The Lumberjack -- February 21, 2019

T H E L U M BE R JACK

FEB. 21, 2019 – FEB. 27, 2019

SNOW DAY? PAGE 9

Online at JackCentral.org

From the Editor

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’ve found my peace with relaxation.

We live in a go, go, go culture so focused on constantly working hard without breaks. I used to buy into this lifestyle. I would work from 4 a.m. until noon, go to a class or three, and finish off the day with newspaper edits and homework. It wasn’t uncommon for me to have 15 hour days, driving from one place to another only to come home exhausted with even more work to do. I was so busy I barely had any time to do basic human functions like eat and shower, let alone a relaxing hobby I enjoy.

Amid my multiple mental breakdowns, I kept convincing myself this is what I was supposed to do. This is how I would be successful, what I needed to do to stay on par with everyone else. It got to the point that during any rare moments where I had any down time, I would feel guilty for not being productive.

This is the standard our generation has set and it is incredibly toxic. We are human, we deserve to relax and to have hobbies outside of work. I quit my job after I was pushed to the edge physically and emotionally. My friendships and personal ASHLEY well-being were suffering.

BESING I know quitting your job isn’t feasible for everyone — especially since many COPY CHIEF NAU students are making less than minimum wage (see page 5) — but it’s OK to cut something out of your life to make time for yourself.

Now, I am a healthy amount of busy. I’m in my final semester of college, taking 16 credits and working for The Lumberjack around 20 hours a week. I work the majority of the day, but I now have time to do things I enjoy, like read, spend time with my cat and hang out with friends. Most importantly, I get a healthy amount of sleep and can stay on top of my personal needs.

I still need to work on not feeling guilty for every moment that’s not productive, but I’m getting there. I got out of the trap of putting my health aside for work before it was too late.

There is more to life than work. Enjoy yourself while you’re here.

Thank you for reading.

- Poster Parents The Poster Parents perform at the Media Innovation Center Saturday, Feb 10. To watch the full video go to Jackcentral.org. Shannon Swain, Rylee Flowers, Michael Patacsil and Jack Mehl | 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 6

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

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“You know that I hate this, I know you do so why’d I create this situation?”

On the cover NAU students walk to and from class after a night of snowfall Feb. 18. NAU was not closed due to weather but some professors canceled classes. Jay Soliz | The Lumberjack

Corrections & Clarifications In the Feb. 14 issue of The Lumberjack on the front cover we credited Kiana Gibson as the Illustrator.

Aleah Green designed the front cover.

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 Feb. 11 At 11:14 a.m., NAUPD received a call that there was a suspicious person looking through cars in parking lot 46. Officers went down to the scene, but no contact was made.

At 6:56 p.m., NAUPD found what appeared to be marijuana in lot 63 on campus.

NAUPD officers brought it in as evidence and are conducting further investigations.

Feb. 12 At 10:42 a.m., NAUPD officers pulled over a nonstudent. The suspect was booked into Coconino County Detention Facility (CCDF) on two counts of aggravated DUI, criminally speeding and driving without a license.

At 6:01 p.m., NAUPD responded to a call at Gabaldon Hall where a student was assaulted and transported to Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC). The suspect was taken to the CCDF and charged with two counts of aggravated assault, first-degree trespass, robbery, second-degree burglary and misdemeanor criminal damage.

Compiled by Ciaran Gallagher

NAUPD officers picked up called and reported their the backpack and properly vehicle stolen from the San disposed of it.

Francisco Parking Garage.

NAUPD officers responded Feb. 14 and are on the lookout for the At 12:43 p.m., a student vehicle. contacted NAUPD about a non-injury hit and run near At 11:14 p.m., an the Mountain View Parking NAUPD assisted in helping Garage. NAUPD officers took FPD with a hit and run near a report and have not yet made West Forest Meadows and contact with the suspect.

South Beulah Boulevard that ultimately resulted in an injury At 5:06 p.m., an RA in to the victim.

Allen Hall contacted NAUPD to report the odor of marijuana Feb. 17 inside the building. NAUPD At 12:30 a.m., an officer officers arrived on the scene, pulled over a non-student and while the smell was at the intersection of South present, they were unable to San Francisco street and West locate the source of the odor.

Franklin Avenue. The nonstudent was cited for underage Feb. 15 DUI, minor in consumption At 2:03 a.m., an NAUPD and not providing a valid officer reported assisting a driver’s license. student motorist, who was later arrested for possession of At 12:35 a.m., staff at narcotics, drug paraphernalia Wilson Hall reported the odor and minor in consumption of of marijuana in the building. alcohol. The suspect was then NAUPD officers arrived and booked into the CCDF. there was no odor present.

At 11:50 p.m., NAUPD officers responded to a call in which three students were deferred for the possession and use of marijuana at Gabaldon Hall.

At 1:07 a.m., staff at Sechrist Hall called NAUPD about an intoxicated student.

When NAUPD officers arrived, the student was deferred for minor in consumption.

At 11:10 p.m., three Feb. 16 students at Sechrist Hall were At 2:16 a.m., NAUPD cited and deferred by NAUPD assisted FPD with investigating for possession of marijuana an armed robbery located off and drug paraphernalia. campus.

At 11:12 a.m., two students were deferred at Wilson Hall due to being in possession of drug paraphernalia after a staff member contacted FPD.

Feb. 13 At 1:07 p.m., NAUPD responded to a call from Northern Arizona Care and Services After Assault about a sexual assault at an unknown dorm hall. NAUPD officers are still investigating this incident.

At 4:20 a.m., a student reported being assaulted at the SkyView Apartments. The victim did not wish to pursue criminal charges and instead opted for an informational report.

At 2:10 p.m., a nonAt 2:37 p.m., a student student was taken to CCDF contacted NAUPD about an for third-degree trespass on unattended backpack that campus. was between two utility boxes east of the University Union.

At 2:21 p.m., a student

At 8:17 p.m., an NAUPD officer was waved down at Ernest Calderon Learning Community for assistance with helping a student having a seizure. The student was transported to FMC.

FEB. 21, 2019 – FEB. 27, 2019 | THE LUMBERJACK 3

NEWS

AXElite at night: students express concerns Brennah Brown

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s the frigid nights drag on, students are relying on NAU’s transportation services to get home safely. Some NAU students who need to catch a campus shuttle on Friday nights are becoming increasingly distressed about a new service called NAU AXElite.

AXElite is an evening campus shuttle route offered at various times throughout the school week. For many students, it does not run late enough to accommodate evening Friday classes and other late night activities.

Sophomore Mariah Letowt, a resident of Pine Ridge Village on south campus, said her commute relies heavily on campus shuttle services.

“I probably ride AXElite twice a week after my afternoon classes end, but I can’t on Fridays because the shuttles stop running before I get out of work at a very reasonable hour of 5:45 p.m.,” Letowt said. On Friday nights, the AXElite shuttle stops at 5 p.m.

The evening AXElite shuttle service runs from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. It also compliments the Jacks Line and Louie Line, which are the two daytime campus shuttles.

However, no campus shuttle service is available during the weekends.

Letowt works as a teacher’s assistant apprentice for a freshman biology lab located on north campus Wettaw Building. She and other students find themselves in a predicament every Friday evening when all the campus shuttle services have stopped for the weekend.

“One time I got out of my biology lab on Friday around 5:50 p.m,” Letowt said. “One of my students and I were standing out in the snow at the centennial bus stop for about 20 minutes before checking the shuttle app only to figure out there were no shuttles running anymore. So I had my friend come and pick me up.”

Sophomore Darcy Hayashi spends a large amount of her time in north campus classes and activities. Hayashi explained her experiences regarding the AXElite shuttle.

“By the time my evening SI [suplimental instruction] sessions and open labs end around 5 p.m., all the shuttle services have stopped, so I just walk back to my apartment on south campus,” Hayashi said.

Hayashi said there is the possibility of taking the Mountain Line’s Route 10, a Flagstaff city bus route that runs through the campus.

Mountain Line buses stop less frequently than

Freshman Victor Gastelum drives the AXElite shuttle at NAU Feb. 18. Gastelum has been driving the AXElite shuttle for six months.

John Chaides | The Lumberjack

campus shuttles do.

However, the Mountain Line is free to students with their I.D. “I guess I could take the city bus when they’re available, but those arrive every 20 to 40 minutes depending on what the weather is like or how crowded the buses are,” Hayashi said.

“After a while on Friday nights, lots of the north campus buildings are locked and so you can’t wait in them for the city bus when it’s freezing outside.”

Sophomore Jasmine Tinoco also has something to say about the lack of campus shuttles available on Friday evenings. Tinoco participates in Friday night academic activities, many of which are located on opposite sides of campus.

“I ride AXElite at least five times a week,” Tinoco said. “I understand that AXElite is new and I really like it, but it’s such an inconvenience on Friday because there are no shuttle routes

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available after my SI sessions end.”

Tinoco also suggested the university should promote the NAUgo app more than it does currently.

“The app has all the live shuttle times listed under a tab and many students don’t even know that the app exists,” Tinoco said.

Though most students are under the impression that AXElite is an entirely new shuttle route, the route is actually a renamed service that has been around for many years, according to Judy Manor, assistant director of NAU Campus Shuttle Services.

“We decided to use this route in the evenings during the regular semesters because it covers the majority of the Jack’s Route,” Manor said. “Also, it provides service to central campus, specifically Wilson Hall.”

According to Manor, both Louie and Jacks Line are equally heavy in load count because they provide service during the day, whereas AXElite

has a much lighter service because it runs after the most common university classes end. Manor said that shuttle services average around 10,000 passengers per day Monday through Thursday, On Friday, there are about 5,000 passengers.

AXElite bus times were determined by the university in order to provide service to students with later classes during the weekdays. Friday nights are not common for a heavy course load, but students are still impacted by the lack of buses available.

Manor discussed the response from students. “The response we’ve received has been positive as we’re covering most stops in one route,” Manor said As AXElite continues to run its course throughout NAU’s busy roadways, students will continue to find their own ways to commute, with or without this service.

NEWS

Left: Taylor Olsen works for minimum wage at Star Ginger in the University Union Feb. 17. Right: Einstein Bros Bagels employees work their shift at the University Union Feb. 17.

Karl Kluge | The Lumberjack

Student minimum wage debate rages on Teana Long

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AU students have created a petition to demand their wages be raised from $7.25 per hour to Flagstaff’s minimum wage, which was raised to $12 on Jan. 1.

Additionally, Arizona’s minimum wage is $11 per hour.

Junior Jacob Varrone a student employee who works as a cashier at the Campus Health Services Pharmacy, said he felt passionate about the issue and believes students deserve better.

Varrone said there are many students who work at public universities that are paid less than the state’s minimum wage.

“That is a lot of people, young people in particular, who have a lot going on who could use that money,” Varrone said.

As a result, students have decided to take a stand. According to change.org, the petition currently has over 2,500 signatures.

In 2016, Arizona residents voted to pass

Proposition 206 which raised the minimum wage in Arizona to $10 in 2017 and will incrementally increase to $12 by 2020. It also allows for paid sick time off from employment.

However, this excludes those who work for the state, which includes universities.

In 2016, Flagstaff residents voted for Proposition 414, which allowed the city’s minimum wage to annually increase. On Jan. 1, Flagstaff’s minimum wage was raised to $12, and it will be $15 per hour by 2021.

According to NAU’s tuition expenses web page, for the 2016-2017 school year students who did not receive financial aid and lived in Arizona had an annual tuition bill of $26,923.

Students who did not receive financial aid and lived out-of-state paid $40,705. The website provides numerous options for scholarships and financial aid to lessen these expenses.

According to NAU’s Career Development website, the university employs more than 3,000 on-campus student employees. Many of these

student workers are paid less than the current Flagstaff minimum wage.

There are a variety of reasons to why students choose to work at NAU over finding a off-campus job. Many students seek employment through their university for the convenience it offers. Flexible hours and free food are often what entices students to go after these university jobs.

There are some students, however, that believe student wages are fair. Sophomore Nancy Flores said that she thinks the pay is good considering how many students the university employs. Flores lives on campus and said that being a True Blue Ambassador for University Admissions helps pay for her groceries and school supplies. Flores said people need to be aware that if the university raises their wages, there may be fewer jobs available for students.

Grace Davis, another sophomore employed

by NAU, said the pay does not matter as much to her. Davis is a Peer Jacks Mentor who gets

paid $10 per hour.

“I wanted to help out-of-state freshmen feel welcome and a part of NAU,” Davis said.

Davis said while the money is a nice bonus, she really wants to help improve a student’s college experience.

While some believe minimum wage is something that should be necessary for college students, one Flagstaff representative is not so sure.

Travis Grantham, from District 12 in the Arizona House of Representatives, is sponsoring House Bill 2523, which would make it legal to continue to pay students less than the minimum wage.

Students are divided on whether or not their wages should be increased. Some students say that the wage increase is necessary. Others agree that an increase in wages could mean job loss and less job openings because the university may have to compensate for more higher wages and possibly be forced to lay off some students.

FEB. 21, 2019 – FEB. 27, 2019 | THE LUMBERJACK 5

NEWS

Public universities fueling the economy Trevor Skeen

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n 2017, NAU, UA and ASU generated approximately $11.1 billion that impacted Arizona’s economy, according to the Economic and Fiscal Impact of the Arizona Public University Enterprise report. The analysis was conducted by Elliott D. Pollack & Co. and the Maguire Company.

John Arnold, the executive director of ABOR, shared his thoughts on the influence of the Arizona public university system.

“Through education, research and service, Arizona’s public universities are fueling the state’s economy,” Arnold said.

Ron Shoopman, the chair of the Board and chair of the Regents Executive Committee and

“Through education, research and service, Arizona’s public universities are fueling the state’s economy” -John Arnold, ABOR executive director Regents Award Selection Committee of ABOR, addressed the role of Arizona public universities.

He noted the significance that NAU, ASU and UA have in preparing the next generation.

“Our three universities represent so much more for the state as we train the next generation that will discover and develop new technology, medicines, procedures and products,” Shoopman said.

According to an email from NAU spokeswoman Kimberly Ott, NAU President Rita Cheng spoke on the matter.

“I am pleased that this report validates what our public university system has known for years — the results of our efforts affect the quality of life, health, education and economic outcomes of the State of Arizona,” Cheng said in the email.

Arizona’s public universities offer a platform for education, but they also contribute to local communities and businesses.

According to the report, the three public Arizona universities generated an estimated

Illustration By Amy Czachowski

$451.7 million in tax revenue for state, county, city and local governments.

Additionally, the report said that Arizona public universities provide infrastructure and support for local communities through their revenue and operation. They also help provide future workers for employers throughout the

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state, who can contribute to business expansion and profit.

The report goes on to say that research universities contribute to ensuring an adequate supply of qualified employees for the growth and expansion of the existing regional and state employers and for new and relocating businesses.

The three Arizona public universities also contributed meaningful research from graduate students and faculty.

Based on the economic report, research expenditures of the Arizona Public University Enterprise exceeded $2 billion. In fiscal year 2017, NAU developed $90.3 million in both direct and indirect research expenditures. ASU added $886.5 million in research output. UA contributed over $1 billion in research value.

Along with demonstrating effective economic influence, the three Arizona public universities also offer a widespread job market.

The report states that the Arizona Public University Enterprise created 84,355 jobs in 2017.

This significant employment statistic is provided through a variety of factors. According to the report, 10,000 jobs were generated through university purchases, 20,000 were created through student spending, 4,000 were needed for construction and over 11,000 were supported through the spending of university faculty and staff. The job market within Arizona public universities is immense and complex.

Out-of-state visitors and sources also left a large impact on Arizona’s economy. This category includes out-of-state tuition, fees, grants and private gifts and contracts, among others.

Based on an ABOR news release, these sources contributed an estimated $3.8 billion in economic output. Nonresident students play a significant role in developing and strengthening Arizona’s economy, while also helping to diversify and advance it.

Another substantial economic influence within the state of Arizona is the military. For a sense of comparison, the ABOR news release juxtaposed the universities’ 2017 fiscal report to Arizona military operations in 2014. That year, Arizona’s principal military operations generated approximately $11.5 billion in economic output and 76,714 jobs. This is similar to the effect of the university system in 2017, which shows the extensive role the universities play in strengthening Arizona’s economy.

Cheng discussed the specific influence of NAU within the Flagstaff community.

“We create jobs, intellectual property, technology transfer, and business incubation, and we educate and develop the sophisticated, high-level workforce that meets the demands of today’s industry,” Cheng said in an email.

In the future, Arizona’s public universities will continue their growing influence and economic effect.

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ASKCHARLIE_LJ FEB. 21, 2019 – FEB. 27, 2019 | THE LUMBERJACK 7

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VISUAL SPOTLIGHT

SNOW DAY Top: A Target cart is tipped over into a pile of snow in the courtyard of Calderon Hall at NAU, Feb. 17 Joseph Whitney | The Lumberjack Middle Left: NAU’s yellow bikes buried in snow, Feb. 18 Jay Soliz | The Lumberjack Bottom Left: Shopping carts lie on their side in the snow after a night of cold temperatures and snowfall Feb. 18. Jay Soliz | The Lumberjack Right: NAU freshman Jacob Rome throwing snowballs on campus after a day of classes.

Jay Soliz | The Lumberjack

FEB. 21, 2019 – FEB. 27, 2019 | THE LUMBERJACK 9

OPINION-EDITORIAL

Making an outfit work Q Redmond

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Sex in the Sutra

ex, lust and weird positions isn’t what the Kama Sutra is all about. It may sound like an ancient Indian PornHub written on parchments of palm leaves, but it is a book of lifestyle that serves a greater purpose, especially for people following Dharma — meaning ‘faith’ in the ancient Indian language Sanskrit.

The ancient Indians found the real meaning behind sex thousands of years ago, leaving today’s world still swiping right on Tinder for answers. Don’t get the words twisted. It’s Kama, not Karma. Kama means material needs. These needs such as eroticism, passions and desire are understood to give a person fulfillment, both spiritually and PRUTHVI physically.

KHILOSIA The Sutra, which means ‘collection’ or ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR ‘sayings,’ is written to emphasize the growth and changes of the human body and what goals can be attained before death such as the nature of love, finding a life partner and maintaining one’s love life. The Sutra is ultimately saying that through the ever-changing body and mind, one will go through changes and experiences and should totally embrace them. There is no need to fear unexpected urges to explore in oneself or in others .

People can’t fall in love if they aren’t familiar with the concept or their own bodies. It is true, you will experience lust at unexpected times and you will want to know how your body operates or what it is feeling, and the only way you can do that is with self-exploration.

The Kama Sutra gets rid of negative stigmas around sex and venerates the idea of bodily expression regardless of gender.

Homosexuality and sexual expression aren’t considered a ‘sin’ in Dharma. Sex should be practiced to better yourself. Sexual fluidity is needed because pleasure resides in our soul. It makes you a better person and brings you closer to peace with the body.

An example of sexual fluidity is foreplay in the Sutra. There are stories of kings asking servants to please them and help them prepare for sex with their queens. Queens would ask their maids to massage their breasts and loosen up the vulva for sex with their kings.

When one is in harmony with their body, one can start harmonizing with others, creating a bond that is comfortable for both. The deepest connection during sex is being familiar with the body. When one knows how the body works, it is ensured that one will have a passionate time for eternity.

Eliminating labels, gender and conformist ideas around something so natural and beautiful helps us appreciate each other’s bodies and become aware of others in society. You won’t look at someone in disgust anymore when you know what’s under those pants or bras.

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here are very few jobs that have no dress code. Whether it is a suit and tie, a blouse and pencil skirt, a polo or a company-designed T-shirt, almost all jobs require a certain way of dressing. This is not to mention restrictions on piercings, hair color, nails and tattoos.

When employers take control of how employees dress, they also take control of part of that employee’s identity. This is a generally accepted part of American culture that reveals a disturbing picture when considered thoroughly.

Workplace dress restrictions may not be a problem for those who have the ability and desire to align their identity with a brand. For those without the ability, it is another hurdle to overcome in finding work.

For those without the desire, it is another compromise — another part

Illustration By kiana gibson

of yourself that you have to sell in order to survive.

My partner sometimes says that I am vain. I accept my vanity it because research has shown that the way we look and dress affects how others see us.

According to the Association for Psychological Science, people judge each other in milliseconds on traits like extroversion, ability to lead and sexuality. If I am vain for doing all I can to use those milliseconds to portray the image I want to portray, then so be it.

More importantly, there is also a large body of research showing that how someone dresses changes the way they see themselves, according to a study from the book “Fashion and Textile” called “Dress, body and self: research in the social psychology of dress.”

Identity is often thought of as a permanent thing, but it can be changed as easily as putting on a new shirt.

This can be a double-edged sword. While uniforms can make one feel trapped, they also help someone “play the part” of their job. I often feel both when I put on my uniform.

I am employed as a cook at IHOP, which I do not enjoy.

Putting on my uniform reminds me of how much I am beholden to them.

But I also enjoy the art of cooking. It is probably what I put the most effort into besides school and work. Putting on my chef ’s coat and apron makes me feel like a real chef.

It is not the actual uniform that I resent. It is not even that I have to wear a uniform. What actually upsets me about workplace dress requirements is that I have no choice.

On a certain level, employers have justification for requiring dress codes and uniforms. Many uniform items, like aprons or nonslip shoes, are functional. A unified look also helps customers identify employees in service industry jobs.

When someone gets employed at a company, they represent that company’s brand. And a company has a right to control their brand.

But an individual has a right to their identity. By saying a company’s brand is more important than an individual’s identity, what is really being said is that money is more important than humanity.

The solution I propose is changing the culture of workplace attire from a controlling relationship to a dialog between employer and employee. There should be an understanding of what is optional, what is required and, most importantly, why.

The reason this typically does not exist is because there is usually no reason for dress codes beyond a company overriding an employee’s identity to match the brand.

But what will really support a brand — and perhaps more importantly, human dignity — is a culture of openness and freedom of identity.

OPINION-EDITORIAL

Confidence is sexy ... or is it?

Scout ehrler

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ftentimes, confidence is more of a concept than an attribute and is almost obscure. People talk about confidence as if it’s a white whale, an unattainable goal we spend our whole lives chasing. Some are born with it, others have earned it, but it’s something we all want.

Confidence is the answer to all our problems, the thing that will make us desirable, fun to be around and most importantly, sexy.

Confidence is sexy. This is a widely accepted subjective truth and a fallacy. It’s said time and time again, yet the true implications of the phrase are often overlooked. When someone says, “confidence is sexy,” they are exclusively talking about sexual attraction, specifically in reference to how someone flaunts themselves, per se.

Upon scouring numerous painful articles titled anything from “Four Reasons Self-Confidence is Crazy Sexy,” to “Confidence is Sexy: 10 Ways to Show it,” I observed a theme in relationships: the idea that one should be confident because it will attract a partner — romantic, sexual or otherwise.

By and large, this advice is targeted toward women and is extremely heteronormative. The focus is not self-acceptance or

self-love and explains to women that if they appear confident, they will attract a man.

The contexts in which the phrase, “confidence is sexy,” is commonly used are ones with attractive, promiscuous or scantily clad women. If a woman is comfortable or confident enough to present herself as such, to put herself out there, she is worthy of sexual attention. On a separate, but relevant note, these same women are often shamed and called “sluts” for the same behavior which makes them “sexy.”

I am a rather confident woman, and while it ebbs and flows, I’ve always been outspoken and confident in what I have to say, whether or not anyone is listening. Ironically enough, in my experience, men hate this.

Men tend to be put off or even become hostile when I am willing to argue with them or prove them wrong if they are, in fact, wrong. I also dress rather conservatively, wearing mom jeans and crew neck T-shirts nearly every day. So in general, I’m unattractive or “too much” for many men. I’m unattractive and confident.

Do you see the contradictions?

In my experience and from my observations — talkative, opinionated, strong women are intimidating to many men. As much as men love to throw around, “Confidence is sexy,” they can

be extremely insecure and immediately turned off by a woman who challenges them.

To be fair, these are generalizations. The men I surround myself with are ones who respect women, no matter how loud. A disgusting reality we all must face is that society and the media program people, specifically men, to view women in an unfavorable light — weak, incapable, simple objects.

Women who challenge these stereotypes and socialized ideas can be treated with distaste and are targets of descriptors such as, bossy and emotional.

The argument isn’t, “Do you love yourself?” but rather, “Do you appear confident enough to attract a man, but not scare him away?” And until we no longer socialize boys to treat women as lesser and view them as sexual objects, this isn’t going to change.

Illustration By dominic davies

A potential never-ending spring break may be here on a work or student visa or anything of that nature.

My concern is that I’m in a world with Agent Orange as the ith spring break approaching, people are discussing U.S. president. plans involving water, sand and accents. My biggest If I decide to go to Mexico, for example, I worry I might not concern is if I leave the states to celebrate this long- make it back. Will I get stuck on the other side of the imaginary awaited senioritis fix, will I be able to get back in ? wall?

What if I went to Mexico? Talks of borders, walls and Agents always look at my passport funny when my nationality checking passports is enough to make anyone, born in the states says American but my birthplace reads the United Kingdom. And or not, nervous. then come the questions, where I have to prove my AmericanWhen people here on visas, even celebrities, can be targeted ness. and detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Luckily, the one time I left the country, a passport, two forms and whole families can be separated, you start to wonder if of ID, my blood type, a map of my complete DNA makeup and a anyone legally residing in the states without being born here is picture of my American family saved the day when TSA stared at exempt from the risk of deportation. my documents in the airport. Just kidding — well, kind of.

Due to having a father who served in the military, I was However, there are people who have to jump through born overseas in Lakenheath, England — a town just two more hoops than I do, whether that pertains to flying or hours from London, if you were looking for a reference driving out of the country. People are given a hard time point. This means that I have dual citizenship, one in based on documents, physical appearance, accents the United Kingdom and one in the United States. and a perceived notion of being intimidating or However, since customs and immigration lines dangerous because they are foreign. never ask for your full life story, no one instantly That’s why it is extremely important to knows the specifics of my documentation. know your rights. The American Civil Liberties I’m not comparing myself to someone Union (ACLU) works to preserve the rights in the U.S. who doesn’t have permanent citizenship in For example, the American Civil Liberties Union site Illustration By aleah green says if you’re crossing the border, the border patrol the U.S., had to file for it, or someone who

kiara brown

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must have reasonable cause to pull you over and ask about your immigration status.

Hunches and race presumption do not fall in the category of probable cause.

It’s not like border patrol or police officers stop people based on odd suspicion or race, right?

Should you get stopped, regardless of reasoning, be sure to get the agent’s information including name, badge number or any other info you can acquire.

With all of this being said, should you allow your nerves to get the best of you and keep you sedentary? Maybe. Everyone’s circumstances are always different, are always personal and should be weighed on a case-by-case basis.

Will I allow my fear to stop me from leaving the U.S.?

No. It hasn’t before and it won’t ever.

I don’t represent everyone who struggles with documentation and leaving and entering different countries. Our levels of difficulty are not on the same scale or even comparable, for that matter.

I’m someone who gets side-eyed and second-guessed at the airport and probably will receive the same treatment at the border as well. I am someone who, should I be halted from re-entering America, isn’t so sure I’d even want to come back.

No country works harder than the good ‘ole U.S. of A. to keep people out.

FEB. 21, 2019 – FEB. 27, 2019 | THE LUMBERJACK 11

FEATURES

Office of Student Affairs assists parents in need Paige Arvizu

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ccording to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it costs nearly $14,000 for a middle-class family to feed a single child for a year. Sixteen percent of those costs account for child care related fees. In response to these realities, NAU has facilitated a child care voucher program in recent years which offers weekly stipends to qualifying students with children.

JJ Boggs became the head director of the voucher program shortly after it lost government funding. She said the program is now available to all students, no matter which NAU campus they attend.

“The child care voucher program has been around since 2009 and was originally funded through the Department of Education,” Boggs said. “Then, when that funding ran out, the university decided it was too important a program to cut. NAU has funded the program each year since.”

When a student meets the criteria to be enrolled in the program, they may then choose a child care facility and begin receiving a stipend.

In order to meet the standards of the program, students must be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant and enrolled in at least three credit hours.

Boggs said the financial burdens of attending school while raising a child can be strenuous. She said members of the child care voucher program are genuinely concerned with lifting some of these burdens.

“It’s really tricky and challenging to be both a student and a parent,” Boggs said. “The voucher program is designed to help students stay in school and to take the edge off the financial challenge of paying for child care. The program doesn’t usually cover the full cost of care, but it does make a difference.”

Vouchers typically range from $35 to $65 per week for a single child.

The more credits a student takes on, the larger their stipend may be. Boggs said the voucher does not typically cover the entire cost of child care, but

The Ark Early Childhood Learning Center in Flagstaff features many interactive spaces where children can learn and grow, Feb. 17.

John Chaides | The Lumberjack

it can relieve some financial stress.

“When you think about it, $35 per child each week isn’t a big sum of money, but if it helps take the edge off of child care costs and allows students to save their money for other things, then that’s fantastic,” Boggs said.

“That’s what the program is all about.”

Janet Strada, who is both a parent and senior at NAU, discovered the program while searching for family housing through the Office of Student Affairs. Strada is currently a full-time student and has one child. She said the program has been successful in helping her cope with the costs of being both a mother and student.

“It helps me pay most of my daycare costs so I don’t have to work too much and can still handle my course work,” Strada said.

As of fall 2018, the voucher program has approved 24 parents

with 31 children and makes payments to 14 different daycare facilities in the Flagstaff community. Boggs said members of her team are focused on improving the program and increasing its scope.

“The challenge for us is to find more people to take advantage of the program, but I think that’s on the horizon for us,” Boggs said.

Michael Shaffer is a student parent who is currently pursuing a doctorate degree while simultaneously supporting his three children. Shaffer said he’s benefited greatly from taking part in the program.

“Anything helps, especially when you’re a student and don’t have the luxury of being able to work full time,” Shaffer said.

Boggs said facilitators of the program strive to be accommodating toward new members. She said the

“Anything helps, especially when you’re a student and don’t have the luxury of being able to work full time” -MICHAEL SHAFFER, STUDENT PARENT

12 THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

program even allows parents to request new facilities be added to the school’s list of approved providers.

“When a student fills out an application — if they’re using a child care facility that’s not listed in the drop down menu — they can provide all the proper contact information for that facility and make use of its services,” Boggs said. “I’ll then look into each facility to see if it meets our insurance requirements and, if so, I add it to our list.”

The program has seen many improvements in the past year. Boggs said they’ve tried to make the program more accessible to prospective participants by switching to paperless applications.

“We went from a paper application, which was cumbersome, to an electronic application that fills in a lot of information for the student,” Boggs said. “The application is able to automatically accesses information about applicants behind the scenes.”

Strada said even though the program has helped her and her child, she’d like to be able to obtain larger

sums of assistance from the voucher.

While she said her current voucher amount does help with costs, there is still a large financial obligation for her to fill.

“I hope that in the future, the voucher will help with more costs,” Strada said. “There is still a sizable portion of child care costs that students are responsible for.”

Though the voucher program is only in its first year of being facilitated by the university, Shaffer said it’s been effective in helping with his costs. He said that the only improvement to the program he might like to see would be in-house care options for participants.

“The voucher program took care of about half of my child care costs per week,” Shaffer said. “It’s helped tremendously, though it’d be nice if NAU had their own child care facility.”

As facilitators of the voucher program seek to expand the scope of its care, parents interested in applying are encouraged by university staff to reach out to the Office of Student Affairs for more information.

FEATURES

Are we alone in the universe?

Ashley Lohmann

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pace enthusiasts are in abundance in northern Arizona as the region is said to have one of the most mystifying night skies in America. In evaluating the age-old question of whether or not we are alone in the universe, northern Arizona fanatics and alleged abductees have made claims which astronomers warn locals to be wary of.

According to the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), an organization dedicated to UFO investigation and research, Arizona is home to one of the most prominent alien researchers in America, Melinda Leslie. Leslie claims to have been abducted by aliens on several occasions. She is now a lecturer of “UFOology,” as well as a UFO tour guide at the Center for the New Age in Sedona.

In an interview with the Travel Channel, Leslie said she feels that evidence is the backbone of belief, but acknowledged how evidence may look different to a scientist than to members of the

“I think part of the reason we see so much of this, especially here in the southwest, is because of our beautiful night skies.”

-NAdine Barlow, chair for The Department of Physics and Astronomy general public. Regardless, Leslie said that personal exploration is the best means to discover one’s own beliefs about the age-old question of whether or not aliens exist.

“There’s nothing like having your own personal experience, your own sighting or your own abduction to convince yourself of the reality of the subject,” Leslie said in her interview with the Travel Channel.

Although Leslie’s accounts have received substantial media coverage, local astronomers say they are skeptical of her claims.

Freshman Kailey Corral, the secretary of NAU’s Astronomy Club, said because people are naturally drawn to conspiracy theories, the public might be compelled to believe Leslie’s testimony.

Corral said she believes it’s unethical for Leslie to profit from her claimed experiences.

Corral also said the widespread knowledge of abductees’ accounts might not be a good thing. She claimed there is no factual evidence for the existence of alien life. Even though some find tales of UFO sightings to be exciting, Corral believes these stories are hard to trust because of the fame that often comes with telling them.

“Everyone wants a taste of fame,” Corral said. “Once they get the opportunity, people tend to run with it. If someone comes out and says, ‘I was abducted by aliens,’ people can look at that

and say, ‘whoa, look at the attention this person is getting. I who’ve never seen our nighttime sky. It causes them to ask, ‘Are we could easily do that.’ It’s hard to figure out who’s actually telling alone, or could there be something or somebody else out there?’” the truth because we don’t actually know what these people are Barlow said many of the strange phenomena witnessed by thinking.” out-of-state visitors can be scientifically explained.

Ethics aside, Nadine Barlow, the chair for NAU’s Department “Many times, when people who are not familiar with the of Physics and Astronomy, said a lack of evidence behind Leslie’s nighttime sky see something that looks odd to them, they say, claims has led Barlow to believe that her testimony is false.

‘Oh my gosh, it must be a UFO,’” Barlow said. “Venus is a really “At this point, scientists don’t have any evidence that there’s good example of this. It’s an incredibly bright planet, but if you’re life anywhere else in the universe,” Barlow said. “We haven’t not familiar with Venus, you might think it couldn’t be anything detected anything that we can definitely say is alive within our other than a UFO. We also have a lot of military bases here in the solar system, let alone elsewhere in the universe. That doesn’t stop Southwest. If you look at where a lot of these UFO sightings are people from asking, ‘Why would we be alone in the universe?’ reported, they’re typically not too far from military bases.”

That’s always been the big question.”

Barlow, Gialluca and Corral all agreed that According to Barlow, the question of Flagstaff’s municipal lighting restrictions alien life has been a driving force for and subsequent darker night skies draw scientific discovery. She said curiosity people from all walks of life. Gialluca surrounding alien life even had a said the city serves as somewhat role to play in the founding of of a hub for various kinds of Flagstaff’s Lowell Observatory. astrotourism. She said the The lack of evidence excitement surrounding for alien life within the alien encounters and UFO universe certainly poses sightings accounts for some questions regarding much of this tourism, Leslie’s abduction but ultimately, the accounts.

However, fact that the Milky sophomore Megan Way Galaxy can be Gialluca, an Astronomy seen from virtually major and public anywhere in Flagstaff is program educator at the what makes the city so Lowell Observatory, said magnetic. Despite their there are many theories disagreements, Gialluca which might explain this said a cooperative union lack of evidence. between astronomers and “Just because aliens UFO enthusiasts could be might exist doesn’t mean they’d beneficial to both parties. ever contact us in any way, shape Barlow said curiosity or form,” Gialluca said. surrounding the possibility of Despite the lack of scientific proof, alien life should be applied toward believers regard certain phenomena as scientific research on the matter, rather absolute evidence for alien existence. Sophomore than towards wild speculation. Believers Illustration By Christian Ayala like De Hart and NAU senior Dana Savanah De Hart said occurrences like the Phoenix lights phenomenon — an event in which strange lights were widely Kamberg, however, take abduction observed above a clear Arizona night sky in 1997 — can only be accounts as evidence enough for the existence of aliens. Kamberg explained by the presence of extraterrestrials. De Hart said she said she feels that humans couldn’t possibly be the only intelligent believes Leslie has not fabricated accounts of abduction. life in such a vast universe.

“There’s just too much weird stuff that happens,” De Hart “What these people are saying would be a lot to make up,” said. “I definitely feel like the existence of aliens is a possibility Kamberg said. “I think that what they’re telling us is real. On that shouldn’t be so easily dismissed.”

Earth, we have intelligent species, so there must be intelligent life Leslie’s abduction stories and the Phoenix lights phenomenon outside Earth as well.” are not the only supposed alien encounters which have occurred Local astronomers say the best way to engage in personal in the Southwest. According to Barlow, the region is home to discovery is through familiarizing themselves with the night sky countless tales of UFO sightings and abductions. and cultivating a personal scientific understanding of space.

“I think part of the reason we see so much of this, especially Barlow, Gialluca and Corral all agree that Flagstaff is a prime here in Southwest, is because of our beautiful night skies,” Barlow location for engaging in the personal discovery of the wonders of said. “There are a lot of people who come in from out of state the stars.

FEB. 21, 2019 – FEB. 27, 2019 | THE LUMBERJACK 13

FEATURES

Finding inner strength

Buddhist Monk Gen-La Jampa speaks to attendants of his inner-strength talk Feb. 13 at the Unitarian church in Flagstaff. According to Buddhist principles, inner strength comes from facing your fears and controlling your “monkey mind.� Chase Warren | The Lumberjack

14 THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

FEATURES

Eunson Awards focus on Indigenous news coverage Owen Sexton & Teana Long

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ecognition, respect and awards are given to journalists who have helped provide Native Americans a voice.

As the news world continues to evolve in the modern era, those who report the news face the growing issue of what communities and stories to focus on. At 6 p.m. Feb. 13 students, faculty and family gathered at the Native American Cultural Center (NACC) to honor recipients of the Associated Press (AP) Eunson Award. The awardees were chosen due to the communities and issues they centered their work around.

Navajo-Hopi Observer (NHO) associate editor Katherine Locke was the recipient of the 2019 Eunson Alumni Achievement Award. The 2006 NAU graduate won this award for her work with the NHO, which focuses on covering indigenous people and their stories.

Locke has spent her career working to ensure that indigenous people’s voices are heard and issues that happen on reservations do not go unnoticed. While she recognized pillars of the indigenous communities by highlighting them in her stories, Locke talked about the importance of sharing stories of those often overlooked by mainstream media.

Locke said the mainstream media portrays stories about indigenous communities and uses certain stories to ignore others using the media’s coverage of Nathan Phillips and Nick Sandmann during the Indigenous People’s March earlier this year.

“The media focused on this one incident, and none of us got to hear any of the other stories of the Indigenous People’s March. What people are fighting for, what they have been fighting for, for years,” Locke said.

Locke also brought up how Phillips was portrayed by the mainstream media. She asked those in attendance if the confrontation between Phillips and Sandmann did not happen, would the media have reported about the march. The room fell silent and nobody answered.

“There were different things that they were fighting for and marching for,” Locke said.

“It was supposed to be a celebration of Native people coming together nationwide and around the world. They were talking about murdered and missing indigenous women. They were talking about clean water.”

Among the many causes and uncovered stories people protested for during the march were the countless missing Native women, violence against indigenous people and changes

Felicia Fonseca, Katherine Locke, Antonia Gonzales, Josh Hoffner Wendy Howell | WGCN

to environmental regulations.

Fighting back tears, Locke thanked her community and family for her award.

National Native News (NNN) author Antonia Gonzales was recognized for her service to indigenous people as an anchor as well as a producer for NNN with the Eunson Distinguished Lecturer Award. She shared some of her work covering stories from Alaska to Arizona. Gonzales talked about the need for journalists to write the stories of indigenous people because they are often the stories that get ignored.

“There’s still a lack of daily stories. We don’t see them every day on your mainstream news

when you turn on your TV,” Gonzales said.

“There’s a lot of good stories out there, not just when something is controversial or tragic, or you know we see a lot of gaming stories, but there are a lot of great things going on in Indian country that news organizations are not covering.”

Gonzales believes that collaboration is key to fixing this issue.

“The last few years, National Native News has been collaborating with different news organizations, including New Mexico PBS on a show called New Mexico In Focus, and in 2016 we did a Native voter project looking at young people and voting,” Gonzales said.

Gonzales thanked her friends, family and

associates for her award.

The Eunson award is named after Robert Eunson, an AP executive who worked for years both writing and broadcasting. Some of his work include covering events in both the Pacific and European theaters during World War II and breaking the news of the armistice at the end of the Korean War. While not an NAU graduate, Eunson did graduate from the Arizona Teacher’s College in 1936, which later became NAU and after graduating he got his start working for the Flagstaff Journal and the Holbrook Tribune News.

FEB. 21, 2019 – FEB. 27, 2019 | THE LUMBERJACK 15

CULTURE

Left: During a Northern Arizona Merchandising Association (NAMA) meeting, members take part in DIY projects to expand their knowledge of different craft styles, Feb. 7. Right: Freshman Joe Carando sells a jacket he upcycled. During meetings NAMA gives members the opportunity to sell and exchange clothing with other members, Feb. 7. Jay Soliz | The Lumberjack

NAMA keeps Flagstaff fashionable Audrey Woods

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ew trends, upcoming fashion shows and hot new designers might not be what every NAU student is talking about.

However, for the members of the Northern Arizona Merchandising Association (NAMA), these are commonly discussed at their meetings, among many other topics.

Each meeting begins with students introducing themselves, as new members are always welcome to join. Introductions are followed by discussing upcoming events and projects for the club. This includes big events like Phoenix Fashion Week and smaller ones such as their recent Love Yourself photoshoot, where members got to style themselves to match a Valentine’s Day theme.

“It’s a fashion club, but we’re more like a family,” said senior club president Joe Anderson.

“We do a lot of DIY events and projects, photo shoots on the weekends, visual displays and we work with Phoenix Fashion Week.”

In the past, NAMA has attended the Phoenix Art Museum and a Flagstaff thrifting

tour as a group, as well as seminars set up by their faculty adviser and merchandising professor “Kris” Swanson. New York City-based stylist and blogger Audree Kate spoke with the group in October 2018.

“We get students to do everything. We get students who will do modeling and we get students who will be designers and we’ll get students who will be the dressers and the backstage people,” Swanson said. “Many people end up being part of it, taking ownership and making it fun.”

Aside from volunteering at big industry events in Phoenix, NAMA organizes similar events for the Flagstaff area. The club has been planning a spring fashion show of their own titled Flagstaff in Bloom. The event is organized and run by students and will take place at Ashurst Auditorium April 5. Swanson said the show will be special to watch.

“Now that I’m president, NAMA has really allowed me to use my passion for event planning and fashion shows and it gave me that platform to do so,” Anderson said. “So if you’re interested in fashion shows, NAMA is the place to be.”

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As president, Anderson oversees the executive staff, making sure all members are part of the planning process. This will be the first fashion show in 10 years that NAMA will host on campus, so portions of the meetings are devoted to planning the event.

The club members aim to make the show a community event, partnering with local retailers to dress the student models. Merchandise from retailers such as the Basement Marketplace, P.J. Chilcottage and Dillard’s will be featured at the show.

“I get a lot of contacts from industry people that want to come talk to students,” Swanson said. “Rather than have them speak to a class, I say to come speak with NAMA.” Anderson also leads the members in creating fashion related crafts such as shadow boxes and embroidered fabrics. Senior NAMA public relations representative Paola Felipe explained how crafting mood boards, which are collages of pictures and materials used as an inspiration for projects, can be a great way to get to know fellow members.

“I know [my mood board], it’s really earthy

but it has pops of color and we had some that were all black and white because we just went through the magazines,” Felipe said. “It was a cool bonding experience too, just getting to know everyone in NAMA.” One of the club’s main attractions is their involvement with Phoenix Fashion Week. The club members volunteer every year, often at both the fall and spring shows, to help set up tables, steam clothes and usher guests. Those who are interested in a career in fashion also have the opportunity to meet models, directors and others involved with the fashion industry.

“There was a Ferrari event at [a hotel], the W Scottsdale. From there I actually met Brian Hill, the executive director of Phoenix Fashion Week,” Felipe said. “He asked me for my email.

I got in contact with him and he offered me an internship.”

NAMA meets every other Thursday from 5-6 p.m. in Room 228 of the Communication building. Swanson said people can join the club at any time and is open to all majors, as long as those potential new members have an interest in fashion.

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FEB. 21, 2019 – FEB. 27, 2019 | THE LUMBERJACK 17

CULTURE

The power of embracing the Louie spirit Tyler Day

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chool spirit can be a major part of a student’s experience while attending college. They can wear their respective school’s colors and college logo to show support or go to an event that is held by a club on campus. The energy of school spirit is a common element many students can find on campuses across the country.

Many students who arrive at NAU may have, in one way or another, been exposed to school spirit.

Freshman David Morales said while he had only one semester under his belt, he noticed the change of spirit from the high school level to the college level.

“High school spirit, especially for me, wasn’t the greatest,” Morales said. “There weren’t great teams in terms of athletics, so the spirit wasn’t as great. Here I see a lot of school colors around campus and hear people talking about going to games, so it’s a step up from high school.”

“Universities are more intense, and they are older so there is a tradition and pride that goes with them” -Sophomore Joseph Counihan School spirit can be an important factor when deciding how to spend a student’s college life. It could grant them an opportunity to let loose at an event that supports their university.

Events can range from Lumberjack athletic games to the Spring Carnival, along with a plethora of club events hosted each week.

Sophomore Joseph Counihan said school spirit is elevated due to the history of NAU. “Universities are more intense, and they are older so there is a tradition and pride that goes with them,” Counihan said.

Some traditions at sporting events include NAU’s Logging Sports Club sawing a log after a Lumberjack touchdown or having the Louie mascot walk around the stands to give fans a high five. Counihan said that special events such

Illustration By Katie Dobrydney

as homecoming are an easy way to see that the Lumberjack spirit is alive and well.

But in the end, NAU is still an institution for learning, which can cause students to not have time to attend Lumberjack events and show their spirit. Like many colleges, there are a vast array of majors to choose from and while some students believe certain majors are easy, others would beg a differ.

Senior Alison Bauers said her major is a big reason why she is not able to attend events.

“I’m in nursing school, so it’s kind of difficult to go out and participate in other things,” Bauers said. “Nursing is very intense. It’s a hard program and I worked way too hard to get into and [I don’t want] to mess up anything.”

Other professors and students believe having team spirit is more than showing school

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colors for school pride, but a way to connect with other people at the same institution. Events put on by NAU clubs could be a way to show school pride without having to attend a sporting event.

NAU professor Madison Ledgerwood said students are looking for things they want to do, even if it means it looks like school spirit is not involved.

“My impression is that most students are doing fun things but maybe school events are not what they really consider,” Ledgerwood said. “There is a big loneliness problem I think on this campus. I have a lot of students that talk about being really lonely and not having many friends.”

With having sports and events that surround the campus year round, it is ultimately

up to the individual student to make the decision. On a campus that holds about 30,000 students, there are going to be some that do not enjoy going to these university-hosted social events. Other students could find fun enjoying a night out with friends, staying in watching a movie or just trying to catch up on sleep.

“I think that it is all personal preference,” Bauers said. “When I wear [a school shirt] I feel a little bit more in the school spirit and I think a lot of other people do too. I just think it’s people’s attitudes that make them have school spirit.”

Bauers said the bottom line is school spirit is up to the individual to define and to determine what energy they want to show. With not one person being like the other, there are different tastes and ideas of school fun for everyone.

CULTURE

Local food favorites to savor in Flagstaff Braedon Huff

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ike many cities, Flagstaff has a majority of the most common fast food chain restaurants. It has everything from McDonald’s, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Five Guys and several other choices. However, Flagstaff also has places that can’t be found anywhere else, and establishments like these allow people to change where they choose to dine each night. The local restaurants offered can give people a chance to eat locally while still supporting their community.

Diablo Burger, which also has a location in Tucson, as well as Mike and Ronda’s The Place and La Vetta Ristorante Italiano are a few of the local restaurants that can be found in Flagstaff. The variety of local options to choose from can provide a customer with a more upscale dining experience or a more casual meal out.

Senior Austin Taylor shared a few of his reasons for frequenting these restaurants.

“My personal favorite places to eat in Flagstaff would have to be Mike and Ronda’s The Place and La Vetta, which are downtown,” Taylor said. “Mike and Ronda’s is my go-to for breakfast because it just has that homey feel to it. It has huge portions, affordability and even sports on television most of the time.”

Taylor said he enjoys going to Mike and Ronda’s The Place on Sundays to eat breakfast and watch football games. While this restaurant is one of Taylor’s favorites, he also said there are a variety of local restaurants to eat that give the customer a more classy experience.

“La Vetta is also great because of its subtle yet classy atmosphere,” Taylor said. “It gives you the feeling of being in a nicer restaurant with a menu full of a variety of foods. The staff is very professional, while also being interactive and the table service is incredible as well. Along with the amazing food, La Vetta also has a fantastic bar with just about anything

La Vetta employee Brooklyn Shew slices a lime on the bar at La Vetta Feb. 17. La Vetta is a locally owned restaurant located on North Leroux Street in downtown Flagstaff. Caleb Autry | The Lumberjack

you could want to drink.”

Another aspect of dining that local Flagstaff eateries have to offer is locally sourced food, such as Diablo Burger, which serves local, grass-fed beef at their restaurants. They partner with ranches, farmers and bakers from within a 250 mile radius to provide local food to their customers. Senior Gabrielle Weiser is a regular at Diablo Burger and appreciates the locally sourced food and options to choose from.

“Diablo Burger is unique because it has a great atmosphere and the meat they use is locally distributed,”

Weiser said. “It has so many different burgers and it offers different options than any other burger place does. The staff there also creates a welcoming atmosphere that keeps customers returning regularly.”

In addition to locally sourced food, the local restaurants in Flagstaff can provide a communal atmosphere among customers and employees.

Due to the fact that these restaurants are specific to Flagstaff, the ability to meet people and build relationships is a commonality. Weiser said The Mayor, a local Flagstaff bar and kitchen, is a good place to do this.

“I like the community feel that The Mayor gives off,” Weiser said. “It is a wonderful place to go out and get aquainted with new people while also eating good food. The atmosphere at The Mayor can change, but you never have a bad time. Sometimes its just a good place to sit and eat, while at other times it can get a bit more lively.”

The Mayor general manager Audrey de Guzman said she has noticed how the staff interacts with the customers on a daily basis. In her opinion, that’s how it really makes The Mayor stand out as a local bar

and eatery.

“I think we stand out because of our extraordinary staff,” de Guzman said. “Almost everyone who is on staff here hangs out with the customers they meet while working. We just have a really friendly staff that creates a sense of community and the interactions between the staff and customers really just make it feel like a close group.”

The community feel, locally sourced food and great atmospheres are just a few of the things that can be found at local Flagstaff restaurants.

FEB. 21, 2019 – FEB. 27, 2019 | THE LUMBERJACK 19

SPORTS

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Vroom Vroom Valid

8 motors grumbling, tires squealing, checkered flags and screaming fans with beer — it’s NASCAR season, so buckle up.

But is NASCAR even a sport? After all, it’s just a bunch of people driving fancy, light-weight cars around in a giant circle, right? Maybe not.

Although millions of people drive every day, operating one of these bad boys requires serious skill. According to astrophysicist and science educator Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, the average NASCAR can zoom around at speeds of 200 mph or more and go from 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds. Most races are 500 miles long, 200 laps around the track. When drivers hit AMBER the high point of a turn, gravity weighs down NEATE on the car and on the driver’s body. That’s a ASSISTANT lot of strain on the abdomen, neck, back and SPORTS EDITOR arms. In a race, the driver is forced to push back and resist the pull of gravity.

To give you a better understanding of this intense g-force, here’s an example: If you’ve ever been to a carnival, chances are you’ve ridden on The Scrambler. The ride whirls around with such speed and force that the passenger’s body is sucked to the seat on one side.

Imagine doing that with an incredible amount more force for three to four hours straight — the duration of a NASCAR race.

NASCAR pit crews consist of five men who jack up the 3,500-pound vehicle, change four 50-pound tires, and fuel up the gas tank all in 15 seconds or less.

Drivers can lose 5 to 10 pounds of sweat during a race according to CNN’s NASCAR Fast Facts: Beyond The Flags Christopher Olmstead reported NASCAR driver Landon Cassill lost 8 pounds in the 2016 Brickyard 400. There is a lot of muscle movement that happens in the car.

According to an article posted by USA Today, temperatures inside the vehicle range from 120 to 130 degrees. There is no built-in air conditioning system because it would weigh down the car significantly. To cope with the ridiculous heat, drivers use a ventilation system that blows cool air through their helmet and seat. The ventilation system only lowers the temperature in the car about 10 degrees.

Drivers wear a helmet that is scientifically designed to help them withstand these extreme conditions. It includes a carbon dioxide filter that rids the air of exhaust fumes and often contains a water system and straw for hydration. Drivers such as Busch and Logano wear heat shields to protect their feet from the scorching temperatures that radiate from under the pedals.

According to a press release by CNN , during a race, drivers maintain the same heart rate, 120 to 150 beats per minute, as a serious marathon runner for about the same amount of time.

For an activity to be considered a sport it should have a competitive component and a set of rules. It should incorporate a combination of athletic qualities such as physical strength, endurance, speed, coordination and stamina.

Under these criteria, NASCAR certainly qualifies as a sport.

20 THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

Senior Tim Handel eyes the tennis ball before returning it to his opponent from Montana State Saturday, April 7, 2018.

Matthew Strissel | The Lumberjack

What it takes to be nationally ranked Molly Smith

T

im Handel may be seen as just another student athlete on NAU’s campus but he is much more than that. The nationally ranked senior tennis player came to Flagstaff from Germany, where his journey began.

It’s common for NAU to recruit international students. In fact, only three Americans make up the men’s tennis team of 10 players total.

It’s easiest to recruit domestically, but oftentimes, the prospective athletes find their way here.

Prior to becoming a Lumberjack, Handel knew former teammate Felix Schumann. Schumann is a year older than Handel and now graduated, but they know each other from back home in

Germany.

When Handel was searching for schools to attend, he had his eye on the United States. Germany does not have universities with sports programs. This is the case for most schools in foreign countries. Schumann expressed his love for Flagstaff and NAU’s tennis program, which caused him to gain interest. Former tennis head coach Ki Kroll visited Handel in Germany and created a relationship that greatly influenced Handel’s decision.

“I was always very proud of him and especially his commitment to his teammates,” Kroll said. “I believe Tim will go on to do good things in his life.

There is nothing more important than a strong work ethic and that is what makes him who he is.”

Despite his success on the team,

making that transition was not easy. His freshman year, Handel went through a culture shock. One of the biggest setbacks was the language barrier. Being born and raised in Reutlinge, Germany, he knew little English and was forced to keep up.

The aspect that helped him most were his teammates that were experiencing the same thing.

“It’s good to have teammates that are also foreign,” Handel said. “They shared how they got through times when they struggled and that bond really helped.”

Handel and his teammates have an honest relationship and hold one another accountable. Having to balance schoolwork with their busy travel schedule can be difficult. Handel found a system that works for him.

“This week for example, we were

SPORTS

Senior Tim Handel, photographed here as a freshman, returns the ball over the net Mar. 1, 2016 at the Aquatic and Tennis Complex. Cory Walters | The Lumberjack

in San Diego, came to school for a few days and then [left] to Louisiana for another away weekend,” Handel said. “I try to get my schoolwork done while I’m here so I can focus on tennis, but sometimes it doesn’t work that way.”

Head coach Maciej Bogusz said Handel’s dedication to each aspect of being a student athlete has a strong influence on other players.

“He is a great example on the team and the three freshmen really look to him as a mentor,” Bogusz said. “He’s the top player on our team and has the least things to work on, but is probably doing the most.”

Someone that Handel frequently competes with is fellow senior teammate Ruben Montano.

Montano is from Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Last season Montano finished ninth in Big Sky singles with a 14-7 record.

In the fall, the duo won the ITA Mountain

Reigonals. After just two weekends of play in the spring season, Handel and Montano were nationally ranked No. 27 in the Oracle/ITA Division I Men’s Rankings.

Handel has spent time looking ahead to see what is to come. He wishes to continue playing after graduation and see what comes of it. The next step for most college tennis players is qualifying for national challenges and continuing up the ladder that few have made.

Another option for him is to go home to Germany and live with his family. After he graduates with a bachelor’s degree in business, he is less worried about finding a job.

Back home, he has both of his parents who inspired his love for the sport at a young age.

When Handel was around 5 years old he began playing tennis. His mother and father grew up playing years before Handel was born.

Along with tennis, Handel played soccer growing up.

“Life got really busy and it was time to pick just one sport,” Handel said.

“Honestly, I was much better at tennis. That’s why I chose it over soccer.”

Once he decided to solely dedicate his extracurricular activities to tennis, his skills improved and his love grew.

“When Tim joined the team, he fit right in

“He is a great example on the team and the three freshmen really look to him as a mentor”

-Head coach Maciej Bogusz

with everyone, and in time became one of the team leaders,” Kroll said. “He continued to work on his game and kept getting better each year.”

His first year in college, Handel played in the No. 1 position for singles and doubles for the Lumberjacks, giving him his first All-Big Sky First Team selection. During his sophomore year, he went undefeated and was regionally ranked at 13 and was called the unanimous AllBig Sky Most Valuable Player. He claimed the MVP award again and finished 9-0 for the Big Sky Conference in singles that year.

Bogusz reflected on how Handel’s presence has affected the team.

“He has made an extreme impact on this team,” Bogusz said. “He’s giving the winning qualities to future generations and giving them big shoes to fill. His legacy will stay in this program for a long time.”

FEB. 21, 2019 – FEB. 27, 2019 | THE LUMBERJACK 21

SPORTS

Archery club aims to take a shot at Nationals Yuanchen Bao

T

he NAU Archery Club is finalizing its plans to represent the United States in the international archery competitions.

When the club started in 2011, they did not expect that it would one day compete at the regional and national level.

“Every year we try to put a new group together.” said Drew Ned, full-time coach and club adviser. “Our ultimate goal is getting more members to join the club,” Archery does not typically attract the attention of students, but current members are doing their best to get their classmates interested in the sport.

“One of the plans is to try to get a full team to be competitive in the West Region,” Ned said.

The club is planning to host a tournament at NAU later this spring. According to Ned, the club is anticipating stiff competition at the regional and national levels, including events sponsored by the United States Colleges Archery Association and USA Archery.

“A lot of schools come out to compete in the national tournaments and that is the reason we are trying to come completely prepared,” Ned said.

The club has also increased its method of recruiting new members.

“We travel to California in the process of marketing the club,” Ned said.

He anticipates the club will have a strong team to compete at the national level in the coming years.

In spite of the aggressive training programs and opportunities in the region, the club has a total of 17 members.

This is a main reason current members are heavily engaged in attracting new archers and coaching them to become part of the U.S. national archery club.

The club has also encouraged participation by introducing reward programs such as scholarships for student athletes and some honors at the national level.

“They can get some rewards if they have 3.5 [GPA] and above and receive scholarships if they are awarded,” Ned said.

During training sessions, the club provides different types of programs for new and experienced members.

Experienced shooters compete with others from nearby colleges, while those who want to participate in practice can be trained by coaches over the weekend.

In spite of being a national sport, The archery club has not received a direct source of funding for its activities.

Members have to pay for their own trips to and from California, which creates many challenges for the team.

The club often organizes fundraisers for recruiting trips and archery competitions. However, members are not required to a pay participation fee, just the general club sports fee through

22 THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

NAU. Ned is a certified archery trainer and has helped train club members since 2012. His assistant coaches have not obtained certificates from the U.S. Archery Association, but he anticipates that once they are certified, they will help him in coaching.

In addition to competing, club members enjoy playing a sport that enhances their creativity and allows them create friendships.

These bonds grow stronger as the club members improve their archery skills and prepare for competitions.

“The club is important to me because through it I am able to travel, compete, make amazing friendships and life-long memories,” said club president, Morgan Pinkerton.

For students, sports and other activities help relieve the stress of the day and make it easy to forget about the challenges encountered in the classroom environment.

“They come and they lose everything that they were stressed about … clear their minds,” Ned said.

According to Ned, joining the club does not require special skills. The only requirement is the ability to shoot an arrow using a bow, and a positive attitude toward the sport.

“We will teach you how to shoot with a bow and arrow even if you don’t have archery skills,” Ned said.

Additional reporting by Molly Smith

Men’s Basketball — The Lumberjacks are coming off an away-game loss against Portland State 103-94. They won against Sacramento State Feb. 16 at home 71-69. On Feb. 21, they will take on University of Idaho at home. Then, on Feb. 23, they will face Eastern Washington at home at 2 p.m.

Women’s Golf — NAU currently stands in 15th place in the Rebel Beach Invitational.

Arizona State is in first, followed

by UNLV. Women’s Golf will participate in the two-day Grand Canyon Invitational in Phoenix Feb. 23 through Feb. 24.

Track and Field — On Feb. 15 and 16, the Lumberjacks hosted the NAU Tune-Up at home. Freshman Michael Marchica placed first in the men’s 600-meter run and Junior Zoe Wall took third place in the women’s mile. The Big Sky Indoor Championships will be held in Bozeman, Montana Feb. 21 through Feb. 23.

Women’s Basketball — The Lumberjacks lost against Portland State 74-59 at home Feb. 14. On Feb. 16, they beat Sacramento State at home 7169. Women’s basketball will travel to Idaho to face the Vandals Feb. 21. On Feb. 23, they will take on the Eagles in Cheney, Washington.

Men’s Tennis — Tennis is back from a three-day tournament, the Cajun Invite in Lafayette, Louisiana. The Lumberjacks had two losses: 4-3 against Texas A&M and 4-0 against the University of Louisiana. NAU beat Alcorn State University, 4-0. On Feb. 22, men’s tennis will challenge the Rebels in Las Vegas.

Illustration By Katie Dobrydney

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