The Lumberjack - June 4, 2015

LJ June 4 - July 8, 2015

VOL 101 ISSUE 31

f f a t s g a l F n i r e

SummVENTS, PG. 14 GE

IN UPCOM

From the Editor

W

hat a semester it has been. From our around-the-clock coverage of former NAU student Kayla Mueller to the men’s basketball team’s success in the CollegeInsider.com postseason tournament, we have seen have seen a lot. As we take a few weeks off before some of our staff come back to produce the summer Lumberjack, I am proud to look back on this semester and all of changes and improvements to this publication.

This semester we published our first set of theme issues—covering love, travel and money. We explored infographics as a way of conveying dense data and ran a photo spread about a student who pole dances to cover the cost of her schooling.

This issue was bittersweet for those among our staff graduating in just a few short days, as the week prior, they trained the incoming editors and staff. The graduating seniors on our staff wrote reflections of their time at The Lumberjack MITCHELL and those can be found on page 16.

FORBES Vincent Peña, our editor-in-chief this past semester, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF is one of the graduating staff members. I enjoyed working with him as he brought fresh ideas and some exciting new content ideas. As he goes on to graduate school, all of us are wishing him the best of luck.

I, joined by Jasmyn Wimbish, will be the editor-in-chief next semester.

The Lumberjack has begun rebuild in terms of look and content this past semester, and I look forward to the work Jasmyn and I can continue to do.

Ten things you should NOT do as a freshman The summer staff The Lumberjack has been at NAU for a while, so we wanted pass on some advice as you start your college career. Some of these come from our personal experiences—don’t make the same mistakes we did!

1. Lay on the floor of a freshman hall bathroom after a long night of… “networking” 2. Run after a bus when the doors shut. Another one is coming very soon… or maybe not 3. Run into the dorms thinking it’s a good hiding spot from the police 4. Do your weekly quizzes at 11:45 on Sunday night 5. Use all three of your excused absences in 100-level classes in the first month of the semester 6. Wear a handkerchief/headband during humans vs. zombies week. You will get hit by Nerf bullets 7. Take an 8 AM or a 7 PM class 8. Go to the HLC weight room at 5 PM on a weekday 9. Go to Einsteins from 9 AM to 11 AM 10. Drive on campus during parents weekend

TASTE THE DEDICATION!

Thanks for reading.

LUMBERJACK The

Editors-in-Chief Mitchell Forbes Jasmyn Wimbish

Managing Editor Grace Fenlason Faculty Advisor Peter Friederici

Phone: (928) 523-4921 Fax: (928) 523-9313 lumberjack@nau.edu

P.O. Box 6000 Flagstaff, AZ 86011

Sales Manager Marsha Simon

Student Media Center Editorial Board Assignments Editor Jacob Hall Photo Editor Zac Velarde Assoc. Photo Editor Anna Hernandez Senior Photographer Cory Walters Copy Chief Aubrey Magee

News Editor Scott Buffon Assoc. News Editor Amy Owings

A&E Editor Andrea Garcia Assoc. A&E Editor Megan Troutman

Sports Editor Zach Ashton

Life Editor Gabriella Weiss Assoc. Life Editor Kyndall Arnold

Comics Editor Jules Everson

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Opinion Editor Dalton Davidson Assoc. Opinion Editor Rachel Dexter Lead Designer Tim Guthrie Section Designer Ashley Karzin

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STUDYING ABROAD AT NAU A guide to international education

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International students participate in the parade of nations.

BRIDGING THE GAP: A JOURNEY OF SELF-DISCOVERY

C

BY EMANI PAYNE

ollege: it’s a time meant to shape and grow us probably more than any other chapter in our lives. However, for those who study abroad the growing pains of these four life changing years outweigh merely the experiences of what was taught in the classroom or learned through friendships and summer internships. For these individuals, the pressures of adjusting to a new place and culture, often breaking a language barrier and having to bear the sink or swim mentality are what truly determine the way in which some choose to live the rest of their lives, a lesson junior exercise science major Johann Razali is quickly learning.

Razali is like most college students his age, he attends classes and enjoys hanging out with friends and watching more than his fair share of Netflix; however if he wanted to take his laundry home to get done over the weekend he’d have to travel a little over nine thousand miles to do so. Razali, who was born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia always knew that studying abroad was a goal he wanted to pursue and says he was lucky to have his parents support his decision.

“My parents have been nothing but supportive towards my

decision to study here in America. They both believed that by studying abroad I'd achieve a sense of completion that's beyond just academics. They and I together believed by studying abroad, I'd not only be able to acquire academics at a higher level but also the experiences and maturity that come with it,” Razali said.

However, that didn’t mean beginning his journey to the states was an easy one.

“Coming here to NAU meant I had to leave tons of things behind and not one of them was easy to say goodbye to. Leaving my family and friends was definitely one of the hardest, if not the hardest thing I had to do. Other than my family and friends, honestly it was the idea of leaving an entire lifestyle that I've grown so accustomed to for 20 years,” Razali said.

Once he landed in the United States, he quickly learned the path to the coveted “American dream” was a difficult one.

“Living in America definitely yields its own challenges.

When I first transferred here, getting used to the American diet was a rather big challenge for me. I wasn't used to the portions or the staple diet that Americans consume. Other than the food, a particularly big challenge for me was the lack of resources that I had, and by that I mean the ability to find a job,” Razali said.

As a student worker, he is only allowed to work on campus for a maximum of 20 hours a week.

“Given that the American currency is already significantly higher than the Malaysian dollar, not having a job does make finances rather tough at times,” Razali said.

The 21-year-old lets out his frustrations through his passion and devotion for the art of dance. In Malaysia, Razali started a breakdancing crew and spent most of his free time performing and hosting events around the country. Here, he is part of the BadJacks Dance Team where he enjoys performing for major events such as Relay for Life or putting on showcases for the university community. Razali attributes dance to being one of the few things that has the ability to connect his two worlds that otherwise seem worlds apart.

“Dancing has always been a passion of mine, I've been dancing since I was seven years old and BadJacks allows me to express myself through my favorite medium,” Razali said.

“Dance is an international language in its own form. No matter where I am, dance has always been there by my side to help me break barriers and connect me with people all over the world.”

Connecting with people is something Razali has never had an issue with due to his outgoing personality and natural CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

JUNE 4 - JULY 8, 2015 | T HE LUMBER JACK 7

FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

curiosity about the world around him.

However, he does acknowledge that the language barrier does make it hard to build deep relationships as quickly as he can in Malaysia.

“I feel one challenge was the language and terminology. Sometimes we’d say things that were meant to mean the same thing and actually meant something entirely different so that made me want to keep our conversations short and simple at first, but I think over time the cultural differences has allowed us to build a very unique and close friendship that I don’t have with my friends from America,” says Razali’s best friend Anthony Rosales.

Sean Milton, assistant director of the Office of International Student and Scholar Services, says they have systems in place to help international students better connect with the university, its students and the surrounding community.

“The Office of International Student and Scholar Services is responsible for several programs to assist international students in integrating and being successful here on campus and in the community. Those programs include International Student Orientation Week, NAU’s international club as well as the International Friends and Flagstaff Friends organizations which match American students or local American families with an international student in the interest of cross-cultural friendship and support,” Milton said.

While the Malaysian native says he has experienced his fair share of unexpected challenges, he says NAU continues to be a teacher for him and he’s thankful for the lessons he has learned thus far, both good and bad.

“Being here in the United States, I learn something new every day. Since being here, I've learned the importance of independency and how you can truly achieve anything and everything if you set your mind to it,” Razali said.

While Razali has not yet decided his post-graduation plans or even which country he will choose to pursue those plans in, his father hopes Razali stays in America and use his experiences to be on the forefront of unifying the world and making all people accepting of all cultures.

“This exposure will not only benefit him individually but also globally as you have one more person who has lived and understood a different part of the world, hence making mankind that much closer to becoming one,” said Razali Jantan.

STUDYING ABROAD NOW POSSIBLE FOR MORE STUDENTS

N

BY KAYLA MAYES

AU’s Center of International Education (CIE) offers over 13 different scholarships.

However, every year thousands of dollars in scholarship money goes unused. Students typically apply for the same three: Gilman scholarship, Global Opportunities (GO) scholarship and No Excuses scholarship.

Dakota Smith is a junior at NAU and she plans on studying Psychology and Criminal Justice while abroad.

“I only applied for the GO scholarship and the No Excuses scholarship but I did actually receive financial aid from FAFSA,” said Smith.

“I’ve never been abroad before so I’m pretty excited to have this opportunity. I’ll be going to Tilburg, Netherlands at the end of August.”

Although she applied for these scholarships, Smith was not awarded any grant money for her program. Smith holds a full time job and has been saving since December 2013 to study abroad.

The most common stereotype for students who study abroad are said to be over privileged

kids who come from families with a plethora of money. A study done by NBC News shows how some students who study abroad are steering away from this common outlook, breaking the stereotype.

For those not aware of ways to fund their study abroad programs should stop by the College of International Education (CIE) on campus and speak with an advisor in the department.

Danielle Linde, scholarship advisor in the CIE, explains a few ways to help students fund their study abroad programs.

“There are so many scholarships that go to waste because students don’t know about them.

So many students apply for the same scholarships and neglect the rest,” Linde said.

“I applied for the Gilman, GO and No Excuses scholarships but unfortunately I didn’t receive funding from any of them,” said junior public relations major Melisa Beukema.

Beukema will be studying abroad in the fall in Siena, Italy and will be taking courses focused on photography, painting and Italian. This will

be Beukema’s first time abroad and she plans to travel to neighboring countries.

“I have however received funding from just going to gofundme.com. I’ve already received almost $2000 in donations from my family members,” Beukema said.

The most common scholarships for study abroad programs tend to go quickly because they only offer a few scholarships and have eligibility requirements for applying and receiving these funds. The funding for these programs is limited and used to help pay for tuition, housing, books and even meals in some cases.

The Gilman scholarship, one of the most competitive, is said to award “over 2,700 scholarships of up to $5,000 this academic year for U.S. citizen undergraduates to study or intern abroad.” These numbers come from the Gilman scholarship program itself.

For more information about ways to fund study abroad programs, students can visit the Center of International Education and also online at nau.edu/cie.

THE PROCESS OF STUDYING ABROAD

E

BY ASHLEY PHILLIS

xperiencing new cultures, exploring new countries and meeting new people can all be considered intriguing factors of study abroad. However, before a student even steps foot on a plane, there is a long process to begin the journey. The steps to apply for studying abroad could be considered an adventure in itself.

Lauren Brokaw, a student at Northern Arizona University (NAU), is planning to study abroad in England next spring.

“I wanted to go somewhere in Europe, so I could get a Eurail pass and travel around to a bunch of different countries,” said Brokaw.

The first step to any study abroad trip is talking with a study abroad adviser. Andrew Sarracino is the study abroad adviser for Canada, the Middle East and Africa.

“My job is to make sure students understand first of all where they want to go and do,” Sarracino said.

Brokaw has already started her application process. “For my application process so far, I have mainly met with advisers from the School of Communication and the study abroad office just to make sure that I am on track credit wise and setting up the process,” Brokaw said.

To help students figure out their trip, study abroad advisors will ask them a series of questions including: ‘What do you want to get out of this experience?’ ‘What do you want to do while you’re abroad and, ‘What compelled you to study abroad?’ Student’s answers to these questions will

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assist the advisers in helping them to find the best university and program for the student to study abroad.

Brielle Giesemann is an NAU alumna who studied abroad during the 2012–2013 school year.

“I picked Chile because I was a Spanish major and I needed to find a Spanish speaking country,” said Giesemann. “I wanted to go to Latin America; I was not interested in going to Europe and I heard that Costa Rica was more westernized, and I was looking for a different experience.”

Choosing where to go abroad is not the only concern of students.

“A lot of students don’t know how to finance the trip,” Sarracino said. “We talk them through and tell them that going through one of our study abroad exchange programs, you can use all your financial aid you get from the university (NAU).”

Brokaw is familiar with how her financial aid will work.

“I know that my tuition waivers and financial aid will transfer, I’m just worried about the other fees and how I’m going to pay those,” Brokaw said.

Another major factor for students studying abroad is finding a program that focuses on their major.

“We help them realize that, educational systems around the world aren’t the same,” Sarracino said. Advisors will help students pick a region that will help satisfy their credit requirements.

There’s more than just filling out an

application through NAU to study abroad.

Students have to apply to their host universities and sometimes apply for housing or home-stays.

“When I applied to the program through University of Santiago, Chile, they asked more personal questions that was more specifically for the home stay, for matching me with a family,” Giesemann said. “They matched me up really, really well. I ended up making friends with my host mom.”

This long process can be weary for students because of everything they have to complete.

“I’m looking forward to getting the application process over with,” Brokaw said. “I’m dreading the anticipation of whether the host school accepts me or not.”

But dread is not the only emotion Brokaw is experiencing.

“I’m nervous for going out alone into the world. I’ve never really gone anywhere completely alone before,” Brokaw said. “I’m so far away from everyone I know, but I’m looking forward to it as well.”

People decided to go abroad for different reasons. Some are looking to be immersed in the culture, some want to learn a new language, some want to travel and others want to party.

“I would definitely encourage students to study abroad, but I would also say that it is important to be conscious of your intentions,” said Giesemann. “Whatever your intention is, tune in to that and what that really means,” said Giesemann.

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Sink Right In: Flagstaff couch surfing hosts offer a comfortable crash pad to travelers from all over the world

R

BY ALEXA VAGNOZZI

ecent graduate of NAU’s psychology program, Josh Tokioka lives in a cozy house near the Rio de Flag in central Flagstaff. Christmas lights that adorn the front yard greet guests. A fireplace keeps the entire house warm, and the couch is made of leather and soft cushions, allowing someone to sink right in.

One of his roommates, junior parks and recreation major James Xu, chatters on about his experiences with river guiding, taking children on astronomy tours and educating them about Native American astrology.

Meanwhile, Tokioka, a 21-year-old student at NAU, talks about spring break plans and upcoming rock climbing trips. He lays his homework out in front of him while sipping Irish cream whiskey.

For a couch surfer, this might just be one of the best places in town to crash for a night.

Tokioka is an experienced host for surfers who drop in from all walks of life. He was hosting even back in high school.

“My mother hosted people, and that started when I was about 16. We would have different people coming through,” Tokioka said.

Since last fall, he has begun hosting couch surfers in his own home, following the example of hospitality set by his mother.

But how does one even go about letting complete strangers sleep on their couch?

Because it is the 21st century, the answer is: there is a website and an app for that.

“You make a profile on couchsurfing.com that includes information about yourself, the things you are into and what your house is like, so people get a general feel for what you are like,” Tokioka said.

Surfers can request certain hosts on the website, whether it is a reservation in advance

or last minute. The host then has the power to accept or deny any requests. One of the most important aspects of this experience is the fact that hosts allow surfers to crash at their place for free.

References are the most crucial part of this whole process. Hosts and surfers have the ability to read the references posted on someone’s profile. If a surfer has multiple references — with mostly positive reviews — it basically seals the deal for all future experiences.

It’s like Yelp! or Uber for people.

However, some surfers are starting fresh and have zero references. This may cause skepticism in some hosts, but Tokioka is willing to take a chance.

“You have to consider the fact that if someone’s willing to contact a random stranger and sleep on his or her couch, and they are travelers, most of them are going to be pretty down to earth. I have yet to have someone who was dangerous,” Tokioka said.

Tokioka and Xu have had the opportunity to host many different kinds of people in their home. For instance, one night the guys invited a punk band that had a gig in town the day after.

There is also skepticism and judgment coming from people who are not open to allowing complete strangers into their home. Luckily, Tokioka has understanding roommates who are open-minded to the experience.

“A couple of weeks into living with Josh, he broke the couchsurfing idea. He told me what it was all about. I was super stoked on it and I set up my own account on couchsurfing. com,” Xu said.

The roommates came up with a system where they would deliberate and discuss their options after a surfer requested them.

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Allowing Xu to have his own profile gives him the opportunity to build up his own list of references for future hosting and surfing on his own.

With that being said, while the hosts rarely receive money, the surfer gets a shelter, and both parties get the chance to meet new people.

“It’s rewarding; we don’t gain anything from it, monetarily-wise. It’s free, and you just reap the benefits of meeting awesome people, and having great experiences with them,” Xu said.

Many people living in Flagstaff Tokioka and Xu have met, either do not have the accommodations or do not have roommates open to allowing strangers in their own homes.

Xu is grateful for his exposure to the cultural phenomenon of hosting and surfing, especially in a tourist town like Flagstaff where many interesting travelers are passing through.

It also takes a certain kind of person to be a couch surfer, according to Tokioka.

“You have be fluid with people, comfortable and adaptable,” Tokioka said.

“You need to be ready for new experiences and open to new people. If you are a rigid person who wants your house in certain, set ways, you shouldn’t be a host or a surfer.”

On the other hand, most of Tokioka’s positive experiences with surfers should be a testament of how un-sketchy the idea really is. The people he has met and provided a place to stay are unique and diverse in every way possible. One guy who came through was traveling the world and shooting a documentary. He would ask people the question, “What is love?” and record the different responses — something Tokioka was able to be a part of.

Tokioka even let a couple, a Polish film producer and a Mexican psychiatrist,

borrow his car, based purely on the couple’s numerous positive references and a face-toface interaction.

Couch surfers arrive from Germany, Sweden, Mexico, as well as Americans visiting Flagstaff from all over the country.

And some travelers have a custom of leaving gifts for their hosts.

“These three girls from Boston left us a bunch of hot chocolate and Bailey’s,” Tokioka said. “Once, these two couch surfers stayed with us – a guy and a girl – and the girl actually made us homemade chapstick. You know, just small gestures, but you can get some really cool things from people coming through.”

One of the most profound observations by Tokioka is that the host/couchsurfing dynamic is a culture in itself.

“I’m saying culture in the sense that it’s in it’s own little world. Everything is going on and you wouldn’t even be aware of it, unless you knew somebody who was in it,” Tokioka said.

“There’s social norms, specific experiences — there’s so many layers to it.”

This way of living has opened up connections from all over the world for Tokioka and Xu. With so many positive references, they are now great candidates for traveling and receiving some of the hospitality they have given to others. Tokioka has been able to reap the benefits by surfing on other couches and Xu plans to do just that in the future.

“Everyone should take the chance to host someone, and surf somewhere,” he added.

“Not necessarily that that’s the lifestyle for you, but you should understand what it’s like, just to be aware that human beings are living that way.”

You give a little; you get a little. It is all a part of the couchsurfing culture.

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UPCOMING

EVENTS in

JUNE June is the kick-off for summer events! There is a lot to do over the summer in Flagstaff, and here’s our guide to what is coming up!

Local children of Flagstaff participate in the children’s parade at Hullabaloo 2013. (Photo by Holly Mandarich)

First Friday Art Walk WHERE: Downtown Flagstaff COST: Free!

Flagstaff’s First Friday Art Walk is a showcase of local artists, featuring art, music and other performances in downtown shops. Shops are open from 6–9 P.M. for the art walk.

Flagstaff Hullabaloo WHERE: Wheeler Park COST: $5 advance/$7 at gate The Flagstaff Hullabaloo is truly a celebration and collection of all things Flagstaff.

This wacky event features live music, a kids area, a bike parade, great food, interesting vendors and a costume contest. Focusing on outdoor activities, this event is family friendly, relaxed and a fun summer activity for families and individual citizens. Offset in Wheeler Park, it is accessible and easy to find parking. The Hullabaloo is a Flagstaff favorite with a wide variety of microbrews, raffles and giveaways and an all-ages environment.

National Trails Day WHERE: Picture Canyon Rock Preserve COST: Free!

For adventurers, environmentalists and outdoorsmen there is National Trails Day. To celebrate this national holiday volunteers will be working on building and maintaining trails in Picture Canyon Rock Preserve. This is the first National Trails Day hosted by the City of Flagstaff Sustainability Program. Tasty food and drinks will be served to volunteers and it is a great way to both celebrate a holiday and establish Picture Rock Canyon as a loved trail.

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LEFT: Yuko, a drag queen, at a pride event in April 2014. (Photo by J. Daniel Hud) RIGHT: ASU students Haley Gold (left) and Spencer Bryant perform together in Downtown Flagstaff’s Heritage Square during First Friday Art Walk on Nov. 8, 2014. (Photo by Anna Bradley)

Made in the Shade WHERE: Pepsi Amphitheater COST: $45 advance/$55 at gate Like its name suggests the event features live blues music, craft beer, microbrew tasting, tasty food and a kid friendly area. This year the event is a partner with Restore Arts that supports bringing music and art education into Flagstaff schools.

Flagstaff Pro Rodeo WHERE: Fort Tuthill County Park COST: $15

It is the 22nd year of Flagstaff’s most popular craft beer tasting event and now it is taking place in a larger and grander venue, Pepsi Amphitheater. Breweries from Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Vermont and and of course Arizona will be featured as well as several vendors with tasty food. Attendees are expected to bring a good attitude and a spiffy costume.

Flagstaff Brews and Blues WHERE: Continential Country Club Driving Range COST: $20-$80

Yehaw! The Rodeo comes to Flagstaff! The second year in a row, there will be classic rodeo events such as bull riding, barrel racing, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, team roping, tie down roping and steer wrestling, and for little ones mutton busting. For the true partiers, there is an official after party for the event at The Museum Club sponsored by Miller Coors.

This classic event is turning 19 and moving to Thorpe Park, with easy access to parking and downtown. The festival held by Northern Arizona Pride Association and its mission is to educate and celebrate the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community of Flagstaff. This event cultivates an atmosphere of love and support with diverse and exciting entertainers and local vendors.

Pride in the Pines WHERE: Thorpe Park COST: $15 advance/$20 at gate

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Bike to Work Week 2015

A girl watches her new Flagstaff Biking shirt go through a heat press machine Thursday, May 21, 2015 during Bike to Work Week.

(Photo by Nick Humphries)

At the ice cream social a volunteer hands a bike rider a scoop of chocolate ice cream. The ice cream helped cool off riders who did the 6.5-mile cruiser event. (Photo by Zac Velarde)

Luke, Niko, Deia, and Veronika Milligan stop for a bit while riding to school and work Wednesday, May 20, 2015. Free breakfast was offered to all of those who rode bikes that morning. (Photo by Zac Velarde) People check out bicycle gear for sale at Heritage Square Sunday, May 17, 2015 during Bike to Work Week.

(Photo by Nick Humphries)

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Golfer Jacquie LeMarr finds niche at NAU

J

BY LEXI GIBSON

acquie LeMarr is focused, confident and dedicated in the classroom. She works with her teachers regularly in order to be successful academically.

As a member of NAU’s women’s golf team, LeMarr’s attitude in the classroom is present in her golf game. She is mentally focused and confident, which enables her to take risks on the course. She is dedicated to being the best golfer she can be. Even though she makes practice fun for the team, she is a fierce competitor.

LeMarr discovered golf when she was 10 years old.

As a child, she was extremely athletic. She was involved in gymnastics, soccer, swimming and tennis along with golf, but her natural ability to play golf assisted in pushing all other sports to the side. Soon, LeMarr was traveling to national tournaments and was on America’s Cup team three years in a row. She has qualified for the Callaway World Junior three times, and has been ranked as high as third in the state of Arizona. Her handicap is plus 1.3 and her career low round was a 66 at Aguila during the Xavier Invitational. She was the youngest player to win the AIA high school state championship as an individual at the time.

When it came time for college, there was no question that UCLA would be the perfect fit. A Pacific 12 Conference school with a top-ranked golf program makes UCLA a desirable destination for young golf talent. During her time at UCLA, LeMarr was nominated for the Bruin Athletic Council, made Director’s Honor Roll for the three semesters she attended, had the highest GPA on the team. LeMarr participated in four events and the year she was on the team, the Bruins were fourth at Nationals. However, LeMarr describes the Bruins golf program as rigorous.

“It is always golf. You don’t stop seven hours a day,” LeMarr said.

LeMarr wanted more options for herself. Her dreams extend past the professional realm of golf. LeMarr wanted to be successful academically, but with golf, she spent little time in the classroom. Eventually, all of the practice rounds and tournaments became intense and LeMarr was soon questioning every decision she had made.

“I forgot the love of the game and I didn’t like golf as much because it was becoming a job to me,” LeMarr said.

She has always dreamt of playing golf professionally.

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During her time at UCLA, when golf was consuming her free time and keeping her from school, she began to question whether she wanted to pursue a professional career in golf. That is when, in 2014, the idea of transferring to NAU came up with her parents.

“We spent a lot of time talking through scenarios, helping her plan and execute,” said Jacquie’s mother, Robin LeMarr.

LeMarr talked with her friends at NAU, and then spoke with the women’s golf coach, Brad Bedortha. After a year and a half at UCLA, it was time for LeMarr to move on to the next chapter in her golfing career.

“The fit of the school is the most important thing. I had a good time, but at the end of the day it wasn’t a good fit for me,” LeMarr said.

Now a junior and one of the best golfers on the NAU roster, LeMarr has found the perfect fit. Last year, she won the Red Rocks Invitational in Sedona and has been the Big Sky player of the week three times since her move. NAU has allowed her to get stable playing time, and a good education as well.

NAU teammate Brittany McKee helped LeMarr with the transition after traveling a similar path herself. A senior at NAU, she transferred up here from ASU a year prior to LeMarr.

They were able to build off each other and share the struggles from their own experiences before moving to Flagstaff. The two teammates both came from larger schools and joined a program that is laid back in comparison to their PAC 12 involvements.

“People think she has a hard exterior, but she is really sweet on the inside,” McKee said.

McKee has been friends with LeMarr since her freshman year of high school.

The two met while they were playing in tournaments for the Junior Golf Association in Phoenix. They stayed close friends despite McKee living in Tucson and LeMarr in Scottsdale.

McKee believes LeMarr is one of the team's strongest leaders.

“She is good at communicating with all players, she has a positive attitude and she makes everything fun,” McKee said.

According to Bedortha, there are a few things that set her apart from the rest of the team: Personality, life experiences and her golf game. These things have not only helped LeMarr be the best golfer that she can be, but they have also helped the team as a whole. Not only does her team see these attributes in LeMarr, but so does her family.

“She is definitely one of our leaders,” said NAU golf coach Brad Bedortha.

Jacquie’s parents have seen her continue to strive and utilize her talents. They have been there through the many busy weekends filled with tournaments, and have been the mental and emotional support over the years. LeMarr is able to strive on and off of the golf course due to her support systems, leadership roles, and magnetic personality.

“Organized and flexible are two important words to live by in our family,” said Robin LeMarr.

Although LeMarr has the physical talent, the mental aspect of the game needs to be honed in order to take risks on the golf course, such as going for the longer shot or pulling out her driver instead of her iron.

“Mentally you have to be there 100 percent focused and committed over every single shot,” LeMarr said.

LeMarr and her teammates have been working with Vision54, a program that works to push golfers to the best of their abilities in order for them to increase their performance.

LeMarr describes her experience with Vision54 as the reason her game has exalted.

“Mechanically, I am perfect, but I am only as perfect as my mental game. If I don’t have a good mental focus then all of my mechanics will fall,” LeMarr said.

LeMarr was NAU’s top-ranked player heading into the spring season; however, she had to watch from the sidelines as her team went to the Grand Canyon Women’s Invitational and the Red Rocks Invitational due to a collarbone injury.

LeMarr was able to watch her team, be a leader from the sideline and focus on helping the team.

Over spring break, NAU’s women’s golf team headed to Tucson for Mountain View. Still recovering from her broken collarbone, LeMarr was able to qualify for both events. On the last day of the tournament, she shot a team low 73.

Although LeMarr’s goal is to make it to the professional level in golf, she has other plans in mind as well. After a few years of golfing in the professional circuit, she wouldn’t mind settling down as a reporter for The Golf Channel. After touring, she will have established credibility and gained more knowledge through her opportunity and experiences.

Whether LeMarr goes professional, becomes a reporter, or decides to just become a coach, she is determined to be successful in the path she chooses.

facebook.com/NAULumberjack twitter.com/jackcentral jackcentral.org JUNE 4 - JULY 8, 2015 | T HE LUMBER JACK 17

S L E E H W R E V O FALLING HEAD IE CHASE STORY BY MACKENZ

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EL HUD

PHOTOS BY J. DANI

I

n one of the many warehouses located along Huntington Drive on the east side of Flagstaff, some 20 women are gathering to practice their skating skills as well as how to be as tough as possible. The High Altitude Roller Derby (HARD) team held tryouts for their fresh meat boot camp on Sunday, Feb. 8 at the end of a skate skills weekend. Women from all walks of life showed up and those who passed requirements are now learning the basics of the retro sport in hopes of trying out for the league team at the end of their rigorous training.

Dani Greathead hasn’t been on skates since she was a kid.

Now in her 30s, she’s back on eight wheels and thoroughly enjoying it.

“The first time I came [to practice], I instantly fell in love with skating,” Greathead said.

The boot camp practice sessions are led by Kristin Artus (known to the team by her derby name of Kristin-yte), a league skater and “Fresh Meat Mistress,” who teaches everyone little tips and tricks that can come in handy during bouts.

“As Fresh Meat Mistress, my job is to set up practices and communicate with all the girls about any questions or concerns they may have with skating or gear or the way our league flows,” said Artus.

At the end of the three-month long training program, skaters must be able to pass a minimum skills test set by the Women’s Flat Track Association before they can compete with the league during bouts. These skills include skating around the track 27 times in five minutes, how to fall both properly and safely, different stopping techniques, recovery tactics and more.

Not everyone passes at the end of training though. Some end up going through the boot camp again or giving up altogether.

“This group came in and did the skate skills weekend and blew our entire league away,” said Artus. “Their ability to learn and just trust has come so far and they’re progressing daily— jumps, leaps and bounds above what they started doing.”

Practices are held at HARD headquarters in the Huntington warehouse twice a week: Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings.

During those times, there’s the constant sound of heavy skates on the floor and an upbeat playlist being blared from speakers. New skaters watch attentively as Artus demonstrates

new skills before trying it out themselves as they skate along the track marked by tape on the cement floor.

Greathead works night shifts as a dispatcher for the Northern Arizona University Police Department (NAUPD) but still manages to fit practice into her schedule.

“I come here [Wednesday nights] and then I go to work and I’m working from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. and then on the weekends I work until 3 a.m. so I can still come to the morning practices,” she said.

Skaters are passionate about the sport and are glad to have the opportunity to learn the ins and outs. Jessica Esparza, a senior at Flagstaff High School (FHS), is another fresh meat skater.

“I think that it’s one of those things that people kind of fall head over wheels for,” said Esparza. “Once I got on the team, I woke up for one of the Sunday morning practices and I was like, ‘I get to go skate,’ and that’s pretty rare to be so stoked about whatever you’re doing at 8 a.m.”

Artus enjoys sharing her knowledge with other team members and seeing how excited they are to learn which is why she loves being “Fresh Meat Mistress.”

“A lot of people will say that it’s a love/hate sport,” said Artus. “It’s a year-round sport and you get really burnt out [but] when you get to coach girls who are just learning the sport and are so passionate about it, it makes you love it even more.”

But that doesn’t mean skating comes easily for everyone.

“I wasn’t athletic as a child so this is my first team sport ever,” Esparza said. “There are always some things that I struggle with, but it’s really awesome when I can look back and see all the progress I’ve made.”

What began in the 1930s as a roller skating marathon has progressed over time to the full-contact, women-only sport that roller derby is today. The HARD league was founded in January 2012 by a small group of women who wanted to bring the sport to Flagstaff and has since grown to include a home team and two travelling all-star teams.

“It’s a slow learning process, but it’s really rewarding when you get things down,” Greathead said.

It’s not uncommon to get injured and even break a bone

playing derby. That’s why a full set of pads is required of players: a dual certified helmet, elbow pads, wrist guards, knee pads and a mouth guard are all part of the uniform.

Even team members who have been skating for years get the occasional injury. Greathead was introduced to derby through one of her friends who had to take a break from the sport due to receiving multiple concussions. Despite the risk of injury, there are always interested women who show up for the fresh meat tryouts. “[One of the scariest things] is the first time you fall,” Artus said. “You don’t know how bad it’s gonna hurt and you’re expecting it to hurt a lot but it really doesn’t.”

This is where the skill of falling properly comes in handy.

It’s important that, when players do fall, they aren’t sprawled out on the ground. That leads to the possibility of fingers and limbs being skated over which is harmful to both the girl on the ground and also other skaters who could fall as a result of the obstacle.

“The hardest part when you’re getting started is to trust that your body can do more than you think,” said Artus.

“Just getting over that initial fear of falling [is difficult] and letting things go how they will because your body just always fights to not be on the ground,” Esparza said. “Even if you’re like, ‘I’m not afraid of falling,’ you’re still gonna be resistant to it.”

The sport is rough on the body, especially in the beginning when many skaters are participating in a new physical activity that uses many previously-unused muscles, but the women love it.

“Some days I’m so sore and I don’t want to come to practice but my husband is really supportive,” Greathead said. “He pushes me to continue derby because he knows how much fun I have. It’s got a great social atmosphere. The girls that I’ve met here have been absolutely amazing and they just welcome you with open arms and love everyone and everything and love to teach people skating.”

HARD holds fresh meat tryouts biannually. Follow their Facebook page for more information and details on upcoming bouts.

JUNE 4 - JULY 8, 2015 | T HE LUMBER JACK 19

Overland Expo at Mormon Lake Lodge

20 T HE LUMBER JACK | JACKCEN TR AL .ORG

STORY BY ZACH ASHTON PHOTOS BY NICK HUMPHRIES

I

t was eight in the morning on a Friday. There was snowfall earlier in the morning, and rain still pounded down on the thousands of people camping out near Mormon Lake Lodge and the surrounding camping areas. Trekking through lanes of mud, attendees gathered around the motorcycle skills arena for a welcome announcement to kick off Overland Expo West.

Overland Journal, with the help of Four Wheel Campers and BF Goodrich Tires, hosted their western version of the Overland Expo from May 15-17. Passes for the weekend were $35 for individuals and $60 for families, but kids under the age of 18 did not have to pay. The expo was open to the public until 5 PM on Friday and

Saturday, and 3 PM on Sunday.

“My husband gets the magazine Overland Journal and we live in the valley,” attendee Carrie Blosser said. “I really liked the Grub Hub (booth) and the awning at Thumper” Overland Journal publishes a 136-page, perfect-bound magazine five times a year. The journal only consists of 30 percent advertising, with the rest of the 95 pages consisting of coverage of new equipment and vehicles, as well as full-length feature trip stories spanning across the globe. Coming in a sleek, black cover with golden text, a one-year subscription costs $45.

Overland Expo West hosted about 180 exhibitors, around 170 different classes and workshops and over 8,000 overlanders. The expo grounds were split up into two sides, west and east, with the check in and day pass booths located on the east side.

Camping grounds and classrooms were also on the east side. New exhibitors with feature vehicles were set up next to the staff and volunteer camping grounds.

The food stands were located on the west side, as well as all of the motorcycle exhibitors. Companies showing off motorcycles were put into one lane to the left of the west entrance, with the motorcycle skills arena being a rock throw away.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

“

This is probably the best show for overland travel in the United States...

”

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FROM PAGE 21 “We’re still a very small company,” Giant Loop Moto owner Harold Cecil said. “A lot of our marketing kind of revolves around what you might call ‘grass roots’ marketing. Getting here in front of our core customer base and being able to show them things first hand and let them see, touch, feel the products gives us a very direct connection to our exact target customer base, which is right here at an event like Overland Expo.”

There were multiple lanes of booths separating the west and east side of the expo grounds, as well as the RV park camping grounds. The booths in between these two sides were where companies like American Expedition Vehicles showed off their line of off-roading four-wheel vehicles.

“This is probably the best show in the United States for overland travel,” AEV owner Dave Harrington said. “It’s normally a good show because of the high-end clientele and educated clientele. Most of the people who come here are looking to travel throughout the world and they are looking for a good platform. So for us, this is one of the best shows of the year.”

However, there was much more going on than just the promoting of off-roading motorcycles and vehicles. Attendees were allowed to test drive vehicles like Land Rovers and go off-roading on the driving course located behind the new exhibitors. In addition, overlanders could take off-roading classes inside Mormon Lake Lodge and get hands on training for Pavilion 4WD and Pavilion Moto.

After the expo was closed to the public on Friday and Saturday, a documentary film, like The Making of Run Free, was shown from 7-8 PM then a campfire was held from 8-10 PM. The expo was wrapped up on Sunday, with a walkabout from 8-10 AM and a BBQ celebration at 4:30 PM. Exhibitors were handing out breakfast treats and drinks to people who brought their own utensils in the morning. After the expo was closed to the public at three, a barbeque was held an hour and a half later next to the East entrance.

After giving an employee a green dinner ticket, people were allowed to select from a steak or chicken buffet, where slabs of chicken or steak were served with beans and other sides. After walking past the bar, three to four dozen tables were set up for people to eat.

All of the booths were taken down and cleared out the next day, with exhibitors and campers trekking through the thick mud one last time. Overland Journal will be hosting an east expo in Asheville, North Carolina during the first weekend of October.

22 T HE LUMBER JACK | JACKCEN TR AL .ORG

Tony Nester, a local bushcraft and wilderness survival instructor, educates his Bushcraft 101 class about various fire starting techniques Friday, May 15, 2015 at the Overland Expo.

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THE GYMNASTICS KID: JACOB RAWLINS

P

BY KAYLA MAYES

oint your toes! Stay tight in the air! Stick it!

Blue spring floor mats, uneven bars, rings and foam pits are just a few of senior gymnast Jacob Rawlins’ favorite places to be.

As Rawlins leaps up to the rings, hanging from the ceiling, white chalk particles fall to the floor mats and Rawlins remembers everything he has learned from his coaches and teammates throughout the past 20 years.

Being a gymnast has been a part of Rawlins’ everyday life since he was three years old.

It’s no surprise he joined NAU Gymnastics Club the first chance he got.

The NAU Gymnastics Club practices at Summit Gymnastics on Fourth Street. When Rawlins first walked in the gym, it was a lot smaller than he anticipated. But, he made the best of what he had here in Flagstaff.

“Gymnastics is the best and most difficult part of my life,” Rawlins said. “But that’s just it. It’s my life. I really don’t know where I would be if my parents had never put me in the sport.”

Rawlins is a senior in the hotel restaurant management program. Taking 21 credit hours, working 25 hours a week as a licensed massage therapist and being a part of NAU athletics all at the same time, Rawlins has more poise than your average 23-year-old.

However, Rawlins hasn’t always appeared to be calm and collected. This dates back to his more courageous years when he was just a toddler.

“Ever since he was little, Jacob was a crazy kid,” said his mother, Carol Rawlins. “He was constantly climbing on the couch and the kitchen counter top and jumping off and rolling around doing somersaults all around the house.”

In 1994, Rawlins’ parents, Carol and Dennis, came across Aerials Gymnastics in Peoria, and felt it would be a good fit for their young daredevil.

Aerial Gymnastics takes children as young as two years old for both gymnastics and dance. Gymnastics facilities have been teaching kids strength development, social skills, work ethic, discipline and determination since the beginning of its existence.

While being in gymnastics has helped Rawlins improve his work ethic in all areas of his life and give him much needed discipline, Rawlins still has a child-like personality.

“Playing games with Jacob was like playing games with a monkey swinging from the trees,” says childhood friend Matt Brickley. “He was always so crazy and running around everywhere doing flips all over the place. Let’s just put it this way, not much has changed.”

At a young age, Rawlins was known as “the gymnastics kid” in his neighborhood. The sport has helped him make friends easily, which has made his transition going into other gyms smoother.

After Aerials Gymnastics, Rawlins joined the Desert Devils Competitive Gymnastics team. The Desert Devils have been known as the top training center in Arizona for over 30 years. Rawlins picked up his best and most practiced tricks from this gym.

“I wasn’t with Desert Devils for very long, but being there taught me a lot,” Rawlins said. “After Desert Devils, I went to Sunray Gymnastics and I went up super quick in the rankings and levels.”

Rawlins competed in various competitions in the Optional Gymnastics category.

This category includes levels six through 10, and in the duration of the time Rawlins was with Sunray Gymnastics, he excelled to a level eight, which is quite an accomplishment in gymnastics.

With how competitive and demanding the sport is, Rawlins stuck with it and won medals and trophies for the sets he performed. Sticking with gymnastics meant there was no such thing as free time in Rawlins’ schedule.

"Gymnastics was something I was so used to doing, that if for some reason I was sick or something and didn't go, it was weird and messed up my daily schedule," Rawlins said.

Before the rankings were changed in gymnastics, Rawlins scored a perfect score of 10 in the rings performance.

“When the judges revealed the perfect 10, we were so thrilled and proud of Jacob,” his father Dennis Rawlins said. “That’s something that as a parent, we’ll never forget.”

When Rawlins was 18 years old, he decided to end his competitive gymnastics career.

Rawlins started his college career at Glendale Community College, but decided he needed something different. Even though he got accepted to a few different universities across the country, NAU was the best fit for him. Close to home, but far enough away to be himself.

Although his plan was to end his gymnastics career, Rawlins couldn’t stay away from

24 T HE LUMBER JACK | JACKCEN TR AL .ORG

Rawlins practicing on parallel bars. (Photo by Kayla Mayes)

the sport for too long. He found out NAU had a gymnastics club, as well as a facility he could go to and practice with others who share the same passion as him. The NAU Gymnastics Club practices every Tuesday and Thursday from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., which conveniently for Rawlins worked with his school schedule.

"The past few years I've been coming to Summit Gym have definitely been interesting," Rawlins said while looking down at the foam pit. "There are teams, little kids, and college students that come in often. If I'm ever not doing any tricks or practicing, I help out with certain tricks that some people haven't quite mastered yet."

Rawlins has been helping out people at the gym perfect their performance on the uneven bars and rings. He has also been spotted helping out young children with their tumbling and teaching safe performance techniques.

"I enjoy helping kids because I know at that age, I needed help with my tricks. This way they have some guidance also and hopefully won't hurt themselves,” Rawlins said.

WINGS.

BEER. SPORTS. Isn’t that what college is all about anyway?

NAU STUDENT SPECIAL

10% OFF (Entire Food Order)

Flagstaff • Prescott Valley Valid at participating locations only. Dine in only. Not valid with any other coupon, offer or discount. Excludes alcohol. Limit one coupon per person, per visit. Excludes Tax. No Cash Value. Expires 6/30/15.

928-774-3550 2700 S. Woodlands Village Blvd.Suite 550, Flagstaff, AZ 86001

(Photos by Zac Velarde)

MOLDING A MODEL Women’s basketball coach Sue Darling STORY BY HAYDEN KNUDSEN PHOTOS BY MITCHELL FORBES 26 T HE LUMBER JACK | JACKCEN TR AL .ORG

F

or most, it starts with something small—a pitching mound in the backyard, an easel for a birthday present or a firefighter’s hat at a birthday party. It starts with a small omen of sorts, a premonition of things to come. NAU women’s basketball coach Sue Darling’s story is no different.

For Darling, it all started in Potomac, Maryland, when she and a bunch of kids, who had nothing to do after school, were given a rickety, old basketball hoop with a wooden backboard.

“We grew up in this very cool neighborhood where every household had three to 11 kids and we all had moms who we drove crazy if we stayed inside,” said Darling. “So all the moms forced their kids to go outside and play and not come inside until they called us home for dinner. All of these kids would go out into the middle of the street and play all kinds of sports.

In the fall we would play football, in the spring we would play baseball, and one day all the dads of the neighborhood got together and put together this old rickety hoop and that was our introduction to basketball. And I think that was the sport that really captured our hearts.”

Darling remembers her hometown fondly, even though she moved away from the summer before her senior year of high school. She started at Canyon del Oro High School in Tucson, Arizona, that fall, and went on to have a great senior year in multiple sports. But, it always came back to the sport that stole her heart. Darling was offered an athletic scholarship to the University of Arizona.

Darling’s playing career ended with a multitude of accolades. During her senior year of college, she was named U of A’s first ever female athlete of the year while also named the captain of the Pacific 12 All-Conference team in 1978. She finished her senior year at the University of Arizona as the team captain, and received the “Golden A” award, which is given to the team’s MVP at the conclusion of each year.

Darling was given her first opportunity to coach during her senior season of college. Her first job was to coach the JV

women’s basketball team at Cholla High School in Tucson.

From there, she went on to coach at the University of Arizona, Arizona State University and the Air Force Academy.

In 2002, Darling was delivered an unexpected obstacle. At the age of 41, she was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer. At the time, she was coaching at Northwestern University, and to her being sick was not common.

“I grew up playing sports, healthy as can be and I didn’t drink too much and I didn’t smoke,” Darling said. “I had an easy life up until then, and this thing just kind of snuck up on me, and for the longest time I thought they had the wrong person.

It was the kind of thing that made me take a step back and ask myself what am I doing with my life, and why am I doing it.”

All of this led to Darling straying from her coaching career, if only for just a moment, to become a police officer. She had always dreamed of working for the FBI, but found out that the cutoff age was 37. However, her friend told her about an open position at her local police station and Darling thought that this would be interesting and a much needed change to her life.

“I was a police officer for three years, and let me tell you it was three unbelievable years,” Darling said. “When you go through what I went through, with breast cancer and all that, you go through the surgeries and the chemotherapy and it’s like DRAIN-O going through your body; it took me down to zero.

Being a cop, though, I got to put a uniform on with a bulletproof vest and it made me feel like a superhero. It brought me back and made me feel alive again.”

Going through this helped build Darling’s style as a coach, and if one were to ask any of her players they would tell you the same. Darling lives every day like it’s her last, influencing her team.

“She always tells us to show our ‘best self ’ every day,” said junior guard Mariah Willadsen.

There have been two transcending loves in Darling’s life, the first being basketball and the second being teaching and

mentoring. Eventually, these two loves brought her to NAU. “She’s that motherly figure that always has our best interest at heart, and it’s nice to have someone like that when you’re off at college and you don’t have that motherly figure anymore,” Willadsen said.

Darling’s players see her as a mother of sorts, and love the family atmosphere that Darling tries to build her team around.

“You need a family atmosphere if you want to win championships and that’s what we’re trying to do here, we’re trying to win,” Darling said. “Family are the people that are going to be there for you throughout your whole life, they’re going to be the ones that have your back when you're down, and if you think about it, that translates perfectly to team sports.”

In her short career at NAU, Darling has already shown through using her family-centered coaching style, she can get the best out of her players. She has already coached the team’s all-time leading scorer, rebounder and 3-point shooter Amy Patton, and has coached multiple all-conference players in just three years. Darling also led her most recent team to the conference playoffs, a feat the team had not accomplished since the 2009 season.

“When Sue came in here, the women’s basketball team was at its lowest point,” said assistant director of athletic communications Stayson Isobe. “The team only won five games the previous year, and for her to take a team like that and end up winning 13 games and taking the team back to the playoffs, that’s huge. It really gave everybody at the university trust in her, and it really showed us what she can do.”

All this being said, Darling is the perfect role model for the women of NAU basketball. A coach, sure, but a motherly figure first and foremost, she will continue to grow and mold the young adults that come through her at NAU.

JUNE 4 - JULY 8, 2015 | T HE LUMBER JACK 27

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