pointe: The trend to try this spring BECKY FAULCONER

UK freshman AJ Harris sits next to the statue of former Kentucky basketball coach Joe B. Hall outside the Wildcat Coal Lodge on UK’s campus on Feb. 21, 2018. Next year, as a sophomore basketball manager, Harris will live in the dorm along with the rest of the basketball team.

think of as part of the ballet trend, but there are so many different types that can fit anyone’s personal style. There are even ballet flats with fabric to wrap around your ankles like one would do with pointe shoes.

Last but not least are cropped sweaters. This trend definitely started out for comfort reasons because it’s easier to move around in a cropped sweater instead of a regular one. However, they are super cute and easy to style with any sort of high waisted bottoms, even leggings.

With spring right around the corner, the ballerina trend is definitely one to keep an eye out for.

has sometimes-debilitating sthma, an

immune system that doesn’t remember past viruses, many allergies and has often had to miss 40-plus school days every year.

“There’s been several times where he’s had life-threatening situations. He’s been intubated on a breathing machine, a ventilator five or six times now,” Andrea said. “He’s had some very crazy things happen, but obviously God has continued to keep him, because he’s still here.”

His small stature, perhaps his most-visible symptom, has brought him great opportunities and some unfortunate interactions.

“They still think I’m this 13-year-old genius that’s going to UK,” AJ said of some of the people who see him around campus.

Haley Huesken, a freshman who said AJ is like a “b rother.” Huesken said she met AJ when he ate with her and a mutual friend. AJ invited her to a

basketball game, which she joked was a bit weird for someone she just met. She went anyways.

Huesken said it can be hard for him because many “assume that he’s younger or he shouldn’t be where he’s at.”

As he’s gotten older and gone to college, AJ said that more people have seen him as younger than he really is.

“I’ll say something and it will strike them and then they’ll ask, ‘How old are you?’” AJ said. “Then they’ll laugh it off, like ‘You know you’re joking.’ But I’m not. I’m really 18.”

Despite that, people close to AJ speak highly of him. His mother called him a “champ,” others have described him as a dedicated hard-worker but for Huesken he’s a great friend.

“He likes to tell people the truth,” Huesken said. “He likes to tell people about themselves.”

She described him as an observant person who’s not afraid to tell friends hard things. Huesken also said he’s dedicated to his dream.

“He talks about wanting to be just like Coach Cal, wanting to go into college basketball,” she said.

Monday, February 26, 2018

Prior to the Kentucky-Mississippi State basketball game on Jan. 23, 2018, at Rupp Arena, freshman basketball manager AJ Harris reads the program in his lower-arena seat. All managers receive tickets to every home game.

University of Kentucky freshman AJ Harris serves as a referee during his intramural league game on Nov. 27, 2017, at the Seaton Center on UK’s campus.

AJ first met Calipari when the coach was road as they get older, he said. visiting his hospital in Detroit.

In early February, AJ got the flu and had “You should tell him that you want to be to stay in the hospital for a few days. He a coach,” AJ said his nurse told him. The went to class and practice hoping that his two got to talking and Calipari offered symptoms would subside so he could avoid him a manager position. After months of a hospital visit. But, eventually he checked preparations, like finding the right doctors himself into the hospital. and living arrangements, AJ was KenHis mother, Andrea, came down from tucky-bound.

Michigan to look after him.

AJ said his relationship with the players is Back home, Andrea said they come into “funny—because I’m two feet shorter than the emergency room “loaded.” They pack all of them.” bags of clothes, AJ’s video games and com“They joke with me about my height a puter because they know the hospital stay lot,” AJ said. “It gets annoying at times, but will be long. They’ve done it several times.

I have to remind myself that they’re only “This is his life,” she said while looking playing. It’s more funny than anything. over her sleeping son in his hospital bed That’s my enjoyment for the day.” and the PlayStation and computer that AJ said that he tries to maintain a profeshis roommate brought him. She said his sional relationship with the players since professors were understanding about the they work together. work he would have to make up.

“Then again, it’s hard not to because I “His life has been very different,” Andrea kind of like people when they’re not being said in an October interview. “He’s always mean and uptight. I like people,” AJ said. handled it with a lot of class. Never been a “So it’s easy for me to get close to people cry baby—always been a champ.” and I have to remember to keep my disIn the same interview, AJ called himself tance.” a “go-getter,” and recently adopted a new Kyle Burns, another freshman basketball motto: “There’s nothing in this world I can’t manager and a close friend of AJ’s, said have. I just might have to work a bit harder the players “all respect him.” Burns and AJ than someone else might.” spend most of their time working some RIGHT: UK freshman AJ Harris visits the pulmonary clinic at UK’s hospital for a general checkup on Nov. 11, 2017. practices and doing the team’s laundry.

As a deciding factor for his college choice, Harris had to be sure UK had the necessary resources to keep his health in They’ll get to work at games and on the check. Harris visits the clinic every 3-6 months, this being

his second check up since being enrolled at UK in August.

AJ Harris listens to his professor, Buck Ryan, in his Journalism 101 class on Dec. 4, 2017, in Kincaid Auditorium on UK’s campus. As a journalism major, JOU 101 is a prerequisite for most of the classes Harris will take at UK.

LEFT: Andrea Harris, AJ Harris’ mother, watches her son sleep on Feb. 12, 2018, in UK’s Chandler Hospital. AJ was admitted to the hospital in early February for the flu.

Due to Harris’ weak immune system, basic illnesses can cause hospitalization and can be life threatening. Harris missed 4 days of classes due to his hospital stay.

BELOW: Kentucky freshman basketball manager AJ Harris dunks a basketball with an assist from freshman forward Nick Richards after an intramural basketball game on Nov. 7 at the Seaton Center. AJ and the basketball team came to support the three managers playing in the game.

ABOVE: UK journalism freshman AJ Harris does his statistics homework while watching the Kentucky-Arkansas basketball game in his dorm on Feb. 20, 2018.

spring 2018 | 5

lexstyle Monday, February 26, 2018

todolist

Monday, February 26 Wandering Storytellers, Joesph-Beth Booksellers, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, February 27 Connect: A Young Professionals Networking Happy Hour, Willie’s Locally Known, 5:30 p.m.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Tournament, D20 Hobbies, 7 p.m.

Jessica Lea Mayfield, The Burl, 8 p.m.

Local band becomes home for UK doctoral student

By McKenna Horsley

features@kykernel.com

Elizabeth Varnado said she wanted to learn how to play violin when she was a child as Pa did in the “Little House on the Prairie” book series. Now, she is on her way to earning a Ph.D. in musicology and performs in local band Lylak.

Varnado, 26, plays violin plus acoustic guitar, sings vocals and contributes to some songwriting for the indie rock band. The group is currently working on a new single called, “What We Have.”

Varnado joined Lylak last summer. She got to know band members Gideon Maki and Zachary Martin through her husband Paul Varnado and previously played a couple of pieces with the band. She said during that summer, she began to miss playing music and wanted to find a constant way to do so. Lylak was a perfect fit.

“I missed playing music with people. I missed playing music in general because that was something I neglected in

6 | kentucky kernel

grad school,” Varnado said.

“I had played music on their last EP and they had invited me to play a couple of their shows,” Varnado said. “There was one practice where Paul wasn’t there and it was just me and Gideon the guitarist and Zach the drummer and it went real ly well. We were just jamming and kind of understanding where we were going musically and that is just so important to me when I play with other people.”

Managing her remaining coursework and still being committed to the band still presents challenges though, Varnado noted. When she officially decided to join the band, she was not sure how it would work with her beginning her last year of school work. Right now, the band is focusing on recording and creating music rather than playing live shows constantly.

Since she was about four years old, Varnado has been studying music. She had a cassette and songbook from “Little House on the Prairie.”

As she grew up, she became

fascinated with listening to songs on the radio and recording mixtapes.

Varnado said it became a constant in her life, even if she did not always know it. When she first began her undergraduate degree at UK, Varnardo was a journalism major before switching to purse a B.A. in music. Most of Varnado’s research focuses on big names and trends in popular music.

Paul said his wife is organized, both in music and in her personal life. He said that she is one the “better singers” that he knows and is great at improvising music. The two met through the local music scene during their undergraduate years at UK. They have been married for three years.

Maki said Varnado is truthful and gives thoughtful and helpful feedback when anyone needs it. Martin said she is “very well informed” and uses her knowledgeable background in music to strengthen the band.

Lylak is planning to do a short tour during UK’s spring break. The first concert will be

Wednesday, February 28 Dietitian On The Go, Gatton College of Business, 11 a.m.

Flight Nights: West Sixth Beer & Girl Scout Cookie Pairing, Lexington Beerworks, 4 p.m.

Thursday, March 1 Bone Marrow Transplant Registry Drive, W.T. Young Library, 1 p.m.

“Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play,” Lucille C. Little Theater, 7:30 p.m.

Big Something, Cosmic Charlie’s, 9 p.m.

Friday, March 2 Do Races Exist? Insights from Biological Anthropology, White Hall Classroom Building, 4 p.m.

Miranda Lambert, Rupp Arena, 7 p.m.

Washed Out: WRFL’s 30th Birthday Bash, The Burl, 8 p.m.

Town Mountain, Cosmic Charlie’s, 9 p.m.

Saturday, March 3 “Jersey Boys,” Lexington Opera House, 2 p.m.

Cults: WRFL’s 30th Birthday Bash, The Burl, 7 p.m.

Sunday, February 4 10 Foot Pole: WRFL’s 30th Birthday Bash, The Burl, 12 p.m.

Seeds, Sprouts & CSAs Spring Festival, Good Food Co-op, 1 p.m.

McKENNA HORSLEY I STAFF

ARDEN BARNES I STAFF

UK graduate student Elizabeth Varnado is a member of the indie rock band Lylak. Varnado’s band members include (FROM LEFT) her husband Paul Varnado, Zachary Martin, and Gideon Maki.

Monday, February 26, 2018

kernelpop

Zest it up with lemon pepper chicken and vegetables 2-3 tbsp. of olive oil and flavor with garlic salt & pepper

JILLIAN JONES Kernel columnist

It’s time to try a delicious, healthy and easy dinner to make in thirty minutes. What more can you want? Check out this recipe for lemon pepper chicken with roasted sweet potatoes and sprouts: Ingredients 1 large sweet potato ½ bag of brussel sprouts 4 tbsps of olive oil 2 chicken breasts (skin less/boneless) Lemon pepper seasoning Garlic salt Black pepper

Materials Aluminum foil Oven safe baking dish Baking sheet Preheat oven to 400˚F. For Veggies Dice one large sweet potato 1. Use about half the bag of brussel sprouts 2. Place veggies on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Drizzle with

For Chicken 1. Place chicken breasts in an oven safe dish 2. Drizzle with 2 tbsp of olive oil. Season chicken breasts with lemon pepper seasonings (flipping over to season each side) 3. Place both chicken and veggies in the oven for 30 minutes. Depending on how large the breasts are, they may need an extra 5-7 minutes. Just make sure there is no pink in the middle and they are completely opaque 4. Place chicken and veggies on plate, and bon appetite. Dinner is served.

JILLIAN JONES I STAFF Lemon pepper chicken with roasted sweet potatoes and brussel sprouts is an easy and healthy meal to fix.

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Monday, February 26, 2018

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UK gymnastics struggling in SEC, but still a powerhouse

By Mohammad Ahmad sports@kykernel.com

Before the start of this season for the UK gymnastics team, the team came in with high hopes and expectations from many. UK ranked 10th in the Nationals Preseason Coaches’ Poll this year with 1, 213 points. This is the team’s highest preseason ranking ever.

Last season, UK boasted two All-Americans with Alex Hyland and Mollie Korth. Both players, along with Sidney Dukes, were also All-SEC. Korth was also named SEC Freshman of the Year, as she and Hyland represented Kentucky at the NCAA National Championships last year in St. Louis, Missouri.

Going off of those expectations, head coach Tim Garrison explains that he wants the team to keep competing at a high-level, but with another goal in mind: winning matches.

“If we weren’t able to compete, then it would be ridiculous for us to set the goal of winning,” Garrison said.

So far, the team has gotten con-

JORDAN PRATHER I STAFF University of Kentucky gymnast Mollie Korth performs on the balance beam during the meet against the Florida Gators on Jan. 19, 2018, in Lexington, Kentucky.

ference wins against Auburn and Arkansas. On top of that, they swept George Washington, Ball State, and Southeast Missouri in their season-opening Excite Night matchup.

As of Feb. 16, the Cats were

ranked ninth in the nation and have been in the Top 10 all year long. The team is currently fifth in the SEC and sits at No. 7 nationally in the vault and No. 6 in the floor events.

Many players have contributed to

Kentucky’s success this year. The defending SEC beam champion of the year, Hyland, leads the team in the beam with a 9.875 average. Korth has won 11 individual events this year, four of them in the vault, and she ranks 25th nationally in the vault event.

Garrison mentioned that the veteran experience of Hyland and Dukes has been integral to Kentucky’s success. Dukes has been another key part of the supporting cast behind UK’s success. The junior has won three floor titles this year, even tying her own career high against Florida with a 9.925.

“We just finally have the talent and drive the team hasn’t quite had in the past several years. He (Garrison) expects us to come in every day willing to take that next step, even if it means a heavy practice,” Dukes said.

While the team has experienced success in different areas, it’s also had its share of shortcomings. The team has lost four matches this year, and has now lost three matches in a row, including a home loss to Georgia.

“They just need to be more confident. When you’re not confident, you over analyze, and when you over analyze, that’s when you tend to make mistakes. That leads to being rigid with no flow, and that’s what cost us at home,” Garrison said.

Despite the losses, Dukes says the team is undeterred and still driven to win.

“People just need to step up to the challenge and exceed expectations.

We’re still a young team, and we just need to be in the moment and not look too far ahead. At the beginning of the year we were still figuring a few things out.”

With the SEC Championships approaching quickly, Garrison feels it’s important to be able to compete against what he sees as the hardest conference.

“Out of the top ten teams in the country, five of them are from the SEC,” Garrison said. “LSU and Florida are title contenders, but we’re so much stronger and competitive now, so it’s become a reality that we can compete against some of the strongest teams.”

Henrik Larsen finds success far away from home

By Keyera Jackson sports@kykernel.com

Rifling may not be the first sport fans think of when UK sports are being discussed, but the small team has big numbers for UK. Freshman Henrik Larsen has finished in first place in every event he’s competed in this season and holds the highest aggregate average (1188.8) and smallbore average (592.25) scores in the country. He ranks fourth among collegians in air rifle average score at 596.58.

“I expect high results for myself because I work hard and I know I can do it. I always want to do better and that’s the only way to increase your scores and get better,” Larsen said.

Larsen’s success did not start at UK, as he has been shooting since a very young age.

“My whole family on my father’s

8 | kentucky kernel

side has been shooters, and I was going hunting from when I was five so I grew up shooting,” Larsen said.

Larsen is far from home, which is a small town consisting of 5,000 people in Norway. The connection of people and his beliefs of rifling is how Larsen found his home at UK. “I came from a different type of philosophy. Here, the focus is on mind and the mental aspect of the shooting, how to concentrate on stuff. But back home, it is just about focusing on the technique and doing the same things over and over again,” Larsen said.

Since coming to UK, Larsen has finished as the top individual in every match he competed in during the regular season. Not only does Larsen compete with the UK team but also in international competitions, but his top priority is still to be a student.

“I was hoping I could all shoot and not study at all but that’s not how

it works,” Larsen said.

Larsen’s success is obvious for anyone to see, but what fans do not see is the training that goes on and the hours spent preparing for every match.

“A regular week I have training and workouts Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. And for us shooters, we are standing still and lifting a 12-pound weight. We can stand there for about 2-3 hours and we have to be very strong in our core muscles to keep the rifle steady, and also endurance to stay focused on a tiny target,” Larsen said.

Of course the way to win a match EDDIE JUSTICE I STAFF is to have the highest score, but Lars- Freshman Henrik Larsen adjusts his scope on Feb. 17, 2018, in Lexington, en has his own philosophy when he Kentucky. Kentucky won 4705 to 4653. enters a match.

“That feeling when you are stand“I don’t think about the scores, hours a week.”

Larsen may have started the sport ing on top of the podium and you are of course I want to shoot high scores and I know it’s possible,” Larsen said. at a very young age, but he continues hearing the national anthem, that’s “I’m putting down a lot of work in to train and compete because of his what drives me. It’s an amazing feeling and I cannot describe it,” Larsen said. the range and it’s probably around 20 own internal motivation.