The Lumberjack -- November 14, 2019

LIGHTING A PATH PAGE 16

THE LUMBER JACK

NOV. 14, 2019 – NOV. 20, 2019

Online at JackCentral.org

From the Editor

S

ince my freshman year at NAU, I’ve been telling everyone around me that college is way easier than high school. The classes are only twice a week, the homework load is less and the grading standards are generally much more lenient.

So naturally, the universe had to grant me a reality check for saying that so often without knocking on wood.

Senior year has hit me like a ton of bricks. It’s strange to describe my college experience as being both a path that I have chosen to be easier than some others can say, yet also harder than most have to deal with.

I knew from the beginning that there was no way on Earth I’d ever be something hard like a STEM major, so I assumed my college experience as a journalism and political science merged major would be pretty easy to commit to for a four-year degree path.

But I couldn’t stop there because easy is too boring. I am an Aries, after all.

I decided my sophomore year that I would graduate with my degree in three years rather than four years. This means my midterms week this semester looked CAITLIN like writing 13 page papers in Cline until 3:30 a.m., rough drafts for 5,000 word BURKE journalism stories until 2 a.m., and finalizing key parts of my capstone project OP-ED EDITOR until 2 a.m. in three back-to-back nights.

In summation, I need a nap.

Feeling burnt out happens really easily and I end up counting down the days until the semester ends and I get a break to unload everything on my plate.

I know that everyone tells college seniors to get a head start on their careers because before they know it, it will be the day of graduation and the future will be looming, scary and totally unknown if emails and resumes to employers are not being sent out ASAP. I have no plans for my future as of now, and I’m totally OK with that. I have no anxiety over not having my career lined up right out of college, which might sound sarcastic given our societal pressure to always be on the move, but I say this genuinely.

I don’t regret graduating a year early, because I plan to use this extra year as a gap-year to figure out how to adult and gain more confidence before heading into the career field.

Even if that means moving back in with my parents, I look forward to taking a significant amount of time dedicated to myself and prioritizing my relationships rather than Supreme Court jurisprudence essays.

It’s easier said than done, but I would encourage everyone to prioritize themselves for a year and forget about societal pressure to always know what will be one step ahead. It’s OK to not know.

Thank you for reading.

THE LUMBERJACK VOL. 108 ISSUE 13

Editor-in-Chief Bailey Helton Faculty Adviser David Harpster

Managing Editor Sebastian Moore Sports Adviser Rory Faust

Director of Digital Content Brady Wheeler

Sales Manager Marsha Simon

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

Copy Chief Collin W. Clayton

Faculty Adviser, Visuals Taylor Mahoney Valerie Devoy

Print Chief Bella Valenzuela

Media Innovation Center Editorial Board News Editor Scout Ehrler

Features Editor Shaelene Walker

Sports Editor Molly Smith

Asst. Dir. of Illustration Aleah Green

Asst. News Editor Trevor Skeen

Asst. Features Editor Ash Lohmann

Asst. Sports Editor Jacob Terrill

Director of Photography Morgan Fisher

Online News Editor Ray Anne Galzote

Culture Editor Sabrina Proffitt

Director of Circulation Robyn Monroe

Asst. Dir. of Photography Bess Valdez

Asst. Dir. of Circulation Anel Lamadrid

Senior Photographer Shannon Swain

Director of Illustration Madison Cohen

Director of Multimedia Shawn Patti

Online News Editor Karin Johnson Op-Ed Editor Caitlin Burke

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Asst. Culture Editor Nathan Manni Asst. Op-Ed Editor D’Anna Davis

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“You know, it’s not just a game. If it’s 90 plays, then it’s 90 individual plays.”

– Head coach chris ball Freshman defensive back Daego Albert, 20, and redshirt sophomore Nate Perkins, 26, celebrates on the sideline at the NAU vs. Sacramento State football game at the Walkup Skydome Nov. 9. NAU was defeated by Sacramento State 38-34.

Brian Burke| The Lumberjack

On the cover Veteran Billy Weldon and NAU President Rita Cheng hug after he presents her with a necklace blessed by a Native American medicine man at the Veterans Flag Tribute, Nov 5.

Megan Ford-Fyffe | The Lumberjackw

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

Compiled by scout ehrler

called NAUPD to report a Nov. 8 student having an allergic At 9:49 a.m., a student at reaction. The student was McConnell Hall reported an transported to FMC. unconscious student. NAUPD responded, and the student At 7:47 p.m., an RA at was transported to FMC. Reilly Hall reported smoke coming from the building.

At 6:58 p.m., NAUPD Flagstaff Fire Department discovered two kittens in the inspected the area, but no road near Hilltop Townhomes.

At 1:30 p.m., a staff smoke was seen. The area was The officers were unable to member at the Performing and cleared and deemed safe. catch the kittens.

Fine Arts building reported a student who passed out.

Nov. 7 At 10:34 p.m., a nonNAUPD responded, and At 2:27 a.m., employees student reported a student at the subject was transported at Denny’s Fresh Express Hilltop Townhomes making to Flagstaff Medical Center in the University Union suicidal threats. NAUPD (FMC). reported a gas leak. Flagstaff located the student who was Fire Department confirmed found to be in good health.

At 11:47 p.m, a student damage to a gas line. Fire Life The student was put in touch at Ernest Calderon Learning Safety responded, and the fire with Counseling Services.

Community called NAUPD to marshall was notified. report having abdominal pain.

Nov. 9 The student was transported to At 10:06 a.m., a staff At 3:09 a.m., NAUPD FMC for treatment. member at Gabaldon Hall assisted FPD with a domestic called to request a welfare violence incident off campus.

Nov. 5 check on a student. NAUPD At 2:27 p.m., an RA at the responded and the student At 10:12 p.m., an RA at Honors Living and Learning was located. The student was Gabaldon Hall reported the Community requested a connected with Terros Health. odor of marijuana. NAUPD welfare check on a student. responded, and the odor was NAUPD responded, and the At 2:45 p.m., a staff present, but no contact was student was found to be in member at the School of made. good health.

Communication reported a strange odor inside the Nov. 10 At 7:06 p.m., NAUPD building. NAUPD responded, At 1:53 p.m., an FPD received a blue light phone call and the odor was found animal control officer provided near Gabaldon Hall. The area to be spilled diesel fuel. information regarding an was searched, but no criminal Environmental Health and animal cruelty case at SkyView activity was witnessed.

Safety responded.

Apartments reported by an animal adoption agency.

At 7:51 p.m., an At 9:12 p.m., an RA NAUPD responded and took anonymous subject reported a at the Cowden Learning a report. possible drunk driver at Knoles Community reported receiving and East University Drive. a note that stated a student had At 2:59 p.m., an RA at NAUPD responded, but no drug paraphernalia. NAUPD McConnell Hall reported a contact was made. responded, but no criminal student feeling faint due to activity was witnessed. blood pressure issues. The Nov. 6 student was transported to At 2:01 p.m., a student At 11:33 p.m., NAUPD FMC. at the Cowden Learning and Flagstaff Fire Department Community reported someone responded to a supervisory At 10:15 p.m., a student watching them in the shower. alarm at Gabaldon Hall, which reported a stray animal on NAUPD responded and took was triggered by burnt food. campus. NAUPD responded, a report.

Officers discovered a student but no contact was made. who had been injured in a At 3:36 p.m., a staff fall, but the student refused member at the Honors Living medical transport. and Learning Community Nov. 4 At 8:51 a.m., a residence hall director at Mountain View Hall called NAUPD for a welfare check on a student, per request of the student’s mother. Officers located the subject who was transported to the Guidance Center.

NOVEMBER 14, 2019 – NOVEMBER 20, 2019 | THE LUMBERJACK

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NEWS

Two hotels were torn down in preparation for the new apartment complex Uncommon on Milton. Construction continues, Nov. 9. Italia Diazbarriga | The Lumberjack

Flagstaff urban planning depends on collaboration trevor skeen

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AU recently finalized acquisitions of the Mandarin Super Buffet parcel and the Granny’s Closet property. As NAU expands, updated development plans have also been established.

Stephen Vedral, the director of Planning, Design and Construction at NAU, said the university is interested in using the former Mandarin Buffet, which was purchased in 2018, as a new entrance to campus. Vedral added that the boundaries between campus and the city often merge, and a more noticeable entrance could help with publicity and traffic, among other factors.

In contrast, the university does not have a specific vision for the Granny’s Closet parcel.

The land is located a few blocks north of campus, making it slightly detached from the rest of NAU. Vedral said properties on Milton are difficult and competitive to acquire, which made Granny’s Closet a worthwhile purchase.

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Flagstaff’s director of Community Development, Daniel Folke, said the university is similar to other organizations in its need for expansion and development. As enrollment rates have climbed around the country in recent years, infrastructure must subsequently broaden.

Despite the necessity for growth, Folke said some additions are challenging to implement for NAU, because they are not contiguous to the university. When the campus and city overlap, planning may become more difficult.

Another significant aspect of city planning is residential areas. Flagstaff’s housing market is inherently complicated, especially with interactions between students and other residents. Local real estate transactions are expensive, competitive and limited, which warrants extensive discussion between city planners. In order to remedy this problem, modified regulations are negotiated.

“We adopted a new zoning code in 2011.

It’s filled with incentives to get more density,” Folke said. “If there’s a [housing] shortage and

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you increase the supply, hopefully it can stabilize the cost of living or maybe even bring it down.”

In response to the refined zoning code, numerous student housing complexes have implemented mixed-use development. For example, Hub Flagstaff has retail space on the ground floor, which ideally coordinates further density. When commercial and residential uses are successfully mixed on the same parcel, communities naturally become more compact.

However, these targeted combinations are often difficult to achieve, especially when there is a lack of commercial incentive.

Currently, the Hub and The Standard both have vacant retail space. Uncommon Flagstaff, a 195-unit complex recently designed for construction on Milton, is also devised to include commercial properties. Site plans for the Uncommon were approved, but the city is awaiting more detailed civil plans. As the housing market continues to advance, the abundance of excess business space is irregular.

Folke said large housing corporations

specialize in leasing. As organizations designed to profit from a reliable college demographic, filling retail space is likely considered a secondary focus. Unfortunately, this emphasis on housing has lessened commercial influence, which explains the various vacancies.

Despite the challenges of mixed-use development, certain areas thrive on a highdensity urban model. Downtown Flagstaff is a classic example, where street-level properties are filled with small businesses and upper floors are crowded with renters. Aspen Place at the Sawmill exhibits a more recent model, particularly as the area offers a balance of residences, restaurants and stores.

Folke added that the owners of Aspen Place are in the business of recruiting commercial tenants, which has likely contributed to the area’s success. This management tactic influences the development of mixed-use areas, and it also demonstrates how some properties perform better than others.

Regardless of the significant student

NEWS population, off-campus housing complexes also have unoccupied space.

“At the staff level, we’re a little surprised these big projects are still coming to town, because we’re being told The Standard and the Hub have vacancies,” Folke said. “What the industry folks will tell you is that, as long as occupancy is above 80%, there’s a market.”

Although numerous complexes, such as Fremont Station Apartments and The Grove Apartments, are dominated by college students, these facilities are organized independently from the university. NAU and the city operate under different jurisdictions within the state and Flagstaff, respectively, and this distinction is reflected through their planning and infrastructure.

As separate entities, the city and NAU each have master plans. These documents provide a long-range layout for specific areas of development, and they typically encompass a 20 to 30 year period. Currently, the university is working on compiling an updated master plan.

NAU has partnered with a planning and design firm, Sasaki, to initiate this process. Vedral said Sasaki and the university have worked to analyze the development, use and efficiency of space on campus.

“We’ll engage with the city and the community in different events to receive input,” Vedral said. “As we move forward, we’ll look at what we can do better as a university. It’s pretty holistic.

The big picture is that collaboration gets you a better product.”

Vedral said the university’s master plan will reference a variety of categories. Landscaping, sustainability, transportation, community engagement and technology are among those

included.

The plan will also account for an array of architectural features on campus. Buildings such as Old Main depict a historical era of design, while dormitories like Reilly and Sechrist showcase patterns of the ’60s and ’70s, and facilities like the Health and Learning Center illustrate modern trends. Considering the varying styles on campus, Vedral said it is important to establish a sense of cohesion.

“There’s a lot of really great opportunities to create memorable connection points,” Vedral said. “Most of us go through life and there’s spaces we remember and get emotionally connected to. We need to have more of that on campus.”

Vedral explained how NAU can thrive through its utilization of exterior space. As an architect, Vedral compared the university’s ongoing efforts to The Emerald Necklace, which is a beautifully connected chain of parks and public spaces in Boston, Massachusetts. Similarly, NAU’s updated master plan seeks to create connectivity on campus.

Folke and Vedral both concluded that urban planning is a collaborative and communal process. Planners are not positioned to declare winners and losers or assess risks and rewards. Instead, the planning and design profession, along with its successes, relies on active communication and feedback.

“The big picture is that we want to create the best environment and the best places for the students and staff on campus,” Vedral said. “As we get into the master plan, we will definitely give everyone the opportunity to discuss and provide feedback.”

Fremont Station Apartments opened fall 2017 as on option for NAU students to live off campus but close enough to walk.

Italia Diazbarriga| The Lumberjack

Tucson’s Sanctuary City Initiative comes up short at the ballot box Jacob Meyer

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ucson Proposition 205, officially titled the Tucson Families Free and Together Ordinance and commonly referred to as the Sanctuary City Initiative, was rejected by voters during the city’s recent election.

According to election results from the city of Tucson on Nov. 5, Proposition 205 failed with over 71% of voters saying no to the proposal and over 28% of voters saying yes.

Among several provisions, the initiative would have prevented local law enforcement from engaging in any activities with the purpose of determining an individual’s immigration status in schools, medical facilities, houses of worship and government buildings. It would have limited officers to inquire about someone’s status only as part of a relevant criminal investigation.

Most significantly, the initiative would have also prevented any cooperation with federal officers unless they agreed not to enforce immigration law in any way and forfeit their ability to make arrests in Tucson.

The ordinance challenged the provisions of

Arizona Senate Bill 1070, the Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act. Often referred to as the “show me your papers law,” Arizona SB 1070 was signed into law in 2010 and allows authorities to determine the immigration status of any person they reasonably suspect may be in the United States illegally. The bill also prohibits law enforcement officers from taking on policies of nonenforcement or refusing to cooperate with other officials on immigration issues.

Despite Arizona Democrats’ opposition to SB 1070, Proposition 205 failed to gain traction among much of the party, due to it placing serious constraints on local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal officials and its potential effects on the city’s relationship with the state government.

In an opinion piece for the Arizona Daily Star, the soon-to-be-retired Democrat mayor of Tucson, Jonathan Rothschild, explained why he opposed the initiative.

“If passed, Prop. 205 would harm our community in ways that have nothing to do with immigration,” Rothschild wrote. “And, while intended to protect immigrants, it may

actually make their situation worse.”

Rothschild expressed particular concern for how the ordinance could impact the duties of city policy outside of immigration enforcement.

The mayor explained the initiative could have severed much of the cooperation between local law enforcement and federal agencies.

“Prop. 205 prohibits the Tucson Police Department from working with federal law enforcement agencies on any task force, operation ‘or similar endeavor,’ unless those agencies sign an agreement giving up some of their arrest authority within city limits,” Rothschild wrote. “No federal agency is going to sign such an agreement.”

Rothschild also raised concerns about how Proposition 205’s challenges to SB 1070 could prompt a backlash from the state government.

He discussed Arizona SB 1487, which he said gives the state government the authority to penalize local governments for actions and laws, such as Proposition 205, that violate or contradict statewide laws.

“In Arizona, SB 1487 provides severe financial penalties for cities that pass ordinances in violation of state law,” Rothschild wrote. “The

state can take a city’s state-shared revenue and redistribute it to other cities. In Tucson, that’s more than $125 million a year, which pays for police and fire, parks and roads, and other core city services.”

Zaira Livier, the executive director of the Peoples Defense Initiative that led the campaign for Proposition 205, downplayed concerns that the state government would have intervened on the issue.

Livier explained that the main focus of the ordinance was to change the way local law enforcement interacts with the public and did not seek to obstruct police. She also suggested that supporters should not be concerned with threats.

“Our initiative doesn’t touch anything in regard to anyone that’s been charged with a crime. Our initiative is all about initial contact with police,” Livier said. “We understand the threat is there, because there’s always a threat for anything we do that’s not in line with their way of thinking.”

The activist also rejected the notion that the state government would have the authority to take action against the city over the ordinance.

NOVEMBER 14, 2019 – NOVEMBER 20, 2019 | THE LUMBERJACK

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NEWS Contrary to Mayor Rothschild’s statement, Livier explained that SB 1487 does not apply to voter initiatives.

“SB 1487 is the one they constantly threaten us with … It is completely silent on citizen-led initiatives. What it dictates is if a law is passed by the body of the local government — we’re talking about by the city council and mayor,” Livier said. “The city council and mayor will literally not lift a finger for this to go into effect.”

While SB 1487 gives the state government the authority to investigate and withhold state funds from local jurisdictions whose actions violate state law or the Arizona State Constitution, it covers violations committed by “the governing body of a county, city or town.” Voter initiatives are not specifically listed.

Livier was critical of Democrats who have called for meaningful immigration reform in the past but backed down when the issue was on the table.

“They are Democrats who have, time and time again, used lip service to say that they want to take a stand against the Trump administration — to say that they want to take a stand against the state legislature — to say that’s what they represent,” Livier said.

“But when it comes to actually doing something, as you can see, we’ve seen little progress.”

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Arizona is one of the organizations that endorsed and supported the initiative. With the initiative failing, Alessandra Soler, the executive director for the ACLU of Arizona, discussed the work of her organization on immigration issues.

Soler explained that the ACLU’s main goal is to ensure compliance with already existing regulations and promote transparency at the Tucson Police Department.

“What we will be focused on is holding the Tucson Police Department accountable for the various different assertions that they made: that they weren’t going to be engaging in discriminatory policy and that they weren’t going to be prolonging stops simply to check people’s immigration status,” Soler said. “It’s very difficult for the community to trust them when they’re not being very open and transparent about the data.”

Soler expressed concerns over the conduct of the police department. In order for the ACLU to monitor the situation, Soler stressed that the police department has to be open about its actions.

“Our goal is to really hold the Tucson Police Department accountable. They have made claims that they only contact [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement] one or two times a month,” Soler said. “We have concerns that it’s happening way more often than they are admitting to, so we’re going to continue pursuing the litigation and continue to push for transparency.”

Supporting Proposition 205 and questioning the Tucson Police Department are just two of the ACLU’s most recent actions in its work against SB 1070. The ACLU plans to focus attention on the law in the coming months, as they continue to push for it to be repealed by the state legislature or thrown out in court.

Soler explained that the ACLU perceives SB 1070 as unconstitutional. Ultimately, the organization wants to educate the public regarding this topic of profiling and immorality.

“There’s the 10 year anniversary of 1070 that’s coming up.

We’re hoping to really spend some time educating the public about how these police departments have been enforcing SB 1070,” Soler said. “They are actively and aggressively enforcing SB 1070 in this state, and we think that law is unconstitutional, immoral and contributes to racial profiling.”

While Tucson voted against becoming a sanctuary city, the public attention toward enforcement and immigration issues is by no means over, as activists continue to push for reform statewide.

“It’s very difficult for the community to trust [the Tucson Police Department] when they’re not being very open and transparent about the data.”

-Alessandra Soler, executive director for ACLU of arizona Illustration By Amy Czachowski

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OPINION-EDITORIAL

Negative publicity needs accountability CAITLIN BURKE

Fall is not for falling in love

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olden leaves swirl around with chilly gusts of wind as temperatures gradually decrease. There’s finally snow on the San Francisco Peaks. The holidays are coming.

Along with the change in weather comes a change in routine.

For some of us, Thanksgiving break means a trip back to wherever we’re from and a lot of good food.

There are a lot of things I love about Thanksgiving. I love the attitude of gratitude everyone seems to cling to. I love turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing and all the other fixin’s. I love the chance I have to reunite with cousins and siblings who are away at school or busy with their own lives. I love spontaneous football games in the backyard and hugs from my mom.

RYAN With all of this, there is something DIXON about Thanksgiving that I absolutely detest WRITER — a dreaded question that I can never seem to avoid: Do you have a boyfriend?

The question usually comes after a glorious meal, in the happy afterglow of shoving way too much good food into my stomach.

It’s not the question of “do you” that gets on my nerves so much, but the shining of pity in their eyes and the furrowing of their foreheads when they follow it up with, “Well, why not?”

I haven’t had a boyfriend since my senior year of high school, so I’ve had enough time to know that the classic, “I’m just taking these college years to work on myself and my future,” doesn’t satisfy the masses. But, the thing is, it’s the truth.

If I wanted to have a boyfriend, I could within the hour, thanks to Habib.

He is a wonderful man I’ve known since I was 18. We met at church, and Habib fell hard right from the get-go. We built a friendship and went on dates, but for nearly two years now, I’ve been very open that I‘m not looking for a relationship while I’m at school.

Habib handled the situation as everyone should. He said OK and validated my decisions without any weirdly invasive questions about why or implying that I was a freak for choosing not to get exclusive with him or anyone else.

There’s nothing wrong with me or anyone else who is single over Thanksgiving. Sometimes, a relationship just isn’t in the cards for you when everyone else is deep into cuffing season, which is notorious for couples forming and holidays approaching.

This Thanksgiving, let’s throw away the questions about relationships like we throw away the cranberry sauce.

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alloween is one of my favorite nights out of the whole year, yet every time it comes around, someone seems to ruin the fun.

Most college students use Halloween night as an opportunity to blow off steam from the stress of midterms. It’s a fun distraction from adulting for the age group that is too old to trick or treat but too young to be behind the door handing out candy.

The buildup of seeing an elaborate costume pan out as perfectly as it was first imagined brings a rush of excitement. It always gives me a confidence boost knowing that I’m happy with how my costume turned out.

There will always be someone who uses Halloween as an excuse to dress up in an insensitive costume that mocks others.

Typically, these people blatantly ignore the offensiveness it causes, because their privilege blinds them from caring enough.

I would usually advise ignoring these people to deny them the attention they so desperately crave.

It can be difficult to convince these people that what they’re doing is wrong if they’re so rooted in ignorance and if they’ve never had to face any consequences for their offensive actions.

On Oct. 28, NAU had a 15-minutes-of-fame moment when a Twitter user by the name of @groovyk8 called out a group of students who were dressed up as homeless people from a variety of backgrounds.

The five students were dressed as an immigrant mother of 10, a recovering alcoholic, a homeless veteran with prostate cancer, a pregnant 16-year-old and a college dropout.

In @groovyk8’s tweet, she aimed to draw attention from the public, as well as NAU administration, and to hold these students accountable for their public display of ignorance.

They got the response they wanted, and the post went viral, with over 11,000 retweets and almost 30,000 likes on the social media platform as of Nov. 7.

The tweet elicited rage from the masses. I personally was shocked to see that this display of hate came from my university.

NAU President Rita Cheng quickly took to Twitter to announce her response to the viral picture, which stated, “The recent post by NAU students has been taken seriously. We involved the Dean of Students & Office of Inclusion. The students recognize the seriousness of their actions & apologized. @NAU values & supports free speech. Speech demeaning to others does not represent our values.”

After that initial tweet received 88

heated responses, Cheng tweeted a follow-up statement that was just as problematic as the first.

“Thank you for weighing in,” Cheng tweeted. “While we don’t condone the behavior, NAU supports free speech. We are taking this as an opportunity to educate our students.”

As the main spokesperson of NAU, Cheng should have produced a better-worded statement and consulted longer with her public relations team.

If this is the best form of damage control that was thought up in the moment, nothing should have been said at all. Cheng’s response caused almost as much controversy as the initial tweet.

It was blatantly irresponsible of Cheng to use the words she did, which justified their offensive language as “free speech.” Not only were Cheng’s two tweets a terrible public relations scandal for the university’s reputation, but it made other NAU students embarrassed to be a part of a university that values this kind of “free speech.”

There’s a big difference between free speech and hate speech.

On Oct. 31, Twitter user @vvanna_ responded to Cheng, stating, “It’s not a real apology if you had to write it for them.”

Another response from Twitter user @_austriia posted, “You take plagiarism on my essay more serious than this.”

The overarching consensus from the waves of upset NAU stakeholders on Twitter agreed that a harsher punishment was in order.

This, along with more accountability from Cheng, should have been thought about and sat on for a few days. Cheng prematurely decided that the issue was resolved because the students “apologized” in a private setting with school officials, according to an article in The Arizona Republic.

Saying sorry without meaning it is useless and invaluable. These students deserve to at least be held responsible to volunteer at the Sunshine Rescue Mission in downtown Flagstaff to expose them to the struggles of homelessness that their sheltered mindsets find amusing and OK to mock.

As a student who generally takes pride in being a Lumberjack, I am equally disappointed by the offensive costumes and Cheng’s poor reaction.

Illustration By brooke berry

OPINION-EDITORIAL

Asking for help should not be stigmatized MADELINE HOLLMANN

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ental health is an extremely important topic that should be more widely discussed. Paying attention to mental health is just as important as physical health. It should not be seen as a weakness.

In the military, seeking mental help can be seen as a weakness.

According to the RAND Corporation, a research organization that focuses on public policy reform, even with efforts from the United States Department of Defense and the Veterans Health Administration, many service members are not seeking help when they need it because of stigmas surrounding mental health.

Taking care of your mental health should not be seen as weak.

Seeking help if needed makes someone stronger, because they can overcome their mental obstacles and improve their overall wellbeing. Getting help can be very beneficial to improving someone’s mental state before issues escalate.

On Sept. 26, the Pentagon released a report stating that in the past five years, there have been more deaths from suicide than combat for active-duty military members. USA Today reported that the suicide rate among active-duty troops was nearly 25 per 100,000 people in 2018, and five years ago, it was almost 19 for service members. The Pentagon released another report listing the total number of suicides in 2018: 325 deaths related to suicide,

which increased by 40 from 2017.

USA Today stated that “among active-duty troops, the Marine Corps had the highest rate with 31.4 suicides per 100,000 Marines. The Army had 24.8 suicides per 100,000 soldiers, the Navy had 20.7 suicides per 100,000 sailors and the Air Force had 18.5 suicides per 100,000 airmen.”

It’s not only active military members that struggle with mental health issues. Veterans also suffer from mental health issues after they leave the service. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reported that anywhere from 11% to 20% of veterans who served in operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, 12% of veterans who served in the Gulf War and 15% of Vietnam veterans suffer from PTSD. The men and women who serve in the military to protect us and our country see the unimaginable horrors of war and violence. They’re trained in combat and are exposed to lifethreatening experiences every day. These aspects of being in the military, along with many others, can cause PTSD. According to a study conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles, it was found that 46% of all veterans between the years 2011 and 2013 with mental health needs did not receive adequate care.

The government neglects the people who bravely fight for our country. PTSD is a very real condition that needs more

attention in order for suicide rates to be reduced.

By allocating more funding toward programs that focus on mental health for veterans, they can have access to services that save lives.

The recent report from the Pentagon is very alarming, because suicides can be prevented Illustration By KAYLYN DUNN by offering more mental health services to service members.

Reducing the stigma that surrounds seeking help for mental health makes it easier for people who need help to obtain it.

Having a greater number of available mental health programs could help reduce the stigma. Caring about your mental state is not a weakness. Mental health is very important for everyone, even the people we see as the strongest in the country.

Respect the land or do not touch it KYLIE SOTO

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he Keystone Pipeline leak is not receiving nearly enough media coverage. The construction of the pipeline was extremely controversial for years leading up to and even during the construction of the pipeline.

Environmentalists and local tribes protested the pipeline with sit-ins and posters in attempts to stop construction. This is another example that, time and time again, indigenous people are simply brushed off.

The Keystone Pipeline is an oil pipeline system that runs through Canada and the United States.

The location of one segment of the pipeline has been the center of much controversy, because it was constructed on the “protected lands of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe,” according to the Native American Rights Fund (NARF).

Illustration By DOMINIC DAVIES

Despite consistent protests, the corporation still opted to build on sacred land.

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe even took action by suing the Trump administration for permitting the construction of the pipeline, as mentioned in the NARF article. There were treaties made in the past that were brought into existence for the sole purpose of protecting the land from trespassing and destruction of resources.

NARF stated, “Today, the presidents of Rosebud Sioux Tribe and Fort Belknap Indian Community were in federal court to invoke their sacred inheritance from these treaties.”

It is worth mentioning that President Donald Trump has repeatedly denied the existence of climate change and has proven to reject the idea of tending to a gradually deteriorating environment.

Additionally, the Trump administration took action to permit the construction of the pipeline Jan. 24, 2017. The only promise made to The Rosebud Sioux Tribe was that the land would be protected and tended to in any case of accidental oil leaks.

As of Oct. 29, the major promise made to the people was broken. According to The New York Times, “The Keystone Pipeline system, an addition to which has been the subject of environmental protests for years, leaked about 383,000 gallons of crude oil in North Dakota.”

Based on the evidence, corporations are allowed to manipulate land they do not own and break the fundamental promise that allowed them to build the pipeline in the first place.

The leak brought on few repercussions for the company, because Trump signed on the deal, and any government involvement would simply further the damage done.

The amount of oil makes the leakage nearly irreversible. The worst part of it all is that this isn’t the first time the pipeline has leaked since its construction.

Corporations need to be held responsible for the promises they break and the ecosystems they slaughter. This all could’ve been avoided had they not built the pipeline in the first place.

In light of the disaster, it is believed the effects on nearby wildlife and water sources will be fairly minimal. Luckily, the area is not the main water source for native wildlife in the region.

However, the region that was impacted will still be heavily monitored for any major environmental issues. Nonetheless, sacred indigenous land is suffering the consequences for the actions of businessmen, who profit from the pipeline.

If the tribes were listened to, there wouldn’t be any major worry of ecosystem collapse, and the people of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe would have maintained the land they own and have owned for many years.

NOVEMBER 14, 2019 – NOVEMBER 20, 2019 | THE LUMBERJACK

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FEATURES

Writers unite during Natio Katelyn Rodriguez

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ovember has been National Novel Writing Month since 1999 and serves as a challenge for writers around the world to write 50,000 words within the span of 30 days. However, National Novel Writing Month also serves as a nonprofit organization that supports writing fluency and education.

National Novel Writing Month already has more than 7,000 active novelists this month and has produced nearly 368,000 novels, including bestsellers “Water for Elephants” by Sara Gruen and “Fangirl”

by Rainbow Rowell. If a writer wants to participate in National Novel Writing Month, it is not too late. Signing up on the National Novel Writing Month website helps track a writer’s progress as they work on a novel and allows them to meet others from around the globe who are also participating.

There are a wide variety of local events in Flagstaff throughout the month that anyone can attend. These events include write-ins that take place at Bookman’s Entertainment Exchange on Tuesdays and Writers Who Lunch, which takes place at the Flagstaff public library downtown every Tuesday and Friday.

The full list of National Novel Writing Month events taking place around town can be found on the Flagstaff Writers Connection website.

Corey Wiegersma, an NAU alumnus and Information Technology Services employee, has served as the National Novel Writing Month community liaison for 10 years and is in charge of coordinating events. He has completed the suggested 50,000 words four or five times so far. When it comes to squeezing writing into his daily schedule, he sometimes has to switch up his routine.

“Sometimes I’ll prepare stuff in October, so I have less stuff to do in November,” Wiegersma said. “Oftentimes, it just comes down to deciding to play video games for a half hour less and use that time for writing.”

Wiegersma said he tends to stay motivated during the month by going to write-ins, meeting writing buddies, updating his word count online and being able to tell people he writes novels.

Cherrie Smith is another local National Novel Writing Month writer. She currently works as an OB-GYN at North Country HealthCare and has participated for four years. She said she did not start writing until after her daughter went to college.

She originally started as a political blogger before deciding to write science fiction novels.

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Illustration By Madison Cohen

Smith first heard about the challenge from her husband, who saw it on a news program. She decided to get involved with a group of writers in Humboldt County, California, which is where they lived at the time. Smith has actively participated in the National Novel Writing Month challenge ever since then and has completed the 50,000 word challenge twice. She said she fits writing into her daily schedule in any way she can.

“In the past, I would write in the car while waiting for my daughter to get out of Girl Scouts,” Smith said. “I would also write notes to myself about what I wanted to write while I was in line at the grocery store.”

Smith said she has a deal with one of her writing buddies. The

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two are going to look for agents during the upcoming summer with the goal of getting their novels published. The novel she is working on this month is about a group of people going on a trek to a star 1,000 years away. They know they will not make it there alive, but their future grandsons and granddaughters will.

Junior Kimberlee Blakeney is participating in National Novel Writing Month for her fifth year. Blakeney completed 50,000 words in 2016 during her senior year of high school. She first heard about the challenge from the section leader of her high school’s marching band.

“She was doing [National Novel Writing Month] on the bus during our trip to California, and I was her seat buddy,” Blakeney said.

“As soon as we got back home to Phoenix, I started doing it, because it sounded like so much fun the way she described it.”

Although Blakeney doesn’t have any friends who actively participate in the challenge, she has made friends through it. Blakeney said her biggest challenge thus far has been finding the time to sit down and write. However, to help herself get words on paper, she uses a technique called sprinting, which involves setting a timer for 10 to 30 minutes and writing nonstop the entire time.

When it comes to planning, Blakeney, Wiegersma and Smith all said they tend to be pantsers, meaning they either plan nothing or very little in advance.

Smith said she usually comes up with three ideas before writing, and as the process continues throughout the month, two usually fall through for different reasons, such as the characters not being interesting enough. On the other hand, Wiegersma said he draws inspiration from a dream notebook and online prompt generators.

Blakeney said this year’s National Novel Writing Month is the first one she’s planned for.

“This year, I actually wrote fleshed-out character sheets for my four major characters and one minor character,” Blakeney said. “I wrote out plot beats using the save the cat system that I learned in screenwriting, and I was able to adapt it to novel writing surprisingly well.”

The save the cat system is a method typically used in screenwriting, which consists of beats that take place in three acts that include things such as the catalyst, bad-guys close in and dark night of the soul.

FEATURES

onal Novel Writing Month As seasoned National Novel Writing Month participants, all three offered advice to those participating in this year’s challenge.

Wiegersma said to keep going and not give up once someone has started a novel.

He also encouraged individuals to attend the events happening around town this month so they can build up a local support system.

Smith encourages participants to write as fast as they can during the month, because doing so allows self-editing and critiquing to stop.

“You get to a point where you’re writing too fast, and that’s when the really good stuff comes out,” Smith said. “All of a sudden, this weird twist will come up that you never thought of or knew about, because it was lurking in your subconscious somewhere.”

Additionally, Blakeney said other participants should not worry about the quality of writing they produce during the span of the month as it is usually the first draft. She also encourages writers to not focus on self-editing, because it can throw them off.

“All of a sudden, this weird twist will come up that you never thought of or knew about, because it was lurking in your subconscious somewhere.”

– Cherrie Smith, National Novel Writing Month writer Overall, National Novel Writing Month provides both beginner and seasoned writers the opportunity to try something that challenges them creatively, while also allowing them to meet other local writers and communicate with people from around the globe. It serves as a reminder to writers that if they challenge themselves creatively, they can complete something that might not have seemed possible.

Illustration By Aleah Green

NOVEMBER 14, 2019 – NOVEMBER 20, 2019| THE LUMBERJACK

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FEATURES

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FEATURES

Cleansing the mind of social media Camille Sipple

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lthough social media began as a way for friends and family members to communicate virtually, in the span of just a few years, it has become an appendage that humanity can no longer live without.

It is widely agreed among psychologists that social media is consuming the attention of the modern world and its inhabitants, specifically teenagers and young adults. Recently, social media obsession has been deemed by mental health care professionals as a very real addiction that can result in anxiety, depression and an overall decline in mental health, according to the Addiction Center, an online guide for those struggling with mental health issues.

A new trend is to complete a social media cleanse to combat this serious addiction. During a cleanse, individuals choose to delete all or most of the social media platforms they use on a daily basis from their devices.

NAU students are among the many young adults who are currently participating in or attempting their own social media cleanses.

Freshmen Hannah Rockwood, Kyle Thomas and Kourtney Madsen are three NAU students currently participating in their own social media cleanses.

Each individual that participates in a social media cleanse has their own ideas regarding which social media platforms are important to remove from their daily routines. Rockwood and Madsen both said they stayed off their primary media, such as Snapchat and Instagram, but kept Pinterest, because they did not consider it to be a harmful form of media. However, Thomas said he has deleted Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and YouTube for his personal social media cleanse.

Thomas is still taking part in his cleanse, because he has decided to partake in a trend known as no-social-media November. He cut all ties with social media beginning Nov. 1 and will continue this cleanse until Dec. 1.

“I saw how much of my time social media was consuming, and I knew that it was time to cut back, but I was so addicted to it that I didn’t have self-control in limiting it,” Thomas said. “I also wanted to see how my mental state would change with social media gone from my life.”

While Thomas is only two weeks into this monthlong endeavor, he has already made several observations about those around him who are still on social media. Thomas said

conversations with others tend to fall flat when they are buried in their media timelines, and he said he cannot continue to do the same. With this 30-day cleanse, Thomas has several goals he is pursuing.

“I hope to break the habit of constantly comparing myself to others based off social media,” Thomas said. “I hope to become more personable and social so that it is easy to talk to people without having to rely on my phone to do so. Overall, I just want to see how my life might improve without the influence of social media.”

Although not as recent, Rockwood performed her own three-week social media cleanse this past summer, because she felt a need to take some time for herself.

“When I

did my cleanse, I even stopped texting for that period of time and communicated primarily through phone calls,” Rockwood said. “It made my relationships feel more genuine and focused.”

Both Thomas and Rockwood said without their social media, they tend to spend more time reading, thinking, being with loved ones and simply enjoying their surroundings.

Rockwood was able to paint, read and write more. She found herself spending time with friends and having more meaningful conversations. Thomas had similar experiences that replaced the time social media took up in his life.

“Instead of occupying my time with social media, I have been reading a lot more, hiking and reaching out to more people to

spend time with outside of class,” Thomas said.

Although Thomas and Rockwood had positive experiences, not everyone feels the same way after attempting a social media cleanse.

Madsen is a prime example. She attempted a social media cleanse by deleting all of her media platforms except Pinterest.

“I decided to get off social media so I could take some time for myself and my mental health,” Madsen said.

Madsen stayed off social media for one day.

She ultimately went back to social media for fear of missing out, as well as simply missing the opportunity to connect with her loved ones.

Although her own cleanse did not last as long as she originally planned, Madsen said she still believes in the idea of social media cleanses and the good they can do for others.

“I hope others can gain some idea of how much time they spend on social media when they could be doing other, more important things,” Madsen said.

Thomas, Rockwood and Madsen each said one of the greatest benefits of doing a social media cleanse is the increased productivity that naturally comes with it. For most college students, extra time is not something to be taken lightly or ignored.

In addition to an increased level of productivity, there are immense social benefits that one can get from a social media cleanse.

“I think that increasing in-person social interactions builds a lot of important communication skills that will serve us all well in becoming a happier, more friendly community,” Thomas said.

Social media, though it does hold a firm grasp upon much of society, may not be the healthiest form of entertainment or comfort.

Although the accessibility and enjoyment of media and technology can make it difficult to give up, these students all advise going at least one day without it.

“If you’re wanting to clear your mind and live in the moment, a social media cleanse is a perfect fit,” Thomas said.

For those who are wary of missing out by being away from their media, Thomas advised the truly important things in life are those happening in the present — in immediate, real life — not upon any digital platform or media network.

Illustration By Blake Fernandez

NOVEMBER 14, 2019 – NOVEMBER 20, 2019| THE LUMBERJACK

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CULTURE

Veterans’ Flag Tribute lights a path home Olivia Charlson

Stop hating on Little Caesars

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hen I think of pizza, I don’t think of feta cheese, arugula and pesto on wheat bread. I think of a pizza that is ooey-gooey, dripping and greasy with a ton of cheese and pepperoni, and maybe even a filled crust, if I’m lucky. If I’m in the mood for pizza, I want it to be the most disgusting and delicious thing I have ever had in my life.

To give you a little background, my father has worked in pizza shops his whole life.

He still does now. When I was younger, I swore off pizza, because I was bored with it. In high school, I was wooed by the fancy SABRINA Scottsdale pizza places near my PROFFITT school. I went from quality Italian CULTURE EDITOR pizza, like the ones my dad’s shop made, to vegan, Instagram-worthy pizzas. Near the end of high school, I was over pizza entirely.

Now when I crave pizza, all I can think about is how much I want Little Caesars. I know what you’re thinking, something along the lines of, “Gross, how dare you?” but I love Little Caesars’ pizza. It is exactly what I look for in my junk food cravings. It’s cheap, quick and disgusting in all the right ways.

Through my love for Little Caesars, I’ve had so many people call me out and say how gross it is, but I always agree. It is gross, and that is the best part. To me, pizza is gross – sorry to all the Italians out there, including my boyfriend. Fancy, authentic pizza just isn’t for me.

There are other options in town, but Pizza Hut, Domino’s and Papa John’s aren’t as cheap. They aren’t as gross either, which is what I want. The one thing these places have over Little Caesars is the option of delivery, but some things are worth the drive.

As I said before, my boyfriend is Italian. His last name is even Grimaldi, like the pizzeria. His family is all about authentic pizza, which is awesome and delicious, but isn’t what I want. It also isn’t cheap, either. I think Little Caesars is slept on, especially in the lives of college students. We’re broke, hungry and don’t have a lot of time. What would be better than a fast pickup for only $5? Nothing.

My last name may be Grimaldi one day, but I’ll be a Little Caesars lover forever, even if it’s the most disgusting pizza in America.

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AU hosted its fourth annual Veterans Flag Tribute, honoring and thanking community and student veterans. Flag Tribute hosted veterans, many of whom grew up in Flagstaff, to share what being a veteran means to them. This event was also held to celebrate NAU being honored as a Purple Heart University.

The event began with a moment of silence and prayer for soldiers who lost their lives while serving. A veteran honor song and traditional Native American piece were performed by Rick Yazzie and the Battle Lake Singers. Pete Yanka, director for Veteran and Military Services at NAU, said it was an honor to have the band perform, because it acknowledged that Native Americans have a high serving percentage in the military.

There were luminaries set along pathways leading to the event, which took place at the University Union on campus.

Yanka said the luminaries represented NAU’s mission for veterans to be part of the community, lighting a pathway home for them.

There were many diverse speakers at the event, including representatives of the Native American veteran community and Meg Mosely, who fought among men as one of the first women in the United States Army.

Speaker Rodger Ely described Veterans Day as not only a solemn occasion but a celebration. He said it is a day that we set aside to not only recognize those deployed but those that might join in the future and those who served in the past.

Ely said his father served in Guadalcanal during World War

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II, he served in Vietnam and his son served in Iraq as a U.S. Marine.

“I spent all of my time trying to support veterans,” Ely said. “I’m so proud to see that so many others do the same thing. I do it because, before I came back from Vietnam, I had friends that planned with me to do things when we got out ...

They didn’t make it, and what I’m doing today is what they would’ve been doing. So to me, I’m supporting the people that didn’t come back — the friends who are still in Vietnam.”

Yanka said NAU was recently honored as a Purple Heart University because of a high number of veteran support organizations within the community. NAU President Rita Cheng, along with fellow veteran Ed McGlynn, read the official proclamation.

Cheng said the university has great staff members who help veterans transition from military to civilian life. She said the school agreed to becoming a Purple Heart University right away, as it seemed like a natural fit.

“We have a history of embracing veterans and their families, and we are so proud of veterans who graduate NAU,” Cheng said at the event. “I often think of NAU as being a big family, and we embrace diversity and people from all over the world. This is another dimension of that. We embrace veterans who have been in various military experiences, and they can come in and assimilate and be part of our family.”

Yanka said the event had two key takeaways: to respectfully thank veterans who have served and to share the diversity of the veteran experience with the NAU community so that it can become more aware of what

Lighted luminarias with messages of gratitude line the walkway at the 4th annual Veterans Flag Tribute at NAU, Nov 5.

Megan Ford-Fyffe | The Lumberjack

student veterans may have gone through. He said Veterans Day is a way of showing appreciation for others who made sacrifices for the country and embedding their legacies forever.

“I guess, as a humble civilian, one thing that I would encourage fellow civilians to do is to take some time on that day,” Yanka said. “I know life can get busy, and it’s nice to have a day away from school or work, but really make space in that day to understand it is a day of appreciation for those who have served, whatever that

may look like ... I think what makes the day more meaningful is when you reflect on the fact that there are folks that stepped up and said yes.”

Flag Tribute was just one way that NAU and the city were able to show pride and salute those who fought or currently fight for the country. Veterans Day is different for everyone, but acknowledgment should remain consistent. Some students may not relate to Veterans Day, but taking a moment to think about those who made sacrifices for this country is worthwhile.

CULTURE

Celebrating 50 years of tours with OARS Nayomi Garcia

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isitors to the Grand Canyon have many options for touring the landmark, but OARS Grand Canyon Dories provides visitors with unique ways to explore. OARS takes its guests on nonmotorized boat tours that allow them to hike, camp and raft along the Colorado River. Guests attending a Grand Canyon tour have the choice of rafting or riding in a dory boat, a small and lightweight watercraft that is normally used for fishing.

OARS was founded in 1969 by the late George Wendt.

Throughout Wendt’s time as president, OARS established his company in Angels Camp, California and expanded its trips both in the United States and globally. Each trip ranges from one to 13 days and has a professional guide who leads the group.

Vice president Steve Markle works alongside Tyler and Clavey Wendt, George’s children, to organize tours. This year, OARS turned 50 years old, and the organization held celebrations for their tour guides.

“We wanted to extend our gratitude to the generations of guides who have helped this organization be what it is today,” Markle said.

“Our company is different from others, because all of our tours use nonmotorized boats, and it wouldn’t be what it is today without the help of our guides. Rather than having one party in one city, we decided to bring the celebration to the people that have helped our company.”

OARS held celebrations in five cities, including Flagstaff, where the company operates tours out of a warehouse. Markle said they wanted previous and current guides to celebrate what they have achieved.

“It was great to see so many people celebrating our organization,” Markle said. “We were grateful that people came out to support

us and what we do. In this modern age, it’s sometimes hard to find people who still like to do outdoor activities. Our organization has come a long way since it began, and it’s great to get to share this with communities where we operate from.”

At each anniversary party, OARS gives back to a nonprofit organization that works with their

company. In Flagstaff, OARS decided to donate its ticket sale profits to The Whale Foundation, which is a nonprofit organization in town that provides mental and physical health care to Grand Canyon tour guides.

Illustration ByMadison Cohen

Markle said The Whale Foundation has worked with OARS for several years to provide care to guides who are in charge of their Grand Canyon tours.

OARS Executive Director Sam Jansen said The Whale Foundation was founded 25 years ago and has increased the number of tour outfitters they work with. Throughout 25 years of helping tour guides, the nonprofit found OARS and began working with the organization. The Whale Foundation also offers scholarships for river guides who are going back to school, and they encourage others to become guides as well.

“I think the OARS organization is a great tour outfitter,” Jansen said. “Guests enjoy their tours because of the rafts and dories they take people on around the canyon. OARS is also a great organization to work with because of their numerous guides. We help a lot of tour guides that work for different outfitters, but OARS has a lot of guides we provide service for.”

Senior tour guide Heather Solee said she celebrated the 50th anniversary of OARS. Solee has been a tour guide for 20 years in the Grand Canyon.

“I began doing tours in both Idaho and the Grand Canyon,” Solee said. “Eventually, I decided to just stick with the Grand Canyon tours, because they’re my favorite. I like that the guests have the option of doing a dory tour or going on a raft. It’s always great to see people excited about these tours.”

Solee said her 20 years as a guide have changed her life. She first heard about OARS at her workplace and decided to give it a try.

Since then, she hasn’t stopped guiding tours and said she is excited to see where OARS goes.

The Whale Foundation also provided care for Solee throughout her time as a guide.

“I think The Whale Foundation is a wonderful organization for tour guides,” Solee said. “I know a lot of guides use their call line when they’re in need of help. I’ve used the insurance they provide for guides before, and they’ve definitely helped me. It’s great to know that guides have a source for help when they are in need of it.”

Although OARS has tours both in the U.S. and globally, its associates vouched that its impact goes farther than distance can measure.

The organization has seemingly left its customers and tour guides positively impacted and looks to continue the tradition for another 50 years.

NOVEMBER 14, 2019 – NOVEMBER 20, 2019 | THE LUMBERJACK

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CULTURE

Bike maintenance for bitter weather Kyler Edsitty

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raveling in the winter can pose huge risks, especially to cyclists. These range from slippery roads to sloppy drivers and many more variables brought by the winter months. However, there are ways to make riding in the frigid weather safer and avoid preventable repairs along the way.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 783 cyclists were killed in traffic accidents in the United States in 2017. A majority of these crashes took place between 6 p.m and 9 p.m.

Less daylight in winter and Flagstaff’s dark sky ordinance limits visibility, especially when cyclists do not have reflective gear or lights.

Single Track Bikes sales associate Gage Acha recommended finding the safest traveling route. Acha said to

avoid roads that have heavy traffic to minimize vehicular collisions. Riding slower and avoiding hills also ensures safety. Dressing warm and in layers is also important when the weather gets nippy.

“I always recommend wearing a good helmet, especially in the winter when cyclists are prone to slide on the road,” Acha said.

Icy and wet roads can collect debris and road salt, which Acha said can cause a bike’s brake pads to wear faster than usual. Commuting on cleaner roads prevents this issue almost entirely.

Winter roads create less traction, which makes cyclists prone to sliding.

Susan Hueftle, sales associate and bike mechanic for Bici-Mundo Bicycle Sales & Service, said there are ways to make bikes safer to ride when braving icy roads.

Hueftle said studded tires have little spikes that allow them to grip

the road. These can be purchased or even handmade. Fat bikes are another option, because they have thick tires. These bikes are meant for offroad travel but perform well in icy conditions, too.

“These are best modifications to travel safely,” Hueftle said. “They may get expensive, but they’re worth it in the long run.”

The way a bike is stored can also affect wear and tear. Flagstaff Bicycle Revolution sales manager Michael Murphy said indoor storage is optimal, because there is low moisture, warmer temperatures and the possibility of theft is nearly eliminated.

Murphy said if outdoor storage is the only option, bikes should be covered so they do not get too cold or wet and potentially freeze. Moisture and freezing temperatures have the possibility to wreak havoc on a bike’s inner workings. Cold temperatures can cause a bike’s tire pressure to

decrease. To avoid this issue, it’s best to check tire pressure regularly and pump when necessary.

Moisture from snow can also cause a bike’s chain to rust. Wet and oil-based lubricants repel water so the chain stays intact. Water also causes seats to wear faster.

Murphy said bike shops do certain repairs more often in the winter, such as replacing rusted chains. Icy roads can cause more accidents, which calls for repairing bent wheels. Worn brake pads are changed, and brake adjustments are also common.

“I’ve heard of people getting into accidents that are preventable,” Murphy said. “It’s important to know the risks associated with riding bikes, and drivers need to be aware of them, too.”

Accidents can happen at any time and anywhere. Junior Ryan Byrne is from California and said he

Freshman Alex Torgler does maintenance on a bicycle wheel, preparing for a race in the winter Nov. 8, 2018. Morgan Fisher | The Lumberjack

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is not accustomed to the cold weather in northern Arizona. He was hesitant to ride his bike to class when it first started snowing.

On his way to work, Byrne had to ride down a steep hill. He was running late and had no choice but to continue on his bike. Halfway down the hill, he rode onto some ice and lost control of his bike. He fell and landed on his shoulder, which was heavily bruised and extremely sore for several days. His bike was in better shape, with no damages.

“I was glad I was wearing my helmet, because I would be in worse shape,” Byrne said. “When it gets frosty, I’m more cautious with my bike, and I’ve made adjustments, so it is safer to ride.”

Leading into winter, every traveler should make a preemptive strike against ice and snow. These actions make the road a safer place for everyone.

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NOVEMBER 14, 2019 – NOVEMBER 20, 2019 | THE LUMBERJACK

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SPORTS

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Sports change the world

ports have been a part of my life since the time I was able to walk. Some of the most incredible and humbling memories in my life were when I played. From the first time I stepped up to the plate in T-ball to the time my brother sprinted down the field and gave me a hug after I caught my first varsity touchdown, I never lost my love for the games.

Athletics have changed the world, because they’re not always about winning.

They’re about making relationships with your coaches, having your teammates’ backs and achieving goals that you never thought were attainable. It’s about being a role model for the next generation, giving people something to believe in and inspiring the people around you.

JACOB According to a Sky Sports article and TERRILL Stanford University studies, Mohamed Salah’s idenity as a Muslim soccer player ASSISTANT SPORTS for Liverpool reduced the number of hate EDITOR crimes toward Muslims in Merseyside, England by almost 19% in 2018. Small acts of kindness and a humble attitude from the forward were able to change the mindset of so many people, as well as the culture around him.

In 2014, Eric Berry, a defensive back for the Kansas City Chiefs, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. His chances of continuing in the NFL seemed slim to none. However, in June 2015, he beat cancer, returned the next season and was selected for the fourth Pro Bowl of his career.

Sports brings spectators together. Those who watch their favorite team are welcomed into a fan base. Cheering and highfives create moments of pure bliss when something incredible happens to the colors you root for.

I remember going to a Phoenix Suns game when I was younger and sitting in the seventh row in the middle of the court. I remember watching the star of the Suns, Steve Nash, go down with a broken nose midgame. The whole crowd gasped, waiting to see what would happen. When Nash came in with nothing but a bandage across his nose, the crowd roared with excitement. His strength and perseverance gave the fans in the arena someone to believe in.

Even though so many sports fans have athletes to look up to, admiration can go both ways. Washington Wizards point guard John Wall had an opportunity to change the life of a young girl who battled leukemia. Even though Miyah TelemaqueNelson died, Wall said she inspired him to be someone who is remembered for caring and making a difference.

In the end, sports have always been about the inspiration and change they bring to the world.

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Paige Maling (12) celebrates with the NAU women’s soccer team after a score against the University of Houston, Sept. 27.

Brian Burke| The Lumberjack

Paige Maling was born into her role Thomas rodgers

T

hroughout her career at NAU, junior forward Paige Maling has been instrumental to the success of the Lumberjacks soccer team. This comes as no surprise to anyone that knows Maling, because for them, the answer is simple — she has been on the field nearly her entire life.

Maling started playing soccer when she was 3 years old.

Her mother, a member of the Junior Olympic team, brought her daughter to the field at a young age, where Maling developed her skills.

Her father was a collegiate baseball player, and Maling had the support and guidance of athletic parents. She said having two upper-level athletes at home was a huge help at times.

“It’s definitely nice. My mother has a lot of advice to give,” Maling said. “My parents always have a lot of feedback ... and it helps a lot.”

Maling is no stranger to the lead role she stepped into this season. As a four-year starter and two-year captain at Desert Vista High School in Phoenix, Maling was a three-time offensive

MVP and scored the most goals in her league during the 2014 and 2016 seasons. She acquired a multitude of accolades and four consecutive state championship titles.

Stepping into the realm of collegiate sports, Maling said one major component to her success derived from the positive atmosphere that surrounds her team.

“Since I was a freshman, I loved the players I worked with and the coaching staff,” Maling said. “We’ve always been a really close-knit group, and it’s just gotten stronger since I’ve got here.”

Maling’s bond with her teammates is something she holds close to her heart. She said the team has special chemistry and she enjoys training with its members.

Senior forward Mei-Te Coco said she regards Maling as an influential performance player.

“She’s made such an impact this year. She really stepped up in moments that we needed her,” Coco said. “She’s amazing.”

Women’s soccer head coach Kylie Louw said she first met Maling as an assistant coach under former long-time head coach Andre Luciano, who announced his retirement in 2019.

Continued on page 22

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SPORTS Continued from page 20

Stepping up to take on the head coaching position, Louw said she was grateful for Maling’s commitment to the team.

“Paige is so invested in the team, its performance and how she can contribute,” Louw said. “She does everything that she needs to do and more, and I think that’s what has made her so successful this year.”

Louw described Maling as a reliable key player for the team at any time. Her confidence makes her a dangerous asset in highpressure situations on offense.

“She really believes in what we’re trying to do as a team here and helps get her teammates on board as well,” Louw said. “She was able to tell herself, ‘I need to score some goals,’ and having that confidence and freedom to do so is really something special.”

Louw said it is Maling’s mindset that stands out the most and the reason she has been so successful.

Her impact on the team is not something that goes unnoticed

— she sets an example for her younger teammates. Maling helps to mold other confident shooters, such as sophomore defender Madison Montgomery, who now leads the team in goals scored with seven on the season.

“She’s not one to boast,” Louw said. “I think for a while, she was one of the silent leaders, where people go, ‘Wait, Paige works this hard, and these are her results? I want to do that, too.’”

Since the start of the season, Maling has stepped into a slightly more vocal leadership position, which Louw said has boosted her playing ability.

Maling’s performance this season did not go unnoticed.

She was awarded a spot on the Big Sky Conference second team honors alongside Montgomery. Maling and Montgomery have a grasp on two of the top five scoring rankings in the conference, at No. 2 and No. 4. Maling is also No. 6 in the conference for total shots taken.

With Maling’s help, the Lumberjacks lead the conference in

shots and are No. 3 in goals. The team clinched a spot in the Big Sky Conference tournament and entered the quarterfinals ranked No. 5.

The Lumberjacks played the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) Bears in the first round of the conference tournament. Both teams had a scoreless first period and scored one goal in the second half. UNC was able to defeat NAU in overtime with a goal from sophomore forward Lexi Pulley. This sent NAU home in the first round for the third year in a row.

With the loss, the Lumberjacks concluded the season 8-8-3 in Louw’s first year as head coach. The Lumberjacks will head back to the drawing board after losing multiple standout seniors this year, such as Coco, Tatum Heeres, Amanda Bennett and Carly George. Next year will be Maling’s senior year, and she will try to hone her skills to lead the team to a Big Sky Conference Championship.

Athletes and their superstitions in sports Will hopkins

S

uperstitions, which are beliefs and traditions that are considered irrational, can be seen in everyday life but especially in the lives of athletes.

Someone might brush their hair to the right for good luck or may believe in a lucky number. These traditions are vital in the world of sports, and some athletes refuse to step away from their rituals.

The two-time NBA champion Ray Allen is perhaps the best example of a superstitious athlete. Allen would follow the same schedule for every game day. According to EXACT Sports, Allen would take a nap from 11:30 to 1 and then eat chicken and rice at 2:30. He would follow this by shaving his head and walking on the court at 3:30. Finally, he would start his pregame warmup three hours early. Allen’s game day activities were locked in place with little wiggle room.

Superstitions can be small, such as a pregame meal, or they can be midgame habits, like for Amanda Bennett, a senior defender on the NAU women’s soccer team.

“Every single time I mess up on the field, I tighten my hair. I have to,” Bennett said. “Before I take a corner kick or set piece, I have to push my shin guards up.”

Audiences can catch a glimpse of athletic superstitions if they look closely.

However there are, of course, the people who do not believe in superstitions, such as sophomore midfielder Rylee Mitchell on NAU’s soccer team.

“I don’t have any superstitions at all,” Mitchell said. “I just go for it.”

For some athletes, this is the preferred approach — not having rituals can make life easier and relieve stress. Women’s soccer head coach Kylie Louw knows that some of her coaching staff have superstitions, like wearing certain types of socks or not shaving, but she does not do anything out of the ordinary on game days.

“We have to put that in our favor,” Louw said. “We can’t

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leave it up to the gods.”

Superstitions may seem silly to some people, but in reality, they can be quite important to the mental side of sports. Games can often be chaotic and unpredictable, which can be overwhelming for some. Superstitions give athletes something that they can control before a game begins.

While some athletes have abnormal superstitions, others have simple rituals. Take NAU club hockey player Zach Friday, who has to put on his gear in the same order, at the same the time before every game.

Whether or not superstitions are pet peeves of the gods, they can sometimes be interesting to observe during the game.

International soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has seven rituals that dictate his game day activities. This includes who he sits with and what foot touches the pitch first.

Superstitions are a part of everyday life and are even more common among athletes.

They give players a feeling of control they lack in the heat of competition and ways to calm down before a crowd starts cheering.

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Illustration By Madison Cohen

SPORTS

NAU football defeated by ‘Sack’ State

Top Left: Senior runnning back Joe Logan runs the ball against Sacramento State at the Walkup Skydome Nov. 9. Top Right: Offensive line coach Bob Connelly (left) and head coach Chris Ball (right) celebrate on the sideline at the NAU vs. Sacramento State football game at the Walkup Skydome. Bottom: NAU fans cheer for the Lumberjacks against Sacramento State.

Brian Burke | The Lumberjack

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