The Lumberjack -- January 23, 2020

MARCH FOR MORE PAGE 17

THE LUMBER JACK

JAN. 23, 2020 – JAN. 29, 2020

Online at JackCentral.org

From the Editor

M

any are viewing 2020 as a turning point. Sure, it’s the turn of a decade. But maybe they’re viewing the new year as a point to be making changes in their lives. Perhaps they’re ending toxic relationships, maybe they’re deciding to take on a career they’re truly passionate about, or people might be deciding to embark on fresh journey somewhere new. Though oftentimes, making a big change can not only be challenging, but also genuinely scary.

If you’re someone on the fence about making a big and scary change in your life, you’re not alone. Recently, I’ve felt confronted by areas of my life practically begging for major changes. Sure, what’s usually happening is me worrying way too much about the future, but then again, I think it’s important to pay attention to situations like that.

I feel as though I, as well as many other students, are at the point in their college career where the future is all we can think about, and the future can be terrifying.

Though sometimes simply talking through big decisions or asking for advice can work wonders on easing one’s mind. Last Tuesday, I went to the ASH Joe C. Montoya Community and Senior Center to speak to some of Flagstaff’s LOHMANN senior citizens for an article I was writing about advice an older generation can FEATURES EDITOR give the younger one, found on page 14. While none of their advice was targeted for me specifically, I felt their words of wisdom were helpful and encouraging.

With that in mind, I recommend that readers take some time to talk to their elders to see what we can learn from them. Whether they are related to you or not, they might have some great insight to situations you might be finding difficult to navigate right now. I think that many young people are quick to point out mistakes older generations have made, but we should also be aware of the lessons they have taught us.

“The elders are the history and mirror of the living past,” poet Ehsan Sehgal said. “Study them to brighten your life and future.”

Thank you for reading.

“Not only do we talk about the problems we face, but how to solve them” – Arianna Engelhaupt, Black Student Union president

Black Student Union President Arianna Engelhaupt leads the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Commemorative March, Jan 20. Sharon Holtaway | The Lumberjack

THE LUMBERJACK VOL. 109 ISSUE 2

Editor-in-Chief Bailey Helton Faculty Adviser David Harpster

Phone: (928) 523-4921 Fax: (928) 523-9313 Lumberjack@nau.edu P.O. Box 6000 Flagstaff, AZ 86011

Director of Digital Content Managing Editor Copy Chief Senior Reporter Sabrina Proffitt Sebastian Moore Brady Wheeler Print Chief Sports Adviser Sales Manager Photo Adviser Bella Valenzuela Rory Faust Marsha Simon Taylor Mahoney

Media Innovation Center Editorial Board Op-Ed Editor Online News Editor Director of Social Media Caitlin Burke Ray Anne Galzote Shannon Degrange Asst. Op-Ed Editor Features Editor Ryan Dixon News Editor Ash Lohmann Sports Editor Scout Ehrler Asst. Features Editor David Church Asst. News Editor Jacob Meyer Asst. Sports Editor Karin Johnson Cameron Richardson Culture Editor Director of Circulation Nathan Manni Online News Editor Anel Lamadrid Senior Reporter Asst. Culture Editor Asst. Dir. of Circulation Trevor Skeen Nayomi Garcia Micah Meehan

2

THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

Director of Illustration Madison Cohen Asst. Dir. of Illustration Aleah Green Director of Photography Morgan Fisher Asst. Dir. of Photography Bess Valdez Senior Photographer Shannon Swain Director of Multimedia Shawn Patti

On the cover Kofi Mensah commemorates Martin Luther King Jr. Day by participating in the Black Student Union march, Jan 20. Sharon Holtaway | The Lumberjack

Corrections & Clarifications The Lumberjack is committed to factual correctness and accuracy. If you find an error in our publication, please email Bailey Helton at brs289@nau.edu.

PoliceBeat Jan. 13 At 2:21 p.m., a student at parking lot 47 called NAUPD to request medical assistance for stomach pains and difficulty breathing. NAUPD responded, and the student was transported to the FMC.

At 3:50 p.m., a staff member at the Communication building called NAUPD to report a student making suicidal statements. NAUPD responded, and the student was located and found in good health. An appointment was made with NAU Counseling Services.

At 4:52 p.m., NAUPD reported being out with two students at Tinsley Hall. One student was booked into Coconino County Detention Facility (CCDF) for an active warrant. The other student was booked into CCDF for an active warrant and possession of narcotics.

Jan. 14 At 9:11 a.m., a staff member at the Physical Sciences building called NAUPD to report a disturbance.NAUPD responded, and one student was identified and asked to quiet down.

At 3:14 p.m., a student at the University Union called NAUPD to report the theft of their bicycle. NAUPD responded and took a report.

At 5:04 p.m., a residence hall director at Cowden Hall called NAUPD to report a suspicious social media post.

NAUPD responded and took a report.

At 10:19 p.m., an RA at Reilly Hall called NAUPD to report the odor of marijuana.

NAUPD responded, and one student was deferred for possession of marijuana

Compiled by Ray Anne Galzote

and possession of drug At 10:49 p.m., an RA at paraphernalia. Four students Campus Heights Apartments were criminally deferred for called NAUPD to report use of marijuana. seeing alcohol bottles inside a room. NAUPD responded, Jan. 15 but the situation was handled At 2:13 a.m., staff at by dorm staff.

Reilly Hall reported a fight had occurred. NAUPD responded, At 11:36 p.m., a student and two students were deferred at Cowden Hall called for fighting. One student was NAUPD to report seeing a provided a public assist ride to subject with a Starship robot the FMC. on a cart. NAUPD responded, and found the subject was At 5:06 p.m., a staff an employee retrieving a member at the Science Lab malfunctioning robot.

Facility called to report multiple skateboarders in the Jan. 18 area. NAUPD responded, and At 6:55 p.m., an RA at five students were educated on the Ernest Calderón Learning skateboarding regulations.

Community called NAUPD to report a student making Jan. 16 suicidal statements. NAUPD At 11:34 a.m., an responded, and the student NAUPD officer reported being was located and found to be in out with a vehicle that had good health. a door open at lot 13A. The vehicle was secured.

At 11:39 p.m., a student called to report a vehicle At 3:40 p.m., a student seen driving around the area. at lot 62A called NAUPD to NAUPD responded but was report a nail hammered into unable to locate the vehicle. the side of their vehicle’s tire.

NAUPD responded and took Jan. 19 a report.

At 1:01 a.m., an RA at Ernest Calderón Learning At 6:40 p.m., staff at Community called to request the Wall Aquatic Center assistance with an intoxicated reported a subject having student. NAUPD responded, difficulty breathing. NAUPD but the student refused medical responded, but the student transport and was given a ride refused medical transport. to his residence off campus.

Jan. 17 At 10:26 a.m., an RA at Sechrist Hall called NAUPD to report the odor of marijuana.

NAUPD responded, and one student was cited and released for possession of drug paraphernalia.

At 1:31 a.m., NAUPD initiated a traffic stop at San Francisco Street and Mountain View Drive.

NAUPD responded, and one student was booked into CCDF for a DUI to the slightest degree and aggravated DUI.

At 11:12 a.m., a staff member at the NAU Bookstore called to report a theft within the store. NAUPD responded, and the report is pending further investigation.

At 9:37 p.m., staff at Sechrist Hall called NAUPD to report an unknown odor.

NAUPD responded and determined that the odor came from a scented candle.

JANUARY 23, 2020 – JANUARY 29, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

3

NEWS

FPD responds to a man entering The Standard with a firearm Brady Wheeler

R

esidents of The Standard were met with a surprise upon returning home from their afternoon classes last week, as crowds overflowed the standing area outside the complex and police flooded the street.

On Jan. 16 at 5:04 p.m., an unidentified man entered the complex carrying a firearm and wearing a bulletproof vest. Within minutes, the Flagstaff Police Department (FPD) arrived at the scene on West Route 66 with force, lining the righthand side of the street with police vehicles and deploying officers to patrol the building’s perimeter.

Before long, police began clearing sections of the building as residents anxiously waited outside — an operation that would last just short of two hours. Individuals inside the building at the time of the incident were asked

by The Standard staff to lock their doors and wait inside.

“Flagstaff officers responded quickly. When they arrived at The Standard, we provided them with surveillance footage that helped them identify the person who possessed the firearm,” FPD Public Information Officer Charles Hernandez said. “Simultaneously, the officers were conducting a thorough floor-to-floor safety and security search. Fortunately, during that process, they were able to locate the individual.”

The suspect was identified by police as 24-year-old Kestin Gary, who entered the complex via an elevator behind an electronically locked door requiring a key. Gary, who is not a resident at the complex, was let in by a frightened resident, according to an email from The Standard.

Gary was apprehended and charged with disorderly conduct, Hernandez told The Lumberjack. Gary entered the complex to visit friends and there were no signs pointing to malicious intent. However, the complex has a strict no firearms policy, which, along with the public display, resulted in police taking Gary into custody.

“There is a no firearms policy, which caused the panic,” Hernandez said. “He was a guest of a resident here.”

Hernandez said Gary cooperated with the police and willingly underwent questioning.

“This is all just a big misunderstanding.

We had no idea [Gary] was coming with a gun and he had no idea that he was doing anything wrong,” an anonymous source connected to the suspect said.

At the time that police apprehended Gary,

4

he was not in possession of the firearm or bulletproof vest, according to an email sent to residents of The Standard. He led police to an apartment within the building where the items in question were found.

Witness accounts were confirmed by The Standard, which aligned with the account that friends of Gary were not aware that he was bringing a firearm. Hernandez confirmed that a bulletproof vest and a rifle were secured by FPD, and that the suspect no longer posed a threat to residents.

“During our conducting the search of the residences, we identified an individual that matched the description on [the security footage],” Hernandez said. “When we did contact him, he was not in possession of the firearm. He was not in possession of the bulletproof vest, either.”

Residents filled the standing area outside of the student housing complex, observing the situation unfold and anxiously awaiting the goahead to resume normal building activity.

“He was taken into custody on a criminal charge of disorderly conduct,” Hernandez said. “He is not charged with any weaponsrelated violations, but it did cause panic within the residents here, and we are happy that the outcome of this incident was a peaceful and successful one with minimal charges.”

Those waiting outside were eventually allowed to wait inside the building’s lobby, as temperatures lowered and police made their way to clear the upper floors. Hernandez said Gary was first spotted on the fifth floor. Further details, such as the exact location within the complex, are not confirmed.

The Standard has a strict no-firearm policy signed by all residents in their lease agreement, stating that a resident is in violation of their contract if in possession of “any handgun, firearm or weapon of any type.”

Although the suspect was not a resident, the no firearm policy still applies, according to The Standard staff and Hernandez.

Police responded to the incident as a precaution, but no criminal activity was confirmed other than the disorderly conduct.

Hernandez said a large “show of force” responded to the scene swiftly, which included approximately 12 police vehicles.

NAU Police Department also responded with units prepped to identify the suspect using their student database.

FPD did not suspect any threat to the safety of residents, according to The Standard.

“We are extremely grateful that no one

THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

was harmed during the incident, but we are disappointed in the individual’s extremely poor judgment ... As a result of violating community guidelines, the individual has been banned from our property,” according to an email to residents

from The Standard. “We ask that you please keep us informed of any suspicious activity and to immediately contact the police if you feel threatened or believe anyone in our community is at risk.”

An officer is seen from the seventh floor of The Standard during a lockdown following an incident involving a firearm, Jan. 16. Shawn Patti | The Lumberjack

Turning big ideas into big solutions.

Master of Science in Innovation and Venture Development A groundbreaking 12-month master’s focused on venture development.

Built for founders and inventors by America’s most innovative university.

Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering W. P. Carey School of Business Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts

No. 1, Most Innovative Schools 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

design.asu.edu/innovation gpo_MS-IVD-NAU-print-ad_JAN2020.indd 1

1/14/20 5:27 PM

JANUARY 23, 2020 – JANUARY 29, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

5

NEWS

Photo of Jamie Whelan courtesy of the Arizona Daily Sun

Election for mayor to be held in November Scout Ehrler

A

s Mayor Coral Evans fights for a seat in the Arizona State Legislature, her newly vacant seat will be filled by one of five mayoral candidates. Two city council members, Jamie Whelan and Charlie Odegaard, are spending their free time collecting signatures for a mayoral nomination.

In addition to the mayor’s seat, three city council positions are open with a dozen candidates in the running, including current councilmember Jim McCarthy. If more than two candidates per open seat remain in the race following the signature cut-off, a primary election will be held Aug. 4.

Candidates must collect between 1,045 and 2,089 signatures

by April 6 to move on to the general election, which will be held Nov. 3, according to the candidate information packet.

Councilmembers running for mayor absorb an additional risk — if not elected, the candidate can no longer serve on the council.

Signatures must come from people who are residents of the city and registered to vote. While they are not vetted, if challenged, signatures can lead to issues for mayoral candidates if found to be invalid.

“There’s been a past history of getting between 20% to 30% more than the minimum,” Odegaard said.

Odegaard has been in Flagstaff since his senior year of high school, maintaining his roots by running his grandparent’s sewing shop, Odegaard’s Sewing Center, on Fourth Street. As a thirdgeneration Flagstaffian, the councilmember said he values the community and works to be hands-on.

Odegaard said he tries to be an active councilmember, instead of a “warm seat on Tuesday evenings.” Rather than focusing on any one issue, he attempts to prioritize them equally. However, Odegaard spoke of issues such as housing and transportation that cause frustration across the city. As mayor, he said he would work hard to advocate for the community.

“The only thing I care about is I want everyone to know I care about everyone in our community,” Odegaard said.

6

THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

Odegaard has served on the council since 2016 and said he loves it. Although the mayor does not have any extra sway — all individuals at the dais have equal votes — Odegaard said the mayor holds significant public influence and sets the community’s standards.

Whelan has been a Flagstaff resident for over 30 years. She has spent the last few decades serving the community as an educator at both Flagstaff Unified School District and NAU. She spent some time working at an exterior and interior painting company, and worked with students with severe emotional and behavioral disorders.

“I retired [from NAU] in December 2015, walked out the door and I’m on council,” Whelan said.

Since she began serving on council in 2016, she held the title of vice-mayor — a position determined by votes, not chosen by the mayor — until 2018.

Whelan spoke of issues that she will “do something about rather than just complaining.” Some topics that carry importance to her are housing, transportation and finances, but the community is Whelan’s first priority.

“I want to see us do for the community first and the city institutions second,” Whelan said. “The public needs to come first.

Their comfort, their infrastructure, their voice, all of those things are just so important to me. You can see why they’re forgotten, but they’re not going to be forgotten [with me].”

As mayor, Whelan said she wants to unite the people of Flagstaff. She stressed the ideas of truth and communication within the community. Whelan said at the end of the day, the community is what drives the council and encourages it to make beneficial decisions.

“I really believe that the character of our city is more about our hearts and our connection,” Whelan said. “That’s very important to me, to bring us back together so we can move forward.”

Photo of Charlie Odegaard courtesy of the City of Flagstaff

NEWS

new year, new mayor

Left: Local and national elections took place Nov. 8, 2018. NAU hosts multiple polls on campus. Middle: The American flag and Arizona state flag fly at Flagstaff City Hall, Feb. 4, 2018. Right: Former Vice-Mayor Jamie Whelan poses a question at a city council meeting Jan. 23, 2018.

Bottom: NAU President Rita Cheng joins Mayor Coral Evans and Flagstaff City Council Jan. 23, 2018, at Flagstaff City Hall.

Michael Patacsil and Shannon Swain| The Lumberjack

JANUARY 23, 2020 – JANUARY 29, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

7

OPINION-EDITORIAL

Royal diligence and a new progressive role kylie soto

T

he Royal Family’s reputation of sticking to tradition has come to a sudden end with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Prince Harry of Sessex and Duchess Meghan Markle announced their decision to split their time between North America and the United Kingdom, and to stop carrying out royal duties effective immediately.

For some background, Britain is in the middle of exiting the European Union (EU) and will be making a transition to complete independence from the other 27 countries. The matter has been appropriately named Brexit.

The shocking announcement from the royals created a surge of online disputes and the matter was slapped with the hashtag “Megxit.”

From the conflict across multiple social media platforms, two opposing arguments for the debate were formed. One of the arguments is supportive of the Sussex’s decision to become independent from royal life. The other is against their decision to “step back from royal duties.”

The British press was shocked. Prince Harry and Meghan’s actions were described as “selfish” and “rogue.” The Daily Mirror even went as far as to write, “Well, good riddance.”

I support Prince Harry and Meghan in their decision to take the first historical steps toward a life of self-determination.

I am in further support of Meghan herself, as she has been put through many media trials during her time as a senior member of the Royal Family.

The life the Royal Family leads is taxing. Princess Diana drilled that nail in during some of her final interviews.

Especially with the power of the media, life as a royal can be grueling, which is a gross understatement for the trials that Meghan has been put through. Ever since Meghan and Prince Harry began dating, the media has been nothing short of brutal to her.

An online article from Buzzfeed displays headlines that compare Meghan to Kate Middleton. In the article, an example mentions how Middleton is praised for cradling her baby bump and Meghan is shamed for doing the same action. The article goes on with 19 more absurd examples.

Although Meghan and Prince Harry have several reasons for choosing to leave royal life, the media coverage alone unveils a deeper disdain for Meghan from the public eye.

Since day one, Meghan has been harassed over every single tiny detail. The royals and the press have now successfully gotten her out of the U.K. However, as collateral, they’ve also driven the beloved Prince Harry out of the country.

Perhaps if the British press could consider the communities of color that read their articles, this announcement would’ve come to them as much less of a shock.

Comments in a New York Times article describe Meghan as “(almost) straight outta Compton” and being “exotic” have all added layers of proof pointing toward their racist reasoning for pummeling her with vile words ever since she set foot in the U.K. Prince Harry still supports Meghan and through this they are choosing to do good, while being withdrawn from their royal

8

THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

duties.

The Daily Express, a popular British tabloid, quoted Meghan and Prince Harry’s statement, which explained that their decision to split as “senior” members of the Royal Family will allow them to work toward financial independence while raising their son, Archie, and launching their new charitable entity.

Despite all the gossip, the couple is stronger than ever.

There has been recent news of Meghan possibly contributing voice-over work with Disney and putting her work toward the notable charity organization, Elephants Without Borders.

The two have proven to be a very strong team. Prince Harry has always been there for his wife, and Meghan consistently chooses to do good in spite of all the negative press surrounding her.

All they deserve now is support and praise for their perseverance and optimism for the new philanthropic path they’ve decided to pave. The Royal Family is a toxic environment and the decision to cut ties was very wise.

Illustration By Christian ayala

LUNCH - DINNER - LATE NIGHT

E@ LATE NIT

D R A Y e ay h d r t satu friday &

DJ starts at 10pm FRIDAY $6.99 32oz YARD JARS saturday $4 PINTS PLAYING the best DANCE HITS from throughout the decades!

$4 DOUBLE WELLS

YARVIDA

THRUIRSDAY T

Sign Up Starts at 7pm, Seating Starts at 9pm The Game starts at 9:30pm! $2.75 Topless Cans & $7.99 Yard Jars

www.lumberyardbrewingcompany.com

Sunday - Thursday 11am - 12am Friday - Saturday 11am - 2am Late Night Menu Available Friday - Saturday

$10 PIZZA AND PINT FOR NAU STUDENTS! 8” WOOD-FIRED PIZZA AND 16OZ PINT OF BS BEER! JUST SHOW US YOUR NAU ID!

JOIN OUR BS BREW CLUB! $60 Annual Membership includes:

BS Brew Club Shirt BS Brew Club Glass $5 22oz Imperial Pints $9 64oz Growler Fills 25% OFF BSB Merch and Beer Gear 20% OFF Wood-Fired Pizzas 10% OFF All other Food items Happy Hour Pricing for Pool Free Pool on Mondays and Tuesdays Free Entry into Okto’Beer’Fest 25% Off all other BSB hosted Special Events Brew Club Sundays: Bring in a friend to receive the same great perks of membership!

www.beaverstreetbrewery.com

5 S SAN FRANCISCO ST | 928.779.2739 3 S Beaver St | Flagstaff, Az | 928.779.0079 JANUARY 23, 2020 – JANUARY 29, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

9

OPINION-EDITORIAL

The duty to donate as a celebrity caitlin burke

Loving someone, but not what they do

T

he recent rising tensions with Iran have reaffirmed a belief of mine. I will always be an anti-war pacifist, but that doesn’t mean I can’t support my boyfriend’s choice to serve in the Marine Corps. I have to accept that he might be deployed to fight in inevitable conflicts involving the United States.

When it was reported Jan. 3 that President Donald Trump ordered an airstrike to kill the Iranian General Qassim Suleimani, I was with my boyfriend and his family, celebrating the holidays, as well as the rarity of my boyfriend being home. Since this only happens once every six months because of his career choice, everyone was in a happy mood before the news hit.

On Jan. 4, Trump took to Twitter to CAITLIN BURKE defend the airstrike, tweeting, “Let this OP-ED EDITOR serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have targeted 52 Iranian sites ... those targets, and Iran itself, WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD. The USA wants no more threats!”

Our president making reckless threats via Twitter isn’t a surprise. It seems like the other day that everyone on social media feared a nuclear war with North Korea because of his big powerful button brag in a tweet directed toward Kim Jong Un in January 2018. I was scared back then, but not to the degree of my fear of the most recent tensions with Iran.

The relationship with the Middle East and the U.S. has been notoriously complicated, and it’s common to hear that anyone who served in the military from the years 2001-2014 was deployed to either Iraq or Afghanistan.

I believe the tensions in the Middle East were influenced by our national interest in oil as a natural resource in countries like Iraq. The wars fought in the Middle East saw senseless lives lost on both sides. I can’t stand behind the actions that were taken by former President George W. Bush and his administration at the time of the conflicts.

Although I am steadfast in my opinion, I can’t put that blame on my boyfriend. I won’t be over the moon if he has to fight in a war with Iran, but according to the Defense Department personnel data from 2017, he’s merely one of the 1.3 million active-duty service members who are simply told what to do for the U.S. military.

Blaming people who serve this country for terrible actions ultimately caused by corrupt presidential administrations is pointing blame at the wrong individuals.

I can be anti-war without being anti-military. I can also choose to not support the conflict with Iran but still be supportive of my Marine boyfriend if he gets deployed.

10

THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

T

he impact climate change has on the Earth’s environment has been dramatically devastating. The current wildfires in New South Wales, Australia have been widely, and rightly, acknowledged on the internet as an international crisis.

Recently, NASA reported the smoke from the fires has officially circumnavigated the globe as of Jan. 14, 2020.

Celebrities, politicians and average Joe’s alike have all shared their opinions and have likely posted a donation link in an Instagram story or in a tweet. When it comes to feeling obligated to help with tragedies like these wildfires, many financially struggling people will also be donating $5 instead of getting a morning coffee.

If everyday, workingclass people feel obligated to contribute to this cause, why don’t celebrities who have the financial capabilities to make a tangible change contribute their fair share as well?

There are certainly a handful of wealthy celebrities who have dedicated their time to mitigating the climate change crisis and could even be called activists, such as actor Leonardo DiCaprio or singer Billie Eilish.

However, it seems as though there are a majority of celebrities who feel the pressure of acting as if they care about international issues like the Australian wildfires and will post once about it. Then, after doing the bare minimum, they will go back to their routine of complaining about their multiple walk-in fridges that are undoubtedly wasting absurd amounts of energy.

Two of the most notable examples of the walk-in-fridgeaficionado lifestyle are Kim Kardashian West and her sister, Kylie Jenner. Both reality TV stars shared an Instagram story of how their followers can help donate to the wildfire relief efforts and then showed off their massive display of wealth and obvious apathy toward the environment.

Kardashian West’s fridges sparked outrage along with Jenner’s mink fur slippers, which she shared on an Instagram story to let her followers know that even though wildfires are

sad, at least her feet are comfortable.

Seeing celebrities act this oblivious and inconsiderate angers me — if that’s not apparent already. However, the reactions on social media of angry environmental advocates, which get thousands of likes and shares, are not going to do anything in the long run. Kardashian West isn’t going to see a critical tweet and immediately change her luxury consumerist lifestyle. This article of my own ranting personal irritation isn’t going to do anything, either.

Getting angry at rich celebrities who are apathetic or aren’t doing enough for the Australian wildfire crisis is obviously valid, but it’s a waste of time and energy.

There’s a better way to direct activism and passion toward environmental injustices that are actually in reach, and it’s by supporting politicians who are actively fighting to create policy changes that would put the United States back on track with environmental regulations and international climate accords.

It’s depressing to be pessimistic, but at the end of the day, wealthy celebrities who have access to private jets and sports cars aren’t ever going to be persuaded by the working class to give up their lives of luxury.

The best way to feel like you are making a difference in the environmental crisis is to give your vote to someone who will create governmental change at the local, state or federal level.

I’m not persuading anyone to vote for any particular candidate or party, but I want to stress that politicians are the only ones who need the votes of activists to be able to succeed in their careers and get elected.

Kardashian West and Jenner don’t care about the tweets from people telling them to not take private jets everywhere since that Illustration By shelsey braswell opinion affects their success in absolutely no way.

Using Twitter as a means of ranting and sharing certain feelings can be a form of therapy for a lot of people, myself included. I can’t tell people they should or shouldn’t be tweeting something. I just hope the same people who are going viral for pointing out the hypocrisy of wealthy celebrities are also going to be using their vote to raise the chances of creating a better and healthier environment.

OPINION-EDITORIAL

Warren manipulates Bernie and viewers scout ehrler

S

ix Democratic candidates took the stage at the Iowa debate, Jan. 14, but only one was consistently targeted by one of the moderators throughout the night. Leading up to last week’s debate rumors began flying that in 2018, Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-VT, told Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-MA, “a woman can’t win” the presidential election. CNN, Buzzfeed and many more ran with the story.

CNN’s sources on the initial story were not present for the meeting and although Warren has publicly backed up the claim, some have come out to say Warren “admittedly embellished” Sanders’ words. No one besides Warren and Sanders was present for the meeting, so it is ridiculous for anyone to claim to know what was said. At this point, the argument is he said, she said.

Fueling the fire with targeted debate questions, moderator Abby Phillip, a CNN White House correspondent was more focused on making Sanders look bad, rather than asking important questions.

When Sanders was asked whether or not he said a woman could not win, he said no. He backed his answer with a heartfelt response, touting respect for his longtime friend. When he finished, Phillip asked once more and he simply said no.

Phillip then turned to Warren and asked, “What did you think when Senator Sanders told you a woman could not win the election?”

Without an ounce of consideration for Sanders’ response, Phillip and Warren moved on as if Sanders had said nothing at all. The moment felt like a Saturday Night Live skit. The transparent disrespect of a candidate on stage is not only disappointing, but it’s also irresponsible on CNN’s part.

Another question on the docket, regarding the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), which Sanders opposes, specifically asked, “Why is Senator Sanders wrong?”

Pointed questions such as these reveal such a clear bias. I would go as far as to call it gross. The media is supposed to inform the public, not tell them who to like.

CNN is choosing who the cool kids are in this election. It is actively swaying public opinion with misleading headlines and disappointing, biased rhetoric.

The media has been against Sanders for quite some time, choosing not to include him in coverage when he is currently polling second and nitpicking his policy.

Quite frankly, making this election about the gender of candidates belittles how important the outcome is. Yes, the election of a female president would be historically significant and very cool, but there are more important issues at hand.

It should be noted that Sanders waited to

announce his 2016 candidacy until he was confident Warren was not running to ensure her success. He believed in and supported her, which he affirmed at the debate.

I’m not here to tell you who to side with or who to vote for.

However, I want to encourage critical thinking — the Democratic party has little to no interest in peoples’ welfare, nor do they actually want change.

Warren’s voter-base is exactly what one would expect of the Democrats: white, affluent and well-educated. Warren brings nothing new to the table.

It is vital that whoever wins the nomination is able to draw in disenfranchised, marginalized groups.

Voter turnout has been floating around 50% for much too long. A candidate who encourages diversity is what we need to

overpower President Donald Trump’s silent majority.

The government and its two parties have become a farce, from my perspective. Even the Democratic party has little regard for the people of this country. Warren plays into that game, but I genuinely believe Sanders wants to change it.

A fight over a misquote about whether one gender can win an election is only a distraction — ­ a pawn from the real issues in this country. Sanders wants us to pay attention, Warren does not.

Illustration By Tonesha Yazzie

JANUARY 23, 2020 – JANUARY 29, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

11

FEATURES

Getting into photography: the Jacob Meyer

F

rom magazines and photo collections to images shared on social media, photography is everywhere. Smartphones put a camera in everyone’s pocket and social media gives them a platform to share photos and videos. Photography is for amateurs and professionals alike with easy ways to get started and the means to grow and improve.

Junior Tabatha Trigler is the president of the NAU Photography Club. While she started with a basic point-and-shoot camera in middle school, she said smartphone cameras open photography up to everyone.

“I think it’s become a lot more accessible, which is great,” Trigler said.

“Everyone should have the opportunity to take pictures and remember the places they’re going and the things they’re doing. I think that smartphone cameras really allow us that opportunity.”

Harun Mehmedinović, a professor in the School of Communication and a widely published professional photographer and filmmaker, agreed that smartphone cameras have greatly increased accessibility to photography. He said they have largely eliminated the need to go out and purchase

an entry-level point-and-shoot camera, removing a big barrier.

Sophomore Anthony Cataldo, the vice president of the Photography Club, said smartphone cameras work well for the everyday needs of the average user. Smartphones also serve as a great introduction to photography and make it possible for start-up photographers to get decent results.

Trigler said even professionals can make use of smartphones. Many professional photographers, whom she calls “iPhoneographers,” create impressive work using their phones.

Dawn Kish, an Honors College faculty member and longtime professional photographer based in Flagstaff, has taken photos with many different cameras and formats throughout her career but still enjoys using her smartphone’s camera.

Kish even used it for one of her published projects.

“I’ve had a published story about Route 66 with just my iPhone photography through Arizona Highways Magazine,” Kish said.

While smartphones have given many people a camera at their fingertips, social media also plays a major role in bringing

photography to the general public. Each of the photographers agreed that it is huge in the world of photography.

Cataldo said social media, particularly Instagram, is a major platform for people to share their photos and see the work of others.

“You can find pretty much most of my work on Instagram,” Cataldo said.

“I feel like it’s broadened who can be a photographer or wants to know more about it.”

While negativity certainly exists on social media, he said it has been overall very positive for most photographers.

Social media incentivizes people to get into photography in the first place, which Trigler said can be a positive experience.

“I think that it’s encouraging people to go out and take pictures, which is great because it gets you out of the house,” Trigler said. “It makes you go explore new areas.”

Social media has also made it possible for more people to gain notoriety as photographers and make a living off their work.

Social networks like Instagram have millions of users who share photos, giving a platform to photographers whose work might not receive attention otherwise.

Top Left: Junior Clare Sach takes a photo of Greenbean, a small dog dressed as a hotdog, at Wheeler Park, Oct. 5, 2019. Bottom Left: An Abert’s squirrel standing on top of a tree branch along the Fatman’s Lo posing for a group photo for a surprise Christmas present for Hernandez, Dec. 12, 2019. Center Right: Sunset as seen from parking lot 13 at NAU, Nov. 11, 2019. Top Right: Senior Aleeya Hess takes a photo Sach reviews photos on her camera at Wheeler Park in downtown Flagstaff. Sach is a correspondent for NAZ Today and an aspiring photographer, Oct. 5, 2019. Shawn Patti | The Lumberjack

12

THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

FEATURES

e concept isn’t hard to picture Mehmedinović said social media has made it much easier for photographers to get their work in front of others by allowing them to self-publish and quickly reach their followers.

“Before you had to have some kind of major success in some area or some kind of unique photos that a magazine would take,” Mehmedinović said. “Now you can put them up on Twitter and hashtag it, and somehow it becomes a million views. The avenues have opened up, and it can let sort of obscure people suddenly have a huge amount of attention and even get jobs off of it, or get notoriety or fame.”

For amateur photographers and members of the general public looking to improve their work and take photos that they can be proud of, Trigler said to focus on practice.

“Get outside, go practice, go have fun with it,” Trigler said. “Take a picture tons of times until you get what you want.”

Cataldo said he puts a lot of emphasis on the lighting in his photography, both naturally and artificially.

He suggested working with light, understanding how it affects a photo and how it can be used. Manipulating the light can improve the quality of the photo

and help the photographer create a wider variety of images.

“Play with how light makes your photo,” Cataldo said. “The light basically makes or breaks a photo, I would definitely say for people looking to better improve their skills, play with light. See what you can do with light; light is the key.”

Mehmedinović said storytelling is one of the most important aspects of any image. He said it’s not enough for a photo to be visually pleasing, it also needs to be compelling.

“To me, the content, the story is more important than technical execution, or some kind of sense of beauty or the aesthetic beauty of it,” Mehmedinovic said.

“I don’t care what camera you shot it with or whatever lens you used, or even if you shot it on a cellphone. I personally don’t care at all for that. I’m just looking at it as is this compelling to me as imagery.”

Kish also values storytelling and said when she gets to tell stories with her work, she is also learning and can apply those lessons outside of photography.

Mehmedinović said artistic photography is largely in the eyes of the beholder. He said there are many debates regarding if certain pieces of photography

are art, but as long as a piece of work makes people feel strongly, it’s a victory. For Kish, photography is an art because it follows the same process and can have the same effect as any other art form.

“Photography is definitely art, because art is a human effort to create,” Kish said. “When you’re creating something, you’re moving something and somebody, emotions or feelings, and that is an important thing in any art.”

As a teacher, Kish would encourage anyone interested in photography to try it out. She said everyone should pursue their passions and photography is no exception.

“If they’ve been interested in it, they should just follow that path. If it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out,” Kish said.

“Just go for it. I feel like anybody should just be going after their passions no matter what.”

All the photographers agreed that there is a low barrier to entry in photography and great ways to share one’s work with others.

Whether someone is looking to simply capture memorable moments or learn the skills to make a living off their work, there are many ways to get started, and as Trigler said, photography can be for everyone.

oop Trail in Flagstaff Sept. 21, 2019. Center Left: Pictured from left to right, sophomore Sarrah Frey, senior Anthony Danza, junior Marcos Hernandez, junior Harrison Schonbrun and senior Katrina Tselentis of her roleplaying game members on her phone’s camera during a meeting. This photo was taken on a Google Pixel 3a XL, Jan. 18, 2019. Photo Illustration by Shawn Patti. Bottom Right: Junior Clare

JANUARY 23, 2020 – JANUARY 29, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

13

FEATURES

Wise words from an older generation Ash Lohmann

W

ith more life experience than most college students, senior citizens offer life advice with a perspective different from what NAU students might be familiar with. Be it something as simple as smiling and dancing more, or more serious relationship and career advice, senior citizens at Flagstaff’s Joe C. Montoya Community and Senior Center said young adults could learn a lot from their experiences.

Flagstaff resident Joyce Reid, 78, said college students are at a relatively pivotal point in their lives with lots of decisions to be made.

Political and career path decisions, as well as other important moments in a person’s life, are largely under pressure during college. Reid said that being mindful of the decisions one makes can lead to happiness in the long run, as it has in her own life.

“Be careful of the decisions you make today because they will affect you, the world, your family and everything else for the rest of your life,” Reid said.

Flagstaff resident David Corder agreed that those decisions are not to be taken lightly. He said that making a decision about what to do in

life can be something really difficult, especially for someone as young as most college students.

Corder said his life didn’t go exactly how he expected. He thought he would become an engineer, but ultimately fell in love with chemistry and ended up pursuing it. He said it is important to be open to life’s unexpected changes.

“There are so many opportunities and if you’re open to them, you might have a lot of fun doing things you didn’t expect to do,” Corder said. “Sometimes being open to things as they come along can lead you into different life patterns with different goals. While you’ve got to have the steadfastness to keep working and get to your goal, you shouldn’t be blind to the other possibilities.”

Looking back on his own life, Corder said patience is valuable and can help someone be open to changes in their life. Taking life one day at a time has led him to some interesting experiences he is grateful to have. Flagstaff resident Gary Millam, 78, said patience and willingness to change is crucial.

“When you go through life, you fork a lot of times into different directions and whichever direction you choose, don’t look back,” Millam said. “Look forward. What can you do to get

the most out of that other direction. That keeps going all through life — take the direction and go with it. Too many people look back and say, ‘Well, if I had done this. Well, if I had done that,’ instead of looking forward and saying, ‘How can I make the most out of this direction.’”

Similar to Reid, Flagstaff resident Ray Jordan said he made sure to make the best out of his life direction by choosing to go into something he knew he loved. In his career, Jordan mapped the moon, Mars and Earth, something he said was so unique to his interests.

Jordan said choosing a career that someone is passionate about might not only contribute a great deal to their happiness but could also be a key factor in deciding how successful they are.

“Follow your passion,” Jordan said. “You’ll be happier and the money might follow, but you’ll be doing what you like and so you’ll probably do very well at it.”

In order to pursue a passion, Flagstaff resident Elsie Monroe said she tells her children and grandchildren that to succeed they need to stay in school.

“Definitely continue your education,” Monroe said. “There is no way you are going to survive today without that kind of schooling.”

Ninety-year-old Flagstaff resident Mary

Mary Osborne poses for a portrait at the Joe C. Montoya Community and Senior Center, Jan. 14. Shannon Swain | The Lumberjack

Ray Jordan (left), Gary Millam (center) and Joyce Reid (right) pose for a portrait at the Joe C. Montoya Community and Senior Center, Jan. 14. Shannon Swain | The Lumberjack

14

THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

Osborne said people don’t have to worry about when to get their education and when to pursue their passion, as it is never too late. Osborne’s grandson is going back to school and working full time at 40 years old, and she said that it is just as good as getting one’s education at 20.

Similarly, Hazel Kimball, 79, said that while school is important, the key is to keep the mind active.

“Staying intellectually curious I think is probably the best advice I can give you because I think it’s the key to wellness,” Kimball said.

Be it consistently researching interests, learning more about one’s community, meeting people who can bring new ideas to the table or even just to keep reading books, Kimball said staying intellectually curious can keep one young and happy. To Kimball, keeping an open mind to something new is the best gateway to

intellectual growth.

“Also, don’t be afraid of diversity,” Kimball said. “People who don’t appreciate or respect diversity, they close themselves off to a great thing and they’re not intellectually curious anymore.”

Millam agreed that promoting intellectual growth and mental health is crucial and that supporting physical well-being is also important, which is why he suggested people dance as much as possible.

As a dance teacher, Millam said partner dancing can affect a person’s overall health in various ways such as preventing dementia, building relationships and even as a treatment for strokes, as it activates a different part of the brain than other activities.

“My wife just had a little stroke about three or four weeks ago, so I went up to the hospital

and we danced in the hospital room,” Millam said.

Millam also said dancing has the power to make romantic relationships even stronger.

Osborne said hard work is important to have a healthy, communicative and fun relationship.

After having been married for 64 years, Osborne said she feels sorry for people now because there are many more divorces than there used to be. Osborne added that being happy and working hard is a necessity for any succesful

relationship.

“When you get married, it’s 50/50,” Osborne said. “So, you have to really know each other before you get married. Don’t just jump into it.”

Osborne said working for one’s own happiness is what is most important. The others agreed, suggesting young people to pay special attention to their happiness and health above all else.

Left: David Corder poses for a portrait at the Joe C. Montoya Community and Senior Center, Jan. 14. Right: Ray Jordan poses for a portrait at the Joe C. Montoya Community and Senior Center, Jan. 14. Shannon Swain | The Lumberjack

JANUARY 23, 2020 – JANUARY 29, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

15

CULTURE

Local art exhibition highlights women Italia Diazbarriga

A Crumbl Cookies chronicle

T

hink about the best cookie you have ever tasted. The cookie you are envisioning could be from a plethora of places. It could be from your grandmother’s signature recipe, passed down through generations, or it may be from your favorite bakery in your local area. Now, go tell your grandma her cookies suck and never visit that subpar bakery again. I’ve found a new supplier that embarrasses every cookie in existence based on store ambiance, appearance and taste.

Founded in Utah, Crumbl Cookies opened a Flagstaff franchise December 2019, and it has quickly become a favorite in the community. As of the week of Jan. 12, the Flagstaff location has a score of 4.4 of 5 stars on Google reviews and has been recommended to NATHAN me via word-of-mouth twice this month. After hearing MANNI enough positive talk about Crumbl, I decided it was CULTURE EDITOR time for a review.

Before I get into the pastries, Flagstaff Crumbl Cookies has many other positive attributes. The store has a prime, serene location that would be difficult to avoid for the average Flagstaffian driving home from work, or an NAU student heading out to town. It is in Aspen Place at The Sawmill, near Whole Foods Market, Dutch Bros. Coffee and Pita Jungle, right off Butler Avenue. Not to mention, the employees are tremendously friendly and welcoming.

The interior of the store has a modern stylethat it is somewhat hard to believe it is a bakery, at least until the sugary aroma fills your nose. The sleek, white walls and countertops almost remind me of an Apple Store, due to its minimalist design.

Be mindful of the price if you are visiting Crumbl Cookies — a single cookie costs over $3 after tax. Yes, I am a money-missing college student, but I love what I do at The Lumberjack and couldn’t resist getting a pale pink box of four cookies for approximately $13 to give this place a fair review.

All four were absolutely delicious, and so artfully crafted that I didn’t want to eat them at first because they looked like they should be entered into a pastry designing contest. The best way I can convey how good these cookies are is that although I hate peanut butter, I loved the peanut butter cookie.

The best trait about this bakery is that it has a rotating menu that changes each week. They also deliver, which is a rare service from any bakery I know.

If I could personify cookies, the chilled cookies & cream milkshake cookie stands on a pedestal wearing a royal robe, as every other cookie on earth drops to their knees to worship. I got two of them, along with the previously mentioned peanut butter and one chocolate chip.

Mom, if you’re reading this, I’m sorry, but if cookies could fight, Crumbl would do your cookies like Conor McGregor did Donald Cerrone. It’s not your fault. This is very likely the best cookie bakery I have been to and I would recommend it to anyone with a sweet tooth like myself.

16

THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

A

collaborative effort between the Martin-Springer Institute and the Flagstaff Pioneer Museum to highlight 21 women and non-binary tales of overcoming hardships and unfavorable situations at the “Resilience: Women in Flagstaff’s Past and Present” exhibit.

The exhibition, located at Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library, features women from all walks of life who have made a significant impact in the community. Among those featured are public figures, activists, business leaders, educators and caretakers.

Tedious research, conceptualization and community feedback helped bring the exhibit together.

Bjorn Krondorfer, director of the Martin-Springer Institute, said the idea for this exhibition came about when their research team realized that Flagstaff women’s lives were not well represented in the city’s history and archives. With such a diverse landscape, Krondorfer and his team wanted to highlight underrepresented communities. “[We were guided by] several paradigms, including covering each decade from the 1880s to the 2010s, as well as making sure the stories were not only relevant on a local level, but reflect larger, even global struggles,” Krondorfer said.

Sacha Siskonen is the museum education curator for the Pioneer Museum, as well as Riordan Mansion State Historic Park. She assisted in putting together the exhibit and executing its purpose.

She said the exhibit tells a story of national significance by focusing on local people.

“The exhibit discusses important historical events like the civil rights movement, World War II and the Holocaust by sharing moving stories about individuals working to create a better world, fighting for equality and finding peace in difficult circumstances,” Siskonen said.

One of the women featured in this exhibition is NAU journalism professor Rachel Cox, who has a story of hope and immense strength. At 18, she survived after being lost in the South Dakota Wind Caves for 38 hours, which prompted the largest search and rescue in the United States at the time. Now, she is making a documentary about with the help of her eldest daughter.

She plans to debut the trailer at the Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival in February.

The word resilient is one Cox defines as a person’s ability to keep going in the face of hardship. She said everyone has the power to be resilient and push their way through adversity.

Cox lost her son, Zaaditozhon Tso, when he was 3 years old after he was struck and killed by a car in a Flagstaff parking lot in Februrary 2015.

Following the death of her son, Cox returned to a classroom of students she said were so full of love and compassion. She said her son, Zaadii, and his legacy

motivate her.

“It is hard to be a bereaved mother, but I’m certainly not the only one,” Cox said. “At least I’m not in a wartorn country ... there are situations that are a lot more remarkable with people and women that continue on through it.”

Cox said that teaching helped her feel as if she was continuing parenting. She said that it requires hope and compassion for her students, just as she had for her son.

“No matter what our own hardships are, or what we’re going through, we’re all still in this together,” Cox said. “No matter our hardships we still need to work together to try our best to make this world as good as it can be for our future generations and our environment.”

Krondorfer said “Resilience” illustrates the strength and resourcefulness that these women displayed when they faced challenges in their personal lives and in their communities. The exhibition is currently on display at Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library until Feb. 3.

A display in the Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library about Emma Jane Wilson titled “Speaking for the Oppressed.”

Taylor Schwartz-Olson | The Lumberjack

March for MLK Day

Top Left: Beyonce Utley marches with the Black Student Union in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Commemorative March, Jan 20. Sharon Holtaway | The Lumberjack. Top Right: BSU hosted a Martin Luther King Jr. Day Commemorative March, Jan. 20. Sharon Holtaway | The Lumberjack.

Bottom Right: For Martin Luther King Jr. Day Jan. 20, the Office of Inclusion hosted keynote speaker Brandon “Griot B” Brown, teacher and musical artist for School Yard Rap. Rapping and rhyming, Brown talked about black history in education, cultural conditioning, media bias, and the Black Panther movie.

MacKenzie Brower | The Lumberjack. Bottom Left: For Martin Luther King Jr. Day Jan. 20, the Office of Inclusion hosted keynote speaker Brandon “Griot B” Brown. MacKenzie Brower | The Lumberjack

JANUARY 23, 2020 – JANUARY 29, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

17

CULTURE

Flagstaff Bookmans return of the record Katelyn Rodriguez

F

lagstaff’s Bookmans Entertainment Exchange, a trading marketplace for entertainment merchandise, located next to Sprouts in the shopping center on Milton Road, has been a topic of conversation. It could even be said that it became one with the force. Bookmans was able to return a copy of the “Star Wars: A New Hope” score on vinyl, signed by renowned composer John Williams, to “Star Wars” actor Mark Hamill. The actor played Luke Skywalker in the film series.

Williams has been composing scores for TV and film since the late 1950s. His memorable work has been featured in a wide variety of films, such as “Jaws,” the first three “Harry Potter” films, “Indiana Jones” and all nine “Star Wars.”

Bookmans’ general manager and NAU alumnus Micheil Salmons has been a lifelong “Star Wars” fan. He has been the general manager for eight months after working his way up from other store positions. Salmons said the shop acquired the record during summer 2018.

“There was a woman who brought it in and she was cleaning out her father’s storage unit because he had passed away,” Salmons said.

“She brought in a bunch of boxes containing a lot of different ‘Star Wars’ memorabilia and autographed pictures. The record just happened to be one of the items we wanted.”

Salmons said the signature was authentic due to the other autographed items the woman had brought in and because the record was labeled as a prerelease not available for distribution. Music department supervisor Brandon Hart bought the record for the store.

“I didn’t think it was made up,” Hart said.

“I thought how cool is that. I then started image searching John Williams’ autograph to see if it was comparable to what it’s supposed to be.”

Salmons said he also went through various online sites, such as auction house data, and compared Williams’ other proven authentic signatures to the one on the album.

Despite having had the record since 2018, Bookmans’ employee Nick DeVries, who was present when the record was brought in and currently takes care of the store’s music section, said that it mainly sat in the back after it was purchased.

18

“We didn’t delve into it too much until a year or so after we got it because we weren’t sure what to do with it,” DeVries said.

Salmons said they finally put the album out on shelves a few days before Christmas. He said he

THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

posted about the store having the album on Reddit and that another user had ended up sending the link to Hamill via Twitter, where he confirmed it was his record. Hamill explained in his tweet that the record had been taken from his apartment by housekeeping and he never

thought he would see it again.

After seeing Hamill’s response, Salmons said Bookmans was able to get into contact with him via direct message where they exchanged information on how to mail the record back to him. On Jan. 10, Hamill tweeted his thanks to the Bookmans staff for returning the record, which he hadn’t seen since the early ’90s.

“Over the years in life, things go missing.

Meet the staff of @bookmansflag- They found & RETURNED a record signed for me by #JohnWilliams,” Hamill tweeted. “I’m so grateful to them & hope you consider spending lots & lots of $ at their store. Many thanks, Mar.” In his tweet, Hamill made sure to include photos of the staff in “Star Wars” apparel, the record and John Williams’ signature within the context of the tweet. In another tweet, Hamill said he offered to sign any “Star Wars” items the staff sent him.

Salmons got a copy of “A New Hope” signed by Hamill, whereas book department employee and longtime “Star Wars” fan Kevin Iannone got a replica of the medal Luke Skywalker and Han Solo received from Princess Leia at the end of “A New Hope” signed by Hamill.

Since Hamill’s tweets regarding the return of the album, Bookmans has received an increase in media attention not just from local news outlets, but from larger news outlets, such as The New York Times, The Japan Times and Fox 10.

“It’s been overwhelming in a really cool way,” Iannone said. “We really get to be on the front lines of the collectible world since we’re a store that sees really interesting stuff all the time, though not quite on this level.”

Apart from finding this item, Bookmans also features other forms of entertainment for their customers. Customers may never know what they may find on a Bookmans shelf.

Illustration By Blake Fernandez

CULTURE

Mental preparation for a new semester Lisa Hall

T

he beginning of a new semester can be a stressful time for students. Preparing for classes, getting organized, ordering books, figuring out a steady schedule, catching up on sleep and so much more can contribute to heightened stress levels. Some quick tips for getting back into the groove of a new semester from different perspectives might help contribute to one’s success throughout the rest of the year.

When starting a new semester, it is crucial to practice self-care and be wary of one’s mental state. If a student is getting overwhelmed with work and assignments, taking the time to just sit down and do something enjoyable can improve someone’s entire mood.

If students find themselves struggling to maintain their mental health, NAU professor Whitney Stefani, who has doctorates in experimental psychology and health communications, recommends seeking

professional help because there is no shame in it. The Health and Learning Center on campus has mental health care professionals to assist students. Using campus resources is a step toward mental health improvements.

Sophomore Gabrielle Crislip and freshman Andrew Parker explained that if they are going through something, they like to talk it out with friends they trust.

If someone is struggling with an assignment, Stefani said to ask a friend to read the paper and say something nice about it.

Reaching out to friends and asking for help can be scary, but if they are trusted and it is a safe space there is no need to feel stressed about it. She also recommends going out to get fries with someone she calls an accountability buddy, someone trusted and non-judgmental.

The start of a new semester is always a time to organize and get life under control. Crislip and Parker both explained they recommend getting planners, folders and notebooks to help stay organized, and keep a schedule in order.

Crislip recommends doing what she calls a “syllabus dump.” She takes all her syllabuses and enters due dates for assignments in her planner.

She also recommends making a daily to-do list of all the tasks that need to be finished that day, whether it’s for classes or one’s personal life.

Parker recommends making sure to get enough sleep and eating healthy foods throughout the day to maintain energy.

Ordering books can be one of the most stressful and expensive parts of a semester for students. Crislip is an employee at the NAU Bookstore, and she recommends checking the bookstore first for textbooks and comparing prices on Amazon. Comparing prices helps the student stay on a budget. The bookstore also does price matching with Amazon and Barnes & Noble, which a lot of people are unaware of.

Building a relationship with professors is also very important.

“It’s important to be who you are, and not to worry so much about how you’re coming off,” Stefani said. “It’s a big part of that relationship,

and key to getting that mentorship and guidance you’re looking for.”

Students often find themselves panicking when they miss a due date or do poorly on a paper. Stefani said students should be willing to think long term. In 10 years, the paper that dropped a student’s grade won’t matter.

“After each class, I tend to think, ‘Oh I screwed that up,’” Stefani said. “You have to get some emotional distance.”

Someone might think that getting a bad grade on an assignment is the end of the world, but that is not always the case. If students are applying themselves and doing their best, and they still do not get the desired grade, it is not uncommon to have emotional distance from the assignment so it does not turn into a bigger issue.

Despite students being stressed at the start of a semester, there are still resources to lessen their stress.

Left: Shelves are stocked at the NAU Bookstore for purchase, Jan. 15. Right: NAU students wait to pick up their items at the NAU Bookstore, Jan. 15. Amber Yost | The Lumberjack

JANUARY 23, 2020 – JANUARY 29, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

19

SPORTS

Strip the Astros of the World Series title

T

he headline I chose is self-explanatory.

The Houston Astros need to be stripped of the World Series they won against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017.

Thanks to whistleblower former Astros pitcher Mike Fiers and MLB’s investigation of the franchise, the Astros were found to have cheated during the 2017 MLB season. The Astros used video technology to steal pitch signs from opposing teams at a majority of home games.

Now, I’m all for players trying to gain an advantage on the other team. However, when it comes to stealing signs, it should only be done in a manner that involves deciphering; not recording opposing CAMERON dugouts and catchers that you can go back RICHARDSON and study during a team film session.

Sign stealing should only involve ASSISTANT a runner at second base making some SPORTS EDITOR motion to the batter that could give away where the next pitch is coming. However, most sign stealing isn’t really stealing signs at all. It is just to inform the batter on where the next pitch will be located instead of the actual type of pitch that is coming.

Somehow, the Astros were able to get away with this two years ago and it resulted in a championship for them.

Let’s imagine former Red Sox manager Alex Cora as a school janitor. Some students have a test coming up that will be difficult for them to get a solid grade on. So, they go to the school janitor and ask him to find the test answers while he is cleaning classrooms after the teacher is gone. Once the janitor finds them, he makes copies and secretly gives them to the students that requested them, and they use them for the upcoming test. All those students wound up with an A and were never busted for it. That right there is exactly who the Astros are.

A bunch of students that cheated on a test and got away with it.

Now that they have been caught, it is time for MLB to make the next necessary step. Yes, I am going there.

Aside from being stripped of the World Series, MLB can take it even further by suspending players that knowingly cheated the game or even banning them for life. If I were Alex Bregman, Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Josh Reddick or any Astros player that may have knowingly cheated the entire game of baseball, I would be ashamed of myself. Not only did these men tarnish their reputations, their team’s reputation and baseball’s reputation, but their cheating also may have led to pitchers getting sent down to the minor league system and never seeing the pros again.

The allegations and new evidence that is appearing in this investigation bring absolute tears to my eyes, and I fear for how the sport will be looked at in the foreseeable future. However, the ball is in MLB’s court to lessen the blow of this disgusting scandal.

Strip the Houston Astros of its only World Series trophy.

20

THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

From the pool to the altar Susie Conran

T

he NAU swim team has a deep history in Flagstaff, having received recognition for achievements both inside the pool and inside the classroom. However, two people who met in the pool ended up creating a relationship that would change their lives.

Dawn and Brody Clifford are former Lumberjack swimmers with a great story. Both were sprint freestyle swimmers participating in the 50- and 100-meter freestyle and relays. Dawn grew up in California and fell in love with Flagstaff when she did a campus tour of NAU. Brody grew up in Phoenix and loved the idea of attending a school with a swim team that was in his home state. The stars aligned for the athletes at the beginning of their careers as Lumberjacks.

“We met at our first swim party, but we didn’t start dating for a few months,” Dawn said.

The two stayed together all four years of college. They both encouraged each other to be the best version of themselves, even when it was difficult. Brody and Dawn helped each other stay motivated as athletes, and made practice and meets more exciting. The two had a great time traveling to meets, training together and seeing new places.

With all the traveling and swimming the Cliffords did, having a partner who knew the feelings that accompanied being a college athlete was a blessing for them both.

“It was nice having a partner who understood the fatigue and hunger that came with every training session,” Dawn said.

Dawn graduated from NAU with a degree in nutrition and

Photo courtesy of Brody and Dawn Clifford

dietetics in 1999, and Brody graduated a year later with a degree in liberal studies. After graduation, Dawn moved to Los Angeles for a yearlong internship while Brody finished his schooling at NAU. On weekends and breaks, both Brody and Dawn would alternate driving 6 hours to see each other.

After the internship was finished, Dawn moved to Phoenix to be closer to Brody. In that time, she heard the nutrition program at NAU was shut down. There were a variety of emotions with the news, on top of discovering that the men’s swim team was discontinued in 1999.

“It felt like walls crashing down behind us as we were leaving,” Dawn said.

Striving to get closer to their dream jobs, the Cliffords moved to Colorado to continue their educations. Brody earned a second bachelor’s degree in business and computer science.

Dawn earned a master’s and a doctorate degree during her time at Colorado State University. It was during this time that the Cliffords found out there would be an addition to their family.

The couple had a son while Dawn was finishing her doctorate degree.

After their college careers were over, Dawn took her first professor position at California State University, Chico. After living in California for 10 years, the family took a trip to the Grand Canyon to see where “mom and dad met.” The family came back to NAU for a visit and rehashed old memories.

“We wanted to check out the new Wall Aquatic Center and on the day we visited, [swim] coach Andy Johns was in the middle of practice and saw us through the windows,” Dawn said.

It had been 17 years since they had seen Johns. Through

SPORTS conversation, Johns informed Dawn that NAU was trying to restart the nutrition program. After considering the job, Dawn applied as a proud alumna and wanted to do anything to help the program take off. She was offered the job at NAU, but she initially turned down the offer because the family was happy in Chico. Brody did not agree with Dawn’s reasoning.

“Ever since I’ve known her, she’s wanted to be a professor at NAU,” Brody said.

With Brody’s encouragement and support, Dawn applied for the position and was hired to restart the undergraduate and graduate nutrition program. She said she loves having the opportunity to teach students at NAU, and loves having a swimmer or diver in her classes, occasionally.

Along with teaching at NAU, Dawn is the public address announcer for most of the home swim meets for the Lumberjacks.

Dawn and Brody get to relive some of their memories through their son, who has participated in swim meets in the past.

Now he is trying different sports left and right, but as parents, they want their son to find his sport and flourish in it.

The support the Cliffords show for each other in their journey is what family is all about for them. Having their lives change from taking a family trip to show their son where it all started is how they found their happy place.

“You never know how your life might come full circle,” Dawn said.

NAU men’s swim is extinct, but not forgotten.

NAU Athletics has had its fair share of struggles as well as its fair share of accomplishments. However, some teams have lasting success during their time in Flagstaff. The NAU swim team is one of those sports.

The program was brought to the university in 1983. When it started, there was only a women’s swim team. Pam Rogers was the choice to be the head coach. She graduated from ASU as a four-time All-American, a two-time national champion and an alternate for the 1976 United States’ Olympic Team.

When the program began, it was not recognized by the Big Sky Conference. Rogers took it upon herself to go after other schools facing the same issue and created the Pacific Collegiate Swim and Dive Conference (PCSC).

“The [California] coaches and I started the PCSC for teams who really needed a place to go that was regionally and logistically

advantageous,” Rogers said.

In 1990, NAU added a men’s team to the mix and appointed Rogers as the head coach for both teams. Rogers led the men’s team to PCSC titles in its first two years as a program and coached the swimmers to a total of six titles in seven years.

Rogers started her coaching career as an assistant coach at ASU where she swam and attended college herself. The Sun Devils’ athletic director, who was formerly her coach, informed Rogers that NAU was building a natatorium and wanted to start a women’s swim team. Rogers applied and got the job.

At the beginning of her career as the Lumberjacks head coach, the men’s swim team was a club sport. Rogers dedicated a lot of time and effort to get the men’s program up and running.

“I guess I was just working very hard to help the men’s program get started,” Rogers said.

Rogers enjoyed coaching the men’s team due to the athlete’s hard work and dedication. She added that the men’s program was a great addition to the women’s team.

The success of the program is something that Rogers is still proud of to this day. Her career as the swim coach ended in 1996.

After coaching the sport for over 20 years, Rogers felt it was time for a change. She headed back to Phoenix to become an English professor at Phoenix College.

After Rogers’ move from Flagstaff to Phoenix, Johns was named head coach and stepped into the program. Johns came from Clemson University in 1999, where he trained the Tigers’ sprinters. Johns was a swimmer in college and earned awards during his career.

Johns said the hardest part of losing the men’s program was seeing the male athletes that wanted to continue swimming for the Lumberjacks but had to leave NAU to continue their college careers.

Johns explained that the bond between the teams was incredible. The men’s team was loud and vocal during the meets.

The women’s side of the team was great at keeping the team in high spirits. He said that the women took a while to get accustomed to the change and having to swim alone, but they worked hard and bonded well.

“I have a job to coach these women, prepare them to swim fast and graduate,” Johns said.

With 21 seasons under his belt, Johns has produced highcaliber teams each season he has been with the Lumberjacks. He

Photo courtesy of NAU Library’s Archive

has five conference titles, nine runner-up finishes and only three conference finishes outside the top three.

Old friends reunited and it fits so good Thomas Rodgers

T

he friendship between junior forward Khiarica Rasheed and sophomore redshirt forward Nina Radford began with a simple act of kindness, one that would forge a friendship that became one of women’s basketball’s most effective duos in the Big Sky Conference.

Rasheed and Radford grew up in Portland, Oregon, on the east side of town. Rasheed grew up in southeast Portland, which is home to more blue-collar neighborhoods. Coming up in a rougher community, Rasheed’s family found a way to get her out

of the area, by sending her to suburban Grant Park where she attended Grant High School.

Radford had played basketball since elementary school, falling in love with the game early on and coming into high school as a determined basketball prospect. Rasheed was a three-sport athlete and a naturally talented athlete. The two didn’t exactly click until later in their high school career.

“Being where I am from, it would be late and I had to take the bus home a lot for practice,” Rasheed said. “[Radford] was just like, ‘Why not just come over?’ We weren’t close yet, so it was obviously like a nice gesture for her to invite me over, and that’s how we became very close.”

Radford’s family took Rasheed in like one of their own. The two formed a sister-like bond that would only intensify as the two went off to play college ball at different schools.

“Now she’s just part of the family,” Radford said. “My parents literally treat her as a daughter.”

After graduating high school, the two kept in close contact, as Rasheed came to NAU and Radford went to play at University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). Rasheed said one of the biggest aspects that helped her transition to living in college was being able to FaceTime Radford whenever she had a chance. In new and different environments, the two relied on their friendship to keep them grounded and connected as they transitioned to

JANUARY 23, 2020 – JANUARY 29, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

21

SPORTS their college lives.

While Rasheed entered the NAU program and quickly shined, Radford was not having the best experience at UCSB. When it felt like it was time for a change, Rasheed knew where she needed to be.

“She didn’t like the situation she was in and when I saw the opportunity I said, ‘Why not,’” Rasheed said. “I liked playing with her in high school, and I knew she could come here and be an immediate impact.”

Radford wasn’t getting the opportunity she felt she deserved at her old program at UCSB and Rasheed knew that bringing her to Flagstaff would be a big help to both her and the team. When she brought the idea to NAU head coach Loree Payne, it wasn’t hard for her to get on board with it.

“I knew she could play,” Payne said. “I watched her play in high school — the kid could flat out score. The fact that she had someone here that she was already teammates made it an easy sell to get her to come here. I also think our system really fit the type of player that she is, which is clearly evident.”

Rasheed went on to say that Radford’s ability on the basketball court shows the effect she has on her teammates, as she is a natural leader for her fellow Lumberjacks.

“She’s always had the scoring mentality and great basketball IQ all around,” Rasheed said. “I was a late bloomer in basketball and she’s basically been playing since she was born. In high school, I was able to do stuff based [on] natural instinct, but I didn’t really have all of the skills and I was able to learn those from her.”

Radford defined her transition as smooth. Having Rasheed here and also having played with some of the other teammates, it really was a perfect fit for Radford to excel at what she does.

Now heading toward the halfway point in conference play and coming out of a challenging non-conference schedule, Radford has excelled fast and continues to be a reliable, offensive impact player.

With the two Portland natives alongside each other on the court, Big Sky Conference opponents have had to focus more on stopping the duo. Rasheed and Radford are NAU’s two top scorers and two of the top six scoring leaders in the Big Sky Conference, with Rasheed’s 15.4 ppg. at the No. 2 spot, while Radford is sixth with 13.9 ppg.

The duo did not take long to become key components for NAU’s offense, as the Lumberjacks are averaging 74.6 ppg., which ranks second in the Big Sky. Rasheed and Radford have helped NAU’s offense fire on all cylinders and turn into a powerhouse.

With Radford coming from a school that overlooked her as an asset and having to sit out the past season due to transfer eligibility rules, it shows in her playing style that she was anxious to get back out on the court.

Now nearing the halfway point of the season, the Lumberjacks are third in the Big Sky Conference at 5-2 and have established a dangerous offense that can run away with a lead if not contained quickly.

The Lumberjacks clinched their fifth straight win for the first time in 14 years Saturday, as they defeated the University of Northern Colorado Bears to move to 8-8 overall. With NAU on a hot streak with two of the Big Sky Conference’s best, the conference has its hands full as NAU may have found their Lisa Leslie and Tina Thompson duo.

22

Top: Photo courtesy of sophomore redshirt forward Nina Radford. Bottom left: Sophomore redshirt forward Nina Radford shoots the ball during the game against Southern Utah University Jan. 16. Bottom right: Junior forward Khiarica Rasheed holds the ball against Southern Utah University, Jan. 16 Bess Valdez | The Lumbrjack

THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

Track SeaSON IS UNderway

Top Right: Junior Jada Jackson smiles as she hears her name being yelled out in the stands before the women’s 60-meter dash finals at the NAU Lumberjack Team Challenge, Jan. 17.

Top Left: Runners start the men’s 800-meter dash finals at the NAU Lumberjack Team Challenge.

Bottom Right: Athletes warm-up and talk to their coaches as the men’s 600-meter finals begin during the NAU Lumberjack Team Challenge, Jan. 17.

Bottom Left: Hurdlers compete in the men’s 60-meter hurdles finals at the NAU Lumberjack Team Challenge, Jan. 17. Megan Ford-Fyffe | The Lumberjack

JANUARY 23, 2020 – JANUARY 29, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

23

Sign by 11/30 and get

Rates as low as

$739!

Limited spaces

available for Fall 2020!

You've never lived like this.

You've never lived like this.

Walk or bike to class at NAU

On the Northern Arizona University campus

Upgraded internet and cable TV included in every suite

Private bedrooms available

Individual liability leases for the academic school year

Private bedrooms and bathrooms available Fully furnished

24-hour, state-of-the-art fitness center with strength equipment and free weights Two-story academic lounge with iMacs and free printing

Fully furnished suites

Apply online today at HubFlagstaff.com HUBFLAGSTAFF.COM Cap of 160. Rates/installments, date and amenities are subject to change. Rates/installments do not represent a monthly rental amount (and are not prorated), but rather the total base rent due for the lease term divided by the number of installments. Limited time only. See office for details.

24

THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

Learn more and apply online.

THESUITESNAU.COM Amenities and utilities included are subject to change. Limited time only. See office for details.