NINERTIMES.COM
DEC. 1 - DEC. 7, 2015
VOL. 28, ISSUE 12
1
Jordan Snyder editor@ninertimes.com
Nick Cropper news@ninertimes.com
Matt Chapman sports@ninertimes.com
Leanna Pough ae@ninertimes.com
Alyssa Fronk
community@ninertimes.com
Jared Allen
sports@ninertimes.com
John Lineberger lifestyle@ninertimes.com
Casey Aldridge
Ben Robson
opinion@ninertimes.com
photo@ninertimes.com
Diane Gromelski
Andrew Hocutt
copy@ninertimes.com
Nick Clemens video@ninertimes.com
layout@ninertimes.com
Salina Dickie, Hunter Heilman, Sydney Stephens, Andrew James
ADDITIONAL STAFF Kristen Johnson, Luis Rumbaut, Olivia Green, Chris Crews, Hailey Turpin, Vanessa Martinez, Alex Sands, Indira Eskieva, Kathleen Cook
Matt Lorenz
Andrew Hocutt MARKETING STAFF
Tia Warren, Ashley Lyons, Tyler Delk, David Mendez, Darrell Hayden Jr.
NINER TIMES • RADIO FREE CHARLOTTE SANSKRIT LITERARY-ARTS MAGAZINE MEDIA MARKETING • TECHNICAL
MEGAN VAN EMMERIK
www.ninertimes.com/app 2
DEC. 1 - DEC. 7, 2015
NINERTIMES
STUDENTS RALLY IN SUPPORT OF BRAZIL CATASTROPHE UNC Charlotte student creates GoFundMe campaign to help the people of Brazil whose drinking water was contaminated INDIRA ESKIEVA STAFF WRITER
UNC Charlotte senior Hannah Lacombe has started a GoFundMe campaign in an effort to raise money for the contaminated water disaster in Brazil. A dam eruptea in Brazil Nov. 5 and sent toxic mud through towns and villages, killing multiple people and leaving over 600 homeless. The explosion was caused by multiple safety violations by a Brazilian mining company and an Ango-Australian firm. The tragedy is being called the worst environmental disaster in the history of Brazil. The toxic mud is so dangerous, it has killed plants and animals, as well as contaminated an vital source of drinking water. “The [toxic] mud flowed into one of the region’s main rivers – the Rio Doce – which provides for the livelihood of many cities and towns situation along it. Among those cities is Valadares, [which] relies on the Rio Doce as its sole water supply. The water from the Rio Doce is no longer able to be treated for human consumption, leaving thousands of people without drinking water,” explains Lacombe. One of the cities in Brazil that was affected the most is Governador Valadares. Lacombe heard about the urgency of the situation from a friend who lives in Brazil. He explained to her that the situation was so dire, numerous commercial trucks carrying drinking water were hijacked. This led to the trucks
NINERTIMES.COM
having to be escorted by the police. “Governador Valadares is a city of more than 260,000 inhabitants. My friend told me that within 30 minutes of parking the [water] truck, they passed out all of the water that they had brought, but there were still thousands of people waiting to receive some,” said Lacombe. Before the mining disaster, Lacombe visited Brazil through UNC Charlotte’s “The Economics Catastrophe in Brazil caused by ruptured dam. of Poverty” study abroad program. the GoFundMe campaign will go to It was after this trip that her that church who, together with the friend from Brazil helped her make administrative help of a well-known connections with his friends from a federal prosecutor in Governador church denomination in Governador Valadares, will buy and deliver Valadares. drinking water to those in need,” Lacombe has partnered with said Lacombe. this same church, 1a Igrega The situation in Governador Presbiteriana do Brasil de Linhares, Valadares is getting more strained to raise money in hopes of helping every single day. Videos are being alleviate the problems caused by the released on the Internet of people drinking water being contaminated. overrunning trucks carrying The church has been working with drinking water. Lacombe hopes to citizens to deliver water to the start sending out 5-gallon jugs of people of Governador Valadares. water as soon as possible. “The money that I raise through “I discovered that $5 will buy DEC. 1 - DEC. 7, 2015
Photo courtesy of Hannah Lacombe
and cover the delivery costs of a 5-gallon jug of water. Although this is not a long-term solution, it is an appropriate response to an immediate crisis situation where human lives and health are at stake,” said Lacombe. She views this as a temporary and fast solution, one in which UNC Charlotte’s students and faculty can easily participate. If you want to help Lacombe in her efforts to alleviate the suffering in Brazil and provide the residents with clean drinking water, please visit www.gofundme.com/3wakaees.
3
Holocaust survivor speaks at UNC Charlotte, educates students through personal experience NICK CROPPER NEWS EDITOR
Holocaust survivor Irving Roth devotes his time and efforts to teaching the horrors of what he endured during the Holocaust and educating the public about antisemitism, which is the prejudice against Jews. Roth was invited to speak to UNC Charlotte students on behalf of the Christians United for Israel (CUfI) chapter on campus. CUfI can be found at universities nationwide. Before going into his story, Roth took some time to introduce himself. He is the recipient of numerous awards for his teachings on the Holocaust. He has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, which he received while attending school in New York. After his short introduction, Roth showed a short 8-minute video giving some background information on the Holocaust and Jewish history, which he used to transition into his story. “This evening, what I would like to do is take you on a journey, a journey of my life,” said Roth. Roth was born in 1929 in Czechoslovakia. Roth had a happy life as a child. He went to school, had friends and lived in a place where Jews lived with non-Jews, as he put it. However, this life that Roth lived did not last for long. “Slowly, step-by-step, my life
4
changes,” said Roth. By law, Roth, along with every other Jew, was required to identify themselves as Jews. Not long after
separated from his mother and father. Stepping off the train, he was greeted by Nazis pointing guns at
Holocaust survivor Irving Roth speaking in McKnight Hall. Photo by Makeedah Baker
that, they had their luxuries taken away, his father’s business stolen from him and he could no longer attend school simply because he was Jewish. He lived like this for a few years until 1944, when he was stuffed in a cattle car and taken to Auschwitz at the age of 15. He was taken there with his 18-year-old brother, but was
the crowd, who were dividing people into groups. Roth watched as people he knew were walked over to take a “shower,” but were instead led to the gas chambers and executed. His grandmother and 10-year-old cousin died that day in the gas chamber along with thousands of others. “It was a factory of death ... the final solution to the Jews,” said Roth. Roth and his brother were given
DEC. 1 - DEC. 7, 2015
tattoos and sent to work. He was sent to work with the horses, which he knew nothing about, but his life depended on his ability to work. While he was working, Roth often questioned how he ended up in Aushwitz. He wondered how the perfectly normal life he had was uprooted by the Nazis, how his life changed after Germany invaded Czechoslovakia. One day, Roth and his brother were forced on a death march to another camp. Weak and malnourished, they somehow made it. Not long after that, his brother was taken away and Roth never sees him again. The end of the war was nearing and the Nazis were preparing Roth and the other people at the camp for another death march. There was no chance that Roth could survive another one, but as they assembled at the gates, the alarm signaling an air raid forced everyone into hiding. The next day, the Nazis were gone and American soldiers had liberated the camp. Two soldiers, who had searched Roth’s bunker, saw how malnourished everybody was and brought food for them. Roth, a 15-year-old boy in the middle of post-war Germany was now liberated. He decided to go home, hoping that, by some miracle, his family was still alive. Cont. on page 5
NINERTIMES
Teacher given Anne Devereaux Jordan Award Award recognizes contributions to the field of children’s literature KALYN KISIAH INTERN
Chair of the Department of Devereaux Jordan Award each year English Mark West is the recipient and it is an association that West of the 2016 Anne Devereaux Jordan has worked with for many years. It Award for his work with the Levine’s is an organization that West cares Children Hospital and his work in about greatly. the field of children’s literature. “I feel a special connection to The Anne Devereaux Jordan everyone involved in selecting me Award for this award,” recognizes those said West. who have made West has significant obtained contributions several in scholarships achievements or services during his to the field career and of children’s has held many literature. The positions at award is given both UNC annually. Charlotte The winner and other of the award universities. receives His a framed achievements certificate that and is presented to involvements the recipient at include the association’s archivist annual and editorial conference assistant for Photo Courtesy of Mark West banquet, the Menninger complimented Foundation, with free travel expenses, a banquet adjunct assistant professor of ticket and lodging. English at Washburn University West had found out about his of Topeka, assistant professor of award on Halloween. He was at English, associate professor of home, giving out treats to the English, graduate coordinator of neighborhood children. After he English M.A. program, American finished handing out candy, he went studies director, associate dean for to check his email and that’s when general education. he learned about the award. “Ever since I joined the English “Being selected for this award department in 1984, my colleagues means a great deal to me,” said and students have encouraged and West. “Since the award recognizes supported my career as a children’s sustained contributions to the study literature professor. Without their of children’s literature over the span help and support, I know that I of a career, winning this award feels would have never been selected for like an affirmation of the decision I this award,” said West. made 35 years ago to specialize in West graduated from Franconia children’s literature studies.” College with a Bachelor of Arts The Children’s Literature degree. He received his Ph.D. from Association gives out the Anne Bowling Spring State University.
NINERTIMES.COM
HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR, cont. When he returned to his home, he opened the front door, walked into the living room and saw nonother than his mother, sitting on the couch. The sight of him caused her to faint. Both his parents had survived and were home. Roth’s father was in a coma at the time and his mother was with him in the hospital. One of the hospital employees offered to hide them in her home, so they did. His parents had survived because of the generosity of one woman. A woman whose husband was serving in the German military and was a member of the Nazi party. They hid in this woman’s one-bedroom apartment for the remainder of the war. Roth ended his speech to talk about the state of the Jewish people in today’s world. There is still a lot of hate and prejudice towards the Jews. Jews are still the targets of terrorist attacks in Israel. “The haters of the Jews could not destroy them through war. So they turned to terrorisms,” said Roth.
DEC. 1 - DEC. 7, 2015
He emphasized that terrorism is everywhere and that the Jewish people are still not safe in some places of the world. They are still demonized, according to Roth. After his speech, he took some questions from the audience and explained how he came to be in America and how he transitioned from life in a concentration camp to living in New York and attending school again. The speech was originally planned to take place in Denny Room 220. However, it was moved to McKnight Hall last minute to accommodate more people. Roth’s speech also started later to give people time to make their way over from Denny.
5
Men’s basketball overpowered in the Bahamas
MATT CHAPMAN
6
JARED ALLEN SPORTS EDITOR
SPORTS EDITOR
The Charlotte 49ers men’s basketball team spent Thanksgiving in the Bahamas, competing against top-tier programs in the Battle 4 Atlantis. The Niners have played their best basketball in preseason tournaments over the past few seasons, but this is an entirely new regime. Charlotte lost all three games by a combined 73 points, including the most lopsided defeat in program history on Thanksgiving night against the Michigan Wolverines. “There’s not much to say about that ... It was a disaster,” said head coach Mark Price after being dismantled by the Wolverines. One of two things can happen to a team after getting beat down mercilessly on a big stage. Price’s group of guys responded with heart the following night in a backand-forth showdown against the Washington Huskies. “After a loss like that, we could have come apart and folded, or we could come together and fix the problem. Even though we lost...this was a step in the right direction,” said true freshman point guard Jon Davis after the Washington game. Charlotte (1-5) continued to be hampered by the same things that haunted the team early in the season. Poor shooting out of the gate resulted in insurmountable deficits the first two nights and a scoring drought down the stretch spoiled a strong start against the Huskies. Putting up points wasn’t the only problem for the 49ers this past week. The Niners struggled to match-up with the athletes of Syracuse and Michigan, allowing mind-boggling numbers on defense. The Orange jumped out to a commanding 44-22 halftime lead by
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL CROWNED CHAMPIONS IN GSU THANKSGIVING CLASSIC
knocking down nine triples in the first half of the opener on Wednesday afternoon. Michigan piled up 102 points the following night, shooting the lights out in the second half. The Wolverines connected on 72 percent of their shots down the stretch, including 10-of-15 from behind the three-point line. Charlotte’s youngsters struggled at times, but former Pittsburgh bigman Joseph Uchebo established his presence in the rotation with three impressive performances. Uchebo stepped up off the bench with Benas Griciunas being overmatched in the paint and delivered his first double-double against Syracuse with 16 points and 12 boards. Uchebo dominated the backboards throughout the tournament, pulling down 18 rebounds in the finale against Washington. Davis provided the biggest impact from the freshman class, putting up 14 points while dishing out six assists against the Huskies. Coach Price and his team will take some lumps early in the rebuilding process, it’s inevitable. The Niners have shown the ability to compete in spurts, but have been unable to put together a complete, 40-minute performance. “Patience is not a virtue many of us have,” Athletics Director Judy Rose told the Charlotte Observer. “I hope our fans realize we are building something and it will take a while to get there.” However, 15 years removed from their last NCAA Tournament victory, even Rose has to feel the pressure mounting with her reputation resting on Price’s success rebuilding a program in the midst of a free fall.
The Charlotte 49ers women’s basketball team captured their first in-season tournament championship under head coach Cara Consuegra, winning the Georgia State University Thanksgiving Classic. The 49ers put together two complete second-half performances in backto-back games, beating Mercer and Georgia State by a 22-point combined margin. “I think a tournament like that is really set up well for our team,” Consuegra said. “I think our team has great depth and great versatility among our roster. Overall, I’m very pleased on what we did over two days.” Charlotte played games on consecutive days, Nov. 28 and 29, proving their offensive versatility successfully operating the half-court offense in the latter match against Georgia State. “Our transition, we struggled a bit because we weren’t getting stops but as our defense improves we’ll have those opportunities to get out and run,” Consuegra said. “It’s not a bad thing for us right now because that forces us to execute in the halfcourt. We didn’t shoot the three as
dangerously as we did in a couple games to start the season and I see that as a positive because we were forced to execute our offense without making threes.” Seniors Alexis Alexander and Kira Gordon stole the show as they combined for 56 points over the course of two games returning to their roots in Atlanta, Ga. “I’m super proud of them,” Consuegra said. “I was really proud of those two going into those games with a great amount of maturity. They were solid, they were consistent. Lexi is a dominant force inside and would’ve had even bigger numbers if she didn’t have foul trouble [against Georgia State] today. Kira, her versatility as usual. She can guard pretty much anybody on the court. I think overall those two showed Atlanta who they are.” Over the course of the two games Ciara Greogry tallied 27 points. Additionally, while Gregory was on the floor, Charlotte outscored their opponents by 33 points. Freshman guard Grace Hunter set a personal best and a team-high hauling in 24 rebounds in the 49ers triumph.
The Charlotte 49ers crowned champions. Photo courtesy Charlotte Media Relations DEC. 1 - DEC. 7, 2015
NINERTIMES
LAIA RAVENTÓS
IMPORTS FLAIR INTO THE 49ERS OFFENSE Raventós is beginning to exhibit her unique skill-set to the fullest JARED ALLEN SPORTS EDITOR
While an early season, nagging knee injury holds Griffin Dempsey to the bench, Spanish freshman point guard Laia Raventós pulls the offensive strings for the 49ers. The uncertainty surrounding Raventós wasn’t whether or not she would succeed at the college level but instead how soon would fans witness the Catalan guard’s unique skill-set to the fullest. Six games into the season, Raventós is answering that question. The first international signee under 49ers head coach Cara Consuegra possesses experience beyond her years. Raventós, only 18 years old, is already a two-time FIBA world champion and has traveled across countless European countries playing basketball. Raventós ranked in the top 20 of eight statistical FIBA categories and guided Spain to gold, scoring 16 points against Russia in the FIBA U18 championship in 2015. Despite all of this, Raventós is one of the most level-headed, respectable student athletes around. “One thing that I desire to accomplish in four years in Charlotte, is to grow both as a player, as a person and learn as much as I can,” Raventós said prior to a preseason training session when asked what she wanted to accomplish in her time at Charlotte. Through just six games, the Spanish point guard is achieving just what she desired, highlighted by her growing comfortability on the court alongside her teammates. Entrusted with the starting job since day one, Raventós currently averages 7.3 points, five assists, 2.7 rebounds and 1.84 steals from her first six appearances. Even when including her uncharacteristic turnover average (3.1 per game) that often plagues first-year floor generals, it’s not hard to see a young woman with a bright future. Some players shrink when confronted with the daunting task of directing a fairly new, fast paced basketball offense. Even with Raventós’s admirable basketball resume, pulling the strings of a college basketball offense in the United States is an unfamiliar experience. While she’s still figuring out the subtle variations within the
NINERTIMES.COM
Laia Raventós dribbles the ball up the court. Photo by Benjamin Robson
American style of play, she’s beginning to shine on the court. Last Thursday, Nov. 19, against Elon she exhibited the qualities that make her such an exciting young player. Raventós scored a careerbest 11 points, five assists and shot 50 percent from the field. Despite playing only 21 minutes due to early foul trouble, Raventós made the most of her opportunities with the ball in her hands. On Monday, Nov. 23 in Halton Arena against Miami, Raventós played 36 minutes, nearly doubling her minutes played against Elon. She was given the key to the 49ers offense in which she unlocked the Hurricanes’ defense on multiple occasions. After Charlotte eclipsed a double-digit lead in the third quarter, Raventós started a fast break off of Kira Gordon’s defensive DEC. 1 - DEC. 7, 2015
rebound. Raventós threaded a one handed back door bounce pass to Alexis Alexander. Alexander caught the ball in stride and converted the layup flawlessly giving the 49ers their biggest lead of the night. Her six assists on the night proved to be a talking point. “I think Laia, this was one of her best games so far in her young career,” Consuegra said. “Laia’s definitely a pass first guard. A lot of that is just her experience playing on the Spanish national team.” Most recently, in the Georgia State University Thankgiving Classic held over the past weekend, Nov. 28 and 29, Raventós dished out 13 assists combined in the two games. Raventós’ superb facilitation helped crown Charlotte as tournament
7
capping off their week in Atlanta, Ga. Her elegant passing was on display as she threaded the needle, delivering a pinpoint half-court bounce pass to Ciara Gregory against Mercer. She went on feed Alexis Alexander a behind-the-back no-look pass under the back board, securing the 49ers’ victory late in the fourth quarter. “She has an uncanny ability to make plays,” Consuegra said. “She’s done a tremendous job finding players underneath the basket and it’s a lot of fun to watch. She’s only going to get better and better as she bcomes more comfortable.” Although Consuegra is pleased with Raventós’s ball distributing ability, she’s certain that Raventós will add another dimension to her game with scoring. In the GSU Thanksgiving Classic, Raventós increased her points per game average with two double-digit scoring outings. Raventós scored 21 points combined against Mercer and Georgia State while shooting 62 percent. Her growing confidence in her shot is highlighted by her first trifecta against Georgia State. Raventós pulled down a defensive rebound and walked the ball up the court in transition. Before her defender could closeout, Raventós elevated from straight away knocking down the three-pointer giving Charlotte a four point lead. “She played [on the Spanish national team] with a loaded back court,” Consuegra said. “Her role on that team is very different than the role we
Laia Raventós with the ball in her hands. Photo by Benjamin Robson
want her here. She hasn’t had the ball in her hands as much as she has since she’s been here.” Raventós’ growing comfortability facilitating the fast-paced offense will undoubtedly translate to the team’s success as whole as she continues to break down opposing defenses. This is exactly what the 49ers want to see in the young woman they recruited from Spain. She’s confident with the ball in her hands. She has no fear when guarded by some of the countries’ best, valiantly crossing them up and driving to the basket. She’s a team player that wants to make others around her better. With only six games under her belt, she’s already on pace to tally 150 assists on the season, which would shatter the current freshman record of 130 assists set by former 49er Markita Aldridge. Additionally, Raventós shines on the defensive end. She’s pick-pocketed the opposition 11 times thus-far creating 19 fast break points for the 49ers. Her impressive sleight of hand early on sets her up to break into the top-5 freshman single-season steals record. Currently, Raventós is set to reach 55 steals this season. Her early season success isn’t entirely shocking but it is compelling. As the season rolls on, the young Spanish point guard is only going to improve, her hard work and dedication won’t accept anything less. And that’s a good sign for the 49ers.
8
DEC. 1 - DEC. 7, 2015
NINERTIMES
Transfers and transcripts The nightmare scenario when credits don’t transfer with transfer students
MIA SHELTON STAFF WRITER
The Student Union as seen from the courtyard between the College of Education and College of Health and Human Services. Photo by Chris Crews
Are you a senior high school student with mediocre grades? A student who doesn’t have much money to pay for four years at a university? Or a college freshman on a two-plus-two program with a different school? If you are, listen up. Like you, I didn’t make straight As in schools and my parents did make enough to pay for a university. I wanted to go to UNC Charlotte, but I didn’t have the grades to. I did get into some colleges, just not the ones I wanted. Central Piedmont Community College was one of the schools I got accepted to. I didn’t really want to go there because it was a community college not a university, but the only universities I got accepted to were housed in some unsafe places, so I went to Central Piedmont. When I arrived I was told by my advisor about a program called a two-plus-two program.
NINERTIMES.COM
This program allows students to spend two years at CPCC taking their general education and low level core courses and then transfer to a four year university for another two years taking their higher level core courses. I was ensured that my credits would transfer, making me a junior when I got to the university I chose. I was excited about the program because this was the way I could go to UNC Charlotte - my dream school - so I entered the program, took my courses and graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. It wasn’t until I got to UNC Charlotte that I was thrown a curveball. Out of the 67 credits I obtained at CPCC, only 37 were transferred, making me a sophomore rather than a junior. I was completely upset. Not only was I registered sophomore, but now I had to spent three years here versus
two which would cost more money than anticipated. My parents and I couldn’t understand why only 37 of my credits were transferred when the program stated that all my credits would be transferred and I got my associate’s before I started at UNC Charlotte. When I talk about this problem to others they also feel it is unusual and strange that all of my credits were not transferred. They have hypothesized many reasons to why it happened. Some say it was because I obtained my associate’s too late, others say it depends on the type of associate’s I have and others say it is just a way for the school to make more money off me. Despite their views, I still do not understand why I did not get all of my credits transferred. I have been taking unnecessary classes because of this. Classes I have already taken I have to retake for no reason except maybe
DEC. 1 - DEC. 7, 2015
the university just wants my money and to get it, they had to reject my credits from a class I already took, so I had to retake it and pay for that class over, again, ridiculous. There are many students who have had the same thing happen to them. I think all of the students who have transferred to UNC Charlotte from other colleges under a two-plus-two program should address this issue with the administration. It doesn’t seem right that all of our hard work just gets dropped and dismissed. We need answers to this and we need our credits back. My advice to all high school seniors and college freshman is to ask the right questions when it comes to your education. If you are going to enroll into a program that allows you to transfer, make sure all of your credits transfer with you.
9
STUDY SHOWS NINER FOOTBALL BLOWOUTS GREAT FOR SOCIALIZING Satirical response to the upsides of a down season
EDWARD AVERETTE STAFF WRITER
Quarterback Brooks Barden takes the snap against UTSA in front of a largely emptied section of bleachers. Photo by Chris Crews
New research from UNC Charlotte sociologists Winston Brady, Phillip McAdams and Yolanda Warner show that Niner football home losses are great opportunities for students and fans alike to socialize. The research, which was conducted over the first two and half seasons of football at the university, has found a common trend in social relations once students and fans leave games at halftime when the football team is trailing the road team. “Wait people are actually leaving?”
10
said UNC Charlotte senior Erica Rollings. “I thought they were going to the bathroom or getting a bite to eat at concessions.” “Erica, they’ve been gone for about two hours now, they aren’t coming back,” said fellow UNC Charlotte senior Trisha Reid. “Just accept it.” Despite the relative ignorance of some students over departing fans during games, Brady claims those that are still present during the second half of home games tend to coalesce around one another on an
unconscious level and sense the absence of most fans. “Unconsciously these people know their friends, classmates and significant others have left them hopelessly alone and cheering on these one-sided football contests, but they won’t admit it to themselves on a conscious level,” said Brady. “It’s the bitter truth and it makes most people want to cry. Naturally, this vulnerability allows people to open up to those around them who feel the same way. Add in the fact that they aren’t surrounded by 10,000 people and you have the alleviation of what some would call awkwardness. It’s all very rooted in science.” According to researchers, this newfound vulnerability in an intimate setting allows people to empathize and talk to one another without the assistance of technology. “I simply can’t believe these entitled brats aren’t on their smartphones putting hashtags on everything or taking unnecessary selfies during these blowouts,” said McAdams. “It’s an amazing sociological phenomenon.” In addition to students avoiding technology, Warner claims that these blowout losses have allowed students and small groups at games to develop new and innovative
DEC. 1 - DEC. 7, 2015
chants. “I really genuinely feel the other 10,000 people are holding us back,” said Niner superfan Brett Allen. “I mean we can do so much better than cheers like ‘You suck’ and using homophobic slurs against opposing players. I at least want my future children and grandchildren to at least not suspect I hit the –ism triple crown.” Warner finds that these experiences are possibly the best development of the research because it highlights that people are creating new social ties in the process. “What better way to gain a friend or new acquaintance than watching your football team start from the bottom,” she said. Although attendance is up during the Charlotte’s first FBS season, second half attendance problems still plague the program. However, in light of this research and efforts on behalf of students and fans, Jerry Richardson Stadium may one day become a place opposing teams come to fear. “Eventually Niner Nation will be so formidable that not even Clemson would want to play us,” said Allen. “Let’s just hope that day comes before I graduate in December.” *Disclaimer: In this work of satire, all quoted sources are completely fictitious and any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, is coincidental.
NINERTIMES
SOUNDS OF GOOD CHEER University Chorale prepares for final concert of semester
HUNTER HEILMAN ASST A&E EDITOR
I was a major chorus kid in We actually have quite a lot of high school, so much so that I’m engineering majors in the Chorale. honestly shocked that I’m not The Chorale is the one that tours a music major. If I weren’t so every year, which are on a three year invested in journalism and film, cycle. This year is year one for us, I most likely would be studying which always is a tour exclusively music. It would be a complete lie of North Carolina, going to various if I said that I didn’t miss chorus high schools and whatnot. This year all the time, but unfortunately, we’re focusing on the Wilmington, due to my love of working for this Fayetteville, east coast area of esteemed publication, I don’t have North Carolina. Year two is always all the time I would want to be a a regional tour, typically touring a part of one of the many choirs that region of the United States different UNC Charlotte has. The flagship than us. Leading to year three, UNC Charlotte choral group, which is always an international The University Chorale, is one tour. of the fastest growing and most Another thing that sets the respected ensembles in the state Chorale apart is that they do of North Carolina and is lead by a much wider variety of music choral Dr. Randy Haldeman. The than the Chamber Singers, who The University Chorale is lead by Dr. Randy Hanldeman Photo by Katherine Kirchner Chorale recently performed at the exclusively perform a capella North Carolina Music Educator’s music; not “Glee” style a capella Association (NCMEA) conference and after this performance, I sat down though, older, Renaissance music. Chorale on the other hand will do every with Dr. Haldeman to talk about the Chorale, what’s upcoming for students style of music imaginable, from a capella, to vocal jazz, Mozart, Haydn, to and the public to see, as well as how to join an on-campus choir. Charpentier, which we’re doing this semester. There are many different choral groups at UNC Charlotte. Could you explain the differences between the various groups? We have Chamber Singers, which is currently on hiatus, but is reserved for graduate music students, but not completely exclusive to music majors, it just seems to be the case. There’s the University Chorale, which is the flagship group of UNC Charlotte, founded in 1948. There’s Women’s Glee, which is comprised of about 120 singers. On the other side of that is the Men’s Chorus, which is about 110 singers each semester. We also have our Gospel Choir, which is going to be about 120 singers in the spring semester. Beyond that are Vocal Jazz and various A Capella groups around campus doing singing. Almost all of these listed are curricular ensembles, meaning they can be counted for credit and go towards graduation. With the Men’s Choir, Women’s Glee and Gospel Choir, taking those takes care of some of your LBST courses. What sets the Chamber Singers and the University Chorale apart is that these are audition ensembles. The Chorale has about 46 singers in it, while Chamber Singers has between 12 and 18 singers typically. The Chorale is mostly comprised of students who come from very strong high school programs. They’re about half music majors, half non-music majors. Anyone can join or audition for any of the choirs, regardless of their majors.
NINERTIMES.COM
What performances are left this semester for students to go see? Our final concert of the semester is a concert of choir and orchestra combined, which happens on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 7:30p.m. This concert has two longer pieces that we’re doing: the first one is Charpentier’s “Midnight Mass for Christmas,” a piece based on old, French Christmas carols. We’re also doing a contemporary British piece by a composer named Finzi, a piece called “In Terra Pax,” about a man walking on Christmas Eve and reflecting on the immensity of the occasion. What pieces and shows is the Chorale going to be performing in next semester? We have a collaboration for Martin Luther King, Jr. day, in which we had a grant written by one of our voice professors to bring in a famous AfricanAmerican teacher of music. This person has composed quite a bit of music, primarily spirituals for us to perform. We’re collaborating with two other college choirs, on our campus, under this person’s leadership. We also have two performances with Carolina Pro Musica, a professional music group in Charlotte, soon thereafter. From there, we have our normal, campus concert as always. That leads to our spring tour, which then leads to a concert we do every spring called the Charlotte Invitational Multicultural Choral Festival. This is a festival where we bring in a famous conductor
DEC. 1 - DEC. 7, 2015
11
CHORALE, cont.
The University Chorale is known as one of the most respected ensembles in the state of North Carolina Photo by Katherine Kirchner
We invite the entire high school choirs of five local high schools, this year we’re inviting community colleges as well. We all come together to form a large, mass choir in which we learn music over the course of two days and perform it the night of the second day. This concert is particularly unique as the last piece in the concert is always sightread on the spot. Near the end of the concert, unbeknownst to any of the directors or the students, announces the final piece and passes it out on the spot, gives the down beat and it is performed, typically a capella. How can students get involved with any of the choirs? Can you join at the start of the semester? You can join any of the oncampus choirs at the beginning of a new semester. All you have to do is go to http://unccchoirs.org/ and you can find how to join or audition for any of the ensembles, as well as information about each ensemble and information about
12
each conductor and whatnot. All of the information for next semester is already up there and you can sign up for an audition time for the Chorale right on the website, as well as how to join any of the nonaudition choirs. There was a painful sense of nostalgia constructing this article, making me look long and hard at my schedule to see how I could possibly fit a possible chorus life into the mix of my schedule. Could I make it into the Chorale? From what I’ve heard about how good they are? Doubtful, as it’s been too long and my voice has become far less flexible and healthy as it was when I was working with it every day and doing multiple extra-curricular choirs outside of that. What I do know is that the Chorale is a force to be reckoned with on campus, one that is one the rapid rise and one that has to put on one heck of a performance. Let the show begin.
ACROSS 1 Beatle Paul’s first wife 6 Second-string squad 11 Tummy muscles 14 Lunchbox cookies 15 Hardship 16 “Nope” 17 Started to sneeze and cough, say 19 Org. promoting hunter safety 20 Basil or rosemary 21 IV monitors 22 Honor __ thieves 24 Musical Apple 26 Exposed 28 Really worked hard 34 Critter that sleeps floating on its back 35 National Anthem starter 36 Kitten cry 37 Gen-__: post-baby boomers 38 Camera setting
DEC. 1 - DEC. 7, 2015
40 Wait 41 Small S.A. country 42 Red Sox star Big __ 43 Panama divider 44 Paid for everyone’s dinner 48 Exhausted 49 Fit for sainthood 50 Catcher’s position 52 Holiday tree 53 Rock’s Mötley __ 57 Continent north of Afr. 58 Taken away in handcuffs ... and a hint to the starts of 17-, 28- and 44-Across 62 Aragon aunt 63 Argue the opposing viewpoint 64 Hit half of a record 65 Home of the Cardinals: Abbr. 66 Small and glittering, like eyes 67 Terminate the mission
DOWN 1 Scot’s swimming spot 2 “Dies __”: hymn 3 Nerve: Pref. 4 Wounds from an aggressive pooch 5 Silvery gray 6 Godfather portrayer 7 Muscle twitches 8 Self-image 9 “You’ve got mail” company 10 Elizabeth Bennet’s suitor in “Pride and Prejudice” 11 In the year of the Lord, in dates 12 Farm building 13 Layered haircut 18 Walked 23 “Not so great” 25 According to 26 Kiss from Carlos 27 “Do it yesterday!” on memos 28 Pack in cartons 29 Wombs 30 Like earthquake damage 31 Inept waiter’s comeuppance 32 Foot-operated lever 33 “Peachy!” 38 Gradually vanish 39 Tater 40 Nursery furniture with bars 42 Bother 43 Animation frame 45 Seoul-based Soul maker 46 Minimum age for a U.S. senator 47 Jewish wedding dance 50 Tennis divisions 51 Give notice 52 Animosity spanning decades 54 Change the decor of 55 __-friendly 56 State, in France 59 Wedding page word 60 Corp. alias letters 61 Pretoria’s land: Abbr.
NINERTIMES
Foods to add to your menu These guilt-free foods are a tasty way to add something exciting to an everyday meal SYDNEY STEPHENS ASST. LIFESTYLE EDITOR
After Thanksgiving, it can be sad to say goodbye to the lavish, extremely tasty foods that fill the season, the gourmet casseroles, the turkey, the delicious breads and all of the other things that made the holiday a binge-eating dream. Eventually you will run out of the leftovers your family sent with you, and you will be forced to cook for yourself again. It is unfortunate, but you don’t have to do without tasty food. There are many options out there for delectable recipes that are easy and even healthy. For example, these two food items are easy to make, low in calories and fat and will turn any drab dinner into something you will actually look forward to eating.
Skinny cheddar biscuits
Stuffed baked apples
Anything with the word “cheddar” usually sounds unhealthy, but these biscuits are low in calories, sodium and fat. They taste just as good as they sound.
This dessert option is filling, tasty and will get you in the holiday spirit with its delicious apple spice flavor.
Ingredients: - 2 cups Heart Smart Bisquick Baking Mix - ¾ cup reduced fat sharp cheddar shredded cheese - ½ teaspoon garlic powder - ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning - ½ cup cold water
Ingredients: - 4 baking apples - ¼ cup instant oats - 2 tablespoons brown sugar - 1 teaspoon cinnamon - 2 tablespoons fat-free cream cheese - 1 teaspoon orange zest - ¼ teaspoon vanilla
First, preheat the oven to 400° F and spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Next, stir together the Bisquick mix, cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning and cold water. Make sure to follow the preparation directions for the Bisquick mix so that the dough will be bread-like. I used fat-free milk so that it would be healthier. Stir the ingredients until the mixture is thoroughly combined. The batter will be thick and not smooth. Drop the batter onto the baking sheet. The recipe will make 16 biscuits using a heaping tablespoon, but you can make them bigger or smaller if you would like. I used a muffin pan to make 12 muffin sized biscuits. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown. The recipe includes a step at the end where you can brush the biscuits with butter. I did not do this to try and be as healthy as possible. If you would like to do this, simply melt unsalted butter and then coat the biscuits and contains 160 milligrams of sodium. Even with this step, each biscuit is only 80 calories. When I made this recipe, I used gluten-free baking mix. This is an option so those who cannot eat gluten can enjoy a biscuit. The baking time for the gluten-free mix will be slightly shorter than regular biscuits. Just make sure not to burn them.When I bit into one for the first time, I was pleased with how the cheese flavor and garlic flavor went so well together. I will definitely make these again.
First, preheat the oven to 375° F. Next, core the apples and scoop out the centers. Make sure you do not cut all the way through them. In a small bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar and cinnamon. Then, in another small mixing bowl, stir together the cream cheese, orange zest and vanilla. Spoon one tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture into each apple, and fill it the rest of the way with the oat mixture. Do this for all four apples. Finally, place the apples in a small baking dish and pour enough water to cover the bottom of the dish by about a centimeter. This is important so the apples do not burn in the oven. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes to make the apples soft. This recipe is fairly simple, and is a great option if you are craving something sweet after dinner but want to be healthy. Each apple is 182 calories, but this value will vary if the apples you use are smaller. This number reflects large apples. I did not know what to expect with the cream cheese mixture and how it would taste after it baked, but it was amazing and paired well with the baked apple cinnamon flavor. I will be making this recipe again, especially since the holidays are approaching. I also liked the presentation of them. If you have dinner guests, they will surely be impressed with this creative dessert.
NINERTIMES.COM
DEC. 1 - DEC. 7, 2015
13
BOOK REVIEW: ‘LIGHT IN AUGUST’ JOHN LINEBERGER LIFESTYLE EDITOR
“Light in August” is a southern gothic novel written by William Faulkner. It was published on March 12, 1931 by Smith and Haus. It doesn’t matter if you’re not an English major, not American or even not a reader, you’ve probably heard of the name William Faulkner. He is widely considered today to be the greatest American writer and novelist of all time. Many of his novels are critically acclaimed classics that have had research paper after research paper written on them, and he is most known for being the first to tell the stories of the common people in the southern United States. He is also known for being extremely graphic and often grotesque with the realism he utilizes in his stories. “Light in August” is a novel that follows the point of view of several characters who play witness to the events of the novel. The plot first focuses on Lena Grove, a pregnant white woman traveling to the Mississippi town of Jefferson to look for the father of her unborn child. The plot then shifts to Joe Christmas, a man who recently moved to Jefferson and is under the constant suspicion of the townspeople for possibly having “black blood” in him, although he can pass as white. While the present plot of the novel takes place entirely in one day and focuses on a house fire, the majority of the novel is actually about Joe’s twisted upbringing that has led him to the current day. While “Light in August” is not considered Faulkner’s greatest or most complex work, it is still a very necessary piece about racial and gender equality and religion in the southern United States. It was written in a time period in which neither race nor gender were viewed very positively, but both would receive significant progress due to the upcoming war efforts of World War II. I found all of the characters to be very genuine and representative of their culture, a feat easily
14
achieved by Faulkner since it was written in the present time of the world. Joe Christmas receives the most character development in the story by far. I found him to be a strikingly unique character out of most of the fiction that I’ve read. He is orphaned at birth and largely white, although everyone is able to recognize in a way that is unclear even to them that he has some sort of black ancestry in him. We spend the majority of the novel watching his upbringing where he is constantly abused by his devoutly religious adoptive father, Mr. McEachern. The novel weaves in chapters of the present day throughout, where a house belonging to Mrs. Burden on the outskirts of town, the house that Joe had been rooming in, is burning down. I enjoyed the structure of the novel and the way that we are able to see the story through the perspective of other characters than just Joe and Lena. Another big focus of the novel is religion. Christianity is deeply rooted into the town, to the point that it can easily trump any laws. Much of the novel gives us glimpses of these devout characters, some of whom doing all they can for the greater good, and others, such as McEachern, who uses violence and mental torture to conform those to the holy scripture. My main issue with the novel ended up being relevance. While Joe Christmas’s story is a compelling one, there are many points in the novel that just feel like we’re beating around the bush. This is largely due to Faulkner’s writing style. Faulkner likes to take time to drill every bit of information he can into the reader’s head. Often, this also means redundantly repeating things over and over again. It can become overwhelming after a while, which is part of any Faulkner is considered a difficult author to read. I also found other characters, such as Byron Bunch or Lena, to be just as interesting. I wish DEC. 1 - DEC. 7, 2015
we could have spent more time with them, maybe going into their backstory, rather than focusing so purely on Joe. Overall, I think the novel is worth reading. It’s definitely not an easy read and it spends too much time plodding, but it is an incredible representation of the period’s culture and beliefs, and it comes with a story that will leave you with a somber understanding of our country’s past. You can buy “Light in August” from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository and most other major booksellers.
NINERTIMES
NINERTIMES.COM
DEC. 1 - DEC. 7, 2015
15
Humans of UNC Charlotte SYDNEY STEPHENS ASST. LIFESTYLE EDITOR
“We met through an on campus club and started hanging out. I’m from Saudi Arabia and he’s from India. This is my first time playing pool here, and only the third time in my entire life.” Hassan Al Labbad
Left, Hassan Al Labbdad. Right, Vamshi Dhar. Photo by Sydney Stephens
16
“I’m decent. You could say that I’m a regular pool player.” Vamshi Dhar
DEC. 1 - DEC. 7, 2015
NINERTIMES