The Lumberjack -- January 24, 2019

T H E L U M BE R JACK

JAN. 24, 2019 – JAN. 30, 2019

POWDER TO THE PEOPLE PAGE 9

Online at JackCentral.org

From the Editor

C

omfort zones can be a trap that stunt emotional and mental growth. For me, my comfort zone is at home with my family and friends. Whenever I leave home and return to NAU, it feels like my personal growth accelerates. This is because college is a turbulent time as we juggle school, work, and maintaining a social life. Although it can be overwhelming, I think the overall experience of college a crucial rite of passage and is critical for becoming a more complete person.

As there are a number of challenges that each of us has to overcome on any given day, we are forced out of our comfort zone. Naturally, we are not inclined to do things that make us uncomfortable. However, the more time we spend in new situations, the more we adapt. This daily process of evolving to new surroundings can stimulate chronic growth.

For example, a friend of mine has severe social anxiety. However, his major required him to take a public speaking course last semester. At first, he was petrified and complained to me about how much he dreaded going to that class. As the semester went on, he gradually became more comfortable. When the semester CHANDLER ended, I barely recognized him because he was much more confident in himself.

STALEY Additionally, he was more social and had a better outlook on life.

NEWS EDITOR I’m not saying that public speaking is a cure for social anxiety but getting out of your comfort zone can do wonders for you. It forces you to think in ways you never have before. You have to learn to behave differently to excel in new situations. Eventually, you acclimate to a situation that was once uncomfortable and stretch the boundaries of your comfort zone.

In this process, you can become a better version of yourself and experience tremendous growth.

This is my personal goal for this year. I need to expand my comfort zone and do things I normally would not do in order to be a more well-rounded person.

For example, I am writing for the Arizona Daily Sun this semester, and our first meeting was last Friday. I was terrified. However, as the meeting went on and I pitched my story ideas, I already felt more confident in my ability as a journalist in training.

I’m sure there will be more opportunities for me to grow, and I need to take advantage of them and not be afraid of failure. That’s what college is about, and I urge all of us to do things that make us uncomfortable so we can become the people we were meant to be.

Thank you for reading.

“It made me feel powerful. I didn’t even know I had the strength to do something like that. I was a bit nervous at first, but afterword I had so much fun.”

- Senior Joscelynn Bunton Lizzie MacGowan prepares to throw an axe while at AZ Flag Tag Jan. 19. Axe throwing is gaining popularity as a recreational activity. Caleb Autry | The Lumberjack

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

THE LUMBERJACK VOL. 108 ISSUE 2

Editor-in-Chief Matthew Strissel

Managing Editor Bailey Helton

Director of Digital Content Conor Sweetman

Copy Chief Ashley Besing

Faculty Adviser Annette McGivney

Faculty Adviser, Photo Taylor Mahoney

Sales Manager Marsha Simon

Print Chief Brady Wheeler

Media Innovation Center Editorial Board News Editor Chandler Staley

Features Editor Collin W. Clayton

Sports Editor Molly Smith

Director of Multimedia James LeMarr

Asst. News Editor Ray Anne Galzote

Asst. Features Editor Pruthvi Khilosa

Asst. Sports Editor Amber Neate

Director of Photography Shannon Swain

Senior Reporter Owen Sexton

Culture Editor Sebastian Moore

Director of Illustration Katie Dobrydney

Asst. Dir. of Photography Rylee Flowers

Op-Ed Editor Peggy Packer

Asst. Culture Editor Sabrina Proffitt

Asst. Dir. of Illustration Colton Starley

Senior Photographer Michael Patacsil

Asst. Op-Ed Editor María Angulo

Director of Circulation Ariel Cianfarano

Asst. Dir. of Circulation Robyn Monroe

Senior Photographer Jack Mehl

2 THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

On the cover A snowboarder and a skier ride a chairlift Jan. 21 at Arizona Snowbowl.

Michael Patacsil | The Lumberjack

Corrections & Clarifications The Lumberjack is committed to factual correctness and accuracy. If you find an error in our publication, please email Matthew Strissel at mbs263@nau.edu.

PoliceBeat Jan. 14 At 3 p.m., a student reported that someone had hit their vehicle and fled the scene at the San Francisco parking garage.

An officer responded and the student filed a report.

and found the student in good health, however the student was arrested and booked into the Coconino County Detention Facility (CCDF) for underaged drinking and felony criminal damage.

At 3:14 p.m., a High Country Conference Center (HCCC) staff member reported a serial trespasser had repeatedly returned after being asked to leave earlier during the day.

An officer responded, but the subject had left the area upon his arrival.

At 1:25 p.m., a subject reported observing a student lying in the roadway on West University Drive between Runke Drive and South Knoles Drive.

NAUPD officers responded and discovered the student was taking pictures and was advised not to lie down in the street.

At 8:37 p.m., a burglary alarm was triggered at the Biological Sciences Annex. An officer responded and discovered it had been set off by University Safety Aides conducting a routine building check.

Jan. 15 At 2:45 p.m., a subject reported the theft of their earrings from their car while it was parked in the HCCC parking garage. An officer responded and took a report.

At 4:15 p.m., a Denny’s staff member reported someone had left a chemistry set belonging to NAU at the restaurant. An officer responded and returned the set to NAU’s Office of Regulatory Compliance and Denny’s can now use the table to seat customers again.

Compiled by Owen Sexton At 9:52 p.m., a Wilson Hall staff member reported a verbal disturbance. An NAUPD officer responded and discovered that a residence had been burgled. The case is open and pending investigation.

Jan. 19 At 1:34 a.m., an officer reported encountering a verbal disturbance between two nonstudents near South Lone Tree Road and East Pine Knoll Drive. One non-student was arrested and booked into the CCDF for underaged drinking and driving without a license.

Jan. 17 The second non-student At 3:34 p.m., a subject was cited and released for requested assistance due to underaged drinking, and the an unspecified issue with vehicle was impounded. their husband at the 1899 Bar & Grill. NAUPD officers At 12:10 p.m., a Tinsley responded to discover the Hall Resident Assistant (RA) reporting party intoxicated reported finding a knife. An and the issue only a minor officer responded and took the verbal argument. The subject knife for safekeeping. was advised to seek proper marriage counseling.

At 10 p.m., a Raymond Hall RA reported smelling alcohol Jan. 18 outside of a room. NAUPD At 2:13 a.m., a non-student officers responded and found requested assistance for an four students drinking. Three unknown issue was using a students were criminally blue phone near the Gammage deferred for underage drinking Building. NAUPD officers and one criminally deferred for responded, and the subject providing alcohol to minors. was arrested and booked into the CCDF for possession of Jan. 20 dangerous drugs and drug At 1:42 a.m., a McConnell paraphernalia.

Hall staff member reported finding a student unconscious.

At 4:19 p.m., a Science and FFD, a Guardian Medical Health building employee Transport ambulance and reported the theft of a NAUPD responded and microphone.

An officer discovered the student was just responded and took a report. sleeping.

At 5:14 p.m., an Ashurst staff member reported an intoxicated subject trespassing after hours in the building.

NAUPD officers responded but the subject was gone upon At 8:54 p.m., a student their arrival. requested assistance with being locked out of their vehicle Jan. 16 at the San Francisco Parking At 12:37 a.m., a McDonald Garage. University Safety Hall resident reported a Aides and an officer responded student there was making but were unable to unlock suicidal remarks and the car. The student called a vandalizing their room. locksmith.

NAUPD officers responded

At 7:13 p.m., a subject reported a student making suicidal remarks at Tinsley Hall. An officer responded, and the student was transported to Flagstaff Medical Center for treatment.

JAN. 24, 2019 – JAN. 30, 2019 | THE LUMBERJACK 3

NEWS

Logging slog: fire prevention process slows down Brennah Brown

A

s the government shutdown persists, environmental projects around the country have slowed down. The Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project (FWPP), which began in 2012 by the city of Flagstaff, is one of these projects. The project utilizes complex forest treatment methods that protect Flagstaff from future wildfires.

Though the FWPP continues to aid Flagstaff by means of wildfire monitoring and fire education, the government shutdown has greatly hindered the project. FWPP Field Operations Specialist Matt Millar mentioned other practices of the project.

“The government shutdown has had an impact on the project in several ways, including the lack of needed United States Forest Service personnel to help facilitate and implement the on-the-ground aspects of the project, as well as the logistical and planning aspects,” Millar said.

According to Millar, the USFS has provided $7.2 million to the FWPP as of Dec. 31, 2018.

USFS personnel play a vital role in nearly every mechanical aspect of the FWPP, both in the forest and in the office. Wildland firefighters, strategists and online educators alike may be furloughed and unable to properly operate within the FWPP. “The current phase of the FWPP project we are in is incredibly complex,” Millar said. “Without the needed support from the USFS, implementing FWPP is made more complicated.”

Jerolyn Byrne, firewise specialist for Coconino National Forest, said the city of Flagstaff is a high target of wildfires due to its history of human settlement.

“Ponderosa pine forest is the predominant vegetation type within the greater Flagstaff area,” Byrne said. “Human settlement to the area included logging, cattle grazing and wildfire suppression. These activities greatly reduced the ability for fire to play its natural role.”

Byrne said the unique effects of human settlement of the forest and modern wildfire dangers Flagstaff citizens.

“Taking natural fire out of the equation, small trees were allowed to grow, which resulted in a much more closed canopy and the higher density forest that we see today,” Byrne said.

“Our forests we see today are now much more prone to higher intensity wildfires where more trees and vegetation will spread across the landscape with severe effects.”

During the longest government shutdown in United States history, the Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project was put on hold. However, as of Jan. 15, partial operations begun once again in the Mount Elden and Dry Lake Hills area. Roads and trails will remain closed as helicopter logging will be occuring along Shultz Pass and Mt. Elden Lookout Road, Jan. 20. MacKenzie Brower | The Lumberjack

Byrne made a point to explain the importance of prescribed burns in the Flagstaff community, including the Hardy Fire (2010) and the Slide Fire (2014). Both wildfires spread through previously thinned forest ground that USFS rangers and Flagstaff firefighters were able to safely contain. As stated by Byrne, prescribed burns help control unruly canopy coverage that, if left without maintenance, can actually increase wildfire danger.

“In lots of ways, canopy coverage is positively affected by prescribed fire,” Byrne said. “Low to moderate intensity prescribed fire helps raise the base of the canopy of trees.

This reduces higher-intensity crown fires from occurring.”

Because the FWPP is such a large

4 THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

contributor to Flagstaff’s history and future of prescribed fires, the government shutdown may prove detrimental to future fires.

“The FWPP is utilizing every fire prevention technique out there to some degree: hand thinning, mechanical thinning, prescribed fire, pile burning, among others,” Byrne said.

Hand thinning, according to the FWPP website, is a technique that removes the bottom brush of pine trees to reduce the “ladder fuels” that spread the fire from ground to canopy.

Mechanical thinning, however, is the complete removal of trees in order to prevent the spread of rapid fire.

“Flagstaff citizens participate in thinning their properties,” Byrne said. “Wildfire prevention programs across all fire and land

management agencies, including the FWPP, work together here locally to ensure that our citizens and visitors are informed of fire danger.”

The longest government shutdown in United States history undoubtedly lapses federal funding to city projects, postponing their effectiveness. With the FWPP, it’s ability to prevent future dangers has been slowed down.

“The longer the shutdown persists, the more the challenges compound and the challenges become more severe,” Millar said.

Progress will continue to be slowed by the government shutdown, making it a serious public safety and environmental issue.

NEWS

KOLT country’s doomsday countdown before, know about it now,” Pierson said. “My expectation is a lot of people like what we’re doing with the format, and they’ll stay.”

There have also been threads on the website Reddit on KOLT’s abrupt change in tone where people have voiced their theories on how this irregularity was connected to the end of the world, the ongoing government shutdown and a potential hijacking of the radio.

When asked if he would do this again, Pierce said he would.

Montgomery Glaser

A

radio stunt broadcasted by KSED, KOLT Country, 107.5 began midnight Jan. 7 and ended 7 a.m. Jan. 14. It left some listeners feeling perplexed, as their predominantly country genre content was replaced with a software-recorded countdown.

Along with the countdown, the broadcast also included randomized quotes. Many of these quotes came from recognizable movies “The Terminator” and “Apocalypse Now.” A few of the quotes from both movies include, “I’ll be back” and “I love the smell of napalm in the morning. It smells like victory.”

Stan Pierce, current vice president and general manager of KOLT, gave information on the origins of this specific strategy. Pierce said this countdown stunt was a tactic previously done by KMLE 107.9 country music radio in 1988. KMLE has yet to confirm or deny these claims.

The intent behind this change was a marketing campaign to draw attention to the station relaunch.

However, there have been many mixed reactions and confusion from listeners.

KOLT faced controversy over their stunt and responses to it caused Flagstaff Police Department (FPD) to receive calls from listeners who feared the countdown.

Many people were calling in because they were concerned and had no idea what any of this meant.

FPD later posted on social media and confirmed it was a marketing ploy in order to debunk any suspicions.

“People jumped to some really strange conclusions,” Pierce said.

“If you could’ve heard some of the messages we got, people [were] just screaming profanities at us because of what we were doing. And other people saying, ‘wow, this is genius.’”

However, not everyone thought the marketing campaign was genius. Among the concerned

“Using fear to manipulate others, no matter the reason, just isn’t right” -John Viktoria

Illustration By Tonesha Yazzie

Flagstaff residents was John Viktoria.

According to Viktoria, this tactic of marketing validates fear mongering.

“Using fear to manipulate others, no matter the reason, just isn’t right,” Viktoria said.

Viktoria said that this strategy has been used for over hundreds of years, but is worried it has become more prominent recently.

“It’s becoming more popular in politics, advertising, even in normal interactions,” Viktoria said.

Viktoria said dishonesty or fear should not be rewarded or incentivised by the public.

Many others, however, were not affected by this change. Sophomore Rogelio Hueso took a more neutral position on this marketing campaign.

“It isn’t really a big deal, Hueso said. “It’s strange, and for me, it’s unheard of, but not a big deal.”

There is no way to gauge how many viewers this incident brought in. KOLT and Flagstaff are not part

of a rated market, but this was one of Pierce’s most popular stunts in his career that gained as much impact and success.

Similar former campaigns KOLT has participated in include “false parades” and format switches on April Fool’s day. For example, their sister station, KWMX, would play country music, while KOLT played classic rock.

“I think a lot of folks who maybe didn’t know about our radio station

This type of marketing has always been controversial. However, from a historical standpoint, it has always been successful in attracting attention.

Radio stunting, unethical or not, has been prominent from the dawn of radio. The most notorious example being the CBS drama broadcast, “The War of the Worlds,” in 1938.

Narrated by Orson Welles, the broadcast lives in infamy over public reaction cited by media — though many critics have called the reception exaggerated.

Claims of suicidal attempts, hospital overloads and general panic caused the by stunt have been debunked.

It is likely that other radio stations will continue the tradition of radio stunting, as it appears to be an effective method of gathering an audience.

JAN. 24, 2019 – JAN. 30, 2019 | THE LUMBERJACK 5

NEWS

Recycling

Top Left: Ray Sellards, the managing member at Norton Environmental Inc., says the main problem with recycling today is that people are not educated in what can and cannot be recycled. Top Right: A collection of plastic recyclables sit inside Norton Environmental Inc. Bottom Left: This conveyor belt brings newly sorted aluminum cans to a cage specifically designated to contain them before piling them together. Bottom Right: A pile of bottles sit inside a recycling container outside Norton Environmental Inc. in Flagstaff. Hundreds of glass items are gathered in these containers, waiting to be recycled. To find out how to recycle properly go to the City of Flagstaff’s recycling page at https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/3256/Trash-and-Recycling. Morgan Fisher | The Lumberjack

6 THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

JAN. 24, 2019 – JAN. 30, 2019 | THE LUMBERJACK 7

COMIC SPOT

8 THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

VISUAL SPOTLIGHT

Snow Day

Top Left: Skiers and snowboarders can be seen making their way down the mountain underneath the Hart Prairie lift Jan. 21. Top Right: Riley Stockley poses for a portrait with his new board at Snowbowl Jan. 21. Bottom Left: Skiers and snowboarders take the Hart Prairie lift up Snowbowl to the trails Jan. 21. Bottom Right: Snowbowl’s Grand Canyon Express lift fades into the snow due to high winds and low visibility Jan. 21. Michael Patacsil | The Lumberjack

JAN. 24, 2019 – JAN. 30, 2019 | THE LUMBERJACK 9

OPINION-EDITORIAL

A plea from the daughter of an anti-vaxxer again.

When I look at people who choose to not vaccinate their am unvaccinated. I only remember going to the doctor one children, I see ignorance, and I retrospectively see ignorance in time before attending college. I’ve never had an illness any myself. I will vaccinate my children, and I plan on vaccinating worse than the common cold. For all intents and purposes, myself once I get health insurance.

I’m healthy. Seeing as I am not vaccinated, I consider myself I am healthy because everyone else around me is vaccinated. extremely lucky.

Herd immunity is the reason I and people like myself get to I used to get defensive and angry when people reacted live healthy lives. I have the privilege of living in a wealthy, negatively upon learning this piece of information. Over first-world nation with clean water and advanced time, I’ve been able to come to the vital medicine. I have the privilege of being born into conclusion that my mother did not a family which has a strong history of general make the right choice and set me up for health. It is simply by chance that I landed in a world of hurt. Once again, I am lucky. this oxymoron of a situation — healthy and Contrary to anti-vaxxers’ beliefs, unvaccinated. being unvaccinated is not the reason I It takes a lot of faith to be an antiam healthy. Go figure. I have good genes, vaxxer. It entails a belief in fundamental my whole family rarely gets sick and we wrongs. One must believe in things that pride ourselves on being “genetic steel directly contradict scientific evidence and bullets.” research, as well as the things all reputable However, I am viewed as an example, doctors stand by. or a success story, by anti-vaxxers who see Each and every one of my personal no need to apply any other context to the beliefs are based in science. I do not believe in situation. My lack of vaccinations is the anything that I have to do mental backflips and only factor taken into consideration, hence construct bizarre assumptions in order to believe. my existence proves vaccinations to be If science has proven something to be true, I Illustration By Aleah Green unnecessary. take it as fact. My belief system is not inherently The fact of the matter is: superior, but no piece of pseudoscience or blog Vaccinations are completely necessary. post could convince me that decades and decades of scientific According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, “a research to develop something that has eradicated deadly diseases recent study concluded that since 1924 in the United States and saved millions of lives does more harm than good. alone, vaccines have prevented 40 million cases of diphtheria, I believe I deserve dirty looks when people discover I am 35 million cases of measles, and a total of 103 million cases of not vaccinated. I deserve for people to question my ethics, as well childhood diseases.” as my family’s. I am a walking hazard. If I was not as privileged Anti-vaxxers live by obnoxious misconceptions including, as I am, I firmly believe there is a chance I would not have lived but not limited to: Vaccines cause autism, increase the likelihood to 18 years of age. Again, I am a perfect example of the effects of of contracting disease and are still experimental. All of these are herd immunity. If this counterculture of anti-vaxxers continues incorrect and harmful falsehoods that are spread time and time to grow, we will all become victims of ignorance.

Scout Ehrler

The burden of birth control

A

bout a month ago, I decided to stop taking my birth control pills.

I made this decision for a multitude of reasons — my emotions were out of wack, I felt a lack of energy almost all the time and my sex drive was frustratingly inconsistent.

For the sake of my mental health and my sex life, I decided to hold back on the hormones and see how my life could improve.

And it did.

I was much happier, much more energetic and my libido was not only stable but incredibly high.

Not to mention, using condoms was much less of an inconvenience than pumping so many hormones into my system on the PEGGY daily.

PACKER Everything was great for about three and OP-ED EDITOR a half weeks until I was brutally reminded of all the reasons I got on birth control in the first place.

I am definitely not ready to have a kid, but the original reason I began taking the pill was because of the extreme pain I experience during my periods without birth control’s help.

When I say extreme, I mean it.

Cramping. Puking. Dizziness. Fainting. These were a few of the things I experienced during that time of the month without the aid of birth control.

So, it’s safe to say that after a month of being happy and birth-control free, my good ol’ friend decided to return with more force than ever. This left me to reconsider getting on some form of birth control again.

This is the burden of birth control. Regardless of what form you try — pill, shot, implant, IUD, etcetera — there will be side effects, and you won’t know what they are or how intense they are until you try it.

The only form of “birth control” with no side effect is abstinence, and if we’re being honest, that’s not a realistic option for many of us.

Many women are faced with the choice of protection against pregnancy and bearable periods versus a healthy mental and physical state.

I want to be emotionally stable, have a healthy sex life, avoid pregnancy and experience a bearable period. But I have to sacrifice at least one, if not a few, of these things.

Unfortunately, there is no solution to this problem. This is just one of the struggles that comes with being born with a woman’s reproductive system.

We can only hope that new, less damaging forms of birth control — perhaps for men and women — will arise in time.

Until then, we deal with the many burdens of birth control.

10 THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

I

Government shutdown misconceptions Caitlin Burke

I

t can become easy to believe everything you hear and read in the media, especially when it comes to politics.

That being said, I am definitely not the first person to express how bad a habit that is.

Before believing anything, it is crucial to be aware of the facts at hand.

As of Jan. 17, the ongoing government shutdown has surpassed the previous 21-day record in 1995, making this the longest government shutdown in United States history.

According to CNBC, 1,800 GoFundMe pages have been made to help some of the 800,000 federal employees that have been impacted.

Sadly, constantly watching news coverage and wondering hopelessly when the divided government will come to a consensus

can only get so much accomplished.

Many people have taken to social media to express their concerns about how the shutdown will impact the many facets of daily life, such as the quality of foods in supermarkets, lack of TSA security at airports and the ability to visit national parks throughout the country.

Despite these being valid concerns, the present paranoia has contributed to a lot of misconceptions around U.S. life in a government shutdown. Of the misconceptions is the idea that the FDA has completely stopped inspecting the food sold in supermarkets.

On Jan. 13, FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb took to Twitter to declare that although they are not being paid, the FDA will continue “expanded inspection activities beyond ‘forcause’ inspections to also include foreign and domestic food, drug, medical, device and pharmacy compounding surveillance

OPINION-EDITORIAL inspections.”

On Jan. 16, President Trump signed a bill that guarantees back-pay to every federal worker who has been furloughed during the shutdown, which means until the 26th day of the shutdown, some federal employees had no idea whether or not they would be compensated for the work they have been doing the past four weeks.

Because of the ludicrous expectation of employees to work without the guarantee of back-pay, many workers are choosing to not show up at all.

According to CBSNews, “after missing paychecks due to the partial government shutdown Friday, the number of TSA officers not showing up for work has grown, forcing some passengers to wait in long lines at airports to make do with slimmer security staffs. The federal agency has begun to deploy reserve officers to make up for the staffing challenges.”

CBS also reported that “about 7.6 percent of TSA employees missed work with ‘unscheduled absences’ on Monday, more than double the 3.2 percent of workers who did so on the same day last year.”

Although TSA agents in U.S. airports are down in numbers, checkpoints are still up and running. Sadly, just because the government is in a shutdown does not mean everyone gets out of going through the TSA line before going on vacation.

Another misconception that has been receiving attention on social media has been the ability to visit national parks while the government is shut down and specifically not adhering to any of the normal rules in place at the protected parks.

Pictures shared by the National Parks Service Jan. 12 show illegal campsites in Joshua Tree National Park, as well as images of the formally protected Joshua Tree being cut down in order to make way for motorists to off-road a new path.

As CNN words it, “There are two kinds of people in this world: Those who take it upon themselves to go to understaffed national parks to keep them clean during the government shutdown, and then those who set up illegal campsites and cut down Joshua trees in the national park of the same name.”

Even though the temptation of visiting a national park without paying an entrance fee may seem attractive, a large number of other people with the same idea yet bad intentions are causing National Park Rangers and employees to clean up vandalism and even dispose of human waste, which is far out of their pay grades.

However long this government shutdown lasts, it is important to remember that being appreciative of the 800,000 federal workers who are willing to prioritize public safety over getting a paycheck is a very minimal thing to do.

Mr. Kardashian turns his back on Black America again

Illustration By Kiana Gibson

Illustration By Kaylyn Dunn

Kiara Brown

A

fter numerous desperate attempts made by the NFL to secure a Black artist to perform during the 2019 Super Bowl — despite not even valuing their Black players — they have finally succeeded by scheduling Travis Scott for the halftime show lineup.

Scott is not only being counterproductive in the effort to reform NFL policy and draw attention to our corrupt police system, but idiotically thinks he is supporting the idea that Black lives matter.

How exactly did the NFL Super Bowl get Scott to agree to perform?

Scott said he would only perform if the NFL donated money to Dream Corps, “a network that unites innovators across racial, social and even partisan lines,” according to their website.

The NFL only donated $500,000, which is a lot to some.

But come on, it’s the NFL. $500,000 is probably the equivalent of a quarter to them.

Scott was looking for a justified reason to perform. He must be taking notes from his “brother-in-law.”

He has become Mr. Kardashian. And, who exactly is Mr. Kardashian?

Mr. Kardashian is any man of color, particularly Black, that enters the world of Kardashian in a literal sense by dating them, as well as anyone who chooses White women who get surgery to look like Black women, fame or money over their own people.

There was a clear path set for Scott to follow. Many stars at a higher stature than him were asked to perform before he was and declined because of wanting to support the Black community.

Not all who declined for this reason were Black.

If he had common sense, Scott would feel insulted because he is almost, if not the last, person asked to perform.

Travis Scott, you’re the bottom of the barrel. You’re the NFL’s last hope to get a Black body on that halftime stage.

The Fenty queen, Rihanna, declined the offer because of her support for Colin Kaepernick. Cardi B, who claims to be all about her coins, said last fall that she will not be performing for the same reason.

“Colin Kaepernick: As long as you kneel with us, we gonna [be] standing for you, baby,” Cardi said in a TMZ interview.

Jay-Z declined and rapped on the “Everything is Love” album, “I said no to the Super Bowl. You need me, I don’t need you.”

The Grapevine reported Mary J. Blige,

Usher and Andre 3000 also turned down performing. Don’t worry, the list does not stop there. P!nk declined this year as well, according to Billboard.

A source close to Scott told Variety that Scott and Kaepernick conversed before he accepted the Super Bowl offer, reports E! News. They said that although they did not agree, “they emerged from the conversation with mutual respect and understanding.”

E! News proved this false. Scott never spoke with Kaepernick before accepting.

Why was it so important for the NFL to secure a Black artist? To make a political point? Is it a power play, an attempt to show they are in control of Black people and lack remorse for the kneeling ban?

The answer is all of the above.

Or, is it because the majority of those who are well-known artists at the top of the charts are Black? Was Jay-Z right?

Black people don’t need them. They need us.

For those doubters, Black athletes make up about 70 percent of the NFL, according to Salon in the article ‘Stop saying the NFL can’t be racist because “70 percent of the players are Black.”

This article also mentions that Kaepernick’s “Black”-listing was not based on skill, “he has the 17th best quarterback rating in the league.”

It was rooted in racism.

Saying the NFL cannot be racist is like saying the government can’t shut down and force their employees to work for free. Too soon?

Mr. Kardashians have become colorblind, ill representations of Black culture.

And Mr. Kardashians perform at the Super Bowl.

JAN. 24, 2019 – JAN. 30, 2019 | THE LUMBERJACK 11

FEATURES

NAU research shows biodiversity could diminish climate change Ashely Lohmann

T

hanks to numerous climate change studies conducted in recent years, the severity of global warming has become astoundingly clear. What seems less clear is what can be done to reverse the damage. Immediate action is becoming increasingly crucial.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration monthly measurements reflect skyrocketing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide in parts per million. Meanwhile, change is afoot as advancements in climate research are made in Flagstaff.

NAU faculty member Chris Doughty and his colleagues are making strides in the world of climate research by observing satellite readings of animals’ effect on climate change. Their findings

could mean big things for the environment in terms of decreasing atmospheric carbon dioxide.

“Here at NAU, we use tools such as satellite remote sensing and global models to understand these effects at the global scale,” Doughty said. “In our recent work, we looked at how the natural animal world could help us mitigate climate change. We found that animals in their native ecosystems often perform key ecosystem services like nutrient dispersal or carbon sequestration. For example, fauna — such as monkeys in the Amazon — distribute seeds. Recent work has shown that the hunting of these animals has limited the distribution of seeds, leading to more trees with less dense wood, which holds less carbon.”

Doughty said the disruption of natural ecosystems by human hands has broken down

vital relationships between specimens in ecosystems around the globe. He said losses of plant life have greatly affected Earth’s ability to cycle carbon out of the atmosphere.

“Defaunation has led the Amazon rainforest to hold less carbon,” Doughty said. “Preserving the fauna in the Amazon could help to reduce the impacts of climate change for the world. In other words, saving monkeys in the Amazon could reduce the impacts of climate change for people in Flagstaff.”

Junior Austin Cash provided an example of one intra-ecosystem relationship with major climate benefits. As a Forestry major, Cash said he knew of a species of bird native to Arizona that provides crucial services to local forest ecosystems.

“There’s a species of woodpecker that

burrows seeds into trees and later forgets about them,” Cash said. “So, it just so happens that the woodpecker planted the seeds unintentionally, and this is the only way this tree species has been reproducing.”

According to Cash and Doughty, promoting biodiversity within local ecosystems and securing healthy populations of native animal species could have more of an impact on climate than one might expect. Not only does doing so ensure each ecosystem remains healthy, but saving animals native to given regions could have global effects. Saving native fauna allows ecosystem services to be continually carried out.

These services promote the growth of flora and significantly reduce overall atmospheric carbon.

Cash described another example in which support of a species demonstrating vast

Chris Doughty (left) and Scott Goetz (right) talk about the research they are conducting concerning climate change and its effect on wildlife native to northern Arizona Jan. 22.

Shannon Swain| The Lumberjack

12 THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

FEATURES ecological benefits. Cash said the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park had a major regenerative effect on certain species of flora in that region.

“Aldo Leopold, a famous forester, made the observation that without the wolves, deer would come through and eat most of the vegetation,” Cash said. “Leopold described the mountain as looking somber and dead. You really notice when the land is being trampled and eaten because without the carnivores there’s no balance anymore.”

With the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone, herbivores now exist in more reasonable numbers. Wolves keep the deer population in check, and allow plants to grow and produce oxygen. The wolf population can, in this way, have a direct effect on the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

The work Doughty and his colleagues did is quite impactful. The researchers took the problem of climate change — which is primarily caused by human carbon emissions — and discovered a natural way to reverse some of the damage humans have done.

Another insight provided by this research is that many NAU students work alongside faculty members to complete it. The students in Doughty’s team largely belong to the School of Earth and Sustainability and study various subjects such as environmental science, forestry and biology. Working with Doughty to research this topic provides preparation for a career in the field.

NAU alumnus Adam Hackbar has a bachelor’s in environmental sustainability.

Hackbar said the climate research conducted by the school has brought national renown.

“The fact that this research is being done here in Flagstaff really puts NAU on the map,” Hackbar said. “Research like this is definitely a strength of the university, and it puts more attention on us, especially our Forestry program.

I think that students here already get such a great opportunity with our location when they are studying forestry or environmental science.

Having more research conducted here really gives students a hands-on perspective of what’s really happening in the world and definitely creates stronger graduates.”

Although students and faculty have identified how preserving biodiversity can positively impact climate, there is still not much being done to promote the flourishing of native wildlife populations. Many now wonder what more can be done.

Cash said supporting this type of research in any way possible is always helpful.

The more scientists know about an issue, the better they will be able to devise solutions.

As long as these types of research opportunities

Chris Doughty works in his office at NAU’s School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems Jan. 22. Shannon Swain | The Lumberjack

are available to students, the future of climate action seems a bit brighter.

“I think if everyone does their part and keeps up an attitude of being conscious, you really can’t ask much more of the general public,” Cash said.

Despite the actions of civilians, Doughty said there are legislative changes that should be made that would promote the health of local ecosystems and encourage climate improvement.

“Legislation preserving natural areas and biodiversity is vital,” Doughty said. “These areas are not only beautiful, but in many cases they can also reduce the impact of climate change.”

Nationally and statewide, governmental action plays a large role in promoting the welfare of the people through the funding of programs which battle global warming. The United States Department of Agriculture has issued several budget cuts as of late, including a 13 percent cut in forest and range land research and a 46 percent cut in state and private forestry.

“It’s definitely important to increase funding for the Forest Service; it generally is really underfunded,” Hackbar said. “It’s important, especially in terms of ensuring a healthy ecosystem and, thus, a healthy climate, to keep reintroducing species that have been removed and are native to the area. When species are gone it affects the whole cycle.”

The Earth is clearly warming at a rapid pace, but there are many things that can be done about it.

The lab where NAU faculty member Chris Doughty performs research on climate change is located in the School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems. Jan. 22.

Shannon Swain | The Lumberjack

JAN. 24, 2019 – JAN. 30, 2019 | THE LUMBERJACK 13

FEATURES

Many students are troubled by the government shutdown and have run into problems when applying for financial aid and filing tax forms, Jan. 17. Photo Illustration by Kobe Lee

Government shutdown causes financial confusion Madeline Hollmann

A

s the government continues to be shutdown, students worry how it will affect them financially. Most students who attend NAU receive some type of financial aid from the government to help pay for college.

The United States government has been in a shutdown since Dec. 22, 2018. This has been the country’s longest shutdown in history. The government is in partial shutdown, which means that any federal workers deemed nonessential will be out of work until further notice. Even some essential federal employees will have to work without pay for the time being.

Some divisions of the federal government, such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Education Resources Information Center and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), will be inactive because they have nonessential government employees.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps many students pay for college. It is a form that prospective and current college students submit annually to receive the financial aid they qualify for based on need for the upcoming school year. The government awards financial aid to eligible college students in the form of loans, grants and federal work-

study programs. Students with financial need depend on federal employees to process their FAFSA forms in a timely manner.

To receive financial aid from the government, students must input their tax information. If they have access to their previously completed tax returns, they should have little trouble in filling out their FAFSA for the 2019-2020 school year. If students who have yet to complete their FAFSA form do not have access to their returns, they could run into problems.

The IRS, one of the government divisions affected by the shutdown, plays a major role in awarding financial aid. Students are running into problems with accessing tax transcripts from the IRS because the IRS data retrieval tool is inoperable as a consequence of the shutdown.

The data retrieval tool automatically imports tax information into the FAFSA form and is generally the easiest and most accurate way to complete it. Although the tool is out of service, students can still receive their financial aid by manually transcribing their tax information.

Freshman Bianca Blumrick is one of many students who have not completed their FAFSA yet. Blumrick said she is concerned about how the government shutdown will affect her

14 THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

financial aid status next year. She worries what the future holds for her when it comes to paying for school.

“I just found out my dad is being laid off,” Blumrick said. “So I might need more financial aid next year. I am in an unknown state right now. I don’t know what the future status of my parents’ jobs are.”

Many students are not too concerned with the shutdown’s effect on financial aid because they submitted their FAFSA before the shutdown began. However, other financial concerns are being raised thanks to the shutdown.

Some students have said they are worried about their tax refunds. There are many auxiliary costs people fail to consider when it comes to attending college. These extra costs can add up, and tax refunds are great for college students to help cover costs that come up.

Students like sophomore Derrick Honeyman depend on money from their tax returns to help cover the cost of living and other costs associated with attending college.

“If I’m most worried about anything, it’s [the government shutdown] affecting my tax refund because I’ve heard that refunds might be delayed,” Honeyman said. “I always use my tax refunds to pay for things such as groceries.

It’s a nice financial boost in the spring time.

So, if it is delayed this year, even by a couple weeks or months, that would really impact me financially.”

Senior Hannah Wiebke, who is in the process of applying to graduate schools, is concerned about her tax refund being delayed because she is depending on it to cover upcoming travel costs.

“When it comes to taxes, I’m a little worried, just because I’m holding off on [filing] my taxes.

I’m essentially waiting for the government to come back to submit my taxes,” Wiebke said.

“I’m expecting a good amount of money from my tax return. Dependent upon how long this government shutdown lasts and when I can get my tax return, it could affect my ability to buy plane tickets to do interviews.”

Government officials have announced that the IRS will continue to issue tax refunds during the government shutdown. College students will still be able to submit their tax returns and receive their tax refunds as usual. This is one less thing college students have to worry about during the shutdown.

With no end to the government shutdown in sight, students don’t know how the government shutdown will affect them in the long run. For now, students at NAU shouldn’t be majorly affected, at least financially.

Sunday - Thursday 11am - 12am Friday - Saturday 11am - 2am

LUNCH - DINNER - LATE NIGHT

Pints B i n G o $3.75 $3 Shots

EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 10PM

Come play for your chance to win prizes...

Including the Grand Prize for the Blackout!

$7.99 Yard Jars

COUNTRY WEEKENDS TRIVIA NITE

THURSDAYS!!

FRIDAY:

Sign Up Starts at 7pm, Seating Starts at 9pm The Game starts at 9:30pm!

$2.50 Topless Cans & $7.99 Yard Jars

SATURDAY:

FREE ADMISSION | 21 AND OVER | FREE DANCE LESSONS AT 9PM

$6.99 YARD JARS

$3.75 PINTS OF

DOUBLE WELLS & LY BREWS

DRINK SPECIALS STARTS @ 9PM DANCE FLOOR OPENS @ 10

www.lumberyardbrewingcompany.com

Late Night Menu Available Thursday - Saturday

REVERSE

HAPPY HOUR 10PM - CLOSE MONDAY - THURSDAY $4.50 22oz IMPERIAL PINTS $3.50 WELL DRINKS $6.99 25oz TAG-A-LONGS $5 BUBBLE-JITO SIDECAR SHANDY MORE-MOSA MOUNTAIN MAI TAI MORE-MARY OVERFLOW MULE ELECTRIC LEMONADE PRICKLY MARG

SMALL PLATES TAPAS SALAD BEAN CEVICHE HUMMUS CHIPS AND MORE (ONE REFILL ONLY)

ER HOUR POOL: $8 P AMES BOARD G ER 21 AND OV

www.beaverstreetbrewery.com

5 S SAN FRANCISCO ST | 928.779.2739 3 S Beaver St | Flagstaff, Az | 928.779.0079

JAN. 24, 2019 – JAN. 30, 2019 | THE LUMBERJACK 15

CULTURE

Springing back from the winter slump Braedon Huff

F

or some students, the return to school after winter break can mean a reunion with friends or an exciting fresh start.

Meanwhile, for others, the beginning of the spring semester can be a difficult transition back into the demands of college life.

Getting used to a month of relaxation can cause students to fall into a slump when it is time to start the full-time job of being a student once again. This can consist of anything from finding the motivation to get on a regular sleep schedule, to preparing for the long hours of studying to come.

Even though it may seem hard at first, students around campus have many ways to bring themselves out of this slump and back into a productive mindset. Sophomore Aidan Colgan has come up with ways to fight the winter break slump while also having a smooth transition back to campus.

“I have been in a winter break slump before, so I try to avoid it by reading, exercising and staying healthy,” Colgan said. “The best way to get out of a slump is to plan ahead and come into the semester with positive thoughts. The start of a new semester is crucial to being successful for the rest of the year, so it is best to get used to the school environment as soon as possible. But above all, self-care is the most important thing for staying out of a winter slump.”

While students like Colgan have discovered ways to get out of the winter break slump, others prepare so they don’t fall into it at all. At home, it is easy to forget the routine of student life, so some find it beneficial to start a routine days before returning to campus. This can include going to bed and waking up earlier, staying on top of responsibilities and preparing for the requirements of classes. Freshman Brandon Roberson has found the best way for him is to start getting ready before the semester begins.

“Getting up and going to bed at a decent time helps me prepare and get into a routine for coming back to school,” Roberson said. “Work on little goals at first, then start a routine from there. It helps to hold on to a schedule even though it may be hard. Self-discipline can be the hardest thing about avoiding the slump.”

Students such as Roberson plan ahead for the winter break slump, but this does not work for every student. Some other ways students can become prepared is by visiting the bookstore to buy assigned books early, fill out their planners

Illustration Christian Ayala

in order to discover motivation and educate themselves on the curriculum their semester will entail.

Freshman Macie Wagner described the first week of the spring semester as a way to get acclimated to the responsibility and hard work of student life.

“I definitely have a lack of motivation when coming back to school, but I think the first week

16 THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

of the semester is a way to ease into it,” Wagner said. “The hardest thing about that week is getting my mind focused back on school so I can work hard and stay out of a slump. Having a goal-oriented mind is the most important when coming back to NAU.” The winter break slump can make the adjustment back to campus a grueling feat. The thought of long hours in the library, lectures and

hard work can be exceptionally discouraging to students after a month of relaxation and time off. Colgan described the winter break slump as something that happens to most people.

“It can happen to anyone,” Colgan said.

“The most important thing is if you need help with the transition back to school, ask for it.

There will always be people around campus to talk to if you are struggling.”

CULTURE

When there’s ice and snow, take it slow Tyler Day

T

he winter season in Flagstaff can bring many pleasures to the city and NAU. With snow comes tourists to experience Arizona Snowbowl in all of its splendor.

Students also tend to find hills they utilize along with the help of a sled that send them to glory or the emergency room.

As the colder weather approaches, the idea of snow safety is on high alert for professors and students at NAU. With Arizona being a sunny state, the snow melts during the day and freezes overnight, causing large formations of ice.

Second-semester graduate student Miles Dunlap has had some experience with snow. During his undergraduate studies at Kent State in Kent, Ohio, he had been through his fair share of dealing with winter weather.

“Kent has very similar weather as Flagstaff,” Dunlap said. “If you lived off campus, you were out of luck.”

To prepare for a potential storm, Dunlap has some good advice to anyone with no experience of the snow. Clothing and preparation were among the top tips.

“My father pounded this into me, saying ‘Always be prepared,’” Dunlap said. “Have adequate clothing, gloves, boots and shoes that have traction in the ice.”

Dunlap is not the only person who advocates for warm clothing.

Senior Renajo Davis echoes the same message.

“I definitely make sure that I have my layers — a jacket and sweater,” Davis said. “Also, having shoes that have really good grip.”

Flagstaff is well prepared for the harsh winter conditions. The City of Flagstaff website outlines their efforts in combating the cold climate to the fullest.

The website shares insights on how people can combat the weather elements on their own if trouble does arise and important statistics to help people understand what parts of the

On-campus drivers prepare for the coming snow storms by pulling up their windshield wipers, Jan. 18. KJ Kluge | The Lumberjack

day are worse than others. The goal is to help prepare people for a time when roads and sidewalks can be extremely slippery.

Important points from the article include not parking on city streets or alleyways between midnight to 7 a.m.

This ordinance has been in full effect since Nov 1, 2018, and will continue until April 1. The ordinance is in place because city crews clear the snow for a safe area to drive and the sweepers clear cinders from snowstorms. Cinders are small fragments of volcanic rock, which are used for traction on roads.

Disobeying the ordinance can lead to

the owner of the vehicle receiving a ticket.

Another main point the website mentions is the time frame of first and secondary priority areas depending on the amount of snow that has fallen.

According to the website, the first priority areas in Flagstaff are main arterials, major hills, downtown and school bus lanes. Secondary priority areas are the rest of the streets that are in the greater Flagstaff area.

While other cities and states that experience snow use salt on roads, Flagstaff has an alternative solution.

Salt can cause rusting to the bottom

of people’s cars, which may lead to problems. The city uses cinders on the roads for traction purposes. Due to the size of the cinders, they are often blown or pushed away by cars.

Some students arrive at NAU with previous knowledge of how to take care of themselves when the going gets tough. However, others need trial and error to get through the seasons and learn what worked and what did not.

Besides checking out attire for winter safety, driving is another big element that can make or break someone’s day. Senior Jae Manygoats

said his morning routine helps him prepare for winter weather.

“Definitely keep a tool inside the car to help with the ice, like a small shovel or an ice scraper,” Manygoats said. “Don’t be in a rush to go anywhere as well. I try to leave [for] work or class early so I can take my time.”

When a storm hits, residents should be careful when traveling through town as road conditions can lead to worse troubles. Although accidents can happen, these safety precautions may help to bypass any snowy hazards.

JAN. 24, 2019 – JAN. 30, 2019 | THE LUMBERJACK 17

CULTURE

Winter in Flagstaff

Top Left: Laniel Salvador (left) and Kamaka Pamat (right) sit on the slopes as a gust of wind blows by them Jan. 21. Michael Patacsil | The Lumberjack. Top Right: As seen from NAU’s campus, Flagstaff had overcast weather after a snowstorm Jan. 16. Chase Warren | The Lumberjack. Bottom Left: Tia Kiphart prepares a snowball to pelt at her brother Jan 20. Tia traveled from Phoenix to enjoy the snow at Fort Tuthill in Flagstaff for the weekend and to celebrate her brother’s birthday. Jay Soliz | The Lumberjack. Bottom Right: NAU students GG Garcia (left), Abel Martinez (center), and Lizeth Pantoja (right) play in the snow in the central quad before the beginning of the spring semester Jan. 13. Jack Mehl | The Lumberjack

18 THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

CULTURE

Left: Transfer mentor Alexis Adelman (left) speaks to junior Jessica Dougherty (right) about the spring snow sports class at the Transfer and Online Connections Welcome Event at the Academic Success Center in the University Union Jan. 15. Right: The Transfer and Online Connections lounge is located in the University Union and is a place for transfer students to relax and meet other students, Jan. 16. The staff host many events for transfer students such as “Dungeons & Dragons” night, various hikes and other outings on campus or in the Flagstaff area.

John Chaides | The Lumberjack

Taking on a tough transition with a helpful hand AnnaLycia Boyle

J

oining a new school can be a difficult transition when it comes to getting used to the bus system and traveling to classes.

The Transfer and Online Connections (T&OC) program is where students can receive help with the transition.

There are multiple programs within T&OC that students are able to utilize. New students can find peer mentoring opportunities to learn how to use online programs such as Blackboard Learn. Parents who go to school can apply online to receive a childcare voucher so they are able to have their child taken care of while they go to classes. There are even resources for students who do not attend NAU’s main campus in Flagstaff.

Students who live off campus are also allowed to use free lockers to store

their things during their class times.

They are available for use all day and just need a code to access, eliminating the need to bring a personal lock.

The T&OC lounge welcomes all students to hang out. The lounge has a microwave and a refrigerator for students who bring their lunch to campus. T&OC’s website has other resources such as off-campus housing options and career development.

Transfer Program Coordinator Leslie Mitchell puts together events every week to help ease transfer students into NAU. “We really want them to have an awesome, transitioned semester into the institution,” Mitchell said. “[T&OC] get their questions answered and get [students] everything they want out of their NAU experience.”

Transfer students are able to get help transferring credits and

get directed to resources such as admissions and advising. These students can also apply to an exclusive and transfer-only national honor society. Once they are enrolled in NAU, they are paired with a peer mentor, called a Transfer Jack.

Transfer Jacks are students who have gone through the experience of transferring from another school.

They are able to give their mentees advice and help them have a smooth transition. Transfer Jacks have to go through 30 hours of training to be able to peer mentor and are highly knowledgeable about the campus.

“I joke around that a mentor can help you with anything but your laundry,” Mitchell said. “Some students suffer from transition shock like, ‘This is so different from my other school.’ It can be overwhelming.”

Transfer Jacks are meant to help their mentees with any problem

they might face while transitioning to NAU. This can be anything from locating their classes or even assisting them with a failing grade.

“I know what it’s like to just come to this big, old campus and be super wide-eyed and not know what’s going on,” said sophomore Transfer Jack Giselle Viera-Soto. “We try and give [students] really any support that they may need. We can just hang out, hear about your day, we can be your rant partner [or] just whatever you need.”

T&OC director JJ Boggs looks out for the bigger picture. She wants her students and programs to succeed and goes to meetings to make sure T&OC is operating smoothly. “[I] just make sure our transfer students and online students are represented in the conversations we’re having, and that we’re developing appropriate resources to serve those

unique students,” Boggs said.

The T&OC program also has two to three events per week, where all students are welcome to attend.

On Thursdays, T&OC hosts a Lunch Brunch with free food, which is open to all students. At the end of January, they are hosting an event called Pizza, Planning and Prizes, which allows students to bring their schedules and plan their semester while eating pizza.

“We’re kind of like an all-around service,” said sophomore Transfer Jack Caleb Charlie. “I’ve been there for anything from, ‘What do I need to do?’ to being a shoulder to cry on. We cover a lot of things.”

Other events to look out for are Grocery Bingo, a trip to the Grand Canyon and group trips to movies at the Prochnow Auditorium. The T&OC program is located in Room 235 of the University Union.

JAN. 24, 2019 – JAN. 30, 2019 | THE LUMBERJACK 19

SPORTS

H

Wrestling wins her heart

i, I’m Amber Neate, your new assistant sports editor. I earned my Associate of Arts degree at Yavapai College and transferred to NAU to complete a bachelor’s in journalism with a minor in health wellness. This is my third semester at NAU, and my initial goal was to be a physical therapist, but I realized how much math and physics that major required and decided to flush that plan down the drain real quick.

Math and I are not friends.

At age 14, I knew I wanted to work with athletes. My fascination and passion for wrestling reached its height when my dad took me to WrestleMania XXVI at the State Farm Stadium in Phoenix. I witnessed my role AMBER NEATE model, Rey Mysterio, defeat CM Punk and ASSISTANT was blessed to be in the presence of legends SPORTS EDITOR like The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels.

WrestleMania is a milestone in my life.

It triggered a fire in me. I don’t have words to explain the level of thrill, joy and excitement I felt at WrestleMania, but I can say that nine years later I still have a burning desire to work for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). At least 50 percent of my closet is wrestling shirts. My favorite finisher is the “piledriver” and I have a collection of toy wrestling belts. I try to be at any WWE event that comes to Arizona.

It irks me when people say, “wrestling is fake.” Allow me to clear this up. Professional wrestling is choreographed. The athletes generally know the outcome of the match. WWE is like a manly soap opera. It’s the perfect combination of drama, entertainment and athleticism. However, the sport of wrestling requires acrobatic skill, strength, balance, flexibility and physical sacrifice. Severe injures do occur and are common. Blood is shed. That isn’t ketchup on the mat!

Phew! Now we’re all on the same page.

I owe a big thank you to my dad, Timothy Neate, for inspiring and immersing me in the joy of sports. Growing up, he took me to wrestling events, mixed martial arts fights, hockey games, rodeos and monster truck jams. We bonded over sports.

At a young age, I would watch football with my dad. We are huge Denver Bronco fans. We would toss the football in the front yard and practice running different plays like the pros. My dad is a die-hard NAU football fan and attended all the games last year despite recovering from kidney failure and prostate surgery. He is my hero and my inspiration to pursue a career in sports journalism. My parents have always been my rock and I am so thankful to have their support.

Over Christmas break, I had the opportunity to tour the Indianapolis Colts Lucas Oil Stadium. I saw the Colt’s locker room, press box, private quarterback suite and walked on the turf of professional NFL players. I felt at home.

I live for fast-paced action sports. My dream is to be a commentator or reporter for WWE or UFC, and I won’t stop fighting for my dream until I reach the top.

20 THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

Redshirt freshman Nik Mains shoots a three-pointer against a Portland State defender Jan. 19 in the Walkup Skydome.

Maria Saldivar | The Lumberjack

Working twice as hard to get to the top Molly Smith

B

efore the start of the spring 2018 semester, NAU men’s basketball awarded walk-on freshmen Nik Mains and Luke Avdalovic full scholarships.

It is quite easy to attend a sporting event and see the athletes as characters or even objects of entertainment. It is often forgotten that there is more to them than the game they are playing.

In a university setting, these players are student athletes, showing already that they are more than an athlete. In college, a way to recognize player’s hard work is with a scholarship. Either partially or in full, these scholarships wave tuition fees, books and/or housing. Some are lucky enough to earn such an honor prior to their arrival at the university. On the other hand, players can walk-on, play for the team and possibly earn the financial aid. This was the case for two NAU basketball players.

Redshirt freshmen Mains and Avdalovic came to Flagstaff Mountain in fall, 2017. They both redshirted their freshman year. This period extended their eligibility and allowed for growth and development in a collegiate setting.

“We saw glimpses of them [Mains and Avdalovic] last year in practice,” said head coach Jack Murphy. “When they were on

scout team, it would drive me crazy because we couldn’t guard them. Their consistency and work ethic is what sets them apart and it’s carried over to this year.”

After practice in early January, Murphy presented the paperwork for Mains scholarship in front of the team. Murphy had spoken to Mains prior about him receiving the scholarship.

During the same meeting, as seen in a video posted on NAU Men’s Basketball’s Twitter, Murphy said, “What the heck ... I have something here for Luke too.” Then the team shared excitement for both Lumberjacks after this surprise.

“It was a top special moment for me,” Mains said. “Seeing how happy he [Avdalovic] was and how shocked everyone else was brought us closer.”

Mains came from Phoenix, where he played at Pinnacle High School. He initially committed to the Air Force Academy but was dismissed due to health issues that were undisclosed.

After a prep year, he was recruited by the NAU coaching staff.

Murphy explained that they did not have a scholarship available therefore welcomed Mains to NAU as a recruited walk-on.

Mains described his transition to college as an unconventional journey.

“I wanted to stay close to family,” Mains said. “The coaching staff is awesome and I just really love it up here.”

SPORTS

NAU Logging cuts its way to victory Amber Neate

W

During NAU’s game against PSU Jan. 19, redshirt freshman Luke Avdalovic stands with teammate Cameron Shelton in between plays. Maria Saldivar | The Lumberjack

Avdalovic is from Folsom, California. He attended Vista Del Lago High School where he holds the school record for career points with over 1,000. Murphy watched him play in a high school game while NAU traveled for a conference game against Sacramento State.

“Luke believed in us like we believed in him and the rest is history,” Murphy said.

A notable game for Avdalovic was against Idaho State Jan. 5. Here he led the team in points with 17 and 5 of 6 attempts at the freethrow line. He is currently leading the Big Sky Conference in 3-point field goal percentage with .536. Avdalovic explained that he doesn’t believe one game or practice makes a player standout, instead it is the steadiness of a player’s actions.

Avdalovic knew when he came to NAU he would not receive a scholarship and would have to earn a position on the team.

“I really felt like coach Murphy believed in me,” Avdalovic said. “He was honest and told me what to expect, which was basically having to work hard for whatever I get.”

Their scholarships are not applied until the beginning of this fall. Each of them are responsible for keeping their scholarships and NAU basketball reserves the right to take them

away.

“This will keep me more motivated,” Mains said. “I know what it’s like to be a walk-on. I know how hard I have to keep working and keep pushing myself.”

Murphy explained that maximum effort from Mains and Avdalovic will always be shown.

“They have proven themselves as athletes, but also off the court they’re great students and men,” Murphy said. “Each of them are deserving and we’re excited to have them around a few more years.”

Once they began playing their second year, they each owed a lot of successes to their redshirt season. That year allowed them to become familiar with workout regimens, time commitments and creating relationships with other players. They both referred to the team and coaching staff as family and said they are grateful for the bond they share.

This season, the men’s basketball team is 5-12 overall and 3-4 in conference play with 13 games left in conference play before the Big Sky Championship. Leading their conference is the University of Northern Colorado, who is currently 5-1 on the season. NAU will take on the Bears Jan. 26 and once again March 9.

elcome to Lumberjack country, where plaid flannel shirts are always in season, chainsaws buzz while spitting up chips of wood and sweet pine fragrance fills the air.

Flagstaff is a place for NAU’s Logging Sports Team to practice competitive logging and broaden knowledge in the science of forestry. The business of logging involves cutting timber and plant identification studies.

The Logging Sports Team was founded in the late 1950s and has evolved into a group of more than 20 students who have a passion for carrying on the tradition of logging sports.

The club strives to provide opportunities for learning and connecting students with professionals in the field of forestry.

Senior Iliana Castro is club president.

She has been a member of the Logging Sports Team for four years and has developed a strong relationship with the club.

“For me, it’s like my family now,” Castro said. “It’s great to be able to pass on these skills to other people, but also to be a part of the tradition.”

Students travel in long van rides to competitions, learn how to operate equipment safely, maintain tools by cleaning and sharpening them properly and can choose from 15 to 20 different competitive logging activities to compete in. Sophomore Noah Haarmann was first attracted to the team by its travel opportunities.

For Haarmann, the club was a great way to meet others in the business of forestry.

He compares logging competitions to “a track meet with axes.”

Each club member can participate in up to eight events including: vertical and horizontal chopping, log rolling, pole climbing, men’s and women’s team sawing, axe throwing or double- and singleblock chops. Club members can also participate in the pulp toss, an event similar to horseshoes, burling, where two athletes balance on a log in the

water and whoever stays on the log longest wins, or the choker race, a maze-like obstacle course that involves carrying a “choker,” or heavy logging cable.

Sophomore Josh Kuning has been a member of the club for one semester.

“My favorite event is the under-hand chop, where you stand on a piece of wood and chop it between your legs with an axe,” Kuning said. “It’s quick-paced and easy to see your progress, but it’s also hard to be good at and I enjoy the challenge.”

Competitions usually last one to three days. Last year, the NAU Logging Sports Team placed third overall among teams in CalConclave at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. NAU graduate Eric Towne received “Below the Woods” honors for placing first in the men’s logging division during his senior year. NAU has a streak of placing third or fourth among eight other logging sports teams.

“I feel competitive, trying to win, and then there’s a cool team aspect where all the other schools are trying to help each other out,” Haarmann said.

Continued on Page 22

Illustration By Katie Dobrydney

JAN. 24, 2019 – JAN. 30, 2019 | THE LUMBERJACK 21

SPORTS

Blue and gold in action Men’s Basketball — The Lumberjacks won agaisnt Portland State University 8275 Jan. 19. They will host the Northern Colorado Bears in the Walkup Skydome at 6 p.m Jan. 26.

Swim and Dive — Women’s swim and dive traveled to UCLA for a three-day tournament Jan. 20. Three NAU divers qualified to the finals and placed the team 18th overall. Next, swim and dive heads to Boise, Idaho Jan. 26.

NAU Logging Sports Team members posing at the NAU vs. ASU women’s soccer game Sept. 14, 2018.

Amber Neate | The Lumberjack Continued from Page 21

There are three competitions per year: Cal-Conclave, Stump Jumper Day’s in Kalispell, Montana and The American Association of Western Forestry clubs Logging Conclave (AWFC). This year, the team will travel to Fort Collins, Colorado for AWFC. One week prior to competitions, Alvie Marcellus, a logging professional from Washington, comes to NAU to coach the team for seven days. Marcellus started logging when he was 13 years old and has been practicing for over 60 years. The team is always enthusiastic to learn from a pro.

Not all logging activities are physically strenuous, however.

Club members can participate in technical events, such as tree and wood identification competitions that test knowledge of plant sciences, or traverse — a competition that tests navigation skills using a compass. Students do not have to be a forestry major to join the club, but many members are. The club has a fee of $50 per semester plus an online club fee of $30 per year.

The Logging Sports Team has access to 15 different axes including crosscut saws, chainsaws, racing axes and more. For chainsaw events, competitors wear long pants, long sleeves and chaps. Chain mail socks must be worn for protection in chopping events. According to Castro, no club members have experienced serious injury, but minor cuts and scrapes have occurred. Club members take care in handling equipment responsibly to avoid any accidents.

22 THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

The club performs sawing demonstrations at HomCo and other hardware stores in the Flagstaff area. NAU athletics pays members of the Logging Sports Team to work at NAU sporting events and cut “cookies,” round slices of Ponderosa Pine with a painted blue NAU logo. Cookies are sawed at game openings, halftime and if NAU wins. The athletics department collects the cookies and gives them to local sponsors of NAU athletics or raffles. The Logging Team also works with local Flagstaff businesses to perform demonstrations and cross-cut saw events.

Denver Hospodarsky is the club’s adviser. Club meetings are from 3:30 p.m. to sundown Mondays and Wednesdays and 2 p.m.

Fridays. The club meets outside of the Forestry building by the picnic tables and travels to the Centennial Forest for practices.

Training is relatively unstructured. Students select which events they want to specialize in and start practicing. Experienced club members circulate to different activities and coach beginning Lumberjacks. The club is primarily student run and organized.

Swinging sharp, heavy axes and identifying hundreds of different plant species requires interest and passion for forestry. The Logging Sports Team offers opportunities for travel, friendship, team building and strengthening leadership skills. It challenges students physically and mentally to push their limits.

Through mountains and hills these Lumberjacks roam, but the forest welcomes them home.

Women’s Basketball — The Lumberjacks go into their next game after a loss to Portland State 55-72.

Next they face the Northern Colorado Bears Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. On Jan. 28, they will travel to Cedar City, Utah to face the Thunderbirds at 6:30 p.m.

Men’s Tennis — The Lumberjacks kick off their spring season in Las Vegas, Nevada as they face the University of Portland Pilots.

Their fall season ended at the ITA National Fall Championsips Nov. 8.

Track and Field — Men’s and women’s track and field hosted five visiting teams in the Lumberjack Team Challenge Jan. 18.

Geordie Beamish took first place in the men’s 800-meter race above teammates Tyler Day and Cade Burks. The teams do not compete again until Feb. 1.

SPORTS

Lacrosse

Top Left: Freshman Benjamin Rasmus (21) and junior Ty Silva(7) from NAU’s lacrosse team go head to head at practice Jan. 18. Top Right: Senior Kyle Holleschau from Danville, California works hard at practice Jan. 18. NAU men’s lacrosse practices four times per week. Bottom Left: Jacob Gates (#4) freshman from Tucson, Arizona stops a ball from going in the net during practice Jan. 18.

Bottom Right: NAU lacrosse practices at south fields. With multiple national titles, the NAU lacrosse team is working hard for the upcoming season. Bess Valdez | The Lumberjack

JAN. 24, 2019 – JAN. 30, 2019 | THE LUMBERJACK 23

Northern Arizona’s Employer of Choice!

Parking Aide – Downtown $14.7257 Per Hour Full Time; FLSA Non-Exempt; Tenure & Benefit Eligible Vacancy #: 086-18, Closed By: 08/24/18

E E R F K-n-RIDE

PAR

ble at availa High ff a Flagst ool!

Sch

Visit our website, Human Resources at 211 W. Aspen Ave. or call 928-2132090 for more information on these and other opportunities. You will find complete job descriptions, requirements and application information at:

NEED A FREE LIFT TO ARIZONA SNOWBOWL?

flagstaff.az.gov The City of Flagstaff respects, values and welcomes diversity in our workforce.

To this end, we encourage all interested people to apply.

DAILY FROM DEC. 26 - JAN. 6 & WEEKENDS IN JAN. & FEB.

Buses to Arizona Snowbowl will run every 30 minutes on holidays and every 60 minutes on other weekends.

For a full schedule visit:

www.mountainline.az.gov/mountainexpress Mountain Express offers FREE service between downtown Flagstaff and Arizona Snowbowl, with a FREE Park-n-Ride at Flagstaff High School.

Download the Free FLGRide APP to track this bus in real time.

@FLGMountainLine Facebook.com/FLGMountainLine

For routes and schedule information call (928) 779-6624.

24 THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra Presents

MASTERWORKS III January 25, 2019 | 7:30PM

Pre-concert Conversation 6:30PM Ardrey Memorial Auditorum | Charles Latshaw, Conductor Broadway Pops International presents

Sean MacLaughlin and Sarah Pfisterer From New York Broadway Selections were chosen by the audience last season.

Concert features hits from West Side Story, My Fair Lady, Chicago, Phantom of the Opera, King and I, and many more.

Visit flagstaffsymphony.org for tickets or call 928.523.5661